BURRILLVILLE/NORTH SMITHFIELD – Rhode Island Energy has plans to rebuild and construct new transmission lines along roughly five miles of quiet, forested land in Burrillville and North Smithfield, in a project aimed at improving reliability that recently received a stamp of approval from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
The project, which also includes expansion of a substation in North Smithfield, will see removal of more than an acre of trees to expand the company’s right of way from 50 to 75 feet.
While oversight of the project comes from the state Energy Facility Siting Board, RIDEM was asked to issue an advisory opinion on the impact to fish, wildlife and vegetation. The project will cross two warmwater streams and affect habitat that is home to rare and threatened bird, fish and plant species.
The Woonsocket Substation – Nasonville Substation 115kV Transmission Line Project will see installation of the new towers and wires, and the removal of the retired materials, with no planned disruption of electrical service. It includes rebuilding of the existing transmission line between the Nasonville Substation and West Farnum Substation, construction of a new 115 kV transmission line between the “Woonsocket Substation” in North Smithfield and Nasonville, and expansion of the Woonsocket Substation to accommodate the new lines.
In an opinion sent to the EFSB on Tuesday, March 31, RIDEM Deputy Director of the Bureau of Natural Resources Jason McNamee states that the project does not present an unacceptable harm to the environment, provided measures are taken to prevent harm to the habitat and wildlife.
It notes that the project crosses Tarkiln Brook, which is home to fish including bluegill, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, common shiner, fallfish, pumpkinseed, white sucker, yellow bullhead and yellow perch. The common shiner is listed as a species of greatest conservation need in RI’s Wildlife Action Plan.
The work will also cross Trout Brook, but RIDEM notes the agency does not have an inventory for the stream.
The estimated year-long construction process spanning an area from Greenville Road in North Smithfield to Douglas Turnpike in Burrillville will also cross two Superfund sites – L&RR Landfill and TNEC properties – and the Environmental Protection Agency has issued its own list of guidelines.
The RIDEM opinion notes that vegetation removal will result in a short-term loss of habitat for early successional breeding bird species.
“On the other hand, powerline (right of ways) can be critical contributors of early successional habitat so long as there is consistent management of low-growing vegetation compatible with utility line operation and maintenance in these areas,” it notes.
RIDEM’s recommendation also points out that there have been sightings of the spotted turtle – a state protected species considered of greatest conservation need – in the project area. The turtles lay eggs and stay dormant for long periods during the summer.
“At these times, the spotted turtles would be vulnerable to crushing by heavy machinery,” the department notes, recommending the company avoid wetlands work in late spring and summer.
The wetlands are also home to rare plant species, and crews completing the work for the electric company plan to fence off areas of concern.
Trees will be removed from 1.21 acres of land along a .6 mile stretch of the project to “provide adequate line clearances, and avoid outage risks from falling tree branches.”
“Limited, localized impacts to forest-breeding birds from permanent habitat loss associated with this project are expected,” RIDEM notes.
The department adds that woodland clearing that takes place between January and March should consider the presence of Bald Eagle and Great Horned Owl nests.
Construction-related traffic, consisting of heavy machinery and vehicles, will occur over the full duration of the project. Vehicles are expected to use the existing access roads along the right of way whenever possible. The work will take place during daytime hours and follow local ordinances, according to the EFSB.
In concluding that the planned construction won’t cause unacceptable environmental harm, RIDEM notes that all tree and vegetation clearing should take place during the non-breeding season by avoiding the months of April through August.
Pending final EFSB approval, work on the project could be on track to begin in June.
The post RIDEM: Line upgrade between energy substations in Burrillville & N.S. will not cause ‘unacceptable harm’ first appeared on NRI NOW.
