Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Sigurd-Red Butte Transmission Line Project (Project) in Utah, 430-431 [E9-31239]

Download as PDF 430 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2010 / Notices Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wenatchee Field Office and the U.S. Army Yakima Training Center (YTC) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project. By this notice, the BLM and YTC are announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: Comments on this Notice of Intent may be submitted in writing until March 8, 2010. The dates and the locations of any scoping meetings will be announced through local media and individual letter mailings at least 15 days prior to the events. To be considered in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. BLM will provide additional opportunities for public involvement after publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or resource information related to the Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kV Transmission Line Project by either of the following methods: • E-mail: OR_Wenatchee_Mail@blm.gov (please reference Vantage to Pomona Heights EIS in the subject line). • Mail/hand deliver to: BLM Wenatchee Field Office, ATTN: Vantage to Pomona Heights EIS, 915 Walla Walla Avenue, Wenatchee, Washington 98801–1521. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM Wenatchee Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact William Schurger, Realty Specialist, at (509) 655–2100; e-mail: OR_Wenatchee_Mail@blm.gov. Pacific Power has submitted applications for rights-of-way (ROWs) across BLM- and YTC-administered lands to construct the Vantage to Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project. The new 230 kV transmission line is being proposed to address energy demand growth in the Yakima region by increasing the capacity of the transmission system [that will serve growing needs] while ensuring continued reliable service to existing customers. The new 230 kV transmission line would be constructed from Pacific Power’s existing Pomona Heights substation east of Selah, Washington to srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with PROPOSALS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:41 Jan 04, 2010 Jkt 220001 the Bonneville Power Administration’s existing Vantage substation east of the Wanapum Dam on the Columbia River. The project would cross a distance of approximately 38 miles through Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties. The proposed route is generally parallel and south of Pacific Power’s existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line. The line would cross approximately four miles of BLMadministered land, 19 miles of the YTC administered lands, and 15 miles of private land. The permanent ROW requested for the project is 125 feet wide. H-frame wood pole structures are proposed for most of the line located in open terrain. The H-frame structures would be between 65 and 100 feet tall and spaced approximately 750 to 900 feet apart depending on terrain. In developed areas, such as around the Pomona Heights substation, single wood or steel pole structures would be used. The single pole structures would be between 80 and 95 feet tall and spaced approximately between 300 to 500 feet apart. For the Columbia River crossing, steel lattice structures would be approximately 200 feet tall. This extra height is required to safely span the more than 3,000-foot river crossing. Construction would begin in mid 2011 and be completed in late 2012. The BLM and YTC are joint lead Federal agencies for preparation of the EIS. Through public scoping, BLM and YTC expect to identify various issues, potential impacts, mitigation measures, and alternatives associated with the proposed action. Through internal scoping, the BLM and YTC identified the following preliminary issues and concerns: (1) Potential conflict with YTC training operations. The YTC is concerned about how the proposed transmission line would interfere with or constrain its military training mission. (2) Cultural properties. Cultural properties in the vicinity of the proposed route are of concern to several Native American Tribes. (3) Habitat for sage-grouse and other species of concern. The proposed route would pass through occupied sagegrouse habitat. (4) Values within the Yakima River Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The proposed route would cross through this ACEC, whose values include three plant species of concern, unique wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. (5) Visual resources. Portions of the proposed transmission line would be visible from great distances in this open terrain. PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (6) Wildland fire management. High value facilities, such as the proposed transmission line, require additional protection from wildland fire. The BLM will use the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f), as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted and Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the BLM’s decision on this project, are invited to participate in the scoping process. Federal, State, and local agencies may request or be asked by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. 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. Robert B. Towne, Spokane District Manager. [FR Doc. E9–31240 Filed 1–4–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–33–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLUTC00000.L51010000.ER0000. LVRWJ09J4050; UTU–83067] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Sigurd–Red Butte Transmission Line Project (Project) in Utah AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City Field Office, Cedar City, Utah, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a right-of-way (ROW) application for the Sigurd-Red Butte 345 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2010 / Notices until February 19, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/ cedar_city/planning.html. In order to be considered in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Sigurd-Red Butte 345 Transmission Line Project by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/ en/fo/cedar_city/planning.html. • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Cedar City Field Office, 176 East D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, Utah 84721, Attention: Lucas Lucero. • E-mail: utsrbproj@blm.gov. Documents pertinent to the right-ofway (ROW) application for the transmission line project may be examined at: • U.S. Forest Service, Dixie Office, 1789 North Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, Utah 84721. • U.S. Forest Service, Fishlake Office, 115 East 900 North, Richfield, Utah 84701. • BLM, Cedar City Field Office, 176 D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, Utah 84721. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Lucas Lucero, BLM Project Manager; telephone (702) 515–5059; e-mail Lucas_Lucero@blm.gov; address BLM, Cedar City Field Office, 176 East D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, Utah 84721. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PacifiCorp, doing business as Rocky Mountain Power Company, has filed a ROW application seeking authorization to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a 345 kV single-circuit overhead electric transmission line on Federal lands. The project would provide an additional 600 megawatts of reliable electrical capacity by 2014 to respond to anticipated load growth in Southwestern Utah. The proposed project begins at the existing Sigurd Substation near Richfield, Utah, and terminates at the existing Red Butte Substation near the town of Central, Utah. The project area spans approximately 160 miles. Rocky Mountain Power Company has identified multiple alternative routes between the two substations. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:41 Jan 04, 2010 Jkt 220001 Alternative routes identified so far would affect Federal, State, and private lands. The requested ROW width on Federal lands is 150 feet. Rocky Mountain Power Company proposes to predominantly use steel H-frame towers approximately 80 to 130 feet in height with average spans between towers of 1,000 to 1,200 feet. Permanent access roads approximately 14 feet wide would be needed. Temporary work space would be needed during construction for material storage, conductor tensioning sites, and to accommodate vehicles and equipment. Alternative routes currently identified would use portions of utility corridors on Federal lands and parallel portions of existing overhead and underground utilities and roadways. The BLM is the designated lead Federal agency for preparation of the EIS. Other agencies with legal jurisdiction or special expertise have been invited to participate as cooperating agencies in preparation of the EIS. Currently, the U.S. Forest Service (Dixie and Fishlake National Forests), State of Utah, Millard County, Sevier County, Beaver County, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, City of St. George, and City of Enterprise have agreed to participate as cooperating agencies. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: public health and safety, noise, visual intrusions, migratory bird habitat, crucial deer and elk habitat, Utah Prairie Dog habitat, socioeconomic impacts, cultural and historic sites, National Scenic and Historic Trails, and nearby inventoried roadless areas on National Forests. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted and Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM’s decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 431 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. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7. Selma Sierra, State Director. [FR Doc. E9–31239 Filed 1–4–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNML00000 L16100000.DO0000] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan for the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument, Las Cruces District Office, New Mexico and Associated Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District Office, Las Cruces, New Mexico, intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. The RMP will replace the existing Mimbres RMP (1993). DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP with associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until February 4, 2010. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newsletters, and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/ Las_Cruces_District_Office. html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 430-431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31239]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLUTC00000.L51010000.ER0000.LVRWJ09J4050; UTU-83067]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Sigurd-Red Butte Transmission Line Project (Project) in Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City 
Field Office, Cedar City, Utah, intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for a right-of-way (ROW) application for the 
Sigurd-Red Butte 345 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project and by 
this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to 
solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing

[[Page 431]]

until February 19, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping 
meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local 
media, newspapers, and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/cedar_city/planning.html. In order to be considered in the Draft 
EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping 
period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. 
The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation 
upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Sigurd-Red Butte 345 
Transmission Line Project by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/cedar_city/planning.html.
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Cedar City Field Office, 
176 East D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, Utah 84721, Attention: Lucas 
Lucero.
     E-mail: utsrbproj@blm.gov.
    Documents pertinent to the right-of-way (ROW) application for the 
transmission line project may be examined at:
     U.S. Forest Service, Dixie Office, 1789 North Wedgewood 
Lane, Cedar City, Utah 84721.
     U.S. Forest Service, Fishlake Office, 115 East 900 North, 
Richfield, Utah 84701.
     BLM, Cedar City Field Office, 176 D.L. Sargent Drive, 
Cedar City, Utah 84721.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Lucas Lucero, BLM Project 
Manager; telephone (702) 515-5059; e-mail Lucas_Lucero@blm.gov; 
address BLM, Cedar City Field Office, 176 East D.L. Sargent Drive, 
Cedar City, Utah 84721.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PacifiCorp, doing business as Rocky Mountain 
Power Company, has filed a ROW application seeking authorization to 
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a 345 kV single-circuit 
overhead electric transmission line on Federal lands. The project would 
provide an additional 600 megawatts of reliable electrical capacity by 
2014 to respond to anticipated load growth in Southwestern Utah. The 
proposed project begins at the existing Sigurd Substation near 
Richfield, Utah, and terminates at the existing Red Butte Substation 
near the town of Central, Utah. The project area spans approximately 
160 miles. Rocky Mountain Power Company has identified multiple 
alternative routes between the two substations. Alternative routes 
identified so far would affect Federal, State, and private lands. The 
requested ROW width on Federal lands is 150 feet. Rocky Mountain Power 
Company proposes to predominantly use steel H-frame towers 
approximately 80 to 130 feet in height with average spans between 
towers of 1,000 to 1,200 feet. Permanent access roads approximately 14 
feet wide would be needed. Temporary work space would be needed during 
construction for material storage, conductor tensioning sites, and to 
accommodate vehicles and equipment. Alternative routes currently 
identified would use portions of utility corridors on Federal lands and 
parallel portions of existing overhead and underground utilities and 
roadways.
    The BLM is the designated lead Federal agency for preparation of 
the EIS. Other agencies with legal jurisdiction or special expertise 
have been invited to participate as cooperating agencies in preparation 
of the EIS. Currently, the U.S. Forest Service (Dixie and Fishlake 
National Forests), State of Utah, Millard County, Sevier County, Beaver 
County, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, City of St. George, and 
City of Enterprise have agreed to participate as cooperating agencies.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. 
At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: 
public health and safety, noise, visual intrusions, migratory bird 
habitat, crucial deer and elk habitat, Utah Prairie Dog habitat, 
socioeconomic impacts, cultural and historic sites, National Scenic and 
Historic Trails, and nearby inventoried roadless areas on National 
Forests.
    The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to 
satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted and 
Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on 
Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with 
other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM's 
decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping 
process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to 
participate as a cooperating agency.
    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.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7.

Selma Sierra,
State Director.
[FR Doc. E9-31239 Filed 1-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P

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