Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement for the GridLiance West Core Upgrades Transmission Line Project in Nye and Clark Counties, Nevada, 28800-28803 [2024-08241]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 77 / Friday, April 19, 2024 / Notices
USFS categorical exclusion, would be
substantially similar to the impacts of
these USFS and the DON actions, which
are not significant, absent extraordinary
circumstances. Therefore, the
Department has determined that its
proposed use of the USFS and the DON
categorical exclusions to support BLM
permitting decisions for qualifying
geothermal exploration operations, as
described in this notice, is appropriate.
BLM will not rely on either the USFS or
the DON categorical exclusions to
support approval of other mineral or
non-geothermal energy activities.
Extending the BLM’s use of the USFS
and the DON categorical exclusions to
other mineral or non-geothermal energy
activities would require the agency to
complete a separate process to adopt
those categorical exclusions for that
purpose in accordance with the
requirements of Section 109 of NEPA.
V. Notice to the Public and
Documentation of Adoption
This notice serves to identify to the
public and document the Department’s
adoption of the USFS categorical
exclusion for short-term mineral,
energy, or geophysical investigations
and the DON categorical exclusion for
pre-lease upland exploration activities
for oil, gas, or geothermal reserves and
identifies the types of actions to which
Responsible Officials in the Department
will apply the categorical exclusions,
including only approval of permitting
for geothermal exploration operations,
and the considerations Responsible
Officials in the Department will use in
determining whether an action is within
the scope of the categorical exclusions.
Upon issuance of this notice, the
adopted USFS and DON categorical
exclusions will be available to the
Department for the BLM to rely upon to
authorize geothermal exploration
operations and will be accessible in 516
DM 11, found at https://www.blm.gov/
programs/planning-and-nepa/whatinforms-our-plans/nepa and at https://
www.doi.gov/oepc/nepa/categoricalexclusions.
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VI. Proposed Text for the Departmental
Manual
The Department will add the
following text to chapter 11 of part 516
of the Departmental Manual:
11.11 Categorical Exclusions Adopted
Through NEPA Section 109
Responsible Officials will document
reliance on the categorical exclusions
listed below, including describing how
the proposed action conforms to the
terms of the categorical exclusion relied
upon and application of extraordinary
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circumstances review consistent with 43
CFR 46.215.
A. Geothermal Exploration Operations
The Department has adopted the
following categorical exclusions for the
limited purpose of approving Notices of
Intent to Conduct Geothermal
Exploration Operations (Form 3200–9).
(1) U.S. Forest Service, 36 CFR
220.6(e)(8):
Short-term (1 year or less) mineral,
energy, or geophysical investigations
and their incidental support activities
that may require cross-country travel by
vehicles and equipment, construction of
less than 1 mile of temporary road, or
use and minor repair of existing roads.
Examples include, but are not limited
to:
(i) Authorizing geophysical
investigations which use existing roads
that may require incidental repair to
reach sites for drilling core holes,
temperature gradient holes, or seismic
shot holes;
(ii) Gathering geophysical data using
shot hole, vibroseis, or surface charge
methods;
(iii) Trenching to obtain evidence of
mineralization;
(iv) Clearing vegetation for sight paths
or from areas used for investigation or
support facilities;
(v) Redesigning or rearranging surface
facilities within an approved site;
(vi) Approving interim and final site
restoration measures; and
(vii) Approving a plan for exploration
which authorizes repair of an existing
road and the construction of 1⁄3 mile of
temporary road; clearing vegetation
from an acre of land for trenches, drill
pads, or support facilities.
and
(2) Department of the Navy, 32 CFR
775.6(f)(39):
Pre-lease upland exploration activities
for oil, gas, or geothermal reserves, (e.g.,
geophysical surveys).
(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4336c)
Stephen G. Tryon,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2024–08382 Filed 4–18–24; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NF_FRN_MO4500178506]
Notice of Availability of the Draft
Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Environmental Impact
Statement for the GridLiance West
Core Upgrades Transmission Line
Project in Nye and Clark Counties,
Nevada
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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) has
prepared a Draft Resource Management
Plan (RMP) Amendment and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the GridLiance West Core Upgrades
Transmission Line Project and by this
notice is providing information
announcing the opening of the comment
period on the Draft RMP Amendment/
EIS.
DATES: This notice announces the
opening of a 90-day comment period for
the Draft RMP Amendment/EIS
beginning with the date following the
Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA) publication of its Notice of
Availability (NOA) in the Federal
Register. The EPA usually publishes its
NOAs on Fridays.
To afford the BLM the opportunity to
consider comments in the Proposed
RMP Amendment/Final EIS, please
ensure your comments are received
prior to the close of the 90-day comment
period or 15 days after the last public
meeting, whichever is later.
The BLM will hold two public
meetings. One meeting will be held at
the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino,
681 NV–160, Pahrump, NV 89048 on
Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 6 p.m. to
8 p.m. Pacific Time. A second meeting
will be held virtually via Zoom on
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 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: The Draft RMP
Amendment/EIS is available for review
on the BLM National NEPA Register at
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/
project/2025248/510.
Written comments related to the
GridLiance West Core Upgrades
SUMMARY:
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Transmission Line Project may be
submitted 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.
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: Lisa
Moody, Realty Specialist, telephone
702–515–5000; address BLM, Southern
Nevada District Office, Attn: GridLiance
West Core Upgrades Transmission Line
Project, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive,
Las Vegas, NV 89130–2301; email
emoody@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 for
contacting Ms. Moody. 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.
This
document provides notice that the BLM
Nevada State Director has prepared a
Draft RMP Amendment/EIS and
provides information announcing the
opening of the comment period on the
Draft RMP Amendment/EIS.
The RMP Amendment is being
considered to allow the BLM to evaluate
the right-of-way (ROW) application
submitted by GridLiance LLC to
construct, operate, maintain, and
decommission approximately 155 miles
of transmission system upgrades across
BLM-administered lands, which would
require amending the existing 1998 Las
Vegas RMP.
The planning area is located in Clark
and Nye Counties, Nevada and
encompasses approximately 4,309 acres
of public land.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Purpose and Need
In accordance with FLPMA, the BLM
is authorized to grant ROWs on public
lands for systems of generation,
transmission, and distribution of
electric energy (Section 501(a)(4)). The
BLM’s purpose and need for this action
is to respond to the FLPMA ROW
amendment applications submitted by
GridLiance under Title V of FLPMA (43
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U.S.C. 1761) to construct, operate,
maintain, and decommission
approximately 155 miles of
transmission system upgrades on
approximately 4,900 acres in Clark and
Nye Counties, Nevada. Proposed
changes to the existing ROW grants
require a plan amendment to the 1998
Record of Decision for the Approved Las
Vegas Resource Management Plan and
Final Environmental Impact Statement
(the Las Vegas RMP) (BLM 1998), which
is analyzed in this Draft EIS.
Propose Action and Alternatives,
Including the Preferred Alternative
The BLM has analyzed eight
alternatives, including the no action
alternative and the Proposed Action.
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 lands
administered by the BLM, BIA, DoD,
State of Nevada, and Clark County, as
well as private lands, in Clark and Nye
Counties, Nevada. Authorization of this
proposal would require amendments to
the Las Vegas RMP to modify some
Visual Resource Management class
locations. The Project is an upgrade of
an existing overhead transmission
system that currently consists of a
single-circuit 230-kV transmission line
system and seven substations. The
proposed upgrade consists of four
segments:
• Segment 1: Sloan Canyon
Switchyard to Trout Canyon
Switchyard. Includes upgrades and
expansions at both switchyards. This
segment would be upgraded to a doublecircuit 500-kV transmission line,
regardless of the voltage option chosen
for the remainder of the system.
• Segment 2: Trout Canyon
Switchyard to Wheeler Pass Substation.
Includes upgrades and expansion at the
Gamebird Substation. This segment
would be upgraded to a double-circuit
500-kV (the 500kV option) or a doublecircuit 230-kV (the 230-kV option)
transmission line.
• Segment 3: Wheeler Pass Substation
to Innovation Substation. Includes
construction of the Wheeler Pass
Substation, potential construction of the
Johnnie Corner Substation, and
upgrades at the Innovation Substation.
Between Wheeler Pass Substation and
Johnnie Corner Substation, the
transmission line would be upgraded to
a double-circuit capable, single-circuit
500-kV (the 500-kV option) or a doublecircuit capable, single-circuit 230-kV
(the 230-kV option) line; however, the
proposed Johnnie Corner Substation
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would not be constructed if the
transmission line is approved by CAISO
as 230 kV. The portion from the
proposed Johnnie Corner Substation to
Innovation Substation would be
upgraded to a double-circuit capable,
single-circuit 230-kV system, 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.
Alternatives 1 through 6 each contain
modifications to the Proposed Action,
such as to the alignment of a particular
segment, the types of facilities or
structures utilized, or the types of
transmission lines to be installed.
Alternative 1 involves a modification
of Segment 2. This alternative is
identical to the Proposed Action in all
ways, including the need for an
amendment to the Las Vegas RMP (BLM
1998), with the exception of a reroute
that follows the designated utility
corridor approximately 0.5 mile farther
north before turning west to approach
the proposed Wheeler Pass Substation.
This alternative route utilizes more of
the designated utility corridor and has
two less angle structures and two more
tangent structures than the Proposed
Action.
Alternative 2 involves a modification
to Segment 1 to ensure compatibility
with the proposed Southern Nevada
Supplemental Airport (SNSA) and avoid
future potential hazards to air
navigation. Alternative 2 is identical to
the Proposed Action in all ways,
including the need for an amendment to
the Las Vegas RMP, with the exception
of the following. Alternative 2 involves
installation of two single-circuit 500-kV
transmission lines with a horizontal
conductor configuration. This
adjustment would necessitate a 500foot-wide ROW (a 250-foot-wide ROW
for each of the two single-circuit lines),
in contrast to the single 275-foot-wide
ROW required for the double-circuit
configuration for the Proposed Action.
The structures associated with
Alternative 2 in the airspace constrained
area would be single-circuit tubular
steel 500-kV H-frame structures and
500-kV horizontal dead-ends.
Alternative 3 is identical to
Alternative 2 except it would have a
slightly different alignment than
Alternative 2. This alternative maintains
the upgraded GridLiance transmission
line on the north side of the existing
double-circuit 230-kV NV Energy
transmission line until exiting the SNSA
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air navigation surfaces. Under this
alternative, the acreage and locations
where the RMP Amendment would
apply would be identical to those
described under the Proposed Action.
Alternative 4 involves relocating the
Wheeler Pass Substation to an
alternative location on privately owned
lands. Under this alternative, the RMP
Amendment would be the same as
described under the Proposed Action,
with modifications to bring additional
areas into compliance. Design
considerations common to the design of
Alternative 4 and Alternative 5 include
longer tie lines between the existing
Pahrump Substation and the proposed
Wheeler Pass Substation. Because of
this increased distance, double-circuit
230-kV structures would be required to
construct the tie lines. There would be
no other modifications to the structure
types, span lengths, or work areas
compared to the Proposed Action.
Alternative 5 involves relocating the
Wheeler Pass Substation to an
alternative location on BLMadministered lands. Under this
alternative, the RMP amendment would
be the same as described under the
Proposed Action, with modifications to
bring additional areas into compliance.
Alternative 6 would be designed and
built using tubular transmission
structures when the project area passes
through: (1) the Ivanpah ACEC; (2) areas
designated as critical habitat; and (3)
areas where the transmission line route
is not parallel with other existing lattice
structures. Under this alternative, only
structures TC–SC276 to TC–SC290 and
TC–SC207 to TC–SC238 would remain
as lattice structures, and all others
would be tubular transmission
structures. Alternative 6 would only be
required for the 500-kV option and is
not necessary for the 230-kV option.
The BLM further considered five
additional alternatives but dismissed
these alternatives from detailed analysis
as explained in the Draft RMP
Amendment/EIS.
The State Director has identified the
preferred alternative as the Proposed
Action in combination with the
modifications proposed in Alternatives
3, 4, and 6. Alternatives 3, 4, and 6,
when taken together, were found to best
meet the State Director’s planning
guidance. Alternative 3 would ensure
compatibility with the proposed SNSA
and avoid crossing the existing doublecircuit 230-kV NV Energy transmission
line within SNSA air navigation
surfaces; Alternative 4 would avoid
potential challenges with local
government entitlements and land
acquisition, as well as reduce long-term
impacts to Mojave desert tortoise
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habitat; and Alternative 6 would further
reduce long-term impacts to Mojave
desert tortoise habitat.
Mitigation
No mitigation measures have been
identified in the Draft RMP
Amendment/EIS for the action
alternatives. However, the alternatives
were developed in order to address
potential resource conflicts.
Specifically, to avoid creating a hazard
to air navigation, Alternatives 2 and 3
would prohibit structure heights from
exceeding 130 feet above ground level.
Alternative 6 uses tubular transmission
structures, (e.g., tubular H-frame, three
pole dead-end, or monopole structures)
as opposed to lattice structures, in
certain locations to minimize impacts
on Mojave desert tortoise due to raven
predation.
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 30-day
public protest period and a 60-day
Governor’s consistency review on the
Proposed RMP Amendment. The
Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS is
anticipated to be available for public
protest January 2025 with an Approved
RMP and Record of Decision in March
2025.
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
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and Yucca Commercial Salvaging and
Transportation Permit from the Nevada
Division of Forestry; Special Permit for
Capture, Removal, or Destruction of
Animal Threatened with Extinction
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.
Public meetings are listed in the
DATES section of this notice. The date(s)
and location(s) of any additional
meetings will be announced at least 15
days in advance through the BLM
National NEPA Register, news release,
and BLM social media pages.
The BLM will continue to 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.
The purpose of public review of the
Draft RMP Amendment/EIS is to
provide an opportunity for meaningful
collaborative public engagement and for
the public to provide substantive
comments, such as identification of
factual errors, data gaps, input on the
identified BLM preferred alternative,
relevant methods, or scientific studies.
You may submit comments at any time
during the 90-day comment period by
using any of the methods listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. The
BLM will respond to substantive
comments by making appropriate
revisions to the EIS or explaining why
a comment did not warrant a change.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
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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, 40 CFR 1506.10,
43 CFR 1610.2)
Jon K. Raby,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024–08241 Filed 4–18–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331–21–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NV_FRN_4500178518]
Notice of Availability of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Mine
Project, Esmeralda County, Nevada
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
In accordance 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)
announces the availability of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron
Mine Project proposed by Ioneer
Rhyolite Ridge LLC (Ioneer) in
Esmeralda County, Nevada.
DATES: To afford the BLM the
opportunity to consider comments in
the Final EIS, please ensure that the
BLM receives your comments within 45
days following the date the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
publishes its Notice of Availability
(NOA) of the Draft EIS in the Federal
Register or 15 days after the last public
meeting, whichever is later. The EPA
usually publishes its NOAs on Fridays.
ADDRESSES: The Draft EIS and
documents pertinent to this proposal are
available for review on the BLM’s
National NEPA Register (ePlanning) at
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/
project/2012309/510.
Written comments related to the
Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Mine
Project may be submitted by any of the
following methods:
• BLM’s National NEPA Register
(ePlanning) at: https://eplanning.
blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2012309/
510.
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SUMMARY:
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• Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_P&EC_
NEPA@blm.gov.
• Mail: Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron
Mine EIS c/o BLM Battle Mountain
District Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle
Mountain, NV 89820.
• By fax at: (775) 635–4034.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information or to have your
name added to the mailing list, please
send requests to: Scott Distel,
Supervisory Project Manager, at
telephone (775) 635–4093; address 50
Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV
89820; or email sdistel@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-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need
The BLM’s purpose for the action is
to respond to Ioneer’s proposal, as
described in its proposed plan of
operations, and to analyze the potential
environmental effects associated with
the proposed action and alternatives to
the proposed action as required by
NEPA. The BLM’s need for the action is
established by the BLM’s
responsibilities under Section 302 of
FLPMA and the BLM surface
management regulations at 43 CFR
subpart 3809 to respond to a proposed
plan of operations.
Alternatives A, B, and C
Under Alternative A, the proposed
action, Ioneer is proposing to construct,
operate, close, and reclaim a new
lithium-boron mine project in
Esmeralda County, Nevada. The
proposed Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron
Mine Project plan of operations
boundary would encompass 7,166 acres,
which consists of a 6,369-acre
operational project area and a 797-acre
access road and infrastructure corridor.
The total surface disturbance associated
with Alternative A, including existing
and reclassified disturbance and
exploration, would be 2,306 acres of
BLM-administered public lands and
private land.
The Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron
Mine Project would employ a workforce
of approximately 400 to 500 employees
during initial construction, including
both Ioneer staff and contracted
personnel, and approximately 350
employees during operations. The
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Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Mine
Project would operate 24 hours per day,
365 days per year. The total life of the
Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Mine
Project would be 23 years, including
four years of construction (years 1
through 4), 17 years of quarrying (years
1 through 17), 13 years of ore processing
(years 4 through 17), and six additional
years of reclamation (years 18 through
23). Reclamation of disturbed areas
would be completed in accordance with
BLM and Nevada Division of
Environmental Protection regulations.
Concurrent reclamation would take
place where practicable and safe.
The proposed facilities and activities
associated with the Rhyolite Ridge
Lithium-Boron Mine Project would
include:
• A quarry, including a quarry berm
and water storage tanks;
• A processing facility, including a
contact water pond and diversion
channels;
• Three overburden storage facilities
(OSF) (North, West, and Quarry Infill),
including contact water ponds and
diversion channels;
• One spent ore storage facility,
including an underdrain pond and
diversion channels;
• Project Area exploration, including
access routes and drill sites with sumps;
• Haul roads, service roads, and
public road realignment;
• Buckwheat exclusion area and
critical habitat fencing; and
• Ancillary facilities including an
explosives storage area, communication
towers including all-terrain vehicle
trails, batch plant, proposed water
supply testing and facilities including
pipelines, sewage system including
septic leach fields, dewatering pipeline,
growth media stockpiles, stormwater
controls and diversions, monitoring
wells, laydown yards, and fencing.
Under Alternative B, the North and
South OSF Alternative, all mine
components and operations would be
the same as Alternative A, but the
facility layout would be modified to
reduce surface disturbance within
Tiehm’s buckwheat (Eriogonum tiemii)
designated critical habitat. Surface
disturbance under Alternative B would
be less than Alternative A and total
approximately 2,271 acres.
Under Alternative C, the No Action
Alternative, the development of the
Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Mine
Project would not be authorized and
Ioneer would not construct, operate, and
close a new lithium-boron mine project.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM Battle Mountain District
Office is the lead agency for the Draft
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28800-28803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08241]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NF_FRN_MO4500178506]
Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement for the GridLiance West
Core Upgrades Transmission Line Project in Nye and Clark Counties,
Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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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) has
prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the GridLiance West Core
Upgrades Transmission Line Project and by this notice is providing
information announcing the opening of the comment period on the Draft
RMP Amendment/EIS.
DATES: This notice announces the opening of a 90-day comment period for
the Draft RMP Amendment/EIS beginning with the date following the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) publication of its Notice of
Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register. The EPA usually publishes
its NOAs on Fridays.
To afford the BLM the opportunity to consider comments in the
Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS, please ensure your comments are
received prior to the close of the 90-day comment period or 15 days
after the last public meeting, whichever is later.
The BLM will hold two public meetings. One meeting will be held at
the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino, 681 NV-160, Pahrump, NV 89048 on
Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. A second
meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 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: The Draft RMP Amendment/EIS is available for review on the
BLM National NEPA Register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025248/510.
Written comments related to the GridLiance West Core Upgrades
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Transmission Line Project may be submitted 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: Lisa Moody, Realty Specialist,
telephone 702-515-5000; address BLM, Southern Nevada District Office,
Attn: GridLiance West Core Upgrades Transmission Line Project, 4701
North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301; email
[email protected]. 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. Moody. 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
Nevada State Director has prepared a Draft RMP Amendment/EIS and
provides information announcing the opening of the comment period on
the Draft RMP Amendment/EIS.
The RMP Amendment is being considered to allow the BLM to evaluate
the right-of-way (ROW) application submitted by GridLiance LLC to
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission approximately 155 miles
of transmission system upgrades across BLM-administered lands, which
would require amending the existing 1998 Las Vegas RMP.
The planning area is located in Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada and
encompasses approximately 4,309 acres of public land.
Purpose and Need
In accordance with FLPMA, the BLM is authorized to grant ROWs on
public lands for systems of generation, transmission, and distribution
of electric energy (Section 501(a)(4)). The BLM's purpose and need for
this action is to respond to the FLPMA ROW amendment applications
submitted by GridLiance under Title V of FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1761) to
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission approximately 155 miles
of transmission system upgrades on approximately 4,900 acres in Clark
and Nye Counties, Nevada. Proposed changes to the existing ROW grants
require a plan amendment to the 1998 Record of Decision for the
Approved Las Vegas Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental
Impact Statement (the Las Vegas RMP) (BLM 1998), which is analyzed in
this Draft EIS.
Propose Action and Alternatives, Including the Preferred Alternative
The BLM has analyzed eight alternatives, including the no action
alternative and the Proposed Action.
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
lands administered by the BLM, BIA, DoD, State of Nevada, and Clark
County, as well as private lands, in Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada.
Authorization of this proposal would require amendments to the Las
Vegas RMP to modify some Visual Resource Management class locations.
The Project is an upgrade of an existing overhead transmission system
that currently consists of a single-circuit 230-kV transmission line
system and seven substations. The proposed upgrade consists of four
segments:
Segment 1: Sloan Canyon Switchyard to Trout Canyon
Switchyard. Includes upgrades and expansions at both switchyards. 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 Wheeler Pass
Substation. Includes upgrades and expansion at the Gamebird Substation.
This segment would be upgraded to a double-circuit 500-kV (the 500kV
option) or a double-circuit 230-kV (the 230-kV option) transmission
line.
Segment 3: Wheeler Pass Substation to Innovation
Substation. Includes construction of the Wheeler Pass Substation,
potential construction of the Johnnie Corner Substation, and upgrades
at the Innovation Substation. Between Wheeler Pass Substation and
Johnnie Corner Substation, the transmission line would be upgraded to a
double-circuit capable, single-circuit 500-kV (the 500-kV option) or a
double-circuit capable, single-circuit 230-kV (the 230-kV option) line;
however, the proposed Johnnie Corner Substation would not be
constructed if the transmission line is approved by CAISO as 230 kV.
The portion from the proposed Johnnie Corner Substation to Innovation
Substation would be upgraded to a double-circuit capable, single-
circuit 230-kV system, 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.
Alternatives 1 through 6 each contain modifications to the Proposed
Action, such as to the alignment of a particular segment, the types of
facilities or structures utilized, or the types of transmission lines
to be installed.
Alternative 1 involves a modification of Segment 2. This
alternative is identical to the Proposed Action in all ways, including
the need for an amendment to the Las Vegas RMP (BLM 1998), with the
exception of a reroute that follows the designated utility corridor
approximately 0.5 mile farther north before turning west to approach
the proposed Wheeler Pass Substation. This alternative route utilizes
more of the designated utility corridor and has two less angle
structures and two more tangent structures than the Proposed Action.
Alternative 2 involves a modification to Segment 1 to ensure
compatibility with the proposed Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport
(SNSA) and avoid future potential hazards to air navigation.
Alternative 2 is identical to the Proposed Action in all ways,
including the need for an amendment to the Las Vegas RMP, with the
exception of the following. Alternative 2 involves installation of two
single-circuit 500-kV transmission lines with a horizontal conductor
configuration. This adjustment would necessitate a 500-foot-wide ROW (a
250-foot-wide ROW for each of the two single-circuit lines), in
contrast to the single 275-foot-wide ROW required for the double-
circuit configuration for the Proposed Action. The structures
associated with Alternative 2 in the airspace constrained area would be
single-circuit tubular steel 500-kV H-frame structures and 500-kV
horizontal dead-ends.
Alternative 3 is identical to Alternative 2 except it would have a
slightly different alignment than Alternative 2. This alternative
maintains the upgraded GridLiance transmission line on the north side
of the existing double-circuit 230-kV NV Energy transmission line until
exiting the SNSA
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air navigation surfaces. Under this alternative, the acreage and
locations where the RMP Amendment would apply would be identical to
those described under the Proposed Action.
Alternative 4 involves relocating the Wheeler Pass Substation to an
alternative location on privately owned lands. Under this alternative,
the RMP Amendment would be the same as described under the Proposed
Action, with modifications to bring additional areas into compliance.
Design considerations common to the design of Alternative 4 and
Alternative 5 include longer tie lines between the existing Pahrump
Substation and the proposed Wheeler Pass Substation. Because of this
increased distance, double-circuit 230-kV structures would be required
to construct the tie lines. There would be no other modifications to
the structure types, span lengths, or work areas compared to the
Proposed Action.
Alternative 5 involves relocating the Wheeler Pass Substation to an
alternative location on BLM-administered lands. Under this alternative,
the RMP amendment would be the same as described under the Proposed
Action, with modifications to bring additional areas into compliance.
Alternative 6 would be designed and built using tubular
transmission structures when the project area passes through: (1) the
Ivanpah ACEC; (2) areas designated as critical habitat; and (3) areas
where the transmission line route is not parallel with other existing
lattice structures. Under this alternative, only structures TC-SC276 to
TC-SC290 and TC-SC207 to TC-SC238 would remain as lattice structures,
and all others would be tubular transmission structures. Alternative 6
would only be required for the 500-kV option and is not necessary for
the 230-kV option.
The BLM further considered five additional alternatives but
dismissed these alternatives from detailed analysis as explained in the
Draft RMP Amendment/EIS.
The State Director has identified the preferred alternative as the
Proposed Action in combination with the modifications proposed in
Alternatives 3, 4, and 6. Alternatives 3, 4, and 6, when taken
together, were found to best meet the State Director's planning
guidance. Alternative 3 would ensure compatibility with the proposed
SNSA and avoid crossing the existing double-circuit 230-kV NV Energy
transmission line within SNSA air navigation surfaces; Alternative 4
would avoid potential challenges with local government entitlements and
land acquisition, as well as reduce long-term impacts to Mojave desert
tortoise habitat; and Alternative 6 would further reduce long-term
impacts to Mojave desert tortoise habitat.
Mitigation
No mitigation measures have been identified in the Draft RMP
Amendment/EIS for the action alternatives. However, the alternatives
were developed in order to address potential resource conflicts.
Specifically, to avoid creating a hazard to air navigation,
Alternatives 2 and 3 would prohibit structure heights from exceeding
130 feet above ground level. Alternative 6 uses tubular transmission
structures, (e.g., tubular H-frame, three pole dead-end, or monopole
structures) as opposed to lattice structures, in certain locations to
minimize impacts on Mojave desert tortoise due to raven predation.
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 30-day public protest period and a 60-day Governor's
consistency review on the Proposed RMP Amendment. The Proposed RMP
Amendment/Final EIS is anticipated to be available for public protest
January 2025 with an Approved RMP and Record of Decision in March 2025.
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; Special
Permit for Capture, Removal, or Destruction of Animal Threatened with
Extinction 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.
Public meetings are listed in the DATES section of this notice. The
date(s) and location(s) of any additional meetings will be announced at
least 15 days in advance through the BLM National NEPA Register, news
release, and BLM social media pages.
The BLM will continue to 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.
The purpose of public review of the Draft RMP Amendment/EIS is to
provide an opportunity for meaningful collaborative public engagement
and for the public to provide substantive comments, such as
identification of factual errors, data gaps, input on the identified
BLM preferred alternative, relevant methods, or scientific studies. You
may submit comments at any time during the 90-day comment period by
using any of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice. The BLM will respond to substantive comments by making
appropriate revisions to the EIS or explaining why a comment did not
warrant a change.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that
[[Page 28803]]
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, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2)
Jon K. Raby,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-08241 Filed 4-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-21-P
