Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Boardman-Hemingway 500 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project (Project) in Idaho and Oregon and Possible Land Use Plan Amendments, 52944-52945 [E8-21285]

Download as PDF 52944 Notices Federal Register Vol. 73, No. 178 Friday, September 12, 2008 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. Notice of Meeting ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA). Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., times may be adjusted). Location: National Press Club Ballroom, 529 14th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20045. Please note that this is the anticipated agenda and is subject to change. Keynote: Henrietta H. Fore, USAID Administrator and Director of United States Foreign Assistance, will speak on key issues before USAID and the foreign assistance community including the High Level Forum in Accra on Aid Effectiveness and the United Nations General Assemby. She will also address the draft recommendations of the ACVFA Subcommittee on Public Outreach. American Awareness of U.S. Foreign Assistance: The ACVFA’s Subcommittee on Public Outreach will provide its draft recommendations to the full Committee and the general public. A respondent will provide feedback to the draft. The meeting is free and open to the public. Persons wishing to attend the meeting can register online at https:// www.usaid.gov/about_usaid/acvfa or with Jocelyn Rowe at jrowe@usaid.gov or 202–712–4002. Dated: September 8, 2008. Jocelyn M. Rowe, Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA), U.S. Agency for International Development. [FR Doc. E8–21273 Filed 9–11–08; 8:45 am] VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 Sep 11, 2008 Jkt 214001 Forest Service DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [OR–030–08–5101–ER–H048; OROR– 065375; IDI–036029; HAG–08–0199] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Boardman-Hemingway 500 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project (Project) in Idaho and Oregon and Possible Land Use Plan Amendments AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BILLING CODE 6116–01–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management, DOI; and Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, possible land use plan amendments, and notice of public scoping meetings. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and in response to right-of-way (ROW) applications filed by Idaho Power Company, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Vale District Office, and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Wallowa-Whitman National Forest announce their intent to prepare an EIS and conduct public scoping meetings. Idaho Power Company proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a single circuit 500 kV overhead electric transmission line and appurtenant facilities beginning near Boardman, Oregon, and terminating near Melba, Idaho. The proposed route roughly parallels Interstate 84 and is approximately 278 miles long. Authorization of this Project may require the amendment of USFS or BLM land use plans. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process as required by NEPA. The BLM and USFS request that public comments be submitted by November 14, 2008. To provide the public an opportunity to review project information, public meetings are planned in Idaho and Oregon in communities near the proposed route. The following communities are being considered for meeting locations: Ontario, Baker City, La Grande, Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Hermiston, and Boardman, Oregon; Marsing and Homedale, Idaho. The scoping meetings will be conducted in an ‘‘open house’’ format. Staff from the BLM, USFS, PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Oregon Department of Energy, Idaho Power Company, and environmental contractors will be available to answer questions and explain their respective roles and responsibilities. The BLM and USFS will announce the exact meeting dates, times, and locations at least 15 days prior to the event. Announcements will be made by news release, individual postcard mailings, and posting on the Project Web site (https://www.boardmanto hemingway.com). ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Web site: https:// www.boardmantohemingway.com. • E-mail: B2HComments@blm.gov. • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Vale District Office, 100 Oregon Street, Vale, Oregon, 97918, Attention: Lucas Lucero. Documents pertinent to the ROW application are on file and may be examined at: • Bureau of Land Management, Vale District Office, 100 Oregon Street, Vale, Oregon, 97918. • U.S. Forest Service, WallowaWhitman Supervisor’s Office, 1550 Dewey Avenue, Baker City, Oregon, 97814. • U.S. Forest Service, La Grande Ranger District, 3502 Highway 30, La Grande Oregon, 97850. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Idaho Power Company has submitted ROW applications to construct, operate, and maintain a 500kV single circuit overhead electric transmission line on Federal lands. The purpose and need of the Project is to relieve existing congestion, capacity, and reliability constraints and allow for the delivery of up to 1500 megawatts (MW) of additional energy to target service areas principally in Idaho and Utah. The proposed project begins near Boardman, Oregon, just north of the Boardman Power Plant, at the newly proposed Boardman Substation. The Project route continues southeast to interconnect with the Hemingway Substation in southeastern Oregon. The Hemingway Substation is being planned and built separately from this Project and will be built regardless of the outcome of this Project so the Hemingway Substation will not be analyzed in this EIS. The Project route then proceeds southeast and terminates near Melba, Idaho, at the newly proposed Sand Hollow E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1 ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 178 / Friday, September 12, 2008 / Notices Substation. The proposed route is approximately 278 miles long. The requested ROW width is 250 feet. Idaho Power Company proposes to utilize steel lattice type structures approximately 150 feet in height with average spans between towers of 1200 feet. Access roads would be approximately 14 to 20 feet wide. Additional temporary work space would also be required during construction. Approximately 195 miles or 70 percent of the route is privately owned; 45 miles or 16 percent is administered by the BLM; 27 miles or 10 percent is administered by the USFS; and 11 miles or 4 percent is administered by the State of Oregon or other jurisdictions. The route generally parallels Interstate 84 and other existing overhead and underground utilities and roadways. The proposed route also makes use of existing or proposed utility corridors on Federal lands. The BLM is the designated lead Federal agency for preparation of the EIS. Cooperating agencies identified at this time include: USFS, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and the State of Oregon Department of Energy. Other agencies will be invited to participate as cooperating agencies. The EIS will analyze the proposed action and a reasonable range of route alternatives. The BLM and USFS encourage you to send your comments concerning the Project as currently proposed, feasible alternative locations, possible mitigation measures, and any other information relevant to the Project. Authorization of the Project may require amendments to one or more of the following BLM land use plans: Baker Resource Management Plan, Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan, Owyhee Resource Management Plan, Cascade Resource Management Plan, and one or more of the following USFS Forest Plans: Wallowa-Whitman Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. This notice serves to notify the public of these potential land use plan amendments as required by 43 CFR 1610.2 (c) and 36 CFR 219.7(c). If a land use plan amendment is determined to be required, the BLM and/or USFS will integrate the land use planning process into the NEPA analysis for this Project. Public input is important to ensure project-specific issues are evaluated prior to the agencies making a decision. Comments submitted timely will be considered in the NEPA process. Comments received after November 14, 2008 will be considered to the extent feasible. Please note that public comments and information submitted including names, street addresses, and VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 Sep 11, 2008 Jkt 214001 e-mail addresses of respondents will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address during normal business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Periodic project updates during preparation of the EIS will be provided to the public through additional informational meetings, newsletters, postcard notices, or through the project Web site. For further information or to have your name added or removed from the project mailing list, contact Lucas Lucero, BLM Project Manager, (702) 515–5059 or Lucas_Lucero@blm.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: September 8, 2008. David R. Henderson, District Manager. Dated: September 8, 2008. Steven Ellis, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. E8–21285 Filed 9–11–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–33–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan, White Pines Wind Farm Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ACTION: SUMMARY: The Forest Service has accepted an application for a special use authorization from White Pines Wind Farm LLC for the installation and operation of 20 to 28 wind turbines and associated infrastructure to provide between 50 and 70 megawatts (MW) of wind energy on National Forest System (NFS) lands managed by the HuronManistee National Forests. The White Pines Wind Farm Project (the Project) would occupy approximately 75 acres of NFS land within a Project Area of about 10,000 acres on the Cadillac-Manistee Ranger District over its proposed 30year life. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52945 Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by October 12, 2008. The draft environmental impact statement is expected May 2009 and the final environmental impact statement is expected December 2009. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Patricia O’Connell, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Cadillac-Manistee Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forests, 412 Red Apple Road, Manistee, MI 49660; fax: 231–723–8642. Send electronic comments to: commentseastern-huron-manisteemanistee@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia O’Connell, Cadillac-Manistee Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forests; telephone: 231–723– 2211, ext. 3119; fax: 231–723–8642. See address above under ADDRESSES. Copies of documents may be requested at the same address. Another means of obtaining information is to visit the Forest Web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/ r9/hmnf then click on ‘‘Project and Planning,’’ then ‘‘Cadillac and Manistee Projects,’’ and then ‘‘White Pines Wind Farm Project.’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this project is to respond to an application for a special use authorization submitted by White Pines Wind Farm LLC to develop a wind farm on National Forest System lands within the Huron-Manistee National Forests. White Pines Wind Farm LLC proposes to generate 50 to 70 MW of wind energy by constructing and operating between 20 and 28 wind turbines, in proximity to existing distribution facilities (utility grid), in an area with an adequate wind resource on National Forest System lands with consolidated ownership. The proposed project is needed to help meet Michigan’s and the region’s growing demand for reliable sources of clean, cost-effective, renewable energy. The project is consistent with the HuronManistee National Forests’ Land and Resource Management Plan and with Forest Service objectives for management of special uses on National Forest System lands. Proposed Action White Pines is proposing to install and operate the Project on land located mostly within the boundaries of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The Project proposes construction of the wind turbines and associated infrastructure in April 2010, with an anticipated in-service date of December E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 178 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52944-52945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21285]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-030-08-5101-ER-H048; OROR-065375; IDI-036029; HAG-08-0199]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the Boardman-Hemingway 500 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line 
Project (Project) in Idaho and Oregon and Possible Land Use Plan 
Amendments

AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management, DOI; and Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, 
possible land use plan amendments, and notice of public scoping 
meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and in response to right-of-way (ROW) 
applications filed by Idaho Power Company, the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM), Vale District Office, and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), 
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest announce their intent to prepare an EIS 
and conduct public scoping meetings. Idaho Power Company proposes to 
construct, operate, and maintain a single circuit 500 kV overhead 
electric transmission line and appurtenant facilities beginning near 
Boardman, Oregon, and terminating near Melba, Idaho. The proposed route 
roughly parallels Interstate 84 and is approximately 278 miles long. 
Authorization of this Project may require the amendment of USFS or BLM 
land use plans.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process as required by 
NEPA. The BLM and USFS request that public comments be submitted by 
November 14, 2008. To provide the public an opportunity to review 
project information, public meetings are planned in Idaho and Oregon in 
communities near the proposed route. The following communities are 
being considered for meeting locations: Ontario, Baker City, La Grande, 
Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Hermiston, and Boardman, Oregon; Marsing and 
Homedale, Idaho. The scoping meetings will be conducted in an ``open 
house'' format. Staff from the BLM, USFS, Oregon Department of Energy, 
Idaho Power Company, and environmental contractors will be available to 
answer questions and explain their respective roles and 
responsibilities. The BLM and USFS will announce the exact meeting 
dates, times, and locations at least 15 days prior to the event. 
Announcements will be made by news release, individual postcard 
mailings, and posting on the Project Web site (https://www.boardmanto 
hemingway.com).

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.boardmantohemingway.com.
     E-mail: B2HComments@blm.gov.
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Vale District Office, 100 
Oregon Street, Vale, Oregon, 97918, Attention: Lucas Lucero.
    Documents pertinent to the ROW application are on file and may be 
examined at:
     Bureau of Land Management, Vale District Office, 100 
Oregon Street, Vale, Oregon, 97918.
     U.S. Forest Service, Wallowa-Whitman Supervisor's Office, 
1550 Dewey Avenue, Baker City, Oregon, 97814.
     U.S. Forest Service, La Grande Ranger District, 3502 
Highway 30, La Grande Oregon, 97850.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Idaho Power Company has submitted ROW 
applications to construct, operate, and maintain a 500kV single circuit 
overhead electric transmission line on Federal lands. The purpose and 
need of the Project is to relieve existing congestion, capacity, and 
reliability constraints and allow for the delivery of up to 1500 
megawatts (MW) of additional energy to target service areas principally 
in Idaho and Utah. The proposed project begins near Boardman, Oregon, 
just north of the Boardman Power Plant, at the newly proposed Boardman 
Substation. The Project route continues southeast to interconnect with 
the Hemingway Substation in southeastern Oregon. The Hemingway 
Substation is being planned and built separately from this Project and 
will be built regardless of the outcome of this Project so the 
Hemingway Substation will not be analyzed in this EIS. The Project 
route then proceeds southeast and terminates near Melba, Idaho, at the 
newly proposed Sand Hollow

[[Page 52945]]

 Substation. The proposed route is approximately 278 miles long. The 
requested ROW width is 250 feet. Idaho Power Company proposes to 
utilize steel lattice type structures approximately 150 feet in height 
with average spans between towers of 1200 feet. Access roads would be 
approximately 14 to 20 feet wide. Additional temporary work space would 
also be required during construction. Approximately 195 miles or 70 
percent of the route is privately owned; 45 miles or 16 percent is 
administered by the BLM; 27 miles or 10 percent is administered by the 
USFS; and 11 miles or 4 percent is administered by the State of Oregon 
or other jurisdictions.
    The route generally parallels Interstate 84 and other existing 
overhead and underground utilities and roadways. The proposed route 
also makes use of existing or proposed utility corridors on Federal 
lands. The BLM is the designated lead Federal agency for preparation of 
the EIS. Cooperating agencies identified at this time include: USFS, 
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and the State of Oregon Department of 
Energy. Other agencies will be invited to participate as cooperating 
agencies. The EIS will analyze the proposed action and a reasonable 
range of route alternatives. The BLM and USFS encourage you to send 
your comments concerning the Project as currently proposed, feasible 
alternative locations, possible mitigation measures, and any other 
information relevant to the Project. Authorization of the Project may 
require amendments to one or more of the following BLM land use plans: 
Baker Resource Management Plan, Southeastern Oregon Resource Management 
Plan, Owyhee Resource Management Plan, Cascade Resource Management 
Plan, and one or more of the following USFS Forest Plans: Wallowa-
Whitman Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. This notice serves to 
notify the public of these potential land use plan amendments as 
required by 43 CFR 1610.2 (c) and 36 CFR 219.7(c). If a land use plan 
amendment is determined to be required, the BLM and/or USFS will 
integrate the land use planning process into the NEPA analysis for this 
Project. Public input is important to ensure project-specific issues 
are evaluated prior to the agencies making a decision. Comments 
submitted timely will be considered in the NEPA process. Comments 
received after November 14, 2008 will be considered to the extent 
feasible. Please note that public comments and information submitted 
including names, street addresses, and e-mail addresses of respondents 
will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address 
during normal business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Monday through 
Friday, except for Federal holidays. Before including your address, 
phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so. Periodic project updates 
during preparation of the EIS will be provided to the public through 
additional informational meetings, newsletters, postcard notices, or 
through the project Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to have 
your name added or removed from the project mailing list, contact Lucas 
Lucero, BLM Project Manager, (702) 515-5059 or Lucas_Lucero@blm.gov.

    Dated: September 8, 2008.
David R. Henderson,
District Manager.
    Dated: September 8, 2008.
Steven Ellis,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E8-21285 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P
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