Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Proposed Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kV Transmission Line Project in Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties, Washington, 5599-5600 [2017-01000]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5599-5600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01000]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLORW00000.L51010000.ER0000.LVRWH09H0570.16XL5017AP.WAOR65753.HAG 17-
0051]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Proposed 
Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kV Transmission Line Project in Grant, 
Kittitas, and Yakima Counties, Washington

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision (ROD) authorizing the issuance of a right-of-
way grant (ROW) to Pacific Power to construct, operate, and maintain an 
electric transmission line on land administered by the BLM for the 
Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project 
(Project). The Coeur d'Alene and Spokane District Manager signed the 
ROD on January 13, 2017, which constitutes the final decision by the 
BLM.

ADDRESSES: The BLM has sent copies of the ROD to cooperating agencies 
(identified below), public libraries in the Project area, and 
interested parties who previously requested a copy. Copies of the ROD 
are available upon request and for public inspection at the addresses 
listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. The ROD and supporting 
documents are also available electronically on the National ePlanning 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Register at: https://1.usa.gov/1S4ssrO.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Estes, BLM Project Manager, at 
(541) 416-6728, by email at blm_or_vantage_pomona@blm.gov, or at the 
following address: BLM Spokane District Office, 1103 North Fancher 
Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99212-1275. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal 
business hours. The service 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: Pacific Power filed Federal applications for 
ROWs with the BLM, the U.S. Department of the Army Joint Base Lewis-
McChord Yakima Training Center

[[Page 5600]]

(JBLM YTC), and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for the 
construction, operation, and maintenance of a 230 kV transmission line. 
The transmission line would run from Pacific Power's Pomona Heights 
Substation located east of Selah, Washington, in Yakima County to the 
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Vantage Substation located just 
east of the Wanapum Dam in Grant County, Washington. Pacific Power's 
stated interest in the new transmission line is to reduce the risk of 
service interruptions and ensure continued reliable, efficient, and 
coordinated service to the Yakima Valley.
    The NEPA analysis for the Project fully describes Project 
alternatives; identifies direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts; and 
identifies mitigation measures that could avoid, minimize, or offset 
potential impacts. In accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5, the BLM was the 
Lead Agency for conducting the NEPA analysis. The cooperating agencies 
(40 CFR parts 1508.5 and 1501.6) in the NEPA process were the JBLM YTC; 
Reclamation; BPA; Federal Highway Administration; U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service; Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic 
Preservation; Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Washington 
Department of Natural Resources; Washington State Department of 
Transportation; and Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties. To address 
any unavoidable impacts of the Project to Greater Sage-grouse, a 
project-specific Framework for Development of a Greater Sage-Grouse 
Compensatory Mitigation Plan (Mitigation Framework) was developed. The 
Mitigation Framework provides the guidance to facilitate Pacific 
Power's development of a Greater Sage-grouse Compensatory Mitigation 
Plan. The Mitigation Framework is included as an appendix in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and in the ROD.
    Pursuant to NEPA implementing regulation 40 CFR 1501.7, the Notice 
of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the proposed Project was 
published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2010 (75 FR 429). The 
publication of the NOI initiated the public scoping comment period that 
concluded on March 8, 2010.
    On January 4, 2013, the BLM published the Notice of Availability 
(NOA) for the Draft EIS in the Federal Register (78 FR 756), starting 
the 90-day public comment period. As a result of the comments received 
at public meetings and submitted in writing during the Draft EIS 
comment period, a new alternative route, the New Northern Route (NNR) 
Alternative, was identified. The NNR Alternative is 40.5 miles in 
length. The BLM determined that a Supplemental Draft EIS was required 
in order to assess the effects of the NNR Alternative. On January 2, 
2015, the BLM published the NOA for the Supplemental Draft EIS in the 
Federal Register (80 FR 50).
    The BLM was the Lead Federal Agency for the NEPA analysis process 
and preparation of the EIS. On October 21, 2016, the BLM published the 
NOA for the Final EIS in the Federal Register (81 FR 72821). Printed 
and electronic copies of the Draft EIS, Supplemental Draft EIS, and 
Final EIS are available at the Spokane District Office and, 
electronically, on the National ePlanning NEPA Register at: https://1.usa.gov/1S4ssrO.
    The BLM purpose and need for the action is to respond to a ROW 
application submitted under Section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1761(a)) to use public lands for an electric 
transmission system and related facilities. The BLM adopted the Agency 
Preferred Alternative, the NNR Alternative--Overhead Design Option, 
from the Final EIS. The ROD approves issuance of a ROW to Pacific Power 
over approximately 4 miles of land administered by the BLM crossed by 
the NNR Alternative--Overhead Design Option in Yakima and Kittitas 
Counties. The BLM Coeur d'Alene and Spokane District Manager signed the 
ROD, which constitutes the final decision of the BLM and makes the 
decision to issue a ROW effective immediately. Copies of the ROD are 
available for public inspection during normal business hours at the 
following BLM offices: Bureau of Land Management, Wenatchee Field 
Office, 915 Walla Walla Ave., Wenatchee, Washington; and Bureau of Land 
Management, Spokane District Office, 1103 N. Fancher Rd., Spokane 
Valley, Washington.
    Appeal Information: This decision may be appealed to the Interior 
Board of Land Appeals in accordance with the regulations contained in 
43 CFR part 4. Appeal and stay procedures are outlined in Form 1842-1.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Linda Clark,
Spokane District Manager and Authorizing Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-01000 Filed 1-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-33-P