Transmission Line and Substation Components

Appendix BTransmission Line
and Substation Components

Prepared by:
Idaho Power Company
1221 W Idaho Street
Boise, ID 83702
November 2011
Transmission Line and Substation Components Appendix B
November 2011 iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1
1.0 PROJ ECT FACILITIES ........................................................................................................ 1 2
1.1 Transmission Structures .............................................................................................. 1 3
1.1.1 Types of Transmission Line Support Structures .............................................. 1 4
1.1.2 Structure and Conductor Clearances .............................................................. 8 5
1.1.3 Structure Foundations ..................................................................................... 8 6
1.2 Conductors .................................................................................................................. 9 7
1.3 Other Hardware ......................................................................................................... 10 8
1.3.1 Insulators ....................................................................................................... 10 9
1.3.2 Grounding Systems ....................................................................................... 10 10
1.3.3 Minor Additional Hardware ............................................................................ 11 11
1.4 Communication Systems ........................................................................................... 12 12
1.4.1 Optical Ground Wire ...................................................................................... 12 13
1.4.2 Communications Stations .............................................................................. 12 14
1.5 Access Roads ........................................................................................................... 13 15
1.6 Substations................................................................................................................ 21 16
1.6.1 Substation Components ................................................................................ 21 17
1.6.2 Distribution Supply Lines ............................................................................... 22 18
2.0 SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION .............................................................................................. 23 19
2.1 Land Requirements and Disturbance ........................................................................ 23 20
2.1.1 Right-of-Way Width ....................................................................................... 23 21
2.1.2 Right-of-Way Acquisition ............................................................................... 25 22
2.1.3 Land Disturbance .......................................................................................... 26 23
2.2 Transmission Line Construction ................................................................................ 32 24
2.2.1 Transmission Line System Roads ................................................................. 32 25
2.2.2 Soil Borings ................................................................................................... 34 26
2.2.3 Staging Areas ................................................................................................ 34 27
2.2.4 Site Preparation ............................................................................................. 35 28
2.2.5 Install Structure Foundations ......................................................................... 35 29
2.2.6 Erect Support Structures ............................................................................... 36 30
2.2.7 String Conductors, Shield Wire, and Fiber Optic Ground Wire ..................... 37 31
2.2.8 Cleanup and Site Reclamation ...................................................................... 39 32
2.3 Communication System ............................................................................................ 39 33
2.3.1 Communication Sites ..................................................................................... 39 34
2.3.2 Access Road ................................................................................................. 39 35
2.4 Substation Construction ............................................................................................ 39 36
2.4.1 Substation Roads .......................................................................................... 40 37
2.4.2 Soil Borings ................................................................................................... 40 38
2.4.3 Clearing and Grading .................................................................................... 40 39
2.4.4 Storage and Staging Yards ........................................................................... 40 40
2.4.5 Grounding ...................................................................................................... 40 41
2.4.6 Fencing .......................................................................................................... 40 42
2.4.7 Foundation Installation .................................................................................. 41 43
2.4.8 Oil Containment ............................................................................................. 41 44
2.4.9 Structure and Equipment Installation ............................................................. 41 45
2.4.10 Conduit and Control Cable Installation .......................................................... 42 46
2.4.11 Construction Cleanup and Landscaping ........................................................ 42 47
2.5 Special Construction Techniques .............................................................................. 42 48
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2.5.1 Blasting .......................................................................................................... 42 1
2.5.2 Helicopter Use ............................................................................................... 44 2
2.5.3 Water Use ...................................................................................................... 45 3
2.6 Construction Elements .............................................................................................. 45 4
2.6.1 Construction Workforce ................................................................................. 46 5
2.6.2 Construction Equipment and Traffic .............................................................. 47 6
2.6.3 Removal of Facilities and Waste Disposal .................................................... 50 7
2.6.4 Construction Schedule .................................................................................. 50 8
3.0 SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE ................................................................ 54 9
3.1 Routine System Operations and Maintenance .......................................................... 54 10
3.1.1 Routine System Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair .................................. 54 11
3.1.2 Transmission Line Maintenance .................................................................... 55 12
3.1.3 Hardware Maintenance and Repairs ............................................................. 57 13
3.1.4 Access Road and Work Area Repair ............................................................. 60 14
3.1.5 Vegetation Management ............................................................................... 60 15
3.1.6 Noxious Weed Control ................................................................................... 62 16
3.1.7 Substation and Communication Site Maintenance ........................................ 62 17
3.2 Emergency Response ............................................................................................... 63 18
3.2.1 Fire Protection ............................................................................................... 63 19
4.0 DECOMMISSIONING ........................................................................................................ 65 20
21
LIST OF TABLES 22
Table 1-1. Proposed Structure Characteristics .................................................................. 8 23
Table 1-2. Foundation Excavation Dimensions ................................................................. 9 24
Table 1-3. Proposed Communications Station Locations ................................................ 12 25
Table 1-4. Access Road Requirements for Transmission Line System ........................... 14 26
Table 2-1. Summary of Land Required for Construction and Operations ........................ 23 27
Table 2-2. Summary of Land Disturbed during Construction and Used during Permanent 28
Operations ...................................................................................................... 26 29
Table 2-3. Miles of New and Improved off-ROW Access Roads ..................................... 33 30
Table 2-4. Miles of New and Improved Access Roads
1
................................................... 34 31
Table 2-5. Construction Staging Areas and Helicopter Fly Yards .................................... 35 32
Table 2-6. Summary of Shallow Bedrock ......................................................................... 43 33
Table 2-7. Estimated Water Usage for Construction by County ...................................... 45 34
Table 2-8. Projected Workers and Population Change during Peak Construction .......... 46 35
Table 2-9. Transmission Line Construction Equipment Requirements ............................ 47 36
Table 2-10. Equipment Requirements for Grassland and Hemingway Substations .......... 48 37
Table 2-11. Average and Peak Construction Traffic (per spread) ..................................... 49 38
Table 2-12. Solid Waste Generation from Construction Activities ..................................... 50 39
40
November 2011 v
LIST OF FIGURES 1
Figure 1-1. Proposed 500-kV Single Circuit Lattice Steel Structure ................................... 2 2
Figure 1-2. Proposed 500-kV Single Circuit Tubular Steel Pole H-frame Structure ............ 3 3
Figure 1-3. Proposed 138/69-kV Double Circuit Structure with Distribution Underbuild ..... 4 4
Figure 1-4. Proposed ROW Designs ................................................................................... 5 5
Figure 1-5. Alternative 500-kV Single Shaft Steel Pole Structure ....................................... 6 6
Figure 1-6. Alternative ROW Design ................................................................................... 7 7
Figure 1-7. Typical Communication Site ........................................................................... 13 8
Figure 1-8. Typical Road Sections for Different Terrains .................................................. 15 9
Figure 1-9. Type 1 Drive Through Stream Crossing Methods .......................................... 16 10
Figure 1-10. Type 2 and Type 3 Crossing Methods ............................................................ 18 11
Figure 1-11. Type 4 Channel Spanning Structures Including Fish Passage .................... 19 12
Figure 1-12. Typical 500-kV Substation .............................................................................. 22 13
Figure 2-1. Disturbance Area for Tower Structures .......................................................... 29 14
Figure 2-2. Typical Disturbance Area ................................................................................ 30 15
Figure 2-3. Example Access Roads and Tower Locations ............................................... 31 16
Figure 2-4. Transmission Line Construction Sequence .................................................... 32 17
Figure 2-5. Conductor Installation ..................................................................................... 37 18
Figure 2-6. Project Construction Schedule ....................................................................... 52 19
Figure 3-1. Live-line Maintenance Space Requirements, Single-Circuit 500-kV Lattice 20
Tower .............................................................................................................. 59 21
Figure 3-2. Right-of-Way Vegetation Management ........................................................... 61 22
23
November 2011 1
This appendix contains detailed information provided by Idaho Power Company (IPC) regarding 1
the components of the transmission system including the transmission structures, the 2
communications system, and the substations. It provides details regarding construction of the 3
system (Section 2.0), goes on to provide information regarding the operations and maintenance 4
of the system (Section 3.0), and finally details the proposed abandonment and restoration 5
techniques (Section 4.0). 6
1.0 PROJECT FACILITIES 7
This section describes the various components of the transmission system for the Boardman to 8
Hemingway Transmission Line Project (Boardman to Hemingway or Project), including the 9
structures themselves, the conductors used, other hardware needed, the communication 10
system, the access roads, and finally the substations. Both the proposed and alternative 11
structures are described herein 12
1.1 Transmission Structures 13
1.1.1 Types of Transmission Line Support Structures 14
The majority of the proposed transmission line circuits will be supported by steel single-circuit 15
steel lattice towers. Figure 1-1 illustrates the typical tangent lattice tower structure configuration. 16
In some instances, single-circuit tubular steel H-frame structures will be used where required to 17
mitigate sensitive environmental resources or where land use requires shorter structure heights. 18
Figure 1-2 illustrates a tangent tubular steel H-frame structure. Figure 1-3 provides an 19
illustration of a typical 138/68-kilovolt (kV) structure with 12.5-kV underbuild distribution that 20
would be used for approximately 5.3 miles.
1
21
Tangent structures are primarily used in straight line segments and are the most common type 22
of structure. Running angles are used when a transmission line changes direction up to a 23
specified threshold line angle. Dead-end structures are needed for extremely long spans, when 24
the line angle exceeds the threshold of a running angle tower, in highly varied terrain which can 25
create uplift conditions, or when there is a need for a failure containment structure. Angle and 26
dead-end structures are heavier and require larger foundations. 27
Figure 1-4 illustrates the right-of-way (ROW) design configurations for proposed structures. 28
29
1
Of the 5.3 miles, 0.3 miles would be a 138-kV single-circuit which because of its limited extent, is not further discussed in this
document.
November 2011 2
1
Figure 1-1. Proposed 500-kV Single Circuit Lattice Steel Structure 2
3
November 2011 3
1
Figure 1-2. Proposed 500-kV Single Circuit Tubular Steel Pole H-frame Structure 2
3
November 2011 4
1
2
Figure 1-3. Proposed 138/69-kV Double Circuit Structure with Distribution 3
Underbuild 4
November 2011 5
1
Figure 1-4. Proposed ROW Designs 2
3
November 2011 6
Figure 1-5 presents the configuration of the alternative 500-kV monopole structure which could 1
be used in active agricultural areas where location is critical to farming operations. Figure 1-6 2
illustrates the alternative ROW design configuration. 3
4
Figure 1-5. Alternative 500-kV Single Shaft Steel Pole Structure 5
November 2011 7
1
Figure 1-6. Alternative ROW Design 2
3
1.1.1.1 Proposed 500-kV Single Circuit Galvanized Lattice Steel Structures 4
Lattice steel towers will be fabricated with galvanized steel members treated to produce a dulled 5
galvanized finish. The average distance between 500-kV towers will be 1,200 to 1,300 feet. 6
Structure heights will vary depending on terrain and the requirement to maintain minimum 7
conductor clearances from ground. The 500-kV single-circuit towers will vary in height from 110 8
to 195 feet. 9
1.1.1.2 Proposed 500-kV Single Circuit Tubular Steel H-Frame Structures 10
The 500-kV H-frame structures will be fabricated with self-weathering tubular steel treated to 11
produce a rust-like finish. The average distance between 500-kV H-frames will be 1,200 to 12
1,300 feet. Structure heights will vary depending on terrain and the requirement to maintain 13
minimum conductor clearances from ground. The 500-kV H-frame structures will vary in height 14
from 100 to 165 feet. 15
1.1.1.3 Proposed 138/69-kV Double Circuit Galvanized Monopole Structures 16
Monopole structures will be fabricated with self-weathering steel treated to produce a rust-like 17
finish. The average distance between 138/69-kV towers will be 350 feet. Structure heights will 18
vary depending on terrain and the requirement to maintain minimum conductor clearances from 19
ground. The 138/69-kV double-circuit towers will vary in height from 55 to 100 feet. 20
1.1.1.4 Alternative 500-kV Single Circuit Monopole Structures 21
The alternative 500-kV Monopole structures if use would be fabricated with self-weathering 22
tubular steel treated to produce a rust-like finish. The average distance between 500-kV 23
Monopoles would be 800 to 1,000 feet. Structure heights would vary depending on terrain and 24
the requirement to maintain minimum conductor clearances from ground. The 500-kV Monopole 25
structures would vary in height from 120 to 130 feet. 26
Table 1-1 describes the number and type of structures by typical height, typical distances 27
between structures, and temporary and permanent disturbance areas by structure. 28
29
30
November 2011 8
Table 1-1. Proposed Structure Characteristics 1
Structure Type
Typical
Height
(feet)
No. of
Structures
1/
Average
Distance
Between
Structures
1
(feet)
Short Term
Disturbance
Area per
structure
(sq. feet.)
Long Term
Disturbance
Area per
structure
(sq. feet.)
500-kV Single Circuit
Lattice Structure
110-195 1,228 1,200-1,300 ROW Width 250
feet x 250 feet =
1.43 acre
ROW Width 50
feet x 50 feet =
0.06 acre
500-kV Single Circuit H-
Frame Structure
100-165 75 900-1,300 ROW Width 250
feet x 250 feet =
1.43 acre
ROW Width 50
feet x 50 feet =
0.06 acre
138/69-kV Double Circuit
Monopole Structure
55-100 72 350 ROW Width 100
feet x 100 feet =
0.23 acre
ROW Width 50
feet x 50 feet =
<0.01 acre
1
Reasonable estimate from preliminary engineering.
2
1.1.2 Structure and Conductor Clearances 3
Conductor phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground clearance parameters are determined in 4
accordance with IPC Company Standards and the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), 5
ANSI C2, produced by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These documents 6
provide minimum distances between the conductors and ground, crossing points of other lines 7
and the transmission support structure, and other conductors, and minimum working clearances 8
for personnel during energized operation and maintenance activities (IEEE 2007). Typically, the 9
clearance of conductors above ground is 37 feet for 500-kV, but where the line crosses land 10
used for agricultural purposes a minimum clearance of 40 feet will be used. For the 138/69-kV 11
double-circuit section, the 12.5-kV underbuild distribution conductor clearance is 22 feet above 12
grade. During detailed design, clearances may be increased to account for localized conditions. 13
1.1.3 Structure Foundations 14
The 500-kV single-circuit lattice steel structures each require four foundations with one on each 15
of the four corners of the lattice towers. The foundation diameter and depth will be determined 16
during final design and are dependent on structure loading conditions and the type of soil or 17
rock present at each specific site. Typically, the foundations for the single-circuit tangent lattice 18
towers will be composed of steel-reinforced concrete drilled piers with a typical diameter of 4 19
feet and a depth of approximately 15 feet. For the 500-kV H-frame structures each structure will 20
require two foundations, one for each pole that comprises the H-frame structure. At angle and 21
dead-end structures the H-frames will be replaced with three poles each with its own foundation. 22
They will be steel-reinforced drilled piers with a typical diameter of 6 feet and a depth of 23
approximately 25 feet. The 138/69-kV monopole structures will be a combination of direct- 24
embedded steel poles and self-supported poles on drilled pier foundations. Tangent structures 25
will be direct-embedded in a single drilled boring, typically 5 feet in diameter and 15 feet deep. 26
Angle and dead-end structures will be on steel-reinforced drilled pier foundations with a typical 27
diameter of 5 feet and a depth of approximately 20 feet. 28
Typical foundation diameters and depths for the proposed structure families are shown in Table 29
1-2. 30
November 2011 9
Table 1-2. Foundation Excavation Dimensions 1
Proposed Structures
Number of
Structures
Holes Per
Structure
Depth
(feet)
Diameter
(feet)
Concrete
(cubic
yards)
500-kV Single Circuit - Light Tangent Lattice Tower 964 4 15 4 28
500-kV Single Circuit - Heavy Tangent Lattice Tower 82 4 18 5 52
500-kV Single Circuit - Small Angle Lattice Tower 12 4 16 6 68
500-kV Single Circuit - Medium Angle Lattice Tower 27 4 21 6.5 104
500-kV Single Circuit - Medium Dead-End Lattice
Tower
1
103 4 28 7 160
500-kV Single Circuit - Heavy Dead-End Lattice
Tower
40 4 30 7 172
500-kV Single Circuit Tangent H-Frame Structure 61 2 25 6 53
500-kV Single Circuit Angle H-Frame Structure 8 3 30 7 129
500-kV Single Circuit Dead-end H-Frame Structure 6 3 40 8 224
138/69-kV Double Circuit - Monopole Tangent
Structure
37 1 15 5 N/A
138/69-kV Double Circuit - Monopole Angle Structure 5 1 20 5 15
138/69-kV Double Circuit - Monopole Dead-end
Structure
30 1 25 6 27
1
Dead-end structure typically refers to a structure that is placed at a point where the transmission line turns direction. 2
1.2 Conductors 3
The proposed conductor for the 500-kV lattice structure lines is 1,272 KCM
2
45/7 ACSR Bittern 4
45/7
3
. Each phase of a 500-kV three-phase circuit
4
will be composed of three subconductors in 5
a triple bundle configuration. The individual 1,272 KCM conductors will be bundled in a 6
triangular configuration with spacing of 25 inches between horizontal subconductors and 18 7
inches of diagonal separation between the top two conductors and the lower conductor (see 8
Figure 1-1). The triple-bundled configuration is proposed to provide adequate current carrying 9
capacity and to provide for a reduction in audible noise and radio interference as compared to a 10
single large-diameter conductor. Each 500-kV subconductor will have a 45/7 aluminum/steel 11
stranding, with an overall conductor diameter of 1.345 inches and a weight of 1.432 pounds per 12
foot and a non-specular finish
5
. 13
The proposed conductor for the 138/69-kV monopole structure lines is 397 KCM 26/7 ACSR 14
Ibis (138KV, one conductor per phase), 4/0 6/1 ACSR Penguin (69 KV, one conductor per 15
phase), No. 4 Copper Conductor (12.5-kV Distribution, one conductor per phase plus neutral 16
wire), and a 3/8 EHS 7-strand shield wire. Conductors will be aligned with typical vertical 17
spacing of 8 feet between shield wire and 69 or 138 KV phase wires, 6 feet between phase 18
wires, and a minimum of 12 feet between 138 or 69 KV phase wires and distribution wires. 19
Where multiple conductors are utilized in a bundle for each phase, the bundle spacing will be 20
maintained through the use of conductor spacers at intermediate points along the conductor 21
bundle between each structure. The spacers serve a dual purpose: in addition to maintaining 22
2
KCM (1,000 cmils) is a quantity of measure for the size of a conductor; kcmil wire size is the equivalent cross-sectional area in
thousands of circular mils. A circular mil (cmil) is the area of a circle with a diameter of one thousandth (0.001) of an inch.
3
Aluminum/steel refers to the conductor material composition. The preceding numbers indicate the number of strands of each
material type present in the conductor (i.e., 45/7 aluminum/steel stranding has 45 aluminum strands wound around 7 steel
strands).
4
For AC transmission lines, a circuit consists of three phases. A phase may consist of one conductor or multiple conductors (i.e.,
subconductors) bundled together.
5
Non-specular finish refers to a dull finish rather than a shiny finish.
November 2011 10
the correct bundle configuration and spacing, the spacers are also designed to damp out wind- 1
induced vibration in the conductors. The number of spacers required in each span between 2
towers will be determined during the final design of the transmission line. 3
1.3 Other Hardware 4
1.3.1 Insulators 5
As shown in Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2, the typical insulator assemblies for 500-kV steel lattice 6
tangent structures and H-frame structures will consist of two insulators hung in the form of a V. 7
As shown in Figure 1-3, insulator assemblies for 138/69-kV tangent structures will consist of 8
supported insulators which extend horizontally away from the monopole. Insulators are used to 9
suspend each conductor bundle (phase) from the structure, maintaining the appropriate 10
electrical clearance between the conductors, the ground, and the structure. The V-shaped 11
configuration of the 500-kV insulators also restrains the conductor so that it will not swing into 12
the structure in high winds. Dead-end insulator assemblies for the transmission lines will use an 13
I-shaped configuration, which consists of insulators hung from either a tower dead-end arm or a 14
dead-end pole in the form of an I. Insulators will be composed of grey porcelain or green-tinted 15
toughened glass. 16
1.3.2 Grounding Systems 17
Alternating current (AC) transmission lines such as the Project transmission lines have the 18
potential to induce currents on adjacent metallic structures such as transmission lines, railroads, 19
pipelines, fences, or structures that are parallel to, cross, or are adjacent to the transmission 20
line. Induced currents on these facilities will occur to some degree during steady-state operating 21
conditions and during a fault condition on the transmission line. For example, during a lightning 22
strike on the line, the insulators may flash over, causing a fault condition on the line and current 23
will flow down the structure through the grounding system (i.e., ground rod or counterpoise) and 24
into the ground. The magnitude of the effects of the AC induced currents on adjacent facilities is 25
highly dependent on the magnitude of the current flows in the transmission line, the proximity of 26
the adjacent facility to the line, and the distance (length) for which the two facilities parallel one 27
another in proximity. 28
The methods and equipment needed to mitigate these conditions will be determined through 29
electrical studies of the specific situation. As standard practice and as part of the design of the 30
Project, electrical equipment and fencing at the substation will be grounded. All fences, metal 31
gates, pipelines, metal buildings, and other metal structures adjacent to the ROW that cross or 32
are within the transmission line ROW will be grounded as determined necessary. If applicable, 33
grounding of metallic objects outside of the ROW may also occur, depending on the distance 34
from the transmission line as determined through the electrical studies. These actions take care 35
of the majority of induced current effects on metallic facilities adjacent to the line by shunting the 36
induced currents to ground through ground rods, ground mats, and other grounding systems, 37
thus reducing the effect that a person may experience when touching a metallic object near the 38
line (i.e., reduce electric shock potential). In the case of a longer parallel facility, such as a 39
pipeline parallel to the Project over many miles, additional electrical studies will be undertaken 40
to identify any additional mitigation measures (more than the standard grounding practices) that 41
will need to be implemented to prevent damaging currents from flowing onto the parallel facility, 42
and to prevent electrical shock to a person that may come in contact with the parallel facility. 43
Some of the typical measures that could be considered for implementation, depending on the 44
degree of mitigation needed, could include: 45
Fault Shields shallow grounding conductors connected to the affected structure 46
adjacent to overhead electrical transmission towers, poles, substations, etc. They are 47
November 2011 11
intended to provide localized protection to the structure and pipeline coating during a 1
fault event from a nearby electric transmission power system. 2
Lumped Grounding localized conductor or conductors connected to the affected 3
structure at strategic locations (e.g., at discontinuities). They are intended to protect 4
the structure from both steady-state and fault AC conditions. 5
Gradient Control Wires a continuous and long grounding conductor or conductors 6
installed horizontally and parallel to a structure (e.g., pipeline section) at strategic 7
lengths and connected at regular intervals. These are intended to provide protection 8
to the structure and pipeline coating during steady-state and fault AC conditions from 9
nearby electric transmission power systems. 10
Gradient Control Mats typically used for aboveground components of a pipeline 11
system, these are buried ground mats bonded to the structure, and are used to 12
reduce electrical step and touch voltages in areas where people may come in 13
contact with a structure subject to hazardous potentials. Permanent mats bonded to 14
the structure may be used at valves, metallic vents, cathodic protection test stations, 15
and other aboveground metallic and nonmetallic appurtenances where electrical 16
contact with the affected structure is possible. In these cases there is no standard 17
solution that will solve these issues every time. Instead, each case must be studied 18
to determine the magnitude of the induced currents and the most appropriate 19
mitigation given the ground resistivity, distance paralleled, steady-state and fault 20
currents, fault clearing times expected on the transmission line, and distance 21
between the line and the pipeline, to name a few of the parameters. If the electrical 22
studies indicate a need to install cathodic protection devices on a parallel pipeline 23
facility, a distribution supply line interconnection may be needed to provide power to 24
the cathodic protection equipment.
6
25
During final design of the transmission line, appropriate electrical studies will be conducted to 26
identify the issues associated with paralleling other facilities and the types of equipment that will 27
need to be installed (if any) to mitigate the effects of the induced currents. 28
1.3.3 Minor Additional Hardware 29
In addition to the conductors, insulators, and overhead shield wires, other associated hardware 30
will be installed on the tower as part of the insulator assembly to support the conductors and 31
shield wires. This hardware will include clamps, shackles, links, plates, and various other pieces 32
composed of galvanized steel and aluminum. 33
A grounding system will be installed at the base of each transmission structure that will consist 34
of copper or galvanized ground rods embedded into the ground in immediate proximity to the 35
structure foundation and connected to the structure by a buried copper lead. When the 36
resistance to ground for a grounded transmission structure is greater than a specified 37
impedance value with the use of ground rods, counterpoise will be installed to lower the 38
resistance to below a specified impedance value. Counterpoise consists of a bare copper-clad 39
or galvanized-steel cable buried a minimum of 12 inches deep, extending from structures (from 40
one or more legs of structure) for approximately 200 feet within the ROW. 41
Other hardware that is not associated with the transmission of electricity may be installed as 42
part of the Project. This hardware may include aerial marker spheres or aircraft warning lighting 43
as required for the conductors or structures per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 44
6
NACE International. 2003. Grounding Systems. Houston, TX. Available online at
http://www.nace.org/content.cfm?parentid=1001&currentID=1001
November 2011 12
regulations.
7
Structure proximity to airports and structure height are the determinants of whether 1
FAA regulations will apply based on an assessment of wire/tower strike risk. IPC does not 2
anticipate that structure lighting will be required because proposed structures will be less than 3
200 feet tall and will not be near airports that require structure lighting. 4
1.4 Communication Systems 5
1.4.1 Optical Ground Wire 6
Reliable and secure communications for system control and monitoring is very important to 7
maintain the operational integrity of the Project and of the overall interconnected system. 8
Primary communications for relaying and control will be provided via the optical ground wire 9
(OPGW) that will be installed on the transmission lines; this path is solely for IPC use and will 10
not be used for commercial purposes. A secondary communication path may also be developed 11
using a power line carrier. No new microwave sites are anticipated for the Project. Updated 12
microwave equipment may be installed at the substations. 13
Each structure will have two lightning protection shield wires installed on the structure peaks 14
(see Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2). One of the shield wires will be composed of extra high strength 15
steel wire with a diameter of 0. 495 inch and a weight of 0.517 pound per foot. The second 16
shield wire will be an OPGW constructed of aluminum and steel, which carries 48 glass fibers 17
within its core. The OPGW will have a diameter of 0.646 inch and a weight of 0.407 pound per 18
foot. The glass fibers inside the OPGW shield wire will provide optical data transfer capability 19
among IPCs facilities along the fiber path. The data transferred are required for system control 20
and monitoring. 21
1.4.2 Communications Sites 22
As the data signal is passed through the optical fiber cable, the signal degrades with distance. 23
Consequently, signal communications sites are required to amplify the signals if the distance 24
between substations or communications sites exceeds approximately 40 miles. As summarized 25
in Table 1-3, a total of eight communications sites will be required. Communication sites will be 26
located on private and public lands. 27
Table 1-3. Proposed Communications Site Locations 28
County Number
Total Construction
Acres
Total Operations
Acres Ownership
Morrow 1 0.2 0.1 Private
Umatilla 1 0.2 0.1 Private
Union 1 0.2 0.1 BLM
Baker 2 0.5 0.3 Private, BLM
Malheur 3 0.7 0.4 2 BLM, 1 Private
Owyhee 0 0 0 --
29
The typical site will be 100 feet by 100 feet, with a fenced area of 75 feet by 75 feet. A 30
prefabricated concrete communications shelter with dimensions of approximately 11.5-foot by 31
32-foot by 12-foot-tall will be placed on the site and access roads to the site and power from the 32
local electric distribution circuits will be required. An emergency generator with a liquid 33
petroleum gas fuel tank will be installed at the site inside the fenced area. Two diverse cable 34
7
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-1K Obstruction
Marking and Lighting, August 1, 2000; and Advisory Circular AC 70/7460-2K Proposed Construction or Alteration of
Objects that May Affect the Navigable Airspace, March 1, 2000.
November 2011 13
routes (aerial and/or buried) from the transmission ROW to the equipment shelter will be 1
required. Figure 1-7 illustrates the plan arrangement of a typical communications sites. 2
3
Figure 1-7. Typical Communication Site 4
1.5 Access Roads 5
The Project will require vehicular access to each structure for the life of the Project. For the 6
purposes of calculating ground disturbance and operational needs, the Project has classified 7
access roads into five categoriesfour of them permanent roads and one of them temporary. 8
Table 1-4 summarizes the five categories of roads needed for accessing the transmission line 9
structures for the Project. 10
The largest of the heavy equipment needed, which dictates the minimum needed road 11
dimensions, is a truck-mounted aerial lift crane with 100,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, 8-by- 12
8 drive, and a 210-foot telescoped boom. To accommodate this equipment, the road 13
specifications require a 14-foot-wide travel surface and 16- to 20-foot-wide travel surface for 14
horizontal curves (Figure 1-8). The required travel way in areas of rolling to hilly terrain will 15
require a wider disturbance to account for cuts and fills. In addition, IPC plans to conduct 16
maintenance using live-line maintenance techniques, thereby avoiding an outage to the critical 17
transmission line infrastructure. High-reach bucket trucks along with other equipment will be 18
used to conduct these activities. 19
20
November 2011 14
Table 1-4. Access Road Requirements for Transmission Line System 1
Road
Category Construction Use Routine Operations Use
Non-Routine
Operations
Use
Existing roads
requiring no
improvement
No change No change No change
Existing roads
requiring
improvement
Surfaced and unsurfaced 14-
foot-wide straight sections of
road and 16- to 20-foot-wide
sections at corners. Heavy
machinery used as needed to
ensure safe operation and
access of vehicles.
For routine activities, an 8-foot portion of the
authorized road will be used and vehicles will
drive over the vegetation and brush where safe
and practicable. Vegetation that may interfere
with the safe operation of vehicles will be
removed as necessary.
For non-
routine
maintenance
requiring
access by
larger vehicles
the full width of
the access
road may be
used. Access
roads will be
maintained, as
necessary, but
will not be
routinely
graded.
New roads
- Bladed
- Overland
Travel
- Overland
Travel with
Clearing
New surfaced and un-surfaced,
14-foot-wide straight sections of
sections at corners.
Bladed Roads may be
constructed to access structures
in steep or uneven terrain. Used
on sideslopes greater than 8%.
Overland Travel Routes created
by direct vehicle travel over low
growth vegetation ; or with
minor clearing and grading
using heavy machinery to
remove larger vegetation or
other obstructions as needed to
ensure safe operation and
access of vehicles.
road will be used and vehicles will drive over
the vegetation where safe and practicable.
Vegetation that may interfere with the safe
operation of vehicles will be removed as
necessary.
ATV Trails
ATV access to
helicopter sites
Unsurfaced 8-foot-wide straight
sections of road and 8- to 10-
foot-wide sections at corners.
road will be used and vehicles will drive over
the vegetation where safe and practicable.
Vegetation that may interfere with the safe
operation of vehicles will be removed as
necessary.
None
Temporary
roads
Access to
laydown and fly
yards
Access for
construction,
pulling and
tension
14-foot-wide straight sections of
sections at corners.
Nonecontours will be restored, and the road
will be ripped and seeded.
None
November 2011 15
1
Figure 1-8. Typical Road Sections for Different Terrains 2
November 2011 16
Waterbody Crossings with Access Roads: Access roads will be constructed to minimize 1
disruption of natural drainage patterns including perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams. 2
In order to estimate the impact on stream crossings, an assessment of stream crossing types 3
was made based on preliminary engineering plans. These are conservative estimates using 4
consistent quantitative descriptions for each crossing method. As the engineering plans are 5
advanced for new access roads, site specific crossings will be designed and crossing 6
disturbance will vary. On all federally managed lands, IPC will consult with the managing 7
agency regarding relevant standards and guidelines pertaining to road crossing methods at 8
waterbodies. Consultation will include site assessment, design, installation, maintenance, and 9
decommissioning. New crossings of canals, ditches and perennial streams will be avoided to 10
the extent practical by using existing crossings, but some new crossings are expected. The 11
performance of stream crossings will be monitored for the life of the access road, and 12
maintained or repaired as necessary to protect water quality. Four types of waterbody crossings 13
are considered as part of the Project (Figure 1-9 through Figure 1-11). They are: 14
Type 1 Drive through with or without minor grading and/or minimal fill to match existing 15
stream profile: Crossing of a seasonally dry channel with minimal grading and/or fill to 16
repair surface ruts or re-contour minor surface erosion (Figure 1-9). 17
18
Figure 1-9. Type 1 Drive Through Stream Crossing Methods 19
Type 2 Drive through/ Ford: Crossing of a channel that includes grading and 20
stabilization. Stream banks and approaches would be graded to allow vehicle passage 21
and stabilized with rock, geotextile fabric or other erosion control devices. The stream 22
bed would in some areas be reinforced with coarse rock material, where approved by 23
the land-management agency, to support vehicle loads, prevent erosion and minimize 24
sedimentation into the waterway. The rock would be installed in the stream bed such 25
that it would not raise the level of the streambed, thus allowing continued movement of 26
water, fish and debris. Fords may be constructed in small, shallow streams (less than 2 27
November 2011 17
stream depth and 20 active stream width) and rocky substrates. Fords may also be 1
appropriate on wider streams when they have a poorly defined channel that often 2
changes course from excessive bedload. A ford crossing results in an average 3
disturbance profile of 25 feet wide (along the water body) and 50 feet long (along the 4
roadway) for 1,000 square feet or 0.02 acre at each crossing. Disturbance amount is 5
estimated based on need to get equipment into the riparian area to build the 14-foot- 6
wide travel way and protect it from erosion by adding armoring. Flowing streams may 7
warrant temporary structures to maintain fish passage, hydrology and water quality to 8
span active the channel during construction activities (Figure 1-10). 9
Type 3 Culvert: Crossing of a stream or seasonal drainage that includes installation 10
of a culvert and a stable road surface established over the culvert for vehicle passage. 11
Culverts would be designed and installed under the guidance of a qualified engineer 12
who, in collaboration with a hydrologist and aquatic biologist where required by the land 13
management agency, would recommend placement locations; culvert gradient, height, 14
and sizing; and proper construction methods. Culvert design would consider bedload 15
and debris size and volume. The disturbance footprint for culvert installation is estimated 16
to be 50 feet wide (along the waterbody) and 150 feet long (along the road) for 7,500 17
square feet or 0.17 acre at each crossing. Ground-disturbing activities would comply with 18
Agency-approved BMPs. Construction would occur during periods of low flow. The use 19
of equipment in streams would be minimized. All culverts would be designed and 20
installed to meet desired riparian conditions, as identified in applicable unit management 21
plans. Culvert slope would not exceed stream gradient. Typically, culverts would be 22
partially buried in the streambed to maintain streambed material in the culvert. Sandbags 23
or other non-erosive material would be placed around the culverts to prevent scour or 24
water flow around the culvert. Adjacent sediment control structures such as silt fences, 25
check dams, rock armoring, or riprap may be necessary to prevent erosion or 26
sedimentation. Stream banks and approaches may be stabilized with rock or other 27
erosion control devices (Figure 1-10). 28
29
November 2011 18
1
2
3
Figure 1-10. Type 2 and Type 3 Crossing Methods 4
Type 4 Channel spanning structures including fish passage: Crossing of a water 5
body identifies as containing a sensitive fish species that includes installation of a large 6
diameter culvert, arch culvert or short span bridge and a stable road surface established 7
over the structure for vehicle passage. Channel spanning structures would be designed 8
and installed under the guidance of a qualified engineer who, in collaboration with a 9
hydrologist and aquatic biologist would recommend placement locations; structure 10
gradient, height, and sizing; and proper construction methods. The disturbance footprint 11
for channel spanning structure installation is estimated to be 60 feet wide (along the 12
TYPE 3 CULVERT
November 2011 19
water body) and 150 feet long (along the road) for 9,000 square feet or 0.2 acre at each 1
crossing. (Figure 1-11). 2
3
4
Figure 1-11. Type 4 Channel Spanning Structures Including Fish Passage 5
November 2011 20
Wetlands Crossings with Access Roads: During construction and for routine and emergency 1
operations, access across wetlands to individual structure locations may be necessary. 2
Selection of final wetland crossing techniques will be based on final access road alignment and 3
wetland characteristics: 4
1. Constructing at grade roads with geotextiles and road materials which allow for water 5
through-flow. This type of road will be below water during certain times of the year which 6
will make locating the roads difficult, and the depth of the water over the drivable surface 7
may make travel over the submerged road surface impractical or not feasible. 8
2. Limiting structure access across wetlands to dry or frozen conditions along with the use 9
of low ground pressure tires or specialized tracked vehicles. This approach does not 10
allow sufficient flexibility for emergency restoration and for operation and maintenance 11
as the depth of water and/or soil conditions will not allow access to the structures during 12
certain times of the year. Construction of ice roads in wetlands involves using lightweight 13
equipment such as snowmobiles to tamp down existing snow cover and vegetation to 14
allow penetration of frost into the wetland soils. This operation is followed by packing 15
with heavier tracked equipment such as Bombardiers or wide tracked dozers. There is a 16
relatively small window of time during the year where cold enough weather is present to 17
allow for this technique thereby restricting the flexibility required for operation and 18
maintenance in other seasons besides winter. 19
3. Installing temporary matting materials to allow access for heavy vehicles and equipment. 20
The mats typically come in the form of heavy timbers bolted together or interlocking 21
pierced-steel planks. Mats spread the concentrated axle loads from equipment over a 22
much larger surface area thereby reducing the bearing pressure on fragile soils. 23
However, mats are less effective when standing water is present. Matting has a limited 24
service life before replacement is required and must be stored for maintenance and 25
emergency restoration activities. 26
4. Constructing raised fill embankments for permanent above-grade access roads in 27
wetlands such that the travel surface is higher in elevation than the ordinary high water 28
level. The construction of above-grade access roads allows for the use of the types of 29
equipment described above and the most flexibility for construction. All waterbody and 30
wetland disturbances will be completed under the terms of a U.S. Army Corps of 31
Engineers Clean Water Act Section 404 permit, the National Pollutant Discharge 32
Elimination System Construction Stormwater Permit (Clean Water Act 402), and State 33
401 water quality certification requirements that govern activities within any waters of the 34
United States. In Idaho, there is an additional requirement for a stream channel 35
alteration permit. 36
5. Construction using helicopters in wetlands. Transmission tower structures proposed for 37
the Project could be erected by helicopter, if needed. However, in each case, the use of 38
ground based vehicles will still be required and will not eliminate the need for an access 39
road to each structure to complete construction or during inspections and live-line 40
maintenance activities. 41
November 2011 21
1.6 Substations 1
The Project includes expansion at one planned (Grassland) and one existing (Hemingway) 2
substation. 3
1.6.1 Substation Components 4
The following sections describe key components of substations. 5
1.6.1.1 Bay 6
A substation bay is the physical location within a substation fenced area where the high- 7
voltage circuit breakers and associated steel transmission line termination structures, high- 8
voltage switches, bus supports, controls, and other equipment are installed. For each 9
transmission line, 500-kV circuit breakers, high-voltage switches, bus supports, and 10
transmission line termination structures would typically be installed. The 500-kV transmission 11
line termination structures are approximately 125 to 135 feet tall. 12
The tallest structures in the substations will be the 500-kV dead-end structures, from 125 to 135 13
feet tall, and/or a microwave antenna tower, which will be in the range of 100 feet or more, 14
depending on the height needed to maintain line of sight to the nearest microwave relay site. 15
Figure 1-12 is a perspective sketch illustrating the appearance of a typical 500-kV substation 16
with multiple line connections. 17
1.6.1.2 Access Road 18
Permanent all-weather access roads are required at substation sites to provide access for 19
personnel, material deliveries, vehicles, trucks, heavy equipment, low-boy tractor trailer rigs 20
(used for moving large transformers), and ongoing maintenance activities at each site. 21
Substation access roads are normally well-compacted, graded gravel roads approximately 22
20 feet in width with a minimum 110-foot turning radius to accommodate the delivery of large 23
transformers to the site. No new access roads are necessary for access to the Grassland and 24
Hemingway substation locations. 25
November 2011 22
1
Figure 1-12. Typical 500-kV Substation 2
1.6.1.3 Control Building 3
One or more control buildings are required at each substation to house protective relays, control 4
devices, battery banks for primary control power, and remote monitoring equipment. The size 5
and construction of the building depends on individual substation requirements. Typically, the 6
control building will be constructed of concrete block, pre-engineered metal sheathed, or 7
composite surfaced materials. Special control buildings may be developed within the substation 8
developments to house other control and protection equipment. 9
1.6.1.4 Fencing and Landscaping 10
Security fencing will be installed around the entire perimeter of each new or expanded 11
substation to protect sensitive equipment and prevent accidental contact with energized 12
conductors by third parties. This 7-foot-high fence will be constructed of chain link with steel 13
posts, with one foot of barbed wire above the chain link, and with locked gates. If required by 14
the landowner or permitting agency, landscaping will be established using drought-resistant 15
vegetation where allowed. The Hemingway Substation is already fenced. 16
1.6.2 Distribution Supply Lines 17
Station service power will be required at each substation or communication sites. Typically, 18
station service power is provided from a local electric distribution line, located in proximity to the 19
substation or communication site. The voltage of the distribution supply line is typically 34.5-kV 20
or lower and carried on wood poles. For the Grassland Substation, it will be necessary to extend 21
the electric distribution line from a suitable take-off point on the existing distribution line to the 22
new substation site. The location and routing of the existing distribution lines to the new 23
November 2011 23
substation will be determined during the final design process. The distance from Grassland 1
Substation to the nearest existing distribution supply is approximately 4,000 feet. The 2
Hemingway Substation exists and new distribution line extensions to provide station service 3
power will not be required. However, modifications to the existing distribution facilities may be 4
necessary to provide increased capacity to support the expansions at the existing Hemingway 5
Substation. 6
2.0 SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION 7
The following section and subsections detail construction activities for the Project, including 8
transmission line, substation communication, and associated ancillary features. 9
2.1 Land Requirements and Disturbance 10
2.1.1 Right-of-Way Width 11
IPC proposes to acquire a permanent 250-foot-wide ROW for the 500-kV single-circuit sections 12
of the Project and a 100-foot-wide ROW for the 138/69-kV portions of the Project. Figure 1-4 13
illustrates the ROW width requirements for the proposed structures. The determination of these 14
widths is based on two criteria: 15
Sufficient clearance must be maintained during a high wind event when the 16
conductors are blown towards the ROW edge. 17
Sufficient room must be provided within the ROW to perform transmission line 18
maintenance. See Section 3.1 of this appendix for details of maintenance 19
requirements. 20
Table 2-1 provides a breakdown of the amount of land needed temporarily for construction and 21
for operation over the life of the Project. During construction, temporary permission will be 22
required from landowners and land management agencies during construction for off-ROW 23
access, staging areas, helicopter fly yards, and material storage. During operation, Project land 24
requirements will be restricted to the ROW, substations, and communication facilities. Access to 25
the ROW will be in accordance with the land rights obtained as part of the easement acquisition 26
process. As further details of the final Project design are engineered, the amount of land 27
required may change. 28
Table 2-1. Summary of Land Required for Construction and Operations 29
Division by County
Land Required for
Construction (acres)
Land Required for Operations
(acres)
Morrow County
T-Line ROW 1,388.4 1,388.4
Off-ROW Staging Area 39.9 0
Off-ROW Fly Yards 15.3 0
Off ROW Wire Pulling/Splicing Sites 104.8 0
Off-ROW Access Roads 18.6 9.3
OPGW Communication Sites (1) 0.2 0.1
Grassland Substation 30.0 6.0
County Total Segment Subtotal 1,597.2 1,403.8
30
November 2011 24
Table 2-1. Summary of Land Required for Construction and Operations (continued) 1
Division by County
Land Required for
(acres)
Umatilla County
T-Line ROW 1,498.2 1,498.2
Union County
T-Line ROW 1,195.2 1,195.2
Baker County
T-Line ROW 2,157.7 2,157.7
Malheur County
T-Line ROW 2,184.3 2,184.3
Owyhee County
T-Line ROW 720.9 720.9
Hemingway Substation 4.0 2.0
County Total Segment Subtotal 924.7 750.7
2
November 2011 25
Table 2-1. Summary of Land Required for Construction and Operations (continued) 1
Division by County
Land Required for
(acres)
Total Project
Transmission line ROW 9,145.1 9,145.1
OPGW Communication Site(s) 1.8 1.0
Substations 34.0 8.0
Total Project 11,027.2 9,425.4
Assumptions/Notes: 2
1. The exact land requirements would depend on the final detailed design of the transmission line, which is influenced by the 3
terrain, land use, and economics. Alignment options may also slightly increase or decrease these values. 4
2. ROW width for 500-kV single circuit is 250 feet. 5
3. ROW width for 138/69-kV double-circuit is 100 feet. 6
4. The dimensions of the tower construction pads and area permanently occupied by towers after restoration are based on the 7
dimensions specified in Figure 1-1. 8
5. The staging areas would serve as field offices, reporting locations for workers, parking space for vehicles and equipment, 9
sites for material storage, fabrication assembly, equipment maintenance, and concrete batch plants. Staging/material storage 10
yards/batch plants would be approximately 20 acres for 500-kV lines. They would be located every 20 to 30 miles along the 11
line. 12
6. Fly yards would be 10 to 15 acres located every 5 to 10 miles. Values in table assume helicopter construction throughout all 13
single-circuit 500-kV lines. The construction contractor may choose to construct using ground-based techniques, therefore, 14
not utilizing fly yards. 15
7. Typical wiring pulling/splicing sites would be the ROW width x 600 to 900 feet located every 2 to 3 miles. Typically, the only 16
sites that would be off of the ROW would be at large-angle dead-ends. It is estimated that one in four sites would be off of the 17
ROW. 18
8. Miles of access road are based on an indicative layout of access roads along the current preferred route as of the date of this 19
document. 20
21
2.1.2 Right-of-Way Acquisition 22
All portions of the route must obtain new ROWs through a combination of ROW grants and 23
easements between IPC and various federal, state, and local governments; other companies 24
(e.g., utilities and railroads), and private landowners. 25
Close coordination with all property owners and land agencies during initial surveys and the 26
construction phase of the Project is essential for successful completion of the Project. In the 27
early stages of the Project, landowners will be contacted to obtain right-of-entry for surveys and 28
for geotechnical drilling at selected locations. Each landowner along the final centerline route 29
will be contacted to explain the Project and to secure right-of-entry and access to the ROW. 30
All negotiations with landowners will be conducted in good faith, and the Projects effect on the 31
parcel or any other concerns the landowner may have will be addressed. ROWs for 32
transmission line facilities on private lands will be obtained as perpetual easements. Land for 33
substation or communication sites will be obtained in fee simple where located on private land. 34
Every effort will be made to purchase the land and/or obtain easements on private lands 35
through reasonable negotiations with the landowners. 36
Section 2.2.4 of the POD describes North American Electricity Reliability Corporation (NERC) 37
and Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) reliability standards and capacity needs 38
for the Project. To achieve the capacity needed to serve present and future loads within IPCs 39
service areas, the WECC requires a minimum separation from existing transmission lines that 40
serve substantially the same load as that served by the new Boardman to Hemingway 41
transmission project. In these cases, the Project transmission lines must be located at least 42
November 2011 26
1,500 feet as a general rule from the nearest existing 230 kV or higher-voltage transmission 1
lines or the length of the longest span where the two lines are adjacent to each other. Land 2
between ROWs that are separated to meet reliability criteria will not be encumbered with an 3
easement but could practically be limited in land uses due to the proximity of two or more large 4
transmission lines. 5
2.1.3 Land Disturbance 6
Land disturbance as described in Table 2-2 is the estimated amount of land that will be 7
disturbed during construction or required to be permanently converted to operational uses. The 8
areas are reported by county. These uses are less than the amount of land for which 9
operational controls are required over the life of the Project as described in Table 2-1. 10
Table 2-2. Summary of Land Disturbed during Construction and Used during 11
Permanent Operations 12
Segment/Project Component
Land Affected During
Land Affected During Operations
(acres)
Morrow County
Single Circuit 500-kV Pad 304.0 12.2
On ROW Pulling/Tensioning Sites 159.3 0
ON ROW Construction Roads 59.4 29.6
Off ROW Pulling/Tensioning Sites 104.8 0
Off ROW Access Roads 18.6 9.3
Staging Yards 39.9 0
Fly Yards 15.3 0
Communications Station (1) 0.2 0.1
Grassland Substation 30.0 6.0
Umatilla County
Single Circuit 500-kV Pad 294.7 11.9
Fly Yards 44.5 0
13
November 2011 27
Permanent Operations (continued) 2
Land Affected During Operation
(acres)
Union County
Single Circuit 500 kV Pad 248.1 10.0
Fly Yards 103.8 0
Communications Stations (1) 0.2 0.1
Baker County
Single Circuit 500 kV Pad 418.9 16.8
Double Circuit 138/69-kV Pad 16.5 4.1
Fly Yards 116.1 0
County Total Segment Subtotal 1,289.9 141.1
Malheur County
Single Circuit 500 KV Pad 456.7 18.4
Fly Yards 134.0 0
County Total Segment Subtotal 1,281.7 140.3
Owyhee County
Single Circuit 500 KV Pad 147.7 5.9
Fly Yards 59.8 0
Communications Station 0 0
Hemingway Substation 4.0 2.0
3
November 2011 28
Permanent Operations (continued) 2
Land Affected During Operations
(acres)
Total Project
Single Circuit 500 KV Pad 1,870.2 75.2
Double Circuit 138/69-kV Pad 16.5 4.1
On ROW Pulling/Tensioning Sites 1,290.0 0
Fly Yards 473.5 0
Communications Station 1.8 1.0
Substations 34.0 8.0
Total Project 5,393.5 526.7
1
The exact land requirements would depend on the final detailed design of the transmission line, which is influenced 3
by the terrain, land use, and economics. Alignment options may also slightly increase or decrease these values. 4
5
Assumptions/Notes: 6
1. ROW widths for 500-kV single circuit segments are 250 feet and 100 feet for 138/69-kV segments. 7
2. The staging areas would serve as field offices, reporting locations for workers, parking space for vehicles and equipment, sites 8
for material storage, fabrication assembly and stations for equipment maintenance, and concrete batch plants. 9
3. Staging/material storage yards/batch plants would be approximately 20 acres for 500 kV and located every 20 to 30 miles along 10
the line. 11
4. Fly yards would be 10 to 15 acres located every 5 miles. Values in table assume helicopter construction throughout all single- 12
circuit 500-kV segments. The construction contractor may choose to construct using ground-based techniques, therefore, not 13
utilizing fly yards for those sections. 14
5. For 500 kV, wiring pulling/splicing sites would be the ROW width x 600 to 900 feet located every 2 to 3 miles. Typically, the only 15
sites that would be off of the ROW would be at large angle dead-ends. It is estimated that one in four sites would be off of the 16
ROW. 17
18
Estimates for construction disturbances are based on best professional judgment and 19
experience with this type of project. Components estimated include transmission support 20
structures; their associated construction pads; pulling sites for tensioning conductors; access 21
roads to each structure, communications station, and substation; staging areas; fly yards where 22
helicopter construction would be used; communications stations; and substations. As part of the 23
conceptual design and in order to aid quantification of effects, preliminary indicative locations 24
were assigned for all components of the Proposed Route and alternatives. Figure 2-1 through 25
Figure 2-3 illustrate how disturbance was estimated for each of the components. Sections 2.2 26
through 2.4 of this appendix describe typical disturbance areas for each construction activity. 27
28
November 2011 29
1
Figure 2-1. Disturbance Area for Tower Structures 2
November 2011 30
Figure 2-2. Typical Disturbance Area 1
November 2011 31
1
Figure 2-3. Example Access Roads and Tower Locations 2
November 2011 32
2.2 Transmission Line Construction 1
The following sections detail the transmission line construction activities and procedures for the 2
304 miles of transmission lines and associated support structures, including 5.3 miles to be 3
rebuilt/relocated. Construction equipment and work force requirements are described in Section 4
2.6. Figure 2-4 illustrates the transmission line construction sequence. Substation construction 5
is described in Section 2.4. Various construction activities will occur during the construction 6
process, with several construction crews operating simultaneously at different locations. The 7
proposed construction schedule is described in Section 2.6.4 of this appendix. 8
9
Figure 2-4. Transmission Line Construction Sequence 10
2.2.1 Transmission Line System Roads 11
Construction of the new transmission lines would require vehicle, truck, and crane access to 12
each new structure site for construction crews, materials, and equipment. Similarly, construction 13
of other Project components such as staging areas and substation sites would require vehicle 14
access. 15
Transmission line ROW access would be a combination of new access roads, improvements to 16
existing roads, and use of existing roads as is. Unimproved, overland travel routes will be 17
established in flat and moderate terrain where safe and practical. They may consist of existing 18
or new roads with minor grading or clearing; two track roads created by construction vehicles 19
driving directly over low growth vegetation and brush, leaving no defined roadway beyond 20
crushed vegetation; or any combination along the route. In some cases stumps or large root 21
November 2011 33
wads will be removed with the aid of a bulldozer and surface restored with a grader. In steep 1
terrain new bladed access roads would be constructed using a bulldozer or grader, followed by 2
a roller to compact and smooth the ground. Front-end loaders will be used to move the soil 3
locally or off-site as necessary. Typically, access to the transmission line ROW and tower sites 4
requires a 14-foot-wide travel way for straight sections of road and a 16- to 20-foot-wide travel 5
way at corners to facilitate safe movement of equipment and vehicles. In steep, rugged terrain, 6
8-foot-wide all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails may be established to facilitate permanent access for 7
off-road 4-wheel maintenance utility vehicles (UTVs). 8
Wherever possible existing roads will be used and new access roads would be constructed 9
within the proposed transmission line ROW. In other cases, new access roads would be 10
required between the proposed transmission line and existing roads outside of the ROW, 11
particularly in steep terrain where new bladed roads will often follow the contours to minimize 12
grades. Erosion control and sedimentation measures such as at-grade water bars, culverts, 13
sediment basins, or perimeter control would be installed as required to minimize erosion during 14
and subsequent to construction of the Project. 15
After Project construction, existing and new permanent access roads would be used by 16
maintenance crews and vehicles for inspection and maintenance activities. New roads created 17
to access tower sites would be revegetated but not restored to original contours in the event that 18
emergency access is needed to a tower location or for periodic inspection and maintenance 19
activities. Temporary construction roads not required for future maintenance access will be 20
restored after completion of Project construction. For example, access roads to staging areas 21
will not be required once the staging area is restored. Depending on Agency or landowner 22
preference, gates may be installed at fence crossings and other locations as requested to 23
restrict unauthorized vehicular access to the ROW. Roads retained for operations would be 24
seeded with an approved native grass mix and allowed to revegetate. For normal maintenance 25
activities, an 8-foot portion of the road would be used and vehicles would drive over the 26
vegetation. For non-routine maintenance requiring access by larger vehicles, the full width of the 27
access road may be used. Access roads would be repaired, as necessary, but not be routinely 28
graded. Vegetation (e.g., taller shrubs and trees) that may interfere with the safe operation of 29
equipment would be managed on a cyclical basis. 30
Table 2-3 lists the estimated miles of proposed off ROW access roads by county. The table will 31
be revised to show proposed locations of access roads once they are identified during the 32
design phase. 33
Table 2-3. Miles of New and Improved off-ROW Access Roads 34
County
New Access Roads
(miles)
Existing Access Roads
to be Improved (miles) Total Miles
Morrow 7.3 2.2 9.5
Umatilla 21.4 15.6 37.0
Union 9.1 28.1 37.2
Baker 38.1 44.8 82.9
Malheur 33.1 50.9 84.1
Owyhee 5.2 23.5 28.7
Total 114.8 165.1 279.9
35
November 2011 34
Table 2-4 lists the estimated miles of proposed on and off road access roads. The table will be 1
revised to show any changes in the locations of access roads once they are identified during the 2
design phase. 3
Table 2-4. Miles of New and Improved Access Roads
1
4
County
New
Access
Roads
Existing Access Roads
to be Improved Totals
Miles Miles Miles
Morrow 37.3 2.8 40.1
Umatilla 44.2 20.5 64.7
Union 27.4 31.6 59.0
Baker 72.6 50.4 123.0
Malheur 69.0 56.3 125.3
Owyhee 12.2 27.0 39.2
Total
2
262.7 188.6 451.3
1
Includes on- and off-ROW access roads (including roads shown in Table 2-2).
2
Acreages in table are rounded to the nearest acre; column therefore may not sum exactly.
2.2.2 Soil Borings 5
At the discretion of the Project engineer, soil borings will be completed along the route to 6
determine depth to bedrock and the engineering properties of the soil. Based on the soil 7
properties, foundation designs will be completed for transmission line towers and other 8
structures. Borings would be made with truck- or track-mounted equipment. Access for 9
exploration drilling will be primarily overland travel with possible crushing of vegetation under 10
the vehicle; clearing/cutting of vegetation; temporary road building; road cuts or a combination 11
of these four types. In steep rugged terrain where overland access is not feasible, access by a 12
helicopter transported platform rig may be required. 13
The borings will be approximately 4 inches in diameter, range from 15 to over 60 feet deep, and 14
will be backfilled in accordance with State Water Resources Department rules. 15
2.2.3 Staging Areas 16
Construction of the Project will begin with the establishment of staging areas, or laydown yards. 17
The staging areas will serve as field offices; reporting locations for workers; parking space for 18
vehicles and equipment; and sites for material storage, fabrication assembly, concrete batch 19
plants, and stations for equipment maintenance. Staging areas, about 20 acres each for 500-kV 20
construction and 10 acres each for 138/69-kV construction, will be located approximately every 21
25 miles along the route. Additionally, fly yards for helicopter operations will be located 22
approximately every 10 miles along the route where helicopter construction is planned, and will 23
occupy approximately 10 to 15 acres. 24
Staging areas and helicopter fly yards will be fenced and their gates locked. Security guards will 25
be stationed where needed. Staging area locations will be finalized following discussion with the 26
land management agency or negotiations with landowners. In some areas, the staging area 27
may need to be scraped by a bulldozer and a temporary layer of rock laid to provide an all- 28
weather surface. Unless otherwise directed by the landowner, the rock will be removed from the 29
staging area upon completion of construction and the area will be restored. 30
Table 2-5 lists the frequency and estimated acreage disturbance for proposed staging areas 31
and helicopter fly yards by county. In locating yards, the preference is for relatively flat areas 32
November 2011 35
with easy existing access to minimize site grading and new road construction. The staging 1
areas will be located in previously disturbed sites or in areas of minimal vegetative cover where 2
possible. 3
Table 2-5. Construction Staging Areas and Helicopter Fly Yards 4
County
Staging Areas Fly Yards
Number Acres Number Acres
Morrow 2 39.9 1 15.3
Umatilla 2 41.2 3 44.5
Union 2 41.1 7 103.8
Baker 2 43.8 8 116.1
Malheur 3 63.9 9 134.0
Owyhee 2 42.5 4 59.8
Total 13 272.4 32 473.5
5
2.2.4 Site Preparation 6
Individual structure sites will be cleared to install the transmission line support structures and 7
facilitate access for future transmission line and structure maintenance. Clearing individual 8
structure sites will be done using a bulldozer to blade the required area. At each single-circuit 9
500-kV structure location, an area approximately 250 feet by 250 feet will be needed for 10
construction laydown, tower assembly, and erection at each tower site. This area will provide a 11
safe working space for placing equipment, vehicles, and materials. The work area will be 12
cleared of vegetation only to the extent necessary. For 138/69-kV structures the site prep area 13
will be approximately 100 feet by 100 feet. After line construction, areas not needed for normal 14
transmission line maintenance, including fire and personnel safety clearance areas, will be 15
graded to blend as near as possible with the natural contours, then revegetated as required. 16
Additional equipment may be required if solid rock is encountered at a structure location. Rock- 17
hauling, hammering, or blasting may be required to remove the rock. Excess rock that is too 18
large in size or volume to be spread at the individual structure sites will be hauled away and 19
disposed of at approved landfills or at a location specified by the landowner. Table 2-2 provides 20
the dimensions of each of the foundation holes required for each structure. See Section 1.1.1 of 21
this appendix for a description of each structure type and Figure 1-1 through Figure 1-3 for 22
structure illustrations. 23
2.2.5 Install Structure Foundations 24
Table 1-1 lists the number of and type of support structures that will be installed. 25
2.2.5.1 Lattice Steel Tower Foundations 26
Each 500-kV support structure will require the installation of foundations, which are typically 27
drilled concrete piers. First, four holes will be excavated for each structure. The holes will be 28
drilled using truck- or track-mounted augers of various sizes depending on the diameter and 29
depth requirements of the hole to be drilled. Each foundation will extend approximately 1 to 2 30
feet above the ground level. 31
2.2.5.2 H-Frame Installation 32
Each 500-kV H-frame will require the installation of drilled pier foundations. Two or three 33
foundations will be required per H-frame structures. The holes for each foundation will be drilled 34
using truck- or track-mounted augers of various sizes depending on the diameter and depth 35
November 2011 36
requirements of the hole to be drilled. The diameter of each foundation will be approximately 7 1
to 8 feet at a depth of 30 to 40 feet. Each foundation will extend approximately 1 to 2 feet above 2
the ground level. 3
2.2.5.3 Monopole Installation 4
Tangent 138/69-kV monopole structures will require the poles to be directly embedded in the 5
ground. Holes will be drilled in the ground using a truck- or track-mounted auger. The diameter 6
of the hole excavated for embedment is typically between 5 and 6 feet (see Table 1-2). Depths 7
of the holes range from 15 to 25 feet deep. When the poles are placed in the holes, the hole will 8
be backfilled with native or select backfill. When backfill must be imported, material must be 9
obtained from commercial sources or from areas free of noxious weed species. See Section 10
1.1.1 of this appendix for a description a monopole structure and Figure 1-3 for an illustration. 11
Angle and dead-end 138/69-kV monopole structures will require the installation of drilled pier 12
foundations. The hole for each foundation will be drilled using a truck- or track-mounted auger of 13
various sizes depending on the diameter and depth requirements of the hole to be drilled. The 14
diameter of the foundation will be approximately 5 to 6 feet with at a depth of 20 to 25 feet deep. 15
Each drilled pier foundation will extend approximately one to two feet above the ground level. 16
Where solid rock is encountered, blasting (see Section 2.5.1 of this appendix), rock hauling, or 17
the use of a rock anchoring or micro-pile system may be required. Micro-piles are high capacity, 18
small diameter (5-inch to 12-inch) drilled and grouted in-place piles designed with steel 19
reinforcement to primarily resist structural loading. The rock anchoring or micro-pile system will 20
be used in areas where site access is limited or adjacent structures could be damaged as a 21
result of blasting or rock hauling activities. 22
In environmentally sensitive areas with very soft soils, a HydroVac, which uses water pressure 23
and a vacuum, may be used to excavate material into a storage tank. Alternatively, a temporary 24
casing may be used during drilling to hold the excavation open, after which the casing is 25
withdrawn as the concrete is placed in the hole. In areas where it is not possible to operate 26
large drilling equipment due to access or environmental constraints, hand digging may be 27
required. 28
Reinforced-steel anchor bolt cages will be installed after excavation and prior to structure 29
installation. These cages are designed to strengthen the structural integrity of the foundations 30
and will be assembled at the nearest Project laydown yard and delivered to the structure site via 31
flatbed truck or helicopter. These cages will be inserted in the holes prior to pouring concrete. 32
The excavated holes containing the reinforcing anchor bolt cages will be filled with concrete 33
(Table 1-2). 34
Typically, and because of the remote location of much of the transmission line route, concrete 35
will be provided from portable batch plants set up approximately every 25 miles along the line 36
route in one of the staging areas. Concrete will be delivered directly to structure sites in 37
concrete trucks with a capacity of up to 10 cubic yards. In the more developed areas along the 38
route and in proximity to the substations, the construction contractor may use local concrete 39
providers to deliver concrete to the site when economically feasible. 40
2.2.6 Erect Support Structures 41
The steel support structures will be assembled on site, except where helicopter delivery is 42
employed, as described in Section 2.5.2 of this appendix. Steel members for each structure will 43
be delivered to the site by flatbed truck. Assembly will be facilitated on site by a truck-mounted 44
crane. Subsequent to assembly, the structures will be lifted onto foundations using a large crane 45
designed for erecting towers. Where possible, the crane will move along the ROW from 46
November 2011 37
structure to structure site erecting the towers, if access along the ROW is not possible the crane 1
will leave the ROW and use the access road network to reach the next structure. 2
The H-frame and monopole structures will be framed on site. Two methods of assembly can be 3
used to accomplish this, the first of which is to assemble the poles, braces, cross arms, 4
hardware, and insulators on the ground. A crane is then used to set the fully framed structure by 5
placing the poles in the excavated holes. Alternatively, aerial framing can be used by setting the 6
poles in the ground first and assembling the braces, cross arms, hardware, and insulators in the 7
air. Where possible, the crane will move along the ROW from structure to structure site setting 8
the structures. 9
2.2.7 String Conductors, Shield Wire, and Fiber Optic Ground Wire 10
Conductor, shield wire, and OPGW will be placed on the transmission line support structures by 11
a process called stringing. The first step to wire stringing will be to install insulators (if not 12
already installed on the structures during ground assembly) and stringing sheaves. Stringing 13
sheaves are rollers that are temporarily attached to the lower portion of the insulators at each 14
transmission line support structure to allow conductors to be pulled along the line. 15
Figure 2-5 illustrates the sequence of steps in installing conductors. 16
17
Figure 2-5. Conductor Installation 18
Additionally, temporary clearance structures (also called guard structures) will be erected where 19
required prior to stringing any transmission lines. The temporary clearance structures are 20
typically vertical wood poles with cross arms and are erected at road crossings or crossings with 21
other energized electric and communication lines to prevent contact during stringing activities. 22
Bucket trucks may also be used to provide temporary clearance. Bucket trucks are trucks fitted 23
with a hinged arm ending in an enclosed platform called a bucket, which can be raised to let the 24
November 2011 38
worker in the bucket service portions of the transmission structure as well as the insulators and 1
conductors without climbing the structure. 2
Once the stringing sheaves and temporary clearance structures are in place, the initial stringing 3
operation will commence with the pulling of a lightweight sock line through the sheaves along 4
the same path the transmission line will follow. Typically the sock line is pulled in via helicopter. 5
The sock line is attached to the hard line, which follows the sock line as it is pulled through the 6
sheaves. The hard line will then be attached to the conductor, shield wire, or OPGW to pull 7
them through the sheaves into their final location. Pulling the lines may be accomplished by 8
attaching them to a specialized wire stringing vehicle. Following the initial pulling of the wire into 9
the sheaves, the wire will then be tensioned to achieve the correct sag between support 10
structures. 11
Pulling and tensioning sites for 500-kV construction will be required approximately every 1.5 to 12
2 miles along the ROW and at angle points greater than 30 degrees and will require 13
approximately 5 acres at each end of the wire section to accommodate required equipment. The 14
138/69-kV pulling and tensioning sites will be required approximately every 1 to 2 miles along 15
the ROW and will require approximately 1.2 acres each to accommodate required equipment. 16
Equipment at sites required for pulling and tensioning activities will include tractors and trailers 17
with spooled reels that hold the conductors and trucks with the tensioning equipment. To the 18
extent practicable, pulling and tensioning sites will be located within the ROW. However, angle 19
points typically necessitate pulling and tensioning sites outside of the ROW. Depending on 20
topography, minor grading may be required at some sites to create level pads for equipment. 21
Finally, the tension and sag of conductors and wires will be fine-tuned, stringing sheaves will be 22
removed, and the conductors will be permanently attached to the insulators at the support 23
structures. 24
At the tangent and small angle structures, the conductors will be attached to the insulators using 25
clamps to suspend the conductors from the bottom of the insulators. At the larger angle dead- 26
end structures, the conductors cannot be pulled through and so they are cut and attached to the 27
insulator assemblies at the structure which dead ends the conductors. There are two primary 28
methods to attach the conductor to the insulator assembly at the dead-end structure. The first 29
method, hydraulic compression fittings, uses a large press and pump that closes a metal clamp 30
or sleeve onto the conductor. This method requires heavy equipment and is time consuming. 31
The second method, implosive fittings, uses explosives to compress the metal together. 32
Implosive fittings do not require heavy equipment, but do create noise similar to a loud 33
explosion when the primer is struck. The implosive type sleeve is faster to install and results in a 34
secure connection between the conductor and the sleeve. Implosive sleeves are planned for the 35
Project. 36
The 500-kV single-circuit line uses a three conductor bundle for each phase. At each single- 37
circuit 500-kV dead-end structure, 18 implosive dead-end sleeves (six per phase, one for each 38
of the three subconductors on each of the three phases, and on each side of the structure) will 39
be required. Additionally, 18 compression or implosive sleeves will be required to fabricate and 40
install the jumpers that connect the conductors from one side of the dead-end structure to the 41
other, for a total of 36 sleeves for each single-circuit dead-end structure. 42
The 138/69-kV double-circuit lines use a single-conductor bundle for each phase. Each of these 43
dead-end structures will require 12 implosive or compression type sleeves to dead-end the 44
conductors and 12 sleeves to fabricate the jumpers, for a total of 24 sleeves at each dead-end 45
structure. For the overall Project, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 implosive fittings will be used. 46
November 2011 39
2.2.8 Cleanup and Site Reclamation 1
Construction sites, staging areas, material storage yards, pulling and tensioning yards, batch 2
plants and access roads will be kept in an orderly condition throughout the construction period. 3
Approved enclosed refuse containers will be used throughout the Project. Refuse and trash will 4
be removed from the sites and disposed of in an approved manner. Oils or chemicals will be 5
hauled to a disposal facility authorized to accept such materials. Open burning of construction 6
trash will not be allowed. 7
Disturbed areas not required for access roads and maintenance areas around structures will be 8
restored and revegetated, as required by the property owner or land management agency. 9
Service roads will be decompacted and the topsoil replaced. If a road prism was established it 10
will not be restored to original contours so that a stable road base is present if equipment is 11
needed to access a tower during operation. The landowner, land-management agency, or local 12
Natural Resources Conservation Service will be consulted regarding the appropriate seed mix 13
and rate to revegetate the road surface. Vegetation on an 8-foot width of road surface may be 14
periodically managed to allow equipment travel if necessary. Temporary culverts and bridges 15
will be removed. Drivable at-grade waterbars will be installed where needed with frequency 16
proportional to road slope to prevent erosion of the roadbed. Applicable agency BMPs and unit 17
management plan requirements will be implemented. All practical means will be made to restore 18
the land outside the minimum areas needed for safe operation to its original contour and to 19
restore natural drainage patterns along the ROW. 20
2.3 Communication System 21
OPGW for the communication system will be installed at the same time as the conductors on 22
each of the transmission line structures. It will be spliced and tensioned in the same way. The 23
AFL Telecommunications OPGW installation instructions will be used on this Project. 24
2.3.1 Communication Sites 25
Similar to the substations, the selected area is graded, vegetation is removed, and a layer of 26
crushed rock is installed. A pre-fabricated concrete communications shelter approximately 12- 27
foot by 32-foot by 9-foot tall will be constructed on the site. An emergency generator with a 28
liquid petroleum gas fuel tank will be installed at the site inside the fenced area. Two diverse 29
cable routes (aerial and/or buried) from the transmission ROW to the equipment shelter will be 30
installed. 31
2.3.2 Access Road 32
Communications station roads will be constructed using a bulldozer or grader, followed by a 33
roller to compact and smooth the ground. Front-end loaders will be used to move the soil locally 34
or off site. Typically, gravel will be applied to the prepared base layer. 35
2.4 Substation Construction 36
There are two substation construction scenarios. Scenario one assumes that the Grassland 37
Substation is built by PGE and only minor construction is required for the Project at this 38
substation and Hemingway Substation. In scenario two, IPC assumes the major construction of 39
the Grassland Substation and minor modifications within the fence line at Hemingway 40
Substation. 41
November 2011 40
2.4.1 Substation Roads 1
Substation roads will be constructed using a bulldozer or grader, followed by a roller to compact 2
and smooth the ground. Front-end loaders will be used to move the soil locally or offsite. Either 3
gravel or asphalt will be applied to the prepared base layer. 4
2.4.2 Soil Borings 5
Typically, soil borings will be made at three to four locations in the substation, particularly at the 6
approximate location of large structures and equipment such as transmission line dead ends 7
and transformers, to determine the engineering properties of the soil. Borings will be made with 8
truck- or track-mounted equipment. The borings will be approximately 4 inches in diameter, 9
range from 15 to over 60 feet deep, and be backfilled with the excavated material upon 10
completion of soil sampling. 11
2.4.3 Clearing and Grading 12
Clearing of all vegetation will be required for the entire substation area, including a distance of 13
about 10 feet outside the fence. This is required for personnel safety due to grounding concerns 14
and because of lower clearances to energized conductors within the substations as compared 15
to transmission lines. These lower clearances are allowed by the NESC because the entire 16
substation is fenced. 17
An insulating layer on the surface of the substation is required to protect personnel from high 18
currents and voltages during electrical fault conditions. Typically, vegetation is removed and a 4- 19
to 6-inch layer of crushed rock is applied to the finished surface of the substation. Then the 20
substation is usually treated with a soil sterilizer to prevent vegetation growth because the 21
vegetation will degrade the insulating qualities of the crushed rock. The entire substation area 22
will be graded essentially flat, with just enough slope to provide for runoff of precipitation. The 23
substation will be graded to use existing drainage patterns to the extent possible. In some 24
cases, drainage structures, such as ditches, culverts, and sumps, may be required. Clearing 25
and grading material will be disposed of in compliance with local ordinances. Material from off 26
site will be obtained at existing borrow or commercial sites and will be trucked to the substation 27
using existing roads and the substation access road. 28
2.4.4 Storage and Staging Yards 29
Construction material storage yards may be located outside the substation-fenced area near the 30
substation. These storage yards may be part of the substation property or leased by the 31
contractor. After construction is completed, all debris and unused materials will be removed and 32
the staging/storage yards returned to preconstruction conditions by the construction contractor. 33
2.4.5 Grounding 34
A grounding system is required in each substation for detection of faults and for personnel 35
safety. The grounding system typically consists of buried copper conductor arranged in a grid 36
system and driven ground rods, typically 8 to 10 feet long. The ground rods and any equipment 37
and structures are connected to the grounding conductor. The amount of conductor and length 38
and number of ground rods required are calculated based on fault current and soil 39
characteristics. 40
2.4.6 Fencing 41
Security fencing is installed around the entire perimeter of each new or expanded substation to 42
protect sensitive equipment and prevent accidental contact with energized conductors by third 43
parties. This 7-foot-high fence will be constructed of chain link with steel posts. One foot of 44
barbed wire or other similar material is installed on top of the chain link yielding a total fence 45
November 2011 41
height of 8 feet. Locked gates will be installed at appropriate locations for authorized vehicle and 1
personnel access. 2
2.4.7 Foundation Installation 3
Foundations for supporting structures are of two typesspread footings or drilled piers. Spread 4
footings are placed by excavating the foundation area, placing forms and reinforced-steel and 5
anchor bolts, and pouring concrete into the forms. After the foundation has been poured, the 6
forms will be removed, and the surface of the foundation dressed. Pier foundations are placed in 7
a hole generally made by a truck-mounted auger. Reinforced-steel and anchor bolts are placed 8
into the hole using a truck-mounted crane. The portion of the foundation above ground will be 9
formed. The portion below ground uses the undisturbed earth of the augered hole as the form. 10
After the foundation has been poured, the forms will be removed, the excavation will be 11
backfilled, and the surface of the foundation dressed. 12
Equipment foundations for circuit breakers and transformers will be slab-on-grade type. These 13
foundations are placed by excavating the foundation area; placing forms, reinforced steel, and 14
anchor bolts (if required); and placing concrete into the forms. After the foundations have been 15
poured, the forms will be removed, and the surface of the foundation dressed. Where 16
necessary, provision will be made in the design of the foundations to mitigate potential problems 17
due to frost. Reinforced steel and anchor bolts will be transported to each site by truck, either as 18
a prefabricated cage or loose pieces, which will then be fabricated into cages on the site. 19
Concrete will be hauled to the site in concrete trucks. Excavated material will be spread at the 20
site or disposed of in accordance with local ordinances. Structures and equipment will be 21
attached to the foundations by means of threaded anchor bolts embedded in the concrete. 22
Some equipment such as transformers and reactors may not require anchor bolts. 23
2.4.8 Oil Containment 24
Some types of electrical equipment, such as transformers and some types of reactors and 25
circuit breakers are filled with an insulating mineral oil. Containment structures are required to 26
prevent equipment oil from getting into the ground or waterbodies in the event of a rupture or 27
leak. These structures take many forms depending on site requirements, environmental 28
conditions, and regulatory restrictions. The simplest type of oil containment is a pit, of a 29
calculated capacity, under the oil-filled equipment that has an oil-impervious liner. The pit is 30
filled with rock to grade level. In case of an oil leak or rupture, the oil captured in the 31
containment pit is pumped into tanks or barrels and transported to a disposal facility. If required, 32
more elaborate oil containment systems can be installed. This may take the form of an on- or 33
off-site storage tank and/or oil-water separator equipment depending on site requirements. 34
2.4.9 Structure and Equipment Installation 35
Supporting steel structures are erected on concrete foundations as noted above. These are set 36
with a truck-mounted crane and attached to the foundation anchor bolts by means of a steel 37
base plate. These structures will be used to support the energized conductors and certain types 38
of equipment. This equipment is lifted onto the structure by means of a truck-mounted crane 39
and bolted to the structures; electrical connections are then made. Some equipment, such as 40
transformers, reactors, and circuit breakers, are mounted directly to the foundations without 41
supporting structures. These are set in place by means of a truck-mounted crane. Some of this 42
equipment requires assembly and testing on the pad. Electrical connections to the equipment 43
are then made. 44
November 2011 42
2.4.9.1 Control Building Construction 1
One or more control buildings are required at each substation to house protective relays, control 2
devices, battery banks for primary control power, and remote monitoring equipment. The size 3
and construction of the building depends on individual substation requirements. Typically, the 4
control building will be constructed of concrete block, pre-engineered metal sheathed, or 5
composite surfaced materials. Once the control house is erected, equipment is mounted and 6
wired inside. In some cases an emergency generator may be located just outside the control 7
house within the substation fenced area. 8
2.4.9.2 Conductor Installation 9
The two main types of high voltage conductors used in substations are tubular aluminum for 10
rigid bus sections and/or stranded aluminum conductor for strain bus and connections to 11
equipment. Rigid bus will be a minimum of 4 inches in diameter for this Project and will be 12
supported on porcelain or polymer insulators on steel supports. The bus sections will be welded 13
together and attached to special fittings for connection to equipment. Stranded aluminum 14
conductors will be used as flexible connectors between the rigid bus and the station equipment. 15
2.4.10 Conduit and Control Cable Installation 16
Most substation equipment requires low-voltage connections to protect relaying and control 17
circuits. These circuits allow metering, protective functions, and control (both remote and local) 18
of the power system. Connections are made from the control building to the equipment through 19
multi-conductor control cables installed in conduits and/or pre-cast concrete cable trench 20
system. 21
2.4.11 Construction Cleanup and Landscaping 22
The cleanup operation will be performed after construction activities are completed. All waste 23
and scrap material will be removed from the site and deposited in local permitted landfills in 24
accordance with local ordinances. Ruts and holes outside the substation fence due to 25
construction activities will be regraded. Revegetation and restoration will be conducted as 26
required. Landscaping required by the permitting agency will use drought-tolerant plant 27
materials. A permanent access road will be constructed to the new substation. 28
2.5 Special Construction Techniques 29
2.5.1 Blasting 30
As described in Section 2.2.5 of this appendix, 500-kV lattice tower, H-frame structure and 31
138/69-kV angle and dead-end structure foundations will normally be installed using drilled 32
shafts or piers and 138/69-kV tangent structures will be directly embedded. If hard rock is 33
encountered within the planned drilling depth and rock coring is not economically viable, 34
alternative foundation systems, such as micropile or rock anchor supported pile caps may be 35
required to provide axial upward and downward resistance in addition to sliding and overturning 36
resistance. Areas where relatively shallow rock is located has been identified based on the 37
geologic setting of the proposed alignment. Table 2-6 summarizes the relatively shallow bed 38
rock conditions along the Proposed Route as determined from the U.S. Natural Resources 39
Conservation Service (NRCS) soil database and regional geologic maps. More precise locations 40
where these specialty foundation systems may be required will be identified based on site- 41
specific geotechnical studies carried out as part of detailed design. 42
November 2011 43
Table 2-6. Summary of Shallow Bedrock 1
Total
Miles
Route Miles within
1 to 4 feet of
Shallow Bedrock
Route Miles
within 4 to 8 feet
of Shallow
Bedrock
Route Miles
within 8 to 12 feet
of Shallow
Bedrock
Percent of
Proposed Route
Miles Within
Shallow Bedrock
304 164 120 20 100
The construction contractor will be required to prepare an overall Blasting Plan for the Project, 2
subject to the approval of IPC. The Blasting Plan will detail the contractors proposals for 3
compliance with IPCs blasting specifications and will detail the general concepts proposed to 4
achieve the desired excavations using individual shot plans. In addition, the plan will address 5
proposed methods for controlling fly rock, for blasting warnings, and for use of non-electrical 6
blasting systems. The contractor will be required to provide data to support the adequacy of the 7
proposed efforts regarding the safety of structures and slopes and to ensure that an adequate 8
foundation is obtained. When utilized, blasting will take place between sunrise and sunset. 9
The shot plans will detail, including sketches, the drilling and blasting procedures; the number, 10
location, diameter, and inclination of drill holes; the amount, type, and distribution of explosive 11
per hole and delay; and pounds of explosive per square foot for presplitting and smooth 12
blasting. The contractor will be required to maintain explosives logs. 13
Blasting near buildings, structures, and other facilities susceptible to vibration or air blast 14
damage will be carefully planned by the contractor and IPC and controlled to eliminate the 15
possibility of damage to such facilities and structures. The Blasting Plan will include provisions 16
for control to eliminate vibration, fly rock, and air blast damage. 17
Blasting will be very brief in duration (milliseconds), and the noise will dissipate with distance. 18
Blasting produces less noise and vibration than comparable non-blasting methods to remove 19
hard rock. Non-blasting methods include track drill rigs, rock breakers, jack hammers, rotary 20
percussion drills, core barrels, and rotary rock drills with rock bits. Which all require much longer 21
time duration to excavate approximately the same amount of rock as blasting. 22
Table 2-6 indicates that 100 percent of the route is within shallow bedrock. However, some 23
bedrock may be soft enough to accommodate soil drilling methods to construct foundations. The 24
bedrock characteristics will be more completely determined by on-site geotechnical testing. 25
Micropiles are high-capacity, small-diameter steel casing that are drilled into place, reinforced 26
with an internal structural bar, and pressure grouted. The grout creates a bond between the 27
interior casing wall and structural bar, as well as the external casing wall and the rock. 28
Micropiles are installed using water flush rotary drilling or rotary percussion drilling techniques. 29
This can be done remotely and requires a limited amount of disturbance and ground clearing. 30
Each pile measures between 6 and 12 inches in diameter and micropiles consistently achieve 31
capacities of 60 to 100 tons, with special installations of up to 200 tons. Drilled micropiles offer 32
excellent axial up and down capacity in hard rocks, with the added advantage of capability of 33
helicopter importing the micropile drill rig. 34
Rock anchors supporting a foundation pile cap is most advantageous when the rock is very 35
hard and very shallow. It consists of two parts; a foundation pile cap in addition to anchor bars 36
embedded in the grouted or epoxy anchor holes. The top part of the bar is embedded in the 37
concrete of the pile cap. The depth of embedment, diameter and number of anchor bars will 38
depend upon the uplift, moment and sliding force on the pile cap. The determination of 39
whether a rock formation is suitable for installation of rock anchors is a geotechnical 40
November 2011 44
determination based on rock quality. Since the bearing capacity of rock is usually much greater, 1
geotechnical assessments would center around designing for uplift. The rock surfaces may be 2
roughened grooved or shaped to increase the uplift capacity, depending on the final pile cap 3
configuration. This system may also be considered with the use of epoxy grout anchors to 4
facilitate a tidy construction area. 5
2.5.2 Helicopter Use 6
Access roads are required to each tower site for construction and for operation and 7
maintenance activities. Helicopters may be used to support these activities. Project construction 8
activities potentially facilitated by helicopters may include delivery of construction laborers, 9
equipment, and materials to structure sites; structure placement; hardware installation; and wire 10
stringing operations. Helicopters may also be used to support the administration and 11
management of the Project by IPC. Where construction access by truck is not practical due to 12
steep terrain, ATV trails may be utilized to support maintenance activities. The use of helicopter 13
construction methods for this Project will not change the length of the access road system 14
required for operating the Project because vehicle access is required to each tower site 15
regardless of the construction method employed. 16
The typical single-circuit 500-kV towers weigh approximately 25,000 pounds and in some cases 17
it may be desirable to employ heavy lift helicopters in the tower erection process. To allow the 18
construction contractor flexibility in construction methods, the construction specification will be 19
written to allow the contractor the option of using ground-based or helicopter construction 20
methods, or a combination thereof. Use of a helicopter for structure erection may be driven by 21
various factors, including access to the structure locations, construction schedule, and/or 22
construction economics. 23
When helicopter construction methods are employed, helicopter construction activities will be 24
based at a fly yard, which is a Project-material staging area (see Table 2-5). The fly yards will 25
be approximately 10 to 15 acres in area and will be sited at locations to permit a maximum fly 26
time of 4 to 8 minutes to reach structure locations, typically at about 10-mile intervals. Fly yards 27
will be used for material storage and erection of structure sections prior to transport to the final 28
structure locations for installation. Additionally, fueling trucks, maintenance trucks, and 29
operations crews will be based in the fly yards. Appropriate dust control measures will be 30
implemented at these fly yard locations as well as the locations where helicopters will be used 31
along the route. 32
Prior to installation, each tower structure will be assembled in multiple sections at the fly yard. 33
Tower sections or components will be assembled by weight based on the lifting capacity of the 34
helicopter in use. The lift capacity of helicopters is dependent on the elevation of the fly yard, 35
the tower site, and the intervening terrain. The heavy lift helicopters that could be used to erect 36
the single-circuit 500-kV tower sections will be able to lift a maximum of 15,000 to 20,000 37
pounds per flight, depending on elevation. 38
After assembly at the fly yard, the tower sections will be attached by cables from the helicopter 39
crane to the top four corners of the structure section and airlifted to the structure location. Upon 40
arrival at the structure location, the section will be placed directly on to the foundation or atop 41
the previous structure section. Guide brackets attached on top of each section will assist in 42
aligning the stacked sections. Once aligned correctly, line crews will climb the structures to bolt 43
the sections together permanently. 44
It should be noted that the fly yard locations provided are considered approximate and subject 45
to change, additions, or deletions upon acquisition of an installation contractor prior to the 46
beginning of construction. Upon completion of field review, a final determination will be made on 47
November 2011 45
the necessity of certain fly yards and the respective locations that provide the most efficient, 1
economic, safest, and least impact use of the fly yards that are needed. 2
2.5.3 Water Use 3
Construction of the transmission lines and substations will require water. Major water uses are 4
for transmission line structure and substation foundations, and dust control during ROW and 5
substation grading and site work. A minor use of water during construction will include the 6
establishment of substation landscaping where required. Table 2-7 lists the estimated amount of 7
water required for the Project by County. 8
Table 2-7. Estimated Water Usage for Construction by County 9
County
Foundation
Construction
(gallons)
Substation
(gallons)
Communication
Sites (gallons)
Dust
Abatement
(gallons)
Total, All
Uses
(gallons)
Morrow 350,000 263,500 400 1,400,000 2,013,900
Umatilla 450,000 NA 400 1,500,000 2,000,000
Union 300,000 NA 700 1,200,000 1,500,000
Baker 600,000 NA 400 2,300,000 2,900,000
Malheur 550,000 NA 1,100 2,200,000 2,800,000
Owyhee 200,000 301,000 0 750,000 1,251,000
Transmission lines use water for two primary purposes: foundation construction and ROW dust 10
control. The required water will be procured from municipal sources, from commercial sources, 11
or under a temporary water use agreement with landowners holding existing water rights. No 12
new water rights will be required. In the construction of foundations, water is transported to the 13
batch plant site where it will be used to produce concrete. From the batch plant the wet concrete 14
will be transported to the structure site in concrete trucks for use in foundation installation (refer 15
to Section 2.2.4 for more details on foundation installation). 16
Construction of the transmission lines and related facilities will generate a temporary increase in 17
fugitive dust. If the level of fugitive dust is too high in specific Project areas, as determined in 18
cooperation with the landowner or agency, water will be applied to disturbed areas to minimize 19
dust. 20
Water usage for substation construction is primarily for dust control during site preparation work. 21
During this period, construction equipment will be cutting, moving, and compacting the subgrade 22
surface. As a result, water trucks patrolling the site to control dust will make as many as one 23
pass per hour over the station site. Once site preparation work is complete, concrete for the 24
placement of foundations becomes the largest user of water and dust control becomes minimal. 25
Once site grading is complete, the balance of the substation construction work will be performed 26
on bare subgrade soil or subgrade with a thin layer of rock. Fire risk will be minimal due to the 27
bare ground or rock surface and will be contained within the confines of station fenced area. 28
2.6 Construction Elements 29
For the construction element section, much of the schedule and manpower discussion is based 30
on division of the project into two spreads of equal length. This was done to show that different 31
labor forces will be working independently in different parts of the Project. 32
November 2011 46
2.6.1 Construction Workforce 1
The proposed Project will be constructed primarily by contract personnel, with IPC responsible 2
for Project administration and inspection. The construction workforce will consist of laborers, 3
craftsmen, supervisory personnel, support personnel, and construction management personnel 4
who will perform the construction tasks. Estimated construction workforce requirements are 5
summarized by Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC)
8
spread
9
in Table 2-8. 6
These projections were developed for the various Project components by IPCs transmission 7
engineering contractor using project planning computer software. Overall, Project construction is 8
expected to occur between 2014 and 2016, with multiple contractors working concurrently on 9
different portions of the route and substations of the Project to meet the planned in-service 10
dates. 11
Table 2-8. Projected Workers and Population Change during Peak Construction 12
Workers
Construction Spread
1 2
Commute to the J ob Site Daily 61 63
Move to the Project Area alone 164 169
Move to the Project Area with family 18 19
Total 243 251
IPCs proposed schedule identifies general construction timeframes for the transmission line 13
and substations, generally 2 to 2.5 years. Project-wide, the workforce will reach a peak of 14
approximately 300 to 350 workers in the late summer months in 2014 and 2015. The 15
construction personnel peak on site in any portion of the route will be when the wire stringing 16
operations begin while several other operations are occurring at the same time, which includes 17
foundation installation, hauling materials, assembling structures, and erecting/setting structures. 18
Due to snowfall at the higher elevations, the workforce will be slightly lower in the winter 19
months. 20
With respect to each substation, installation of the ground grid, installation of the conduit and 21
cable trench system, assembly and erection of steel structures, construction of the control 22
building, and installation of major equipment will start when the foundations are 50 percent 23
complete and will overlap with each other, resulting in the highest concentration of the work 24
force on site. 25
The substation work is estimated to take between 40 and 60 personnel at each site. Site 26
grading requires a small number of people including a surveyor, heavy equipment operators, 27
foreman, and construction management personnel. Each station will require numerous concrete 28
crews in order to complete the below grade construction and concrete placement on schedule. 29
Concrete will be provided by a batch plant producing approximately 150 cubic yards per day 30
delivered in 8- to 10-cubic yard trucks. Other below-grade crews will be needed to install 31
conduit, cable trench, and ground mat material. The below-grade crews will be on site 32
overlapping the schedule of the concrete crew. Several three-man crews working with boom 33
trucks and bucket trucks will erect the steel and install the physical equipment in the yard. 34
Considering the size of the substation expansions, this will require approximately three fully 35
equipped crews per station. Electrical installation will be handled by 20 men arranged into two- 36
man teams alternating between indoor and outdoor activity. Construction will generally occur 37
8
EPC contract means that the final engineering, all or some of the procurement, and the construction are performed by one
contractor.
9
A spread is a geographic segment within which a complete construction sequence will be executed.
November 2011 47
between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Additional hours may be necessary to 1
make up schedule deficiencies or to complete critical construction activities. 2
2.6.2 Construction Equipment and Traffic 3
Equipment required for construction of the Project transmission lines and substations will 4
include, but is not limited to, that listed in Table 2-9 and Table 2-10. The Hemingway Substation 5
is an existing substation planned for the minor Project additions within the existing fence line. 6
Table 2-10 includes construction equipment requirements for both substations. These tables 7
also include the anticipated daily duration of equipment use for each type. Table 2-11 provides 8
an estimate of the average and peak construction traffic during the construction period by 9
spread. 10
Construction access will occur at several locations along the transmission line route, resulting in 11
dispersed construction traffic. Truck deliveries will normally be on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. 12
and 7:00 p.m. 13
Table 2-9. Transmission Line Construction Equipment Requirements 14
Equipment
Spread 1
1
Spread 2
Qty. hrs/ day days/ wk Qty. hrs/ day days/ wk
Pickup 10 8 6 10 8 6
Bulldozer 3 4 6 3 4 6
Motor Grader 2 4 6 2 4 6
Water Truck 2 6 6 2 6 6
Hole Digger 2 8 6 2 8 6
Truck (2-ton) 3 5 6 3 5 6
Concrete Truck 4 6 6 4 6 6
Carry All 12 6 6 12 6 6
Crane 7 7 6 7 7 6
Steel Haul Truck 2 7 6 2 7 6
Fork Lift 3 6 6 3 6 6
Wire Reel Trailer 6 7 6 6 7 6
Diesel Tractor 5 5 6 5 5 6
Boom Truck (5-ton) 3 6 6 3 6 6
Splicing Truck 2 3 6 2 3 6
3-Drum Puller 2 4 6 2 4 6
Single Drum Puller 2 3 6 2 3 6
Tensioner 2 4 6 2 4 6
Sagging Dozer 2 3 6 2 3 6
Static Wire Reel Trailer 2 5 6 2 5 6
Dump Truck 2 4 6 2 4 6
Loader 3 4 6 3 4 6
Helicopter
2
1 6 6 1 6 6
1
Project divided into two segments of approximately equal length. 15
2
For structures which can only be set by helicopter, or if the contractor elects to erect structures by helicopter, one or 16
more heavy lift helicopters would be required. 17
18
November 2011 48
Table 2-10. Equipment Requirements for Grassland and Hemingway Substations 1
Equipment
Grassland Substation
1
Hemingway Substation
2
Qty. Hrs/Day Days/Wk Qty. Hrs/Day Days/Wk
Auger 10 10 6 0 10 6
Backhoe 2 10 6 1 10 6
Front Loader 1 10 6 0 10 6
Ditch Witch 2 10 6 0 10 6
Concrete Truck 10 10 6 0 10 6
Water Truck 1 10 6 1 10 6
Dump Truck 1 10 6 0 10 6
Trailer 2 10 6 0 10 6
Crew Truck/Car 4 10 6 1 10 6
Hauler 1 10 6 0 10 6
Skid Steer Loader 1 10 6 0 10 6
Batch Plant 1 10 6 0 10 6
Drill Rig 1 10 6 0 10 6
Truck with Trailer 4 10 6 0 10 6
Compressor 2 10 6 1 10 6
Construction Fork 1 10 6 1 10 6
980 Loader 1 10 6 0 10 6
Vibrating Roller 1 10 6 0 10 6
Light Pickup 1 10 6 1 10 6
Crane 1 10 6 1 10 6
Bucket Truck 2 10 6 1 10 6
Boom Truck 2 10 6 1 10 6
Trailer 1 10 6 0 10 6
Fork Lift 1 10 6 1 10 6
Overhead Line Rig 1 10 6 1 10 6
1
The equipment requirements for the Grassland Substation only apply if IPC builds this substation.
2
The equipment requirements for the Hemingway Substation expansion are only for work within the fence line.
2
3
November 2011 49
Table 2-11. Average and Peak Construction Traffic (per spread) 1
Vehicle Type Average Daily Round Trips Peak Daily Round Trips
Spread 1
Construction Workers 18 28
Delivery 2 4
Heavy Trucks 10 15
Water Trucks 2 4
Total 32 51
Spread 2
Delivery 2 4
Heavy Trucks 10 15
Water Trucks 2 4
Total 32 51
Grassland Substation
Delivery 5 10
Heavy Trucks 15 30
Water Trucks 6 12
Total 34 72
Hemingway Substation
Delivery 3 5
Heavy Trucks 8 12
Water Trucks 2 4
Total 18 28
The equipment required for transmission line construction is similar for both the 500-kV and 2
69/138-kV lines, although the equipment needed for smaller voltage lines construction is 3
generally smaller than for 500-kV construction. The following is a summary of anticipated 4
equipment to be used for each construction activity. Survey work only requires the use of pickup 5
trucks or ATVs. Road construction will utilize pickups, bulldozers, motor graders, and water 6
trucks. To dig holes and install the directly embedded structures or install 500-kV foundations it 7
is anticipated that pickup trucks, 2-ton trucks, hole diggers, bulldozers, concrete trucks, water 8
trucks, carry alls, cranes, hydro crane, wagon drill, dump trucks, and front-end loaders will be 9
used. Hauling lattice steel members, tubular poles, braces and hardware to the structure sites 10
will require the use of steel haul trucks; carry alls, cranes, and forklifts. For assembly and 11
erection of structures it is anticipated that pickup trucks, 2-ton trucks, carry alls, cranes, and a 12
heavy lift helicopter may be used. Wire installation requires the most equipment including 13
pickups, wire reel trailers, diesel tractors, cranes, 5-ton boom trucks, splicing trucks, three drum 14
pullers, single drum pullers, tensioners, sagging dozers, carry alls, static wire reel trailers, and a 15
light helicopter. Final cleanup, reclamation, and restoration will utilize pickups, 2-ton trucks, 16
bulldozers, motor graders, dump trucks, front-end loaders, and water trucks. The highest level 17
of traffic will be when the wire stringing operations begin while several other operations are 18
occurring at the same time which will likely include excavating holes, installing foundations, 19
hauling steel, assembling structures, and erecting structures. 20
For the substation work, the highest level of traffic will be during site grading and foundation 21
installation. It is estimated that 2,000 to 4,000 cubic yards of topsoil will not be suitable for re- 22
use at the Grassland Substation site and will have to be disposed of at an authorized off-site 23
November 2011 50
location. Dump trucks will be leaving and returning to the site on a constant basis each day for 1
the duration of the site grading. Each site will require between 4,000 and 7,000 cubic yards of 2
concrete. Delivering, placing, and finishing concrete is labor intensive. Once concrete placement 3
is complete, traffic on the surrounding roads will subside. Workers will arrive in the morning and 4
leave at the end of the day. The balance of daily traffic will be material deliveries from 5
storerooms, which will probably be one or two trips per day. Each substation will require the 6
delivery of permitted loads such as transformers and/or reactors. Each reactor or transformer 7
bank required will require four large multiple-wheel lowboy trucks. Delivery will be scheduled to 8
match the completion of their respective foundations. 9
2.6.3 Removal of Facilities and Waste Disposal 10
Substation and ROW construction will generate a variety of solid wastes including concrete, 11
hardware, and wood debris. The solid wastes generated during construction will be recycled or 12
hauled away for disposal. Excavation along the ROW and at substations will generate solid 13
wastes that could potentially be used as fill; however, some of the excavated material will be 14
removed for disposal. Excavated material that is clean and dry will be spread along the ROW. 15
The volumes shown in Table 2-12 reflect the waste that will be hauled away and not disposed of 16
in the ROW for each segment during construction of the Project. 17
Table 2-12. Solid Waste Generation from Construction Activities 18
County
Transmission Line Communication Sites Substation
Native
Material
Total
1
(cu. yard)
Imported
Solid
Waste
Total
2
(cu. yard)
Native
Material
Total
1
(cu. yard)
Imported
Solid
Waste
Total
2
(cu. yard)
Native
Material
Total
1
(cu. yard)
Imported
Solid Waste
Total
2
(cu. yard)
Morrow 1,800 700 100 10 2,000 200
Umatilla 1,900 800 110 10 NA NA
Union 1,600 700 200 20 NA NA
Baker 2,900 1,200 100 10 NA NA
Malheur 2,800 1,200 330 30 NA NA
Owyhee 1,000 400 0 0 400 100
1
Native materials consist of stripped vegetation, excess soil, large rocks, or other natural materials that cannot be reused on-site. 19
This was assumed at approximately 10% of excavation. Native materials may be suitable for disposal at fill dirt sites, or County 20
Construction and Demolition landfills, as approved by local entities. 21
2
Imported solid waste is non-hazardous refuse delivered to the Project, such containers, boxes, bags, sacks, packing materials, 22
broken insulators, scrap conductor, empty wire spools, and other miscellaneous non-hazardous paper, plastic or similar materials. 23
These are materials that will be recycled, hauled directly, or placed in a dumpster or roll-off for disposal at a municipal solid waste 24
landfill, as approved by local entities. 25
26
The majority of waste associated with substation construction results from spoils created during 27
site grading. The values shown in Table 2-12 reflect the amount of vegetation and rock larger 28
than 6 inches in diameter that cannot be processed and converted into backfill for compaction. 29
Very little of the soil excavated during foundation installation is waste product. Above-grade 30
waste will be packing material such as crates, pallets, and paper wrapping to protect equipment 31
during shipping. It is assumed a 12-yard dumpster will be filled once a week with waste material 32
for the duration of each substation project. 33
2.6.4 Construction Schedule 34
IPC intends to continue to refine the design of the Project during the BLM approval process in 35
order to immediately commence construction if the Project is approved. Final engineering 36
November 2011 51
surveys will determine the exact locations of towers, access roads, and other features prior to 1
the start of construction and will be included in the Plan of Development. Due to the broad 2
scope of construction, the varied nature of construction activities, and the geographic diversity 3
of the Project area, IPC intends to hire multiple contractors to complete Project work within the 4
projected timeframe and in accordance with industry performance standards. The Proposed 5
Action will involve one EPC contracts with two construction spreads for the transmission line 6
and division of the Project into discrete construction phases. Each portion of the route will be 7
under construction at the same time. IPC developed a Project construction schedule based on 8
this strategy. Figure 2-6 provides a general schedule, showing preliminary construction 9
schedule time frames. 10
Although the construction rate of progress will be reduced in the winter, IPC has planned an 11
aggressive schedule and it is anticipated that construction will continue through the winter 12
months in the lower-elevation areas of the Project, except during winter storms. In the higher- 13
elevation areas of the Project, winter storms and snow will limit access to the ROW, for example 14
in the Blue Mountains. In these areas, it is expected that construction will be suspended on 15
some portions of the ROW during the peak winter months and construction resources will either 16
be demobilized or shifted to other portions of the Project. 17
Transmission line construction commences with contractor mobilization. The contractor will 18
mobilize equipment and personnel to the construction site at various stages in the Project 19
schedule depending on operational requirements. This will cumulatively require approximately 20
30 days throughout the schedule for each segment. Construction management, engineering 21
support, inspection, materials handling, and administration are required throughout the Project. 22
First, surveyors will start at one end of the route and stake the locations of access roads. Road 23
construction can start 1 to 2 weeks after the surveyors begin, which may require clearing in 24
higher elevations where tree removal is required prior to road construction. After a couple of 25
weeks of road construction another survey crew can begin staking the structure locations. A 26
week or two after the survey crew starts staking structure locations, excavation of holes for 27
foundations for 500-kV towers, or for directly embedded poles for smaller voltage structures, 28
can begin. For 500-kV construction, the installation of the concrete pier foundations will begin 29
within the next couple of weeks. The foundations need time to cure and develop to full structural 30
strength (measured by compressive strength) before lattice towers can be installed. Five to six 31
weeks after foundation installation has begun, lattice tower assembly and erection can begin. 32
For 138/69-kV construction, structure assembly and setting can begin immediately after the 33
excavation of holes has begun. The wire installation crews will start approximately 8 to 12 34
weeks after assembly and erection/setting begins. This will be followed by final cleanup, 35
reclamation, and restoration. 36
37
November 2011 52
1
Figure 2-6. Project Construction Schedule 2
3
November 2011 53
Substation construction includes five activities: 1) site grading (grading and access road 1
development), 2) below-grade construction (primarily the installation of foundations, 3) above- 2
grade construction (steel erection and building construction), 4) electrical (installation and 3
termination of control wiring), and 5) testing (functional testing of control and monitoring 4
schemes). Typically, these activities overlap and complement each other, allowing the 5
construction of a substation to proceed more quickly than line construction. It is estimated that 6
the site grading activity and access road work for Grassland and Hemingway substations will 7
take 4 to 8 weeks to complete, depending on the size of the site. 8
Below-grade construction can be completed in 3 months or less for the Hemingway Substation. 9
In this case, the basic infrastructure is already in place, having been installed with the initial 10
substation and designed for the future expansion requirements. If the Grassland Substation is 11
not constructed ahead of the Project and full buildout is required, the duration will be longer. 12
Above-grade construction duration is highly dependent on the level of construction force the 13
contractor chooses. For the substation expansions at Grassland or Hemingway Substations, it is 14
estimated that erection of steel, bus assembly, and major equipment assembly will take up to 15
9 months. Due to the size of each station, many crews can work on steel erection and 16
equipment assembly without interfering with each other. The greatest amount of schedule 17
recovery or acceleration in a stations construction schedule can be achieved during this 18
timeframe. Electrical construction is a long and labor-intensive task. Although multiple crews 19
can work in a yard at any given time, the space in a control building is very limited and will 20
determine the length of this task. In the case of each of these stations, given the size and type 21
of equipment to be installed, there will be miles of cable to be pulled into conduit and duct banks 22
and thousands of connections to be made and double checked prior to the start of testing. New 23
substations will take longer than existing substations that already have the basic infrastructure 24
in place. 25
Prior to starting construction, IPC may be required to conduct on-site surveys in accordance 26
with applicable protocols or mitigation measures adopted by BLM and other agencies as Project 27
conditions. Accordingly, adjustments might occur to the Project schedule as necessary to avoid 28
sensitive resources. Pre-construction activities, including pre-construction environmental 29
surveys, materials procurement, design, contracting, ROW acquisition, and permitting efforts, 30
are not shown in the summary schedule. 31
The schedule is predicated upon IPCs ability to complete the following tasks in a timely 32
manner: 33
Secure all necessary permit approvals; 34
Secure agency support; 35
Complete biological and cultural survey work; 36
Construct within environmental time constraints; 37
Order and receive equipment; 38
Secure construction contractor resources and associated construction equipment; 39
and 40
Maintain continuous construction activity with no delay due to environmental, 41
administrative, or legal issues. 42
43
November 2011 54
3.0 SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE 1
The 500-kV transmission lines to be constructed as part of the Project will comprise critical 2
infrastructure of the IPC transmission systems, and of the western U.S. electrical grid. Limiting 3
the duration of unplanned outages and planning for the use of live-line maintenance techniques 4
to minimize the requirement for any outages is an important part of the design, construction, and 5
operations/maintenance requirements for this Project. 6
3.1 Routine System Operations and Maintenance 7
IPCs goal is to provide their customers with a reliable supply of electricity while maintaining the 8
overall integrity of the regional electrical grid. IPCs obligation to maintain reliable operation of 9
the electrical system is documented in IPCs agreements with the various states through the 10
public service commissions, and is directed through compliance with industry standard codes 11
and practices such as the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2), which governs the design 12
and operation of high-voltage electric utility systems. 13
In 2005, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which provided a regulatory basis for 14
the implementation of specific incentives (and penalties) for maintaining reliable service, among 15
other issues. As a result of the passage of the Act, the FERC selected the NERC to act as the 16
enforcement agency for compliance with electric utility reliability and operating standards, 17
among other issues. IPC is required to be in compliance with the various reliability standards 18
promulgated through the implementation of the NERC policies and procedures. Additionally, 19
PacifiCorp and IPC are governed by the WECC standards that may be in addition to or more 20
stringent than those currently required by NERC. In response, IPC has prepared internal 21
operation and maintenance policies and procedures designed to meet the requirements of the 22
NERC, WECC, and the state public utility commissions, while remaining in compliance with the 23
applicable codes and standards with respect to maintaining the reliability of the electrical 24
system. 25
Operations and maintenance activities will include transmission line patrols, climbing 26
inspections, tower and wire maintenance, insulator washing in selected areas as needed, and 27
access roads repairs. IPC will keep necessary work areas around structures clear of vegetation 28
and will limit the height of vegetation along the ROW. Periodic inspection and maintenance of 29
each of the substations and communications facilities is also a key part of operating and 30
maintaining the electrical system. The following sections provide details on the anticipated 31
operation and maintenance activities for the Project. 32
After the transmission line has been energized, land uses that are compatible with safety 33
regulations will be permitted in and adjacent to the ROW. Existing land uses such as agriculture 34
and grazing are generally permitted within the ROW. Incompatible land uses within the ROW 35
include construction and maintenance of inhabited dwellings and any use requiring changes in 36
surface elevation that will affect electrical clearances of existing or planned facilities. 37
Land uses that comply with local regulations will be permitted adjacent to the ROW. Compatible 38
uses of the ROW on public lands will have to be approved by the appropriate agency. 39
Permission to use the ROW on private lands will have to be obtained from the utility owning the 40
transmission line. 41
3.1.1 Routine System Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair 42
Regular inspection of transmission lines, substations, and support systems is critical for safe, 43
efficient, and economical operation of the Project. 44
November 2011 55
3.1.2 Transmission Line Maintenance 1
Regular ground and aerial inspections will be performed in accordance with the IPCs 2
established policies and procedures for transmission line inspection and maintenance. IPC 3
transmission lines and substations will be inspected for corrosion, equipment misalignment, 4
loose fittings, vandalism, and other mechanical problems. The need for vegetation management 5
will also be determined during inspection patrols. 6
Inspection of the entire transmission line system will be conducted semi-annually. Aerial 7
inspection will be conducted by helicopter semi-annually and will require two or three crew 8
members, including the pilot. Detailed ground inspections will take place on an annual basis 9
using service roads to each structure. Ground inspection will use 4x4 trucks or 4x4 ATVs. The 10
inspector will assess the condition of the transmission line and hardware to determine if any 11
components need to be repaired or replaced, or if other conditions exist that require 12
maintenance or modification activities. The inspector will also note any unauthorized 13
encroachments and trash dumping on the ROW that could constitute a safety hazard. The 14
inspector will access each of the structure locations along each line and use binoculars and 15
spotting scopes to perform this inspection. 16
IPC performs a number of activities to keep its transmission lines operational and in good repair. 17
These activities can be planned, such as those for routine patrols, inspections, scheduled 18
maintenance, and scheduled emergency maintenance, or they can be unplanned, such as 19
those for emergency maintenance in cases where public safety and property are threatened. 20
For the purpose of this POD, activities are divided into routine, corrective, and emergency 21
maintenance. 22
Maintenance activities will be conducted in accordance with this POD and ROW grant 23
stipulations. Unless specifically noted, IPC will implement the environmental protection 24
measures described in Section 4 of this POD while conducting routine, corrective, and 25
emergency maintenance activities. IPC will notify the BLM of proposed activities when 26
previously identified threatened, endangered, and sensitive (TES) species and cultural 27
resources occur within, or adjacent to, the work area. IPC also will notify the BLM of emergency 28
maintenance activities as soon as possible. Routine and corrective maintenance activities that 29
are not adjacent to TES species or cultural resources will be conducted as necessary and 30
without prior notification to the BLM. 31
3.1.2.1 Routine Maintenance 32
Routine maintenance activities are conducted on a regular basis, have been carried out 33
historically, do not damage vegetation or soil outside of the ROW, and do not adversely impact 34
sensitive resourcesincluding known TES species, waters of the United States, and cultural 35
resources. Personnel are generally present in any one area for less than 1 day. The following 36
are examples of routine maintenance activities. 37
Routine air patrols from a helicopter to inspect for structural and conductor defects, 38
conductor clearance problems, and hazard tree identification. 39
Routine ground patrols to inspect structural and conductor components. Such 40
inspections may require either an ATV or a pickup truck traveling on access and 41
service roads and may rely on either direct line-of-sight or binoculars. Patrols are 42
typically conducted in the spring and fall. Follow-up maintenance is scheduled 43
depending on the severity of the problemeither as soon as possible or as part of 44
routine scheduled maintenance. 45
November 2011 56
Climbing structures to inspect hardware or make repairs. Personnel access these 1
structures by pickup truck or ATV or by foot. 2
Structure or conductor maintenance from a bucket truck. The bucket truck may be 3
located on or off a road, and no grading is necessary to create a safe work area. 4
Cathodic protection surveys typically require personnel to use an ATV or a pickup 5
truck and make brief stops to check the integrity and functionality of the anodes and 6
ground beds. 7
Routine cyclical vegetation clearing to trim or remove tall shrubs and trees to ensure 8
adequate ground-to-conductor clearances. Vegetation clearing cycles vary from 3 to 9
6 years. Personnel access the area by pickup truck or ATV or by foot; use chainsaws 10
to clear the vegetation; and typically spend less than a half a day in any one specific 11
area. 12
Removal of individual trees or snags (hazard trees) that pose a risk of falling into 13
conductors or structures and causing outages or fires. Personnel access hazard 14
trees by ATV or by foot from an access or service road and cut them with a 15
chainsaw. Any felled trees or snags are left in place as sources of large woody 16
debris. Felled green trees are limbed to reduce fire hazard. Vegetation management 17
to remove hazard vegetation is expected to be limited to a few tower spans because 18
of the lack of tall shrubs or trees within the ROWs. 19
Wood pole treatment to retard rotting and structural degradation. Personnel access 20
structures by pickup truck or ATV or by foot; inspect and test (including the 21
subsurface) the poles; and then treat them by injecting preservatives into the poles. 22
Wood pole inspections and treatments occur on a 10-year cycle. 23
Routine road maintenance, such as grading the road to improve surface condition 24
and drainage, or removing minor physical barriers such as rocks and debris. All initial 25
road maintenance is performed by hand crews using ATVs, pickup trucks, 26
chainsaws, and hand tools. Trees and brush are cut off at grade to minimize damage 27
to vehicles. Slash, deadfall, and boulders are placed at the edge of the road or down 28
slope of the road bed, depending on site topography, to serve as a filtering windrow 29
to minimize erosion and sedimentation. Smaller vegetation (e.g., grasses) is left in 30
the road bed unless it is too tall and hinders access. 31
Vegetation removal on service roads to allow the necessary clearance for access 32
and provide for worker safety. Hand crews access the service roads by pickup truck 33
or ATV and use chainsaws and hand tools to clear the vegetation. 34
Reduction of fuel loads around wood poles in fire-prone areas by 1) removal of 35
vegetation within a 10-foot radius and treatment with herbicide or 2) application of a 36
fire retardant coating to the base of wood poles. 37
Installation of bird protection devices, bird perch discouragers, and relocation or 38
removal of bird nests. 39
3.1.2.2 Corrective Maintenance 40
On a periodic basis, corrective maintenance may result in more extensive vegetation clearing or 41
earth movement, and typically involve rehabilitation seeding or measures to control noxious 42
weeds. Personnel are present in any one location or area for a prolonged time, generally more 43
than 1 day. The following are examples of corrective maintenance. 44
Non-cyclical vegetation clearing to remove saplings or larger trees in the ROW. 45
November 2011 57
Structure or conductor maintenance in which earth must be moved, such as the 1
creation of a landing pad for construction or maintenance equipment. 2
Structure (e.g., cross-arm, insulator, pole) replacement. 3
Road maintenance involving erosion control, water drainage installation or repair 4
(such as culverts or rock crossings), road rehabilitation after major disturbances 5
(such as slumping), or other road maintenance requiring heavy equipment (not 6
including routine grading). 7
Follow-up restoration activities, such as seeding, noxious weed control, and erosion 8
control. 9
Conductor replacement will require the use of several types of trucks and equipment 10
and grading to create a safe work area to hang and pull the conductor into place. 11
3.1.2.3 Emergency Situations 12
Emergency situations are those conditions that may result in eminent or direct threats to public 13
safety or threaten or impair IPCs ability to provide power to its customers or the Western grid. 14
The following examples include, but are not limited to, real and potential emergency situations. 15
Failure of conductor splices. 16
Lightning strike or wildfire, resulting in burning of wood pole structures. 17
Damage to structures from high winds, ice, or other weather-related conditions. 18
Line or system outages or fire hazards caused by trees falling into conductors. 19
Breaking or eminent failure of crossarms or insulators, potentially causing conductor 20
failures. 21
Vandalism to structures or conductors from shooting or other destructive activities. 22
If an emergency situation arises, IPC may take immediate corrective action to fix the problem, 23
safeguard human health, and prevent damage to the environment. Actions are frequently the 24
same as those that occur during routine operation and maintenance activities (e.g., structure 25
replacement, road repair), but are in response to a threatening situation. IPC will implement 26
feasible and practicable measures to avoid and minimize impacts during emergency actions and 27
will notify the BLM of emergency actions as soon as possible. Activities conducted in response 28
to emergency situations may not adhere to the conditions of this POD. Where appropriate, 29
especially regarding rehabilitation efforts, IPC will follow the conditions described within this 30
POD when responding to an emergency. Site rehabilitation (e.g., remedial grading) will be 31
implemented where necessary and in consultation with the land managing agency or land 32
owner. Follow-up actions and additional reporting requirements will be coordinated with the BLM 33
and USFS on a project-specific basis. 34
3.1.3 Hardware Maintenance and Repairs 35
Routine maintenance activities are ordinary maintenance tasks that have historically been 36
performed and are regularly carried out on a routine basis. The work performed is typically 37
repair or replacement of individual components (no new ground disturbance), performed by 38
relatively small crews using a minimum of equipment, and usually is conducted within a period 39
from a few hours up to a few days. Work requires access to the damaged portion of the line to 40
allow for a safe and efficient repair of the facility. Equipment required for this work may include 41
4-wheel-drive trucks, material (flatbed) trucks, bucket trucks (low reach), boom trucks (high 42
reach), or man lifts. This work is scheduled and is typically required due to issues found during 43
inspections. Typical items that may require periodic replacement on transmission line towers 44
November 2011 58
include insulators, hardware or tower members. It is expected that these replacements will be 1
required infrequently. 2
IPC plans to conduct maintenance on the critical 500-kV transmission line system using live line 3
maintenance techniques. Maintenance on the transmission lines can be completed safely using 4
live line techniques thereby avoiding an outage to the critical transmission line infrastructure. 5
High reach bucket trucks along with other equipment are used to conduct these activities. For 6
the 500-kV lattice tower structures, this requires that adequate space be available at each 7
structure site so that the high reach bucket truck can be positioned to one side or the other of 8
the structure and reach up and over the lower phases to access the upper center phase for live- 9
line maintenance procedures. For the H-frame and monopole structures, this requires that 10
adequate space be available at each structure site so that a bucket truck can be positioned to 11
access the outside phases. Figure 3-1 depicts the space requirements for live-line maintenance 12
for the 500-kV lattice structures. The size and location of these required pads near the 13
structures may vary depending on the side slope and access road at each site. The work areas 14
and pads will be cleared to the extent needed to safely complete the work. These pads will 15
remain in place after construction, but will be revegetated after the initial construction is 16
completed. 17
18
November 2011 59
1
Figure 3-1. Live-line Maintenance Space Requirements, Single-Circuit 500-kV 2
Lattice Tower 3
November 2011 60
3.1.4 Access Road and Work Area Repair 1
ROW repairs include grading or repair of existing maintenance access roads and work areas, 2
and spot repair of sites subject to flooding or scouring. Required equipment may include a 3
grader, backhoe, four-wheel-drive pickup truck, and a cat-loader or bulldozer. The cat-loader 4
has steel tracks whereas the grader, backhoe, and truck typically have rubber tires. Repairs to 5
the ROW will be scheduled as a result of line inspections, or will occur in response to an 6
emergency situation. 7
3.1.5 Vegetation Management 8
IPC must maintain work areas adjacent to electrical transmission structures and along the ROW 9
for vehicle and equipment access necessary for operations, maintenance, and repair, including 10
live-line maintenance activities as described above under Hardware Maintenance and Repairs. 11
Shrubs and other obstructions will be regularly removed near structures to facilitate inspection 12
and maintenance of equipment and to ensure system reliability. At a minimum, trees and brush 13
will be cleared within a 25-foot radius of the base or foundation of all electrical transmission 14
structures, and to accommodate equipment pads to conduct live line maintenance operations as 15
noted. 16
Vegetation management practices along the ROW will be in accordance with the IPC clearing 17
specifications and vegetation management plans (Idaho Power 2008). The ROWs for the 18
Project are dominated by agricultural and shrub-steppe vegetation communities except for the 5 19
miles across the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Interference with conductors is not 20
anticipated. However, if vegetation management is required, IPC will generally schedule it 21
according to maintenance cycles (e.g., 5- or 10-year cycles). 22
A wire-border zone method is used to control vegetation. This method results in two zones of 23
clearing and revegetation. The wire zone is the linear area along the ROW under the wires and 24
extending 10 feet outside of the outermost phase conductor. After initial clearing, vegetation in 25
the wire zone would be maintained to consist of native grasses, legumes, herbs, ferns, and 26
other low-growing shrubs that remain under 5 feet tall at maturity. The border zone is the linear 27
area along each side of the ROW extending from the wire zone to the edge of the ROW. 28
Vegetation in the border zone would be maintained to consist of tall shrubs or short trees (up to 29
25 feet high at maturity), grasses, and forbs. These cover plants benefit the ROW by competing 30
with and excluding undesirable plants. The width of the wire and border zones for the various 31
transmission lines are depicted in Figure 3-1. During operations, vegetation growth will be 32
monitored and managed to maintain the wire-border zone objectives. IPCs approach is to 33
remove all tree species within the ROW where the conductor ground clearance is less than 50 34
feet, leaving grasses, legumes, herbs, ferns, and low-growing shrubs within the ROW. When 35
conductor ground clearance is greater than 50 feet, for example a canyon or ravine crossing 36
with high ground clearance at mid-span, trees and shrubs will be left in place as long as the 37
conductor clearance to the vegetation tops is 50 feet or more (see Figure 3-2). 38
39
November 2011 61
1
Single-Circuit 500 kV 2
3
4
Figure 3-2. Right-of-Way Vegetation Management 5
6
November 2011 62
Vegetation will be removed using mechanical equipment such as chain saws, weed trimmers, 1
rakes, shovels, mowers, and brush hooks. Clearing efforts in heavy growth areas will use 2
equipment such as a Hydro-Ax or similar. The duration of activities and the size of crew and 3
equipment required will depend on the amount and size of the vegetation to be trimmed or 4
removed. 5
In selected areas, herbicides may be used to control noxious weeds and to meet vegetation 6
management objectives. All herbicide applications will be performed in accordance with federal, 7
state, and local regulations, and in compliance with managing land agency requirements. 8
3.1.6 Noxious Weed Control 9
The States of Idaho and Oregon list modes of action that are capable of disseminating noxious 10
weeds and the duties to control the spread of listed noxious weeds. Equipment and supplies 11
necessary for line construction and future operation and maintenance activities, and the 12
activities themselves, are possible agents for the spread of noxious weeds. Under the 13
requirements of a ROW grant or SUP, IPC is responsible for control of noxious weed species 14
that result or will result from the construction, operation, and maintenance of the improvements 15
authorized under the grant. Therefore, a noxious weed control strategy to reduce the 16
opportunity for weeds to invade new areas and to minimize the spread of weeds within the 17
Project area will be addressed in the Framework Reclamation Plan. 18
The responsible party will clean all equipment that may operate off-road or disturb the ground 19
before beginning construction or operation and maintenance activities within a pre-determined 20
project area. This process will clean tracks and other parts of the equipment that could trap soil 21
and debris and will reduce the potential for introduction or spread of undesirable exotic 22
vegetation. Preferably, the cleaning will occur at an IPC operation center, commercial car wash, 23
or similar facility. Vehicles traveling only on established paved roads are not required to be 24
cleaned. 25
3.1.7 Substation and Communication Site Maintenance 26
Substation and communication site monitoring and control functions are performed remotely 27
from IPCs operation center in Boise, Idaho. Unauthorized entry into substations or 28
communication sites is prevented with the provision of fencing and locked gates. Warning signs 29
will be posted and entry to the operating facilities will be restricted to authorized personnel. 30
Project substations and communication sites will not be staffed; however, a remotely monitored 31
security system will be installed. Several forms of security are planned for each of the locations, 32
although the security arrangements at each of the substations or communication sites may differ 33
somewhat. Security measures may include fire detection in the control building via the remote 34
monitoring system; alarming for forced entry; and a perimeter security system coupled with 35
remote sensing infrared camera equipment in the fenced area of the station to provide visual 36
observation/confirmation to the system operator of disturbances at the fence line. 37
Maintenance activities include equipment testing, equipment monitoring and repair, and 38
emergency and routine procedures for service continuity and preventive maintenance. It is 39
anticipated that maintenance at each substation will require approximately six trips per year by a 40
2- to 4-person crew. Routine operations will require one or two workers in a light utility truck to 41
visit the substations monthly. Typically, once per year a major maintenance inspection will take 42
place requiring up to 15 personnel for 1 to 3 weeks. Communication sites will be visited every 2 43
to 3 months by one individual in a light truck to inspect the facilities. Annual maintenance will be 44
performed by a two man crew in a light truck over a 2- to 5-day period. If substation landscaping 45
is required by the permitting agency, drought-tolerant plant materials will be used to minimize 46
watering requirements after plant establishment. 47
November 2011 63
Safety lighting at the substations will be provided inside the substation fence for the purpose of 1
emergency repair work. Because night activities are not expected to occur more than once per 2
year, the safety lighting inside the substation fence will normally be turned off. One floodlight, 3
mounted near the entry gate to safely illuminate the substation entry gate, may be left on during 4
nighttime hours. 5
3.2 Emergency Response 6
The operation of the system is remotely managed and monitored by IPC from their operation 7
center in Boise, Idaho. Electrical outages or variations from normal operating protocols will be 8
sensed and reported at these operation centers. As well, the substations are equipped with 9
remote monitoring, proximity alarms, and in some cases video surveillance. 10
Emergency situations are those conditions that may result in eminent or direct threats to public 11
safety or threaten or impair IPCs ability to provide power to its customers or the Western grid. 12
The following examples include, but are not limited to, real and potential emergency situations: 13
Failure of conductor splices. 14
Lightning strike or wildfire. 15
Damage to structures from high winds, ice, or other weather-related conditions. 16
Line or system outages or fire hazards caused by trees falling into conductors. 17
Breaking or eminent failure of crossarms or insulators, which could, or does, cause 18
conductor failures. 19
Vandalism to structures or conductors from shooting or other destructive activities. 20
The implementation of routine operation and maintenance activities on powerlines will minimize 21
the need for most emergency repairs. Emergency maintenance activities are often those 22
activities necessary to repair natural hazard, fire, or human-caused damages to a line. Such 23
work is required to eliminate a safety hazard, prevent imminent damage to the powerline, or 24
restore service if there is an outage. In an emergency, IPC must respond as quickly as possible 25
to restore power. 26
The equipment necessary to carry out emergency repairs is similar to that necessary to conduct 27
routine maintenance, in most cases. Emergency response to outages may require additional 28
equipment to complete the repairs. For example, where the site of the outage is remote, 29
helicopters may be used to respond quickly to emergencies. 30
In practice, as soon as an incident is detected, the control room dispatchers will notify the 31
responsible operations staff in the area(s) affected and crews and equipment will be organized 32
and dispatched to respond to the incident. 33
3.2.1 Fire Protection 34
All federal, state, and county laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to fire 35
prevention and suppression will be strictly adhered to. All personnel will be advised of their 36
responsibilities under the applicable fire laws and regulations. 37
IPC will regularly inspect the transmission line for fire hazards. IPC crews and contractors will 38
have the following equipment when working in or around the transmission line on BLM- 39
managed and National Forest lands: 40
All power-driven equipment, except portable fire pumps, shall be equipped with one 41
fire extinguisher having a UL rating of at least 5 BC, and one D handled or long 42
November 2011 64
handled round point shovel, size 0 or larger. In addition, each motor patrol, truck 1
and passenger-carrying vehicle shall be equipped with a double-bit axe or Pulaski, 2
3 pounds or larger. 3
Each internal combustion engine shall be equipped with a spark arrester meeting 4
either 1) USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, or 2) appropriate Society of 5
Automotive Engineers recommended practice J 335(b) and J 350(a) as now or 6
hereafter amended unless it is: 7
Equipped with a turbine-driven exhaust supercharger such as the turbocharger. 8
There shall be no exhaust bypass. 9
A passenger-carrying vehicle or light truck, or medium truck up to 40,000 GVW, 10
used on roads and equipped with a factory-designed muffler complete with 11
baffles and an exhaust system in good working condition. 12
A heavy-duty truck, such as a dump or log truck, or other vehicle used for 13
commercial hauling, used on roads only and equipped with a factory-designed 14
muffler and with a vertical stack exhaust system extending above the cab. 15
Exhaust equipment, including spark arresters and mufflers, shall be properly installed 16
and constantly maintained in serviceable condition. 17
When working on public or National Forest lands, IPCs employees and contractors will be 18
equipped with approved suppression tools and equipment. IPC or their construction contractor 19
will notify local fire authorities and the BLM or Forest Service (as appropriate) if a Project-related 20
fire occurs within or adjacent to a construction area. Smoking is not allowed outside of vehicles, 21
cleared storage yards/staging areas, and/or construction trailers. 22
If IPC becomes aware of an emergency situation that is caused by a fire on or threatening BLM- 23
managed or National Forest lands and that could damage the transmission lines or their 24
operation, they will notify the appropriate agency contact. Specific construction-related activities 25
and safety measures will be implemented during construction of the transmission line to prevent 26
fires and to ensure quick response and suppression if a fire occurs. Typical practices to prevent 27
fires during construction and maintenance/repair activities include brush clearing prior to work, 28
stationing a water truck at the job site to keep the ground and vegetation moist in extreme fire 29
conditions, enforcing red flag warnings, providing fire behavior training to all pertinent 30
personnel, keeping vehicles on or within designated roads or work areas, and providing fire 31
suppression equipment and emergency notification numbers at each construction site. 32
November 2011 65
4.0 DECOMMISSIONING 1
The proposed transmission line will have a projected operational life of at least 50 years or 2
longer. At the end of the useful life of the Project and if the facility were no longer required, the 3
transmission line will be removed from service. At such time, conductors, insulators, and 4
hardware will be dismantled and removed from the ROW. Structures will be removed and 5
foundations removed to below ground surface. Decommissioning and restoration on USFS 6
lands shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of the USFS authorization and shall not 7
include abandoning foundations or leaving in-place. 8
Following abandonment and removal of the transmission line structures and equipment from the 9
ROW, any areas disturbed areas during line dismantle will be restored and rehabilitated. If a 10
substation is no longer required, the substation structures and equipment will be dismantled and 11
removed from the site. The station structures will be disassembled and either re-used at another 12
station or sold for scrap. Major equipment such as breakers, transformers, and reactors will be 13
removed, refurbished, and stored for use at another facility. Foundations will be either 14
abandoned in-place or cut off below ground level and buried. 15
IPC describes roads necessary for the operation and maintenance of transmission lines as 16
access roads or service roads. The sole purpose of service roads is to provide maintenance 17
crews access to the transmission lines. These roads will not exist if the transmission lines did 18
not exist. In contrast, access roads serve a broader purpose, such as contributing to the federal, 19
county, or state road systems. Access roads provide direct or indirect access to the 20
transmission lines but that access is not their primary purpose. IPC is responsible for the 21
reclamation of service roads following abandonment and in accordance with the landowners 22
direction but is not responsible for reclamation of access roads unless mutually agreed upon by 23
IPC and the landowner. Service roads will be abandoned following removal of the structures 24
and lines and may be abandoned while the lines are in-service if they are determined to no 25
longer be necessary. 26
When a service road has been identified as no longer necessary, the road will be reclaimed and 27
seeded as soon as possible during the optimal seeding season. In some cases, reseeding may 28
not be necessary, given the existing amount of soil compaction and vegetation currently in 29
place. 30
The seed mix used for any restoration and revegetation project will be determined in 31
consultation with the landowner or land-managing agency. All seed will meet all of the 32
requirements of the Federal Seed Act and applicable Idaho and Oregon laws regarding seeds 33
and noxious weeds. Only seed certified as noxious weed-free will be used. If requested, IPC 34
or their contractor will provide the landowner with evidence of seed certification. Any seed 35
mixture will not contain aggressive, non-native species that might invade the site. Where 36
necessary, the surface of the ground will be prepared prior to seeding. Where practical, IPC will 37
follow these guidelines for preparing the seedbed: 38
The road surface will be cleared of foreign materials, such as garbage, paper, and 39
other materials, but all rocks, limbs, or minor woody debris will be left in place. IPC or 40
their contractor will prepare the seedbed immediately prior to seeding. 41
Under the right soil-moisture conditions, a standard disk or spring bar harrow will be 42
used to roughen the topsoil layer to create the desired surface texture before the 43
seed is applied. Dirt clods and chiseled voids resulting from the roughening process 44
increase the surface area for water collection and provide micro-sites for seed 45
November 2011 66
establishment. The soil should be disked or harrowed to no more than 2 inches deep 1
at a time when soil moisture allows the surface to remain rough, with clods 2
approximately 2 to 4 inches in diameter. 3
Disking or harrowing will be performed parallel to surface contours. In this way, 4
downslope alignment of furrows can be avoided. In areas that already have the 5
desired soil characteristics; the seedbed does not need to be prepared. 6
After the seedbed has been prepared, IPC or their contractor will broadcast the seed on the 7
disturbed area, after which the seed will be lightly harrowed into the roadbed or raked into the 8
ground. Mulch and fertilizers may be added if necessary. An area will not be seeded when wind 9
velocities prohibit the seed mix from being applied evenly. If the seed does not germinate and 10
establish to an agreed-upon level of vegetation cover (e.g., consistent with adjacent site 11
conditions) after two growing seasons, IPC or their contractor will do a one-time reseeding 12
during a period acceptable to the landowner. 13
Other seeding methods, such as drilling, hydroseeding, or aerial application, may be used 14
depending on the area that requires reclamation and site conditions. 15
16

Transmission Line and Substation Components

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Appendix BTransmission Line

and Substation Components

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