FONSI Issued for Progress Energy Carolinas Right-Of-Way Permit

Date: August 16, 2011

(Asheville, NC) The National Park Service (NPS) Southeast Regional Director has approved the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the right-of-way permit (ROW) for a New Asheville – Enka 115kv West Line Crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway Corridor in Buncombe County, NC. The FONSI has determined that there will be no significant environmental impacts that would occur by issuing a ROW permit to Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas (PEC). The ROW permit will allow PEC to design, build, and operate a new 115kV overhead electric transmission line to ensure continuation of reliable electric service to customers in western North Carolina, as described under Alternative B in the New Asheville – Enka 115kv West Line Crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway Corridor in Buncombe County, NC, on the property of the National Park Service Environmental Assessment.

The NPS has determined that the proposed project will not significantly affect the human environment within the project area; therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

The recently approved EA and FONSI are available by visiting the NPS planning website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ PECnew115kvcrossing. A limited number of printed copies are available at Parkway headquarters, located at Milepost 384, just north of US Highway74-A.