[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62820-62821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26192]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVS03000.L5101.ER0000. LVRWF1104400; NVN-089669; 11-08807; 
MO 4500023114; TAS: 14X5017]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Valley Electric Association Hidden Hills Transmission 
Project, Clark and Nye Counties, NV

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, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southern Nevada 
District, Las Vegas Field Office, intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning 
of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until December 12, 2011. 
The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced 
at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers, and 
the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html. Comments 
must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days 
after the last public meeting, whichever is later, to be included in 
the Draft EIS. We will provide additional opportunities for public 
participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Valley Electric 
Association Hidden Hills Transmission Project by any of the following 
methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Fax: (702) 515-5010 (attention: Gregory Helseth).
     Mail: Gregory Helseth, BLM Southern Nevada District 
Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-2301.
     In Person: At any EIS public scoping meeting.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM 
Southern Nevada District Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Helseth, Renewable Energy 
Project Manager, (702) 515-5173; or e-mail [email protected]. You may also use this contact information to 
request that your name be added to the project mailing list. Persons 
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 to contact 
the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is 
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question 
with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal 
business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Valley Electric Association 
(VEA), has requested a right-of-way authorization for the construction, 
operation, maintenance, and termination of transmission infrastructure 
improvements in Pahrump and Sandy Valleys to Jean, Nevada, and 
terminating at Eldorado Substation near McCullough Pass. The proposed 
project will support the delivery of 500 megawatts into the VEA 
transmission system through the development of a solar electric 
generating facility to be located on private land in Inyo County, 
California. The proposed improvements may also support the development 
of additional renewable resource generation facilities in Nevada.
    The proposed transmission upgrades would consist of the following 
new or expanded facilities on BLM managed land:
     A new 10-acre Tap 230/500 kilovolt (kV) Substation (Tap 
Substation) located immediately northeast of the existing VEA 138 kV 
and VEA 230 kV transmission line alignments adjacent to Highway 160.
     Approximately 53.7 miles of new 500 kV single-circuit 
transmission line from the Tap Substation to the existing Eldorado 
Substation.
     Approximately 9.7 miles of new 230 kV single-circuit 
transmission line from the solar electric generating facility site in 
Inyo County, California to the new Tap Substation.
     Improvement of existing VEA facilities to accommodate the 
necessary interconnections at Pahrump Substation, Vista Substation, 
Gamebird Substation, Charleston Substation, and Eldorado Substation.
     Installation of a buried 9.3 mile, 12-inch natural gas 
pipeline, which would extend from the solar electric generating 
facility site in Inyo County, California, to the existing VEA 230 kV 
transmission line. From this location, a 36-inch line would turn 
southeast and continue 26 miles to where it intersects the existing 
Kern River Gas Transmission pipeline.
     Construction and operation of new and improved existing 
access roads

[[Page 62821]]

along each of the proposed transmission alignments.
     Temporary work areas associated with construction 
activities, material storage, and staging.
    The proposed transmission project is in conformance with the 1998 
Las Vegas Resource Management Plan and does not require a land use plan 
amendment.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to ascertain the 
relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental 
analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing 
the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary 
issues: threatened and endangered species, visual resource impacts 
(including visual effects to the Old Spanish Trail National Historic 
Trail), recreation impacts, socioeconomic effects, and connected and 
cumulative actions.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to 
satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 
CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal consultations will be conducted 
in accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due 
consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, 
State, and local agencies, as well as individuals, organizations, or 
tribes that may be interested or affected by the BLM's decision on this 
project are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if 
eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a 
cooperating agency.
    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Mary Jo Rugwell,
District Manager, Southern Nevada District Office.
[FR Doc. 2011-26192 Filed 10-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P