Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Vantage-Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project in Yakima, Grant, Benton, and Kittitas Counties, WA, 756-757 [2012-31609]

Download as PDF 756 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 3 / Friday, January 4, 2013 / Notices You must submit comments on or before February 4, 2013. ADDRESSES: Send your comments and suggestions on this information collection to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at OMB– OIRA at (202) 395–5806 (fax) or OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov (email). Please provide a copy of your comments to the Information Collection Clearance Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS 2042–PDM, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203 (mail), or hope_grey@fws.gov (email). Please include ‘‘1018–0007’’ in the subject line of your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Hope Grey at hope_grey@fws.gov (email) or 703–358– 2482 (telephone). You may review the ICR online at https://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the Interior collections under review by OMB. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 1018–0007. Title: Annual Certification of Hunting and Sport Fishing Licenses Issued, 50 CFR 80, Subpart D. Service Form Number(s): 3–154a and 3–154b. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Description of Respondents: States, territories (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa), and District of Columbia. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit. Frequency of Collection: Annually. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 56. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 112. Estimated Time per Response: Average of 12 hours for FWS Form 3– 154a and 20 hours for FWS Form 3– 154b. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,792. Abstract: The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq., except 777e–1) provide authority for Federal assistance to the States for management and restoration of fish and wildlife. These Acts and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 80, subpart D, require that States, territories, and the District of Columbia annually certify their hunting and fishing license sales. States, territories, and the District of Columbia that receive grants under mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with DATES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:34 Jan 03, 2013 Jkt 229001 these Acts use FWS Forms 3–154a (Part I—Certification) and 3–154b (Part II— Summary of Hunting and Sport Fishing Licenses Issued) to certify the number and amount of hunting and fishing license sales. We use the information collected to apportion and distribute funds according to the formula specified in each Act. Comments: On August 29, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 52344) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew approval for this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on October 29, 2012. We received one comment in response to this notice. The respondent objected to the Wildlife Restoration Act, but did not address the information collection requirements. We did not make any changes to our requirements. We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: • Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; • The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email 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 OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: December 27, 2012. Tina A. Campbell, Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2012–31681 Filed 1–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLORW00000 L51010000.ER0000.WBSLVRWH09570; HAG–12–0154] Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Vantage-Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project in Yakima, Grant, Benton, and Kittitas Counties, WA Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Vantage-Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. DATES: To ensure comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Vantage-Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project by any of the following methods: • Email: BLM_OR_WN_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. • Fax: 509–665–2121: Attention Vantage to Pomona Heights EIS Project Lead. Copies of the Draft EIS are available at the BLM Wenatchee Field Office at the address listed above and electronically at the following Web site: https:// www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/ plans/vph230.php. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schurger, Realty Specialist, at 509–655–2100; or email: BLM_OR_WN_Mail@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to contact the above SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\04JAN1.SGM 04JAN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 3 / Friday, January 4, 2013 / Notices individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project proponent, Pacific Power, has filed applications for rights-of-way with the BLM, the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Base Lewis McChordYakima Training Center (Yakima Training Center), and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for construction, operation, and maintenance of a 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Pacific Power’s Pomona Heights substation located east of Selah, Washington, in Yakima County to the Bonneville Power Administration Vantage substation located just east of the Wanapum Dam in Grant County, Washington. The BLM is the Federal lead agency for the NEPA analysis process and preparation of the EIS. Cooperating agencies include: The Yakima Training Center; Reclamation; Bonneville Power Administration; Grant County and Yakima County, Washington; and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The proponent’s interest in the new line is to enhance overall operating flexibility and security of the regional transmission grid and to improve system reliability in the Yakima Valley. As suggested by Pacific Power, under all alternatives, most of the proposed transmission line would be constructed on H-Frame wood pole structures between 65- and 90-feet tall and spaced approximately 650 to 1,000 feet apart depending on terrain. In developed or agricultural areas, single wood or steel monopole structures would be used. The single pole structures would be between 80- and 110-feet tall and spaced approximately 400 to 700 feet apart. The right-of-way width for the HFrame structure type would be between 125 to 150 feet and for the single pole structure type between 75 to 100 feet. For the Columbia River crossing either near the Midway substation or below the Wanapum Dam, steel lattice structures approximately 200-feet tall would be used to safely span the up to 2,800-foot crossing. The eight alternative routes considered in the Draft EIS range from 61 to 67 miles in length. In addition to the proposed action, the Draft EIS considers the No Action alternative and identifies a preferred alternative. The preferred alternative would be 66.3 miles in length. This route would cross 5.4 miles of Federal lands managed by the BLM, 5.4 miles of Federal lands VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:34 Jan 03, 2013 Jkt 229001 managed by Reclamation, 12.5 miles of Federal land managed by the Yakima Training Center, 1 mile of State land, 0.4 miles of water, and 41.6 miles of privately owned lands. Starting at the endpoint, the preferred route would run generally east from the Pomona Heights Substation near Selah, Washington, continuing eastward, south of the Yakima Training Center through Yakima County. The preferred route would then travel a short distance into Benton County before turning northward, where it would cross the Columbia River into Grant County. From there the route would run northward, partially along the N Road and then across the Saddle Mountains to the Vantage Substation, east of Wanapum Dam. Other system alternatives and route variations were considered but eliminated from detailed study. The Draft EIS identifies measures to mitigate adverse impacts for the alternatives. Major issues brought forward during the public scoping process and addressed in the Draft EIS include: (1) Land use conflicts and effects on agricultural operations and property values; (2) Effects on wildlife habitat, plants, and animals including threatened, endangered, and sensitive species (especially sage-grouse); (3) Effects to visual resources and existing view sheds; (4) Effects to cultural resources; (5) Effects to soils and water from surface-disturbing activities; (6) Social and economic effects; (7) Management and control of invasive plant species; and (8) Public health and safety. A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the Vantage-Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project was published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2009 (75 FR 31240). Public participation was solicited through the media, mailings, and the BLM Web site. Public meetings were held in Selah and Mattawa, Washington. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other 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. PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 757 Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 1506.10. Daniel C. Picard, BLM Spokane District Manager. [FR Doc. 2012–31609 Filed 1–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–33–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCO910000–L10100000.PH0000] Notice of the Joint Colorado Resource Advisory Council Meeting Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council (RAC), Southwest RAC, and Front Range RAC will meet as indicated below. DATES: The Northwest, Southwest and Front Range Colorado RACs have scheduled a joint meeting for February 13, 14 and 15, 2013. On February 13, the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. and adjourn at 5 p.m.; on February 14, the meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and adjourn at 5 p.m.; on February 15, the meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and adjourn at noon. The Northwest, Southwest and Front Range RACs will hold their individual RAC meeting on February 13 as follows: Northwest RAC 1–5 p.m. with a public comment period at 2:30 p.m.; Southwest RAC 2–5 p.m. with a public comment period at 3:15 p.m.; and Front Range RAC 1–5 p.m. with a public comment period at 1:15 p.m. ADDRESSES: The Joint Colorado RAC meeting will be held at the Denver Marriott West Hotel, 1717 Denver West Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vanessa Lacayo, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215, telephone (303) 239–3681. You may also visit www.blm.gov/co/st/en/ BLM_Resources/racs.html. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Colorado RACs advise the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM, on a variety of public land issues in Colorado. Topics of discussion during the RAC meeting may include working group reports, the National Landscape Conservation System strategy implementation, vegetation management, youth and veteran engagement and oil and gas SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\04JAN1.SGM 04JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 756-757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31609]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLORW00000 L51010000.ER0000.WBSLVRWH09570; HAG-12-0154]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Vantage-Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission 
Line Project in Yakima, Grant, Benton, and Kittitas Counties, WA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 
prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Vantage-
Pomona Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project and by this notice is 
announcing the opening of the comment period.

DATES: To ensure comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the 
Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in 
the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings 
and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance 
through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Vantage-Pomona 
Heights 230kV Transmission Line Project by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: BLM_OR_WN_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.
     Fax: 509-665-2121: Attention Vantage to Pomona Heights EIS 
Project Lead.

Copies of the Draft EIS are available at the BLM Wenatchee Field Office 
at the address listed above and electronically at the following Web 
site: https://www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/plans/vph230.php.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Schurger, Realty Specialist, 
at 509-655-2100; or email: BLM_OR_WN_Mail@blm.gov. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above

[[Page 757]]

individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project proponent, Pacific Power, has 
filed applications for rights-of-way with the BLM, the U.S. Department 
of Defense Joint Base Lewis McChord-Yakima Training Center (Yakima 
Training Center), and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for 
construction, operation, and maintenance of a 230-kilovolt (kV) 
transmission line from Pacific Power's Pomona Heights substation 
located east of Selah, Washington, in Yakima County to the Bonneville 
Power Administration Vantage substation located just east of the 
Wanapum Dam in Grant County, Washington. The BLM is the Federal lead 
agency for the NEPA analysis process and preparation of the EIS. 
Cooperating agencies include: The Yakima Training Center; Reclamation; 
Bonneville Power Administration; Grant County and Yakima County, 
Washington; and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
    The proponent's interest in the new line is to enhance overall 
operating flexibility and security of the regional transmission grid 
and to improve system reliability in the Yakima Valley.
    As suggested by Pacific Power, under all alternatives, most of the 
proposed transmission line would be constructed on H-Frame wood pole 
structures between 65- and 90-feet tall and spaced approximately 650 to 
1,000 feet apart depending on terrain. In developed or agricultural 
areas, single wood or steel monopole structures would be used. The 
single pole structures would be between 80- and 110-feet tall and 
spaced approximately 400 to 700 feet apart. The right-of-way width for 
the H-Frame structure type would be between 125 to 150 feet and for the 
single pole structure type between 75 to 100 feet. For the Columbia 
River crossing either near the Midway substation or below the Wanapum 
Dam, steel lattice structures approximately 200-feet tall would be used 
to safely span the up to 2,800-foot crossing.
    The eight alternative routes considered in the Draft EIS range from 
61 to 67 miles in length. In addition to the proposed action, the Draft 
EIS considers the No Action alternative and identifies a preferred 
alternative. The preferred alternative would be 66.3 miles in length. 
This route would cross 5.4 miles of Federal lands managed by the BLM, 
5.4 miles of Federal lands managed by Reclamation, 12.5 miles of 
Federal land managed by the Yakima Training Center, 1 mile of State 
land, 0.4 miles of water, and 41.6 miles of privately owned lands. 
Starting at the endpoint, the preferred route would run generally east 
from the Pomona Heights Substation near Selah, Washington, continuing 
eastward, south of the Yakima Training Center through Yakima County. 
The preferred route would then travel a short distance into Benton 
County before turning northward, where it would cross the Columbia 
River into Grant County. From there the route would run northward, 
partially along the N Road and then across the Saddle Mountains to the 
Vantage Substation, east of Wanapum Dam. Other system alternatives and 
route variations were considered but eliminated from detailed study.
    The Draft EIS identifies measures to mitigate adverse impacts for 
the alternatives. Major issues brought forward during the public 
scoping process and addressed in the Draft EIS include:
    (1) Land use conflicts and effects on agricultural operations and 
property values;
    (2) Effects on wildlife habitat, plants, and animals including 
threatened, endangered, and sensitive species (especially sage-grouse);
    (3) Effects to visual resources and existing view sheds;
    (4) Effects to cultural resources;
    (5) Effects to soils and water from surface-disturbing activities;
    (6) Social and economic effects;
    (7) Management and control of invasive plant species; and
    (8) Public health and safety.
    A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the Vantage-Pomona Heights 
230kV Transmission Line Project was published in the Federal Register 
on January 5, 2009 (75 FR 31240). Public participation was solicited 
through the media, mailings, and the BLM Web site. Public meetings were 
held in Selah and Mattawa, Washington.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other 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 1506.6 and 1506.10.

Daniel C. Picard,
BLM Spokane District Manager.
[FR Doc. 2012-31609 Filed 1-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P
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