system reliability and service to existing customers are not adversely affected by new interconnections. These studies also identify system upgrades or additions necessary to accommodate the proposed project and address whether the upgrades/additions are within the project scope. Authorizing Actions Federal, state, and local agencies have jurisdiction over certain aspects of the Project. Authorizing actions and agencies are summarized in Table SummitWind Farm Regulatory Authorizations. Table 1.6-1: SummitWind Farm Regulatory Authorizations Regulatory Action/Statute Agency Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Western Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) Western Section 7 of Endangered Species Act (ESA) Consultation Western, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) Western, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) Western, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Special Use Permit (SUP), Right-of- Way Permit, Compatibility Analysis of Disturbed Easements, Exchange of Grassland and Wetland Easements U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Form 7460-1. Notice of Proposed Construction Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Section 106 of National Historic Preservation Act Consultation Western, State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO), and Tribal Nations Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Compliance Western and Tribal Nations American Indian Religious Freedom Act Western and Tribal Nations State Overweight/Oversized Permits South Dakota Department Of Transportation (SDDOT) Road Approach/Access Permit South Dakota Department Of Transportation (SDDOT) Utility Crossing Permit South Dakota Department Of Transportation (SDDOT)
The former Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific railroad runs parallel to Highway 12, which traverses from northwest to southeast. The railroad is currently operated by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Three airports were noted during a desktop analysis in the vicinity of the Project, including: Milbank Municipal Airport, located approximately 22 nautical miles to the east of the Project footprint and operated by the City of Milbank. Sisseton Municipal Airport, a publicly-owned airfield located approximately 30 nautical miles north of the Project area. A small landing strip located in Grant County, just south of the county line on the eastern portion of the Project area. A review of FAA-listed airports did not identify this landing strip. In order to assess the existing traffic and road conditions within the Project area, the Project proponent would conduct a transportation study prior to final design to evaluate roadway safety, traffic capacity, structure inventory, and roadway geometry. The study would include a site visit to evaluate the anticipated delivery path(s) to the construction site, lateral clearances, vertical clearances, intersecting roadway control, speed limits, posted truck size and weight restrictions, major roadway intersection configurations, and primary and alternate route selections. Engineers would drive, measure and survey each potential delivery route to identify any areas of concern, including any bridges, culverts, and areas of poor road conditions. This would also include consultation with the State Department of Transportation and the local municipalities. Potential Impacts of the Alternatives The majority of transportation operations would involve material and equipment being moved to the site during the construction phase. The types and amounts of material and equipment required for construction of the Project would depend on site characteristics as well as the design selected. The following discussion provides a general overview of the expected transportation requirements during development, focusing on the unique considerations posed by the wind turbines, turbine towers, and rigging equipment necessary to erect them. In general, the heavy equipment and materials needed for site access, site preparation, foundation construction, and construction of transmission lines are typical of construction projects and do not pose unique transportation considerations. Typically, flatbed combination trucks would move the