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Letter to the Department of Energy 8 October 2003 Dr. Jerry Pell Dear Dr. Pell: Tucson Audubon Society (TAS) does not support the preferred alternative for locating the "Tucson Electric Power Sahuarita-Nogales Transmission Line," and is concerned about the focus of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the line. None of the alternatives for locating the line is satisfactory, but the preferred alternative (i.e., the Western Route) is the worst, from the biological perspective of TAS. It is the longest and most expensive alternative, and likely will have the most negative impacts on an area prized for its primitive recreational opportunities and natural beauty. For example, the preferred alternative would require construction of at least 20 miles of new roads. Furthermore, according to analyses presented in the DEIS, placing the line along the preferred route has the most potential to do harm to sensitive plant and animal populations (i.e., 74 species; Tables S-1). The most disturbing aspect of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, however, is that alternatives to a 345 kv line were not considered. Can the needs of Santa Cruz County be met with a smaller, less obtrusive line (e.g., 115 kv line), or a locally run power plant? We request that a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement be written that analyzes alternative solutions to providing power to Santa Cruz County. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue. Sincerely, Sonja Macys Letter to the Coronado National Forest 9 October 2003 Sue Kozacek Dear Ms. Kozacek: Tucson Audubon Society (TAS) does not support the preferred alternative for locating the "Tucson Electric Power Sahuarita-Nogales Transmission Line." None of the proposed routes for the line is satisfactory, but the preferred alternative (i.e., the Western Route) is the worst, from the biological perspective of TAS. It is the longest and most expensive alternative, and likely will have the most negative impacts on an area prized for its primitive recreational opportunities and natural beauty. For example, the preferred alternative would require construction of at least 20 miles of new roads. Furthermore, according to analyses presented in the DEIS, placing the line along the preferred route has the most potential to do harm to sensitive plant and animal populations (i.e., 74 species; Tables S-1). For these reasons, TAS requests that you deny the special use permit for the preferred alternative for locating the "Tucson Electric Power Sahuarita-Nogales Transmission Line." Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue. Sincerely, Sonja Macys
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