5. Description of Project Alternatives

The EIR evaluated SCE's preferred Alternative 1, a "no project" alternative, and three alternative transmission route alignments (Alternatives 2, 3 and 6) that were identified through the scoping process and meet the project purpose. In addition, in response to comments on the draft EIR, the final EIR environmentally screened a variation to Alternative 3, dubbed "Alternative 3A."

Alternative 1 would proceed from the Rector Substation to 1.1 miles north within the existing SCE right of way, and then traverse east from the City of Visalia north of the cities of Farmersville and Exeter to the Big Creek 4-Springville existing transmission line located at the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, generally crossing agricultural lands and scattered rural residences. The total length of the Alternative 1 is approximately 19 miles.

Alternative 2 would proceed from the Rector Substation north in the existing right of way to mile 10.8, 9.7 miles past the point where Alternative 1 turns east. At mile 10.8, the alignment turns east for 3.5 miles, and then turns north to parallel Road 176 until Avenue 376. The alignment then proceeds east, paralleling Avenue 376 and then southeast through a saddle along the base of Colvin Mountain until Road 1945. From mile 17.3 to mile 17.9, the alignment extends south and then southeast until Road 196. From there, the alignment extends east for approximately 1.2 miles and the south for approximately 0.6 miles. At mile 19.7, the alignment turns east along the base of Lone Oak Mountain and continues east until it reaches the existing Big Creek 3-Springville transmission line. The total length of Alternative 2 is approximately 23 miles.

Alternative 3 would proceed from the Rector Substation north in the existing right of way to mile 14.6, 13.5 miles past the point where Alternative 1 turns east. At mile 14.6 (approximately 400 feet south of the Friant-Kern Canal), the alignment turns east and crosses Stokes Mountain for approximately 3 miles. The alignment then descends from the Stokes Mountain ridgeline for approximately 1 mile and turns northeast to parallel the Stokes Mountain/Stone Corral Canyon interface for approximately 4 miles. The alignment then crosses Boyd Drive and continues in the same northeasterly direction to crest the Goldstein Peak ridgeline at mile 23. The alignment then descends into the Rattlesnake Creek Valley until it reaches the existing Big Creek 3-Springville transmission line. The total length of Alternative 3 is approximately 24.3 miles.

Alternative 3A would incorporate a variation to Alternative 3 that would avoid the Stone Corral Ecological Reserve and its sensitive biological resources.

Alternative 6 would proceed from the Rector Substation north in the existing right of way to mile 8.1, 7 miles past the point where Alternative 1 turns east. At mile 8.1, the alignment turns east for approximately 6.9 miles. At mile 15, the alignment turns north for 2 miles. At mile 17, the alignment would head east and then northeast for approximately 0.3 miles where it would begin to follow the same alignment as Alternative 2 until it reached the existing Big Creek 3-Springville transmission line. The total length of Alternative 6 is approximately 20.5 miles.

Under the "no project" alternative, the proposed project would not be implemented and the reliability issues would continue.