Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 Kilovolt Transmission Line Project, Yakima, Kittitas, and Grant Counties, WA, 429-430 [E9-31240]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management
• Land Management Bureau

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 429-430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31240]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLORW00000 L51010000.ER0000. LVRWH09H0570; HAG10-0008]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 Kilovolt Transmission Line Project, 
Yakima, Kittitas, and Grant Counties, WA

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

[[Page 430]]

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 
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 BLM-administered 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 sage-grouse 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.
    (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