The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a law that requires all Federal agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of a proposed Federal action. The proposed Federal action for the ITC Lake Erie Connector Project is the granting of the Presidential Permit (OE Docket No. PP-412) for the international border crossing. The proposed construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of the portion of the transmission line within the United States is considered a connected action to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed action.
After due consideration of the nature and extent of the ITC Lake Erie Connector Project (DOE/EA-2019), the DOE has determined that the appropriate level of NEPA review for this Project is an Environmental Assessment (EA). An EA is a concise public document that provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to make a Finding of No Significant Impact or prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. The EA will be prepared in accordance with NEPA procedures outlined by the President’s Council in Environmental Quality in the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500 – 1508) and DOE procedures found in 10 CFR Part 1021. Because the proposed Project may involve actions in floodplains and wetlands, the EA will include a floodplain and wetland assessment prepared in accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022, Compliance with Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review Requirements.
The public will be provided an opportunity to learn about the DOE’s proposed action and provide timely information and official public comments during the designated comment period. The designated public comment period starts with the issuance of the Draft EA, and will continue for 30 days. The draft EA will be available on the Documents page when complete. Copies of the draft EA can also be obtained from Mr. Brian Mills and are available for review at the Raymond M. Blasco, M.D. Memorial Library in Erie, PA. Comments may be submitted through the Comment Form, or in written or oral form.