Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project, San Juan County, New Mexico, and La Plata County, Colorado, 4371-4372 [2011-1453]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 25, 2011 / Notices Before including your address, telephone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, be advised that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Jean Sonneman, Bureau of Land Management, Acting Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–1454 Filed 1–24–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNMF01000–L51010000–ER0000– LVRWG10G0760; NMNM122352] Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project, San Juan County, New Mexico, and La Plata County, Colorado Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office, Farmington, New Mexico, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed San Juan Energy Connect 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 must be received in writing by the BLM on or before March 11, 2011. 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/nm/farmington. 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. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the San Juan Basin Energy mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:40 Jan 24, 2011 Jkt 223001 Connect Project by any of the following methods: • Web site: https:// www.sjbenergyconnect.com; • E-mail: info@sjbenergyconnect.com; or • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Farmington Field Office, Attention: San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project Manager, 1235 La Plata Highway Suite A, Farmington, New Mexico 87401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to the mailing list, contact Marcy Romero, Project Manager, telephone 505–599–6339; address 1235 La Plata Highway Suite A, Farmington, New Mexico 87401; e-mail marcella_romero@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Tri-State has requested a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct, operate, and maintain a 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the Farmington, New Mexico area to Ignacio, Colorado. The San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project is generally located between Townships 30 and 33 North, Ranges 16 through 7 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian, San Juan County, New Mexico, and La Plata County, Colorado. The project area extends from within 1 mile of Farmington, New Mexico, and within 3 miles of the Navajo Nation, to within 5 miles of Durango, Colorado. The project area covers approximately 174,096 acres of mixed Federal, State, Tribal and private lands. The BLM Farmington Field Office and Bureau of Indian Affairs manage the Federal lands in the project area. The proposed project would entail the expansion of the existing Shiprock Substation to accommodate the new 230 kV line termination and installation of additional 345/230 kV transformation equipment. The construction involves approximately 35–40 miles of new double-circuit 230 kV transmission line from the existing Shiprock Substation to the proposed Kiffen Canyon Substation near the City of Farmington’s Glade Switching Station. It is proposed that approximately 45–50 miles of new double and single-circuit 230 kV transmission line would be constructed between the proposed Kiffen Canyon Substation and the proposed Iron Horse Substation near Ignacio, Colorado. In addition to transmission facilities, traditional vehicle access to these new electrical facilities would be needed. New access would be minimized by using existing access whenever possible. The BLM Farmington Field Office will serve as the lead agency for the NEPA analysis process and preparation of the PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4371 EIS. Cooperating agencies identified at this time include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Rural Utilities Service, and Western Area Power Administration. The proposed action is in conformance with the Farmington Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision dated December 2003. 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. The EIS for the San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project will analyze the environmental consequences of implementing the proposed action and alternatives to the proposed action, including a No Action Alternative. The BLM encourages the public to send comments concerning the project as proposed; other feasible alternative locations; possible mitigation measures; and any other information relevant to the proposed action. Other alternatives that may be considered in detail include additional alignments. The BLM initiated scoping for this project in public meetings held in Farmington, New Mexico, and Ignacio, Colorado, on October 7 and 8, 2009, respectively. Public input suggested that an EIS level analysis would be more appropriate than the proposed Environmental Assessment (EA). At that time, the proposed action was discussed as being a combination of 48 corridors identified by a Macro Corridor Study, completed prior to the initiation of the NEPA process. Public notices and direct mailings were used to inform those potentially affected or interested in the proposal and information was also available on the project Web site (https://www.SJBEnergyConnect.com). In addition to accepting comments at the workshops, BLM invited interested individuals to submit their comments using the project Web site, e-mail, U.S. Postal Service, a dedicated 1–800 hotline, or fax. Scoping for the EA yielded 232 separate comments from 91 individuals. In addition to highlighting the need to develop an EIS, scoping identified key preliminary issues that will be used in the development and analysis of the alternatives. These issues include: • Proximity of the transmission line to residences; • Land use; • Impacts to visual resources; • Health and safety concerns; and • Impacts related to noise. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation through scoping meetings and the opportunity to submit comments during the scoping period. The BLM will use E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1 4372 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 25, 2011 / Notices and coordinate the NEPA comment process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with policy 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. Linda S.C. Rundell, State Director. [FR Doc. 2011–1453 Filed 1–24–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–VB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNM940000L1220000.XH0000] Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey, New Mexico AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Notice of filing of Plats of Survey. ACTION: The plats of survey described below are scheduled to be officially filed in the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Santa Fe, New Mexico, thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: These plats will be available for inspection in the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Copies may be obtained from this office upon payment. Contact Marcella Montoya at 505–954–2097, or by e-mail at Marcella_Montoya@nm.blm.gov, for assistance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:40 Jan 24, 2011 Jkt 223001 New Mexico Principal Meridian, New Mexico (NM) The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 8 North, Range 18 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted July 15, 2010, for Group 1105 NM. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 5 South, Range 16 East, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted September 29, 2010, for Group 957 NM. The plat, in two sheets, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 30 North, Range 21 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted September 30, 2010, for Group 1113 NM. The supplemental plat, for Township 29 North, Range 13 East, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian accepted August 25, 2010. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, of Antoine Leroux Grant, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian accepted August 25, 2010, for Group 1086 NM. The plat, in two sheets, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 8 North, Range 4 East, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted October 18, 2010, for Group 1114 NM. Indian Meridian, Oklahoma (OK) The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey in Township 26 North, Range 25 East, of the Indian Meridian, accepted May 26, 2010, for Group 179 OK. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey in Township 20 North, Range 5 East, of the Indian Meridian, accepted August 19, 2010, for Group 186 OK. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey in Township 4 South, Range 2 West, of the Indian Meridian, accepted September 27, 2010, for Group 192 OK. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey in Township 12 North, Range 17 West, of the Indian Meridian, accepted October 6, 2010, for Group 188 OK. The plat, in four sheets, representing the dependent resurvey and survey in Township 10 North, Range 24 East, of the Indian Meridian, accepted July 22, 2010, for Group 61 OK. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey in Township 18 North, Range 20 East, of the Indian Meridian, accepted November 19, 2010, for Group 189 OK. Sixth Principal Meridian, Kansas (KS) The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 9 PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 South, Range 14 East, of the Sixth Principal Meridian, accepted September 27, 2010, for Group 33 KS. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 35 South, Range 25 East, of the Sixth Principal Meridian, accepted November 19, 2010, for Group 29 KS. If a protest against a survey, in accordance with 43 CFR 4.450–2, of the above plat is received prior to the date of official filing, the filing will be stayed pending consideration of the protest. A plat will not be officially filed until the day after all protests have been addressed. If a protest against a survey, as shown on any of the above plats, is received prior to the date of official filing, the filing will be stayed pending consideration of the protest. A plat will not be officially filed until the day after all protests have been dismissed and become final or appeals from the dismissal affirmed. A person or party who wishes to protest against any of these surveys must file a written protest with the Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Director stating that they wish to protest. A statement of reasons for a protest may be filed with the notice of protest to the State Director or the statement of reasons must be filed with the State Director within thirty (30) days after the protest is filed. Robert A. Casias, Deputy State Director of Cadastral Survey/ GeoSciences. [FR Doc. 2011–1442 Filed 1–24–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLMTB07900 09 L10100000.PH0000 LXAMANMS0000] Notice of Public Meeting; Western Montana Resource Advisory Council Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Western Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below. DATES: The meeting will be held February 24, 2011, beginning at 9 a.m. with a 30-minute public comment period and will adjourn at 3 p.m. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25JAN1.SGM 25JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4371-4372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1453]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNMF01000-L51010000-ER0000-LVRWG10G0760; NMNM122352]


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project, San Juan County, 
New Mexico, and La Plata County, Colorado

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, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington 
Field Office, Farmington, New Mexico, intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed San Juan Energy 
Connect 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 must be received in writing by the BLM on or before March 11, 
2011. 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/nm/farmington. 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. The BLM will provide additional 
opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft 
EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the San Juan Basin Energy 
Connect Project by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.sjbenergyconnect.com;
     E-mail: info@sjbenergyconnect.com; or
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Farmington Field Office, 
Attention: San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project Manager, 1235 La Plata 
Highway Suite A, Farmington, New Mexico 87401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to the mailing list, contact Marcy Romero, Project 
Manager, telephone 505-599-6339; address 1235 La Plata Highway Suite A, 
Farmington, New Mexico 87401; e-mail marcella_romero@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Tri-State has requested a 
right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct, operate, and maintain a 
230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the Farmington, New Mexico 
area to Ignacio, Colorado. The San Juan Basin Energy Connect Project is 
generally located between Townships 30 and 33 North, Ranges 16 through 
7 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian, San Juan County, New Mexico, and 
La Plata County, Colorado. The project area extends from within 1 mile 
of Farmington, New Mexico, and within 3 miles of the Navajo Nation, to 
within 5 miles of Durango, Colorado. The project area covers 
approximately 174,096 acres of mixed Federal, State, Tribal and private 
lands. The BLM Farmington Field Office and Bureau of Indian Affairs 
manage the Federal lands in the project area.
    The proposed project would entail the expansion of the existing 
Shiprock Substation to accommodate the new 230 kV line termination and 
installation of additional 345/230 kV transformation equipment. The 
construction involves approximately 35-40 miles of new double-circuit 
230 kV transmission line from the existing Shiprock Substation to the 
proposed Kiffen Canyon Substation near the City of Farmington's Glade 
Switching Station. It is proposed that approximately 45-50 miles of new 
double and single-circuit 230 kV transmission line would be constructed 
between the proposed Kiffen Canyon Substation and the proposed Iron 
Horse Substation near Ignacio, Colorado. In addition to transmission 
facilities, traditional vehicle access to these new electrical 
facilities would be needed. New access would be minimized by using 
existing access whenever possible. The BLM Farmington Field Office will 
serve as the lead agency for the NEPA analysis process and preparation 
of the EIS. Cooperating agencies identified at this time include the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Rural Utilities 
Service, and Western Area Power Administration. The proposed action is 
in conformance with the Farmington Resource Management Plan and Record 
of Decision dated December 2003. 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. The EIS for the San Juan Basin Energy 
Connect Project will analyze the environmental consequences of 
implementing the proposed action and alternatives to the proposed 
action, including a No Action Alternative. The BLM encourages the 
public to send comments concerning the project as proposed; other 
feasible alternative locations; possible mitigation measures; and any 
other information relevant to the proposed action. Other alternatives 
that may be considered in detail include additional alignments.
    The BLM initiated scoping for this project in public meetings held 
in Farmington, New Mexico, and Ignacio, Colorado, on October 7 and 8, 
2009, respectively. Public input suggested that an EIS level analysis 
would be more appropriate than the proposed Environmental Assessment 
(EA). At that time, the proposed action was discussed as being a 
combination of 48 corridors identified by a Macro Corridor Study, 
completed prior to the initiation of the NEPA process. Public notices 
and direct mailings were used to inform those potentially affected or 
interested in the proposal and information was also available on the 
project Web site (https://www.SJBEnergyConnect.com). In addition to 
accepting comments at the workshops, BLM invited interested individuals 
to submit their comments using the project Web site, e-mail, U.S. 
Postal Service, a dedicated 1-800 hotline, or fax.
    Scoping for the EA yielded 232 separate comments from 91 
individuals. In addition to highlighting the need to develop an EIS, 
scoping identified key preliminary issues that will be used in the 
development and analysis of the alternatives. These issues include:
     Proximity of the transmission line to residences;
     Land use;
     Impacts to visual resources;
     Health and safety concerns; and
     Impacts related to noise.
    The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public 
participation through scoping meetings and the opportunity to submit 
comments during the scoping period. The BLM will use

[[Page 4372]]

and coordinate the NEPA comment process to satisfy the public 
involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted in 
accordance with policy 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.

Linda S.C. Rundell,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2011-1453 Filed 1-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VB-P
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