Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the Proposed GridLiance West Core Upgrades Transmission Line Project in Nye and Clark Counties, Nevada and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, 53908-53911 [2023-17060]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 9, 2023 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NV_FRN_MO4500170889]
Notice of Intent To Amend the
Resource Management Plan for the
Proposed GridLiance West Core
Upgrades Transmission Line Project in
Nye and Clark Counties, Nevada and
Prepare an Associated Environmental
Impact Statement
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Nevada State Office (NVSO) intends to
prepare a resource management plan
amendment (RMPA) with an associated
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the GridLiance West Core Upgrades
Transmission Line Project (Project).
With this notice, the BLM is announcing
the scoping period to solicit public
comments and identify issues and
providing the planning criteria for
public review.
DATES: The BLM requests the public
submit written comments concerning
the scope of the analysis, potential
alternatives, and identification of
relevant information and studies by
September 8, 2023. To afford the BLM
the opportunity to consider issues
raised by commenters in the Draft
RMPA/EIS, please ensure your
comments are received prior to the close
of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days
after the last public meeting, whichever
is later. The BLM will conduct two
public scoping meetings (virtually)
which will be held August 29, 2023, and
August 30, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pacific time. Additional information on
the meetings, including how to register,
can be found on the BLM National
NEPA Register at: https://
eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/
project/2025248/510.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on issues and planning criteria related
to the project by any of the following
methods:
• Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/
eplanning-ui/project/2025248/510.
• Email: BLM_NV_SNDO_NEPA_
Comments@blm.gov.
• Mail: BLM, Southern Nevada
District Office, Attn: GridLiance West
Core Upgrades Transmission Line
Project, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive,
Las Vegas, NV 89130–2301.
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SUMMARY:
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Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined online at https://
eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/
project/2025248/510 and at the
Southern Nevada District Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Ann Vinson, Realty Specialist,
telephone 702–515–5059; address 4701
North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV
89130–2301; email mvinson@blm.gov.
Contact Ms. Vinson to have your name
added to our mailing list. Individuals in
the United States who are deaf,
deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services for
contacting Ms. Vinson. Individuals
outside the United States should use the
relay services offered within their
country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United
States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
document provides notice that the BLM
NVSO intends to prepare a potential
resource management plan (RMP)
amendment with an associated EIS for
the Project, announces the beginning of
the scoping process, and seeks public
input on issues and planning criteria.
The RMPA is being considered to allow
the BLM to evaluate the right-of-way
(ROW) grant application for the project,
which would require amending the
existing 1998 Las Vegas RMP for plan
conformance and consistency purposes.
The planning area is located in Clark
and Nye Counties, Nevada, and
encompasses up to approximately 4,900
acres of public land.
The scope of this land use planning
process does not include addressing the
evaluation or designation of areas of
critical environmental concern (ACECs)
and the BLM is not considering ACEC
nominations as part of this process.
Purpose and Need
The BLM’s purpose and need for this
federal action is to respond to FLPMA
right-of-way applications submitted by
GridLiance under Title V of FLPMA (43
U.S.C. 1761) to amend portions of their
existing ROW grants to construct,
operate, maintain, and decommission
approximately 155 miles of
transmission system upgrades across
BLM-administered lands in Nye and
Clark Counties, Nevada, in compliance
with FLPMA, BLM right-of-way
regulations (43 Code of Federal
Regulations [CFR] 2800), the 2008 BLM
NEPA Handbook, U.S. Department of
the Interior NEPA regulations, and other
applicable federal and state laws and
policies. In accordance with FLPMA,
public lands are to be managed for
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multiple uses that consider the longterm needs of future generations for
renewable and non-renewable
resources. The BLM is authorized to
grant ROWs on public lands for systems
of generation, transmission, and
distribution of electrical energy (FLPMA
section 501(a)(4)). Proposed
amendments to the existing ROW grants
may require plan amendments to the
1998 Las Vegas RMP, which the BLM
will analyze in the EIS. The purpose
and need for the plan amendment is to
bring the project into compliance and
consistency with the 1998 Las Vegas
RMP as it pertains to elements of the
project for which there is no other
option to attain compliance.
Preliminary Alternatives
The Proposed Action is to amend
portions of existing BLM ROW grants to
construct, operate, maintain, and
decommission approximately 155 miles
of upgraded alternating current
overhead transmission lines on BLM,
Las Vegas Paiute Snow Mountain
Reservation, Department of Defense, and
State of Nevada-administered lands, as
well as private lands in Clark and Nye
Counties, Nevada. The project is an
upgrade of an existing overhead
transmission system that is currently
comprised of a single-circuit 230kilovolt (kV) transmission line system
and seven substations. The proposed
upgrade consists of four segments, with
double-circuit 230-kV or double-circuit
500-kV options being considered for
each segment, unless otherwise noted:
• Segment 1: Sloan Canyon
Switchyard to Trout Canyon
Switchyard. Includes upgrades and
expansions at both switchyards; only
the Trout Canyon Switchyard upgrades
are located on BLM-administered lands.
This segment would be upgraded to a
double-circuit 500-kV transmission line,
regardless of the voltage option chosen
for the remainder of the system.
• Segment 2: Trout Canyon
Switchyard to Pahrump Substation.
Includes upgrades and expansions at the
Gamebird Substation and at Pahrump
Substation, both located on private
lands.
• Segment 3: Pahrump Substation to
Innovation Substation. Includes
upgrades at Innovation Substation. The
transmission line upgrades between the
Pahrump Substation and the proposed
Johnnie Corner Substation would be
constructed at either double-circuit 230
kV or double-circuit 500 kV; however,
the proposed substation at Johnnie
Corner would not be constructed if the
transmission line is constructed as
double-circuit 230 kV. The portion from
the proposed Johnnie Corner Substation
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to Innovation Substation would consist
of a double-circuit 230-kV transmission
line, regardless of the voltage option
chosen for the remainder of the system.
• Segment 4: Innovation Substation to
Northwest Substation. Includes
upgrades at the Desert View Substation.
This segment would be upgraded to a
double-circuit 230-kV transmission line,
regardless of the voltage option chosen
for the remainder of the system.
The final voltage configuration of the
transmission line requested by
GridLiance would be determined based
on ongoing studies being completed by
the California Independent System
Operator and would be finalized before
the signing of the record of decision
(ROD) for the proposed upgrades.
GridLiance is currently advancing
design efforts for both voltages of the
transmission line in order to provide the
necessary information for analysis of
either option in the EIS. Double-circuit
500-kV components of the project
would require a 275-foot-wide right-ofway, while the double-circuit 230-kV
components of the project would
require a 150-foot-wide right-of-way.
For the majority of Segments 1, 2, and
3, the upgraded transmission line would
be constructed adjacent to the existing
transmission line in a right-of-way that
mostly does not overlap with the
existing transmission line right-of-way.
A notable exception is the portion of
Segment 3 from Johnnie Corner
Substation to Innovation Substation
where the existing transmission line
would be fully removed, and the new
line would be constructed in a ROW
that mostly would overlap with the
existing transmission line ROW. Work
in these segments would require
upgrades to existing access roads and
the development of new access roads to
safely access the work areas. Access
roads would be improved or constructed
to contain a 16-foot-wide travel surface
and appropriate ditches and berms. The
total disturbance width of the access
roads is anticipated to be up to 24 feet.
In addition to access roads, the project
would require temporary work areas,
including laydown yards and pulling
and tension sites, as described in the
relevant Plans of Development
submitted to the BLM by GridLiance.
Structures would vary based on the
voltage option selected as well as
specific site characteristics and would
be steel lattice or tubular steel structures
between 120 and 200 feet tall.
For Segment 4, the upgraded
transmission line would be constructed
in an expanded ROW that wholly
overlaps with the existing transmission
line ROW. Upgrades in this section
would be limited to adding a second
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circuit to the existing tubular steel
transmission line poles and
reconductoring the existing circuit, both
of which would require laydown yards
and pulling and tensioning sites.
Individual poles that do not meet the
structural requirements of the upgraded
conductors would need to be replaced.
The project would also involve the
decommissioning of the existing singlecircuit 230-kV transmission line from
the Sloan Canyon Switchyard to the
Innovation Substation. In Segments 1, 2,
and the portion of Segment 3 from the
proposed Johnnie Corner Substation to
the Innovation Substation, the existing
transmission line would be removed,
and any disturbances associated with
the line (including roads to tower
locations not required for access to the
upgraded transmission line) would be
reclaimed. For the portion of Segment 3
from approximately the Pahrump
Substation to the proposed Johnnie
Corner Substation, the existing
transmission line is strung on poles
shared with an existing 138-kV
transmission line owned and operated
by Valley Electric Association. In this
area, the GridLiance 230-kV
transmission conductor would be
removed, but the poles and existing
Valley Electric Association transmission
line would remain. No
decommissioning of the existing line in
Segment 4 would be required.
The Proposed Action also includes
amending the 1998 Las Vegas RMP
(updated 2019). One potential
amendment would be to adjust the
Visual Resource Management (VRM)
class associated with portions of the
project. The project area includes VRM
Classes II, III, and IV within the
proposed right-of-way. In some
instances, design and mitigation may be
insufficient to make the project
consistent with VRM classes and may
require an RMPA to change the class.
There is one preliminary action
alternative being considered involving a
modification of Segment 2. This
alternative route follows the designated
utility corridor approximately 0.5 mile
further north before turning west to
approach the Pahrump Substation. The
total length difference between this
alternative and the proposed route is
negligible. This alternative route is
intended to utilize more of the
designated utility corridor and would
result in fewer angle structures. The EIS
will fully disclose all impacts of this
alternative and any other alternatives
developed through the EIS process.
A No-Action Alternative is also being
considered. Under this alternative the
BLM would not issue right-of-way grant
amendments for the project and the
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project would not be constructed.
Existing land uses in the project area
would continue. Additionally, the BLM
would not undertake an RMP
amendment.
The BLM welcomes written
comments on all preliminary
alternatives as well as suggestions for
additional alternatives.
Planning Criteria
The planning criteria guide the
planning effort and lay the groundwork
for effects analysis by identifying the
preliminary issues and their analytical
frameworks. Preliminary issues for the
planning area have been identified by
BLM personnel and from early
engagement conducted for this planning
effort with Federal, State, and local
agencies, Tribes, and stakeholders. The
BLM has identified 16 preliminary
issues for this planning effort’s analysis.
The planning criteria are available for
public review and comment at the
ePlanning website (see ADDRESSES).
Summary of Expected Impacts
The project is anticipated to cause
direct and indirect impacts during
construction, operations and
maintenance, and decommissioning.
During construction (including
decommissioning of the redundant
existing transmission line) impacts
would occur from land disturbance;
operation of construction equipment;
installation of towers, access roads, and
other facilities; and presence of work
forces. During operations and
maintenance, impacts would occur from
continued presence of project facilities
and from maintenance activities.
Impacts from eventual decommissioning
of the upgraded line would be similar to
those expected from the construction
phase. Cumulative impacts from
relevant reasonably foreseeable future
actions will also be disclosed in the EIS.
The following resources could be
impacted by the project and will be
analyzed in the EIS. This is not
necessarily a comprehensive list and
other resources may be added as a result
of scoping. These preliminary resources
include geology and soils; general
vegetation, riparian, and noxious and
invasive species; general wildlife;
threatened and endangered species;
sensitive species; wetlands; air quality;
minerals; paleontological resources;
visual resources; National Historic
Trails; surface water and groundwater
quality and quantity; cultural resources;
socioeconomics and environmental
justice; public health and safety; land
use and recreation; and special
designations.
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Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
Authorization of this proposal may
require amendments to the applicable
RMPs in effect for the Southern Nevada
District Office to modify locations of
some Visual Resource Management
class locations involving the proposed
ROW Project. Along with the ROW grant
issued by the BLM, GridLiance
anticipates needing the following
authorizations and permits for the
proposed project: construction
authorization from the Bureau of Indian
Affairs; clearance for survey and
construction on Department of Defense
lands; biological opinion and incidental
take permit(s) from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) for
Endangered Species Act compliance;
USFWS Migratory Bird Treaty Act
compliance; USFWS Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act compliance;
section 404 permit from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers for Clean Water Act
compliance; effect concurrence from the
Nevada State Historic Preservation
Office for National Historic Preservation
Act compliance; No Hazard Declaration
from the Federal Aviation
Administration; Department of
Homeland Security consultation
regarding military radar; Utilities
Environmental Protection Act Permit to
Construct from the Public Utilities
Commission of Nevada; Rare and
Endangered Plant Permit from the
Nevada State Division of Forestry;
Desert Tortoise and Gila Monster
Handling Permit from the Nevada
Department of Wildlife; Native Cacti
and Yucca Commercial Salvaging and
Transportation Permit from the Nevada
Division of Forestry; Incidental Take
Permit from the Nevada Department of
Wildlife; Clean Water Act, section 401
Compliance with the Nevada Division of
Environmental Protection (NDEP) and
Bureau of Water Quality Planning;
Notification for Stormwater
Management During Construction for
the Clean Water Act, section 402 permit
for stormwater discharge from NDEP;
Groundwater Discharge Permit from
NDEP; ROW Occupancy Permit from the
Nevada Department of Transportation;
Over Legal Size/Load Permit from the
Nevada Department of Transportation;
Uniform Permit (for transportation of
hazardous materials) from the Nevada
Department of Public Safety; NDEP
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment;
Clark County Dust Control Permit; Clark
County Grading Permit; Clark County
Building Permit; Nye County Dust
Control Permit; Nye County Grading
Permit; and other permits as necessary.
Further details on these permitting
requirements may be found in the
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relevant Plans of Development
submitted to the BLM by GridLiance.
the activity along with the potential
issues.
Schedule for the Decision-Making
Process
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM Southern Nevada District
Office is the lead agency for this EIS and
RMPA. The BLM has initially invited 31
Agencies and 17 Indian Tribal Nations
to be cooperating agencies to participate
in the environmental analysis of the
project. Additional agencies and
organizations may be identified as
potential cooperating agencies to
participate in the environmental
analysis of the project.
The BLM will provide additional
opportunities for public participation
consistent with the NEPA and land use
planning processes, including a 90-day
comment period on the Draft RMPA/EIS
and concurrent 30-day public protest
period and 60-day Governor’s
consistency review on the Proposed
RMPA. The Draft RMPA/EIS is
anticipated to be available for public
review fall 2023 and the Proposed
RMPA/Final EIS is anticipated to be
available for public protest of the
Proposed RMPA spring 2024 with an
Approved RMPA and ROD summer
2024.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping period and public review of the
planning criteria, which guide the
development and analysis of the Draft
RMPA/EIS.
The BLM will be holding two virtual
scoping meetings (see DATES and
ADDRESSES sections earlier). The date(s)
and location(s) of any additional
scoping meetings will be announced at
least 15 days in advance through the
BLM National NEPA Register, news
release, and BLM social media pages.
The purpose of the public scoping
process is to determine relevant issues
that will influence the scope of the
environmental analysis, including
alternatives and mitigation measures,
and to guide the process for developing
the EIS. Federal, State, and local
agencies and Tribes, along with
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. The
BLM encourages written comments
concerning the Project and RMP
amendment, possible measures to
minimize and/or avoid adverse
environmental impacts, and any other
information relevant to the Proposed
Action.
The BLM also requests assistance
with identifying potential alternatives to
the Proposed Action. As alternatives
should resolve an issue with the
Proposed Action, please indicate the
purpose of the suggested alternative. In
addition, the BLM requests the
identification of potential issues that
should be analyzed. Issues should be a
result of the Proposed Action or
alternatives; therefore, please identify
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Responsible Official
The Nevada State Director is the
deciding official for this planning effort.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The nature of the decision to be made
will be the Nevada State Director’s
selection of land use planning decisions
for managing BLM-administered lands
under the principles of multiple use and
sustained yield in a manner that best
addresses the purpose and need.
The BLM will decide whether to
grant, grant with conditions, or deny the
applications for right-of-way
amendments associated with the
project. The BLM will also make the
decision whether or not to approve any
RMP amendment. In the ROD, the BLM
will clearly distinguish the RMP
amendment decision from the right-ofway grant decision concerning the
selected alternative for the project.
Interdisciplinary Team
The BLM will use an interdisciplinary
approach to develop the plan
amendment in order to consider the
variety of resource issues and concerns
identified. Specialists with expertise in
the following disciplines will be
involved in this planning effort: geology
and soils, vegetation and noxious and
invasive species, wildlife, hydrology, air
quality, minerals, paleontology, visual
resources, cultural resources,
socioeconomics, public health and
safety, land use and recreation, and
special designations, among others
deemed necessary based on the results
of the scoping process.
Additional Information
The BLM will identify, analyze, and
consider mitigation to address the
reasonably foreseeable impacts to
resources from the proposed plan
amendment and all analyzed reasonable
alternatives and, in accordance with 40
CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate
mitigation measures not already
included in the proposed plan
amendment or alternatives. Mitigation
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may include avoidance, minimization,
rectification, reduction or elimination
over time, and compensation, and may
be considered at multiple scales,
including the landscape scale.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate
the NEPA and land use planning
processes for this planning effort to help
support compliance with applicable
procedural requirements under the
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C.
1536) and section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C.
306108) as provided in 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3), including public
involvement requirements of section
106. The information about historic and
cultural resources and threatened and
endangered species within the area
potentially affected by the proposed
plan amendment will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
such resources.
The BLM will consult with Indian
Tribal Nations on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with
Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780,
and other Departmental policies. Tribal
concerns, including impacts on Indian
trust assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources, will be given due
consideration.
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 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 and 43 CFR
1610.2)
Jon K. Raby,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023–17060 Filed 8–8–23; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_AK_FRN_MO4500171989; F–86061, F–
16301, AA–65515, F–16302, AA–61299, F–
16304, F–85667, AA–61005]
Public Land Order No. 7929; Partial
Revocation of Public Land Order Nos.
5169, 5173, 5174, 5178, 5179, 5180,
5184, and 5186, as Amended, Modified,
and Corrected, and Opening of
Additional Lands for Selection by
Alaska Native Vietnam-Era Veterans;
Alaska
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Public Land Order.
AGENCY:
This order partially revokes 8
Public Land Orders (PLOs) insofar as
they affect approximately 812,956.96
acres of public lands reserved for study
and classification, as appropriate, by the
Department of the Interior. This order
opens these lands specifically to allow
for allotment selection by eligible
Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans and
possible conveyance under the Alaska
Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land
Allotment Program (Allotment Program)
established by the John D. Dingell, Jr.
Conservation, Management, and
Recreation Act of 2019 (Dingell Act).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
analyzed partial revocation of these
PLOs and opening of the affected lands
for allotment selections and possible
conveyances in the Alaska Native
Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment
Program Environmental Assessment
(Allotment Program EA) and Finding of
No Significant Impact (FONSI) signed
on April 21, 2022.
DATES: This PLO takes effect on August
9, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brittany Templeton, Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) Alaska State Office,
222 West Seventh Avenue, Mailstop
#13, Anchorage, AK 99513–7504, (907)
271–4214, or btempleton@blm.gov.
Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point of
contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sec.
17(d)(1) of Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (ANCSA) states that ‘‘the
Secretary is authorized to classify or
reclassify any public lands [so]
SUMMARY:
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53911
withdrawn and to open such lands to
appropriation under the public land
laws in accord with [her]
classifications.’’ The BLM prepared the
Allotment Program EA to evaluate
opening public lands subject to ANCSA
section 17(d)(1) withdrawals within the
Kobuk-Seward Peninsula, Ring of Fire,
Bay, Bering Sea—Western Interior, and
East Alaska planning areas to selection
of allotments by eligible Alaska Native
Vietnam-era Veterans under the
Allotment Program. The Allotment
Program EA evaluated four alternatives,
including a no action alternative as well
as three action alternatives that only
differed in the number of acres of land
to be opened. Alternative B opened
approximately 27.8 million acres,
Alternative C opened approximately 27
million acres, and Alternative D opened
approximately 25.7 million acres. The
Allotment Program EA supported a
FONSI for one or more Secretarial
decisions to open all or some of the
lands under consideration to allotment
selection under the Allotment Program.
On August 15, 2022, PLO No. 7912
implemented Alternative C as detailed
in the Allotment Program EA and
FONSI by partially revoking 15 PLOs as
they affected 27,142,446 acres of public
lands and opening the lands for
selection under the Allotment Program.
Alternative C is the same as Alternative
B in every material aspect with the only
difference between the alternatives
being that Alternative C opened
approximately 800,000 fewer acres of
land than Alternative B. This Order has
the effect of implementing the
remainder of Alternative B as detailed
in the Allotment Program EA and
FONSI by revoking in part 8 of the 15
PLOs partially revoked by PLO 7912
and opening additional lands to native
allotment selection and possible
conveyance that were not opened by
PLO No. 7912. The analysis completed
pursuant to Sec. 810 of the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation
Act included in the Allotment Program
EA found no significant restriction on
subsistence uses due to this action.
PLO Nos. 5169, 5173, and 5174, as
amended, modified, or corrected,
withdrew public lands for selection by
Village and Regional Corporations
under sec. 11(a)(3) of ANCSA, and for
classification. PLO No. 5178, as
amended, modified, or corrected,
withdrew public lands for selection by
Regional Corporations under sec.
11(a)(3) of ANCSA. PLO No. 5179, as
amended, modified, or corrected,
withdrew public lands in aid of
legislation concerning addition to, or
creation of, units of the National Park,
National Forest, Wildlife Refuge, and
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53908-53911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17060]
[[Page 53908]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NV_FRN_MO4500170889]
Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the
Proposed GridLiance West Core Upgrades Transmission Line Project in Nye
and Clark Counties, Nevada and Prepare an Associated Environmental
Impact Statement
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada
State Office (NVSO) intends to prepare a resource management plan
amendment (RMPA) with an associated environmental impact statement
(EIS) for the GridLiance West Core Upgrades Transmission Line Project
(Project). With this notice, the BLM is announcing the scoping period
to solicit public comments and identify issues and providing the
planning criteria for public review.
DATES: The BLM requests the public submit written comments concerning
the scope of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification
of relevant information and studies by September 8, 2023. To afford the
BLM the opportunity to consider issues raised by commenters in the
Draft RMPA/EIS, please ensure your comments are received prior to the
close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public
meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will conduct two public scoping
meetings (virtually) which will be held August 29, 2023, and August 30,
2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time. Additional information on the
meetings, including how to register, can be found on the BLM National
NEPA Register at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025248/510.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria
related to the project by any of the following methods:
Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025248/510.
Email: [email protected].
Mail: BLM, Southern Nevada District Office, Attn:
GridLiance West Core Upgrades Transmission Line Project, 4701 North
Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025248/510 and at the
Southern Nevada District Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Ann Vinson, Realty Specialist,
telephone 702-515-5059; address 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las
Vegas, NV 89130-2301; email [email protected]. Contact Ms. Vinson to have
your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the United States
who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability
may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications
relay services for contacting Ms. Vinson. Individuals outside the
United States should use the relay services offered within their
country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the
United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM
NVSO intends to prepare a potential resource management plan (RMP)
amendment with an associated EIS for the Project, announces the
beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input on issues and
planning criteria. The RMPA is being considered to allow the BLM to
evaluate the right-of-way (ROW) grant application for the project,
which would require amending the existing 1998 Las Vegas RMP for plan
conformance and consistency purposes.
The planning area is located in Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada, and
encompasses up to approximately 4,900 acres of public land.
The scope of this land use planning process does not include
addressing the evaluation or designation of areas of critical
environmental concern (ACECs) and the BLM is not considering ACEC
nominations as part of this process.
Purpose and Need
The BLM's purpose and need for this federal action is to respond to
FLPMA right-of-way applications submitted by GridLiance under Title V
of FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1761) to amend portions of their existing ROW
grants to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission approximately
155 miles of transmission system upgrades across BLM-administered lands
in Nye and Clark Counties, Nevada, in compliance with FLPMA, BLM right-
of-way regulations (43 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 2800), the
2008 BLM NEPA Handbook, U.S. Department of the Interior NEPA
regulations, and other applicable federal and state laws and policies.
In accordance with FLPMA, public lands are to be managed for multiple
uses that consider the long-term needs of future generations for
renewable and non-renewable resources. The BLM is authorized to grant
ROWs on public lands for systems of generation, transmission, and
distribution of electrical energy (FLPMA section 501(a)(4)). Proposed
amendments to the existing ROW grants may require plan amendments to
the 1998 Las Vegas RMP, which the BLM will analyze in the EIS. The
purpose and need for the plan amendment is to bring the project into
compliance and consistency with the 1998 Las Vegas RMP as it pertains
to elements of the project for which there is no other option to attain
compliance.
Preliminary Alternatives
The Proposed Action is to amend portions of existing BLM ROW grants
to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission approximately 155
miles of upgraded alternating current overhead transmission lines on
BLM, Las Vegas Paiute Snow Mountain Reservation, Department of Defense,
and State of Nevada-administered lands, as well as private lands in
Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada. The project is an upgrade of an
existing overhead transmission system that is currently comprised of a
single-circuit 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line system and seven
substations. The proposed upgrade consists of four segments, with
double-circuit 230-kV or double-circuit 500-kV options being considered
for each segment, unless otherwise noted:
Segment 1: Sloan Canyon Switchyard to Trout Canyon
Switchyard. Includes upgrades and expansions at both switchyards; only
the Trout Canyon Switchyard upgrades are located on BLM-administered
lands. This segment would be upgraded to a double-circuit 500-kV
transmission line, regardless of the voltage option chosen for the
remainder of the system.
Segment 2: Trout Canyon Switchyard to Pahrump Substation.
Includes upgrades and expansions at the Gamebird Substation and at
Pahrump Substation, both located on private lands.
Segment 3: Pahrump Substation to Innovation Substation.
Includes upgrades at Innovation Substation. The transmission line
upgrades between the Pahrump Substation and the proposed Johnnie Corner
Substation would be constructed at either double-circuit 230 kV or
double-circuit 500 kV; however, the proposed substation at Johnnie
Corner would not be constructed if the transmission line is constructed
as double-circuit 230 kV. The portion from the proposed Johnnie Corner
Substation
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to Innovation Substation would consist of a double-circuit 230-kV
transmission line, regardless of the voltage option chosen for the
remainder of the system.
Segment 4: Innovation Substation to Northwest Substation.
Includes upgrades at the Desert View Substation. This segment would be
upgraded to a double-circuit 230-kV transmission line, regardless of
the voltage option chosen for the remainder of the system.
The final voltage configuration of the transmission line requested
by GridLiance would be determined based on ongoing studies being
completed by the California Independent System Operator and would be
finalized before the signing of the record of decision (ROD) for the
proposed upgrades. GridLiance is currently advancing design efforts for
both voltages of the transmission line in order to provide the
necessary information for analysis of either option in the EIS. Double-
circuit 500-kV components of the project would require a 275-foot-wide
right-of-way, while the double-circuit 230-kV components of the project
would require a 150-foot-wide right-of-way.
For the majority of Segments 1, 2, and 3, the upgraded transmission
line would be constructed adjacent to the existing transmission line in
a right-of-way that mostly does not overlap with the existing
transmission line right-of-way. A notable exception is the portion of
Segment 3 from Johnnie Corner Substation to Innovation Substation where
the existing transmission line would be fully removed, and the new line
would be constructed in a ROW that mostly would overlap with the
existing transmission line ROW. Work in these segments would require
upgrades to existing access roads and the development of new access
roads to safely access the work areas. Access roads would be improved
or constructed to contain a 16-foot-wide travel surface and appropriate
ditches and berms. The total disturbance width of the access roads is
anticipated to be up to 24 feet. In addition to access roads, the
project would require temporary work areas, including laydown yards and
pulling and tension sites, as described in the relevant Plans of
Development submitted to the BLM by GridLiance. Structures would vary
based on the voltage option selected as well as specific site
characteristics and would be steel lattice or tubular steel structures
between 120 and 200 feet tall.
For Segment 4, the upgraded transmission line would be constructed
in an expanded ROW that wholly overlaps with the existing transmission
line ROW. Upgrades in this section would be limited to adding a second
circuit to the existing tubular steel transmission line poles and
reconductoring the existing circuit, both of which would require
laydown yards and pulling and tensioning sites. Individual poles that
do not meet the structural requirements of the upgraded conductors
would need to be replaced.
The project would also involve the decommissioning of the existing
single-circuit 230-kV transmission line from the Sloan Canyon
Switchyard to the Innovation Substation. In Segments 1, 2, and the
portion of Segment 3 from the proposed Johnnie Corner Substation to the
Innovation Substation, the existing transmission line would be removed,
and any disturbances associated with the line (including roads to tower
locations not required for access to the upgraded transmission line)
would be reclaimed. For the portion of Segment 3 from approximately the
Pahrump Substation to the proposed Johnnie Corner Substation, the
existing transmission line is strung on poles shared with an existing
138-kV transmission line owned and operated by Valley Electric
Association. In this area, the GridLiance 230-kV transmission conductor
would be removed, but the poles and existing Valley Electric
Association transmission line would remain. No decommissioning of the
existing line in Segment 4 would be required.
The Proposed Action also includes amending the 1998 Las Vegas RMP
(updated 2019). One potential amendment would be to adjust the Visual
Resource Management (VRM) class associated with portions of the
project. The project area includes VRM Classes II, III, and IV within
the proposed right-of-way. In some instances, design and mitigation may
be insufficient to make the project consistent with VRM classes and may
require an RMPA to change the class.
There is one preliminary action alternative being considered
involving a modification of Segment 2. This alternative route follows
the designated utility corridor approximately 0.5 mile further north
before turning west to approach the Pahrump Substation. The total
length difference between this alternative and the proposed route is
negligible. This alternative route is intended to utilize more of the
designated utility corridor and would result in fewer angle structures.
The EIS will fully disclose all impacts of this alternative and any
other alternatives developed through the EIS process.
A No-Action Alternative is also being considered. Under this
alternative the BLM would not issue right-of-way grant amendments for
the project and the project would not be constructed. Existing land
uses in the project area would continue. Additionally, the BLM would
not undertake an RMP amendment.
The BLM welcomes written comments on all preliminary alternatives
as well as suggestions for additional alternatives.
Planning Criteria
The planning criteria guide the planning effort and lay the
groundwork for effects analysis by identifying the preliminary issues
and their analytical frameworks. Preliminary issues for the planning
area have been identified by BLM personnel and from early engagement
conducted for this planning effort with Federal, State, and local
agencies, Tribes, and stakeholders. The BLM has identified 16
preliminary issues for this planning effort's analysis. The planning
criteria are available for public review and comment at the ePlanning
website (see ADDRESSES).
Summary of Expected Impacts
The project is anticipated to cause direct and indirect impacts
during construction, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning.
During construction (including decommissioning of the redundant
existing transmission line) impacts would occur from land disturbance;
operation of construction equipment; installation of towers, access
roads, and other facilities; and presence of work forces. During
operations and maintenance, impacts would occur from continued presence
of project facilities and from maintenance activities. Impacts from
eventual decommissioning of the upgraded line would be similar to those
expected from the construction phase. Cumulative impacts from relevant
reasonably foreseeable future actions will also be disclosed in the
EIS.
The following resources could be impacted by the project and will
be analyzed in the EIS. This is not necessarily a comprehensive list
and other resources may be added as a result of scoping. These
preliminary resources include geology and soils; general vegetation,
riparian, and noxious and invasive species; general wildlife;
threatened and endangered species; sensitive species; wetlands; air
quality; minerals; paleontological resources; visual resources;
National Historic Trails; surface water and groundwater quality and
quantity; cultural resources; socioeconomics and environmental justice;
public health and safety; land use and recreation; and special
designations.
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Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
Authorization of this proposal may require amendments to the
applicable RMPs in effect for the Southern Nevada District Office to
modify locations of some Visual Resource Management class locations
involving the proposed ROW Project. Along with the ROW grant issued by
the BLM, GridLiance anticipates needing the following authorizations
and permits for the proposed project: construction authorization from
the Bureau of Indian Affairs; clearance for survey and construction on
Department of Defense lands; biological opinion and incidental take
permit(s) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for
Endangered Species Act compliance; USFWS Migratory Bird Treaty Act
compliance; USFWS Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act compliance;
section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Clean
Water Act compliance; effect concurrence from the Nevada State Historic
Preservation Office for National Historic Preservation Act compliance;
No Hazard Declaration from the Federal Aviation Administration;
Department of Homeland Security consultation regarding military radar;
Utilities Environmental Protection Act Permit to Construct from the
Public Utilities Commission of Nevada; Rare and Endangered Plant Permit
from the Nevada State Division of Forestry; Desert Tortoise and Gila
Monster Handling Permit from the Nevada Department of Wildlife; Native
Cacti and Yucca Commercial Salvaging and Transportation Permit from the
Nevada Division of Forestry; Incidental Take Permit from the Nevada
Department of Wildlife; Clean Water Act, section 401 Compliance with
the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and Bureau of
Water Quality Planning; Notification for Stormwater Management During
Construction for the Clean Water Act, section 402 permit for stormwater
discharge from NDEP; Groundwater Discharge Permit from NDEP; ROW
Occupancy Permit from the Nevada Department of Transportation; Over
Legal Size/Load Permit from the Nevada Department of Transportation;
Uniform Permit (for transportation of hazardous materials) from the
Nevada Department of Public Safety; NDEP Phase 1 Environmental Site
Assessment; Clark County Dust Control Permit; Clark County Grading
Permit; Clark County Building Permit; Nye County Dust Control Permit;
Nye County Grading Permit; and other permits as necessary. Further
details on these permitting requirements may be found in the relevant
Plans of Development submitted to the BLM by GridLiance.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public
participation consistent with the NEPA and land use planning processes,
including a 90-day comment period on the Draft RMPA/EIS and concurrent
30-day public protest period and 60-day Governor's consistency review
on the Proposed RMPA. The Draft RMPA/EIS is anticipated to be available
for public review fall 2023 and the Proposed RMPA/Final EIS is
anticipated to be available for public protest of the Proposed RMPA
spring 2024 with an Approved RMPA and ROD summer 2024.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping period and public
review of the planning criteria, which guide the development and
analysis of the Draft RMPA/EIS.
The BLM will be holding two virtual scoping meetings (see DATES and
ADDRESSES sections earlier). The date(s) and location(s) of any
additional scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in
advance through the BLM National NEPA Register, news release, and BLM
social media pages.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including alternatives and mitigation measures, and to guide the
process for developing the EIS. Federal, State, and local agencies and
Tribes, along with 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. The BLM encourages written
comments concerning the Project and RMP amendment, possible measures to
minimize and/or avoid adverse environmental impacts, and any other
information relevant to the Proposed Action.
The BLM also requests assistance with identifying potential
alternatives to the Proposed Action. As alternatives should resolve an
issue with the Proposed Action, please indicate the purpose of the
suggested alternative. In addition, the BLM requests the identification
of potential issues that should be analyzed. Issues should be a result
of the Proposed Action or alternatives; therefore, please identify the
activity along with the potential issues.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM Southern Nevada District Office is the lead agency for this
EIS and RMPA. The BLM has initially invited 31 Agencies and 17 Indian
Tribal Nations to be cooperating agencies to participate in the
environmental analysis of the project. Additional agencies and
organizations may be identified as potential cooperating agencies to
participate in the environmental analysis of the project.
Responsible Official
The Nevada State Director is the deciding official for this
planning effort.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The nature of the decision to be made will be the Nevada State
Director's selection of land use planning decisions for managing BLM-
administered lands under the principles of multiple use and sustained
yield in a manner that best addresses the purpose and need.
The BLM will decide whether to grant, grant with conditions, or
deny the applications for right-of-way amendments associated with the
project. The BLM will also make the decision whether or not to approve
any RMP amendment. In the ROD, the BLM will clearly distinguish the RMP
amendment decision from the right-of-way grant decision concerning the
selected alternative for the project.
Interdisciplinary Team
The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan
amendment in order to consider the variety of resource issues and
concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following
disciplines will be involved in this planning effort: geology and
soils, vegetation and noxious and invasive species, wildlife,
hydrology, air quality, minerals, paleontology, visual resources,
cultural resources, socioeconomics, public health and safety, land use
and recreation, and special designations, among others deemed necessary
based on the results of the scoping process.
Additional Information
The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed plan
amendment and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance
with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not
already included in the proposed plan amendment or alternatives.
Mitigation
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may include avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or
elimination over time, and compensation, and may be considered at
multiple scales, including the landscape scale.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA and land use planning
processes for this planning effort to help support compliance with
applicable procedural requirements under the Endangered Species Act (16
U.S.C. 1536) and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public
involvement requirements of section 106. The information about historic
and cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the
area potentially affected by the proposed plan amendment will assist
the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
The BLM will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780,
and other Departmental policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on
Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will
be given due consideration.
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 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 and 43 CFR 1610.2)
Jon K. Raby,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023-17060 Filed 8-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-21-P
