[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71935-71936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29797]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District, Nevada 
and California, Bordertown to California 120 kV Transmission Line

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an EIS to determine and 
analyze the effects of the proposed Bordertown 120 kilovolt (kV) 
Transmission Line project on people and the environment. The project 
would consist of the construction and operation of approximately 10 
miles of new 120 kV overhead transmission line between NV Energy's 
existing Bordertown and California Substations. To accommodate the new 
transmission line, the project would also include improvements to both 
substations. The majority of the route would cross National Forest 
System land managed by the Forest Service, with shorter segments 
crossing private land and public land managed by the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by 71 days from date of publication in the Federal Register. The draft 
environmental impact statement is expected April 2013 and the final 
environmental impact statement is expected December 2013.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or resource information can be submitted by 
any of the following methods:
     Email comments to: [email protected].
     U.S. Mail address: Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, 
Bordertown to California 120 kV Transmission Line, 1200 Franklin Way, 
Sparks NV 89431.
     Hand delivery: 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, NV 89431, 
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
     Fax comments to: (775) 355-5399, please include a cover 
sheet and include ``Bordertown to California 120 kV Transmission Line'' 
in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, please contact Marnie Bonesteel, 
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, (775) 352-1240, [email protected]. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-(800) 877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the project is to provide reliable bulk transmission 
capacity to west Reno consistent with NERC Standard TPL-003-0. Load 
growth in the Reno area, particularly on the west side, has created 
bulk electrical transmission problems. Almost all of the power 
generation in the Reno 120 kV system is on the east side of Reno. The 
North Valley Road 345/120 kV Substation in north central Reno is 
currently used to move power through a network of 120 kV lines to the 
west side. During periods of heavy load, loss of one line in the 
network could overload the remaining lines, causing a failure that 
could result in outages in west Reno.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service proposes to authorize construction and operation 
of approximately 10 miles of new 120 kV overhead transmission line 
between NV Energy's Bordertown and California Substations (Stateline 
alignment). To accommodate the new transmission line, the project would 
also include improvements to both substations. Improvements include the 
installation of a 345/120 kV transformer and a 120 kV line terminal at 
Bordertown Substation and rearrangment of existing 120 kV terminals at 
California Substation. The majority of the route (approximately 7 
miles) would cross National Forest System land, with shorter segments 
crossing private land (approximately 2.5 miles) and public land managed 
by BLM (approxomately 0.50 mile).

Alternatives

    The Forest Service will evaluate a No Action Alternative, under 
which the Forest Service would not authorize a special use permit for 
construction of a transmission line. In addition, three alternative 
transmission alignments that would connect the Bordertown and 
California substations are being considered (Mitchell, Peavine and 
Poeville). The Mitchell alignment crosses an area previously disturbed 
by wildland fire and uses existing transmission corridors. The Peavine 
alignment crosses through big sagebrush vegetation and is the most 
visually sensitive alignment for approximately 0.50 mile of the route. 
The Poeville alignment takes advantage of routing within existing 
transmission line corridors and reduces the total miles crossing 
National Forest System land.

[[Page 71936]]

The Poeville alignment would be the longest route. Other alternatives 
may be developed in response to issues identified during scoping.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The Forest Service is the lead federal agency for the NEPA analysis 
process and preparation of the EIS. Cooperating agencies identified at 
this time include: Bureau of Land Management, Washoe County, City of 
Reno, Truckee Meadows Planning Agency and the Nevada Department of 
Wildlife.

Responsible Official

    Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Forest Supervisor will decide whether or not to authorize a 50 
year term Special Use Permit for the construction, operation, and 
maintenance of the Bordertown 120 kV transmission line on National 
Forest System land. Decisions regarding public land managed by the BLM 
will be made by the BLM.

Preliminary Issues

    Through public scoping, the Forest Service expects to identify 
relevant issues, potential impacts, design/mitigation measures, and 
alternatives to the proposed action. At present, the Forest Service has 
identified the following preliminary concerns:
     Potential effects to visual resources and existing 
viewsheds as a result of power line structures visable from Bordertown 
and California substations.
     Potential effects to Dog Valley and Webber Ivesia, Forest 
Service sensitive plants, from potential introduction and spread of 
noxious and invasive weeds.
     Potential for introduction and spread of noxious and 
invasive weed species, including known populations of medusahead grass 
and bull thistle from construction of temporary roads.
     Ability to reclaim temporary roads and areas disturbed by 
the project using native plant species due to the proliferation of 
cheatgrass and bulbous blue grass in the area.
     Potential effects to historic properties, including the 
National Historic Emigrant trail and an historic railroad grade due to 
the installation of powerline structures changing the visual setting of 
the area.
     Potential for off-highway motor vehicle use to occur on 
temporary roads constructed for the project.
     Potential temporary effects to the Mitchell Canyon mule 
deer wintering area due to construction activities.
     Potential loss or reduction of large diameter trees and 
trees planted after the Mitchell Canyon fire due to construction of the 
powerline corridor.
     Potential need to protect powerlines from wildland fire 
due to hazardous fuel conditions adjacent to project area.
     Potential for altering the general forested character and 
setting from a change in land use by granting a permanent easement for 
the powerline.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Other permits required by NV Energy to construct the project 
include, but are not limited to the following: Sierra County, Special 
Use Permit; Washoe County Special Use Permit; Washoe County Air Quality 
Management Division, Surface Area Disturbance Permit; Bureau of Land 
Management Right of Way grant; Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control 
Board, National Pollutant Dishcharge Elimination System (NPDES) 
Construction Storm Water General Permit for Linear Projects; and Nevada 
Division of Environmental Protection, NPDES Stormwater General Permit 
for Construction.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. To provide the public an opportunity to 
review the proposal and project information, the Forest Service will 
hold at least two meetings. Meetings will be conducted in an ``open 
house'' format and will include displays explaining the project and 
provide a forum for commenting on the project. Meetings are currently 
planned for Bordertown/Cold Springs and Verdi, Nevada.
    1. December 6th, 2011 4:30-6:30 p.m., Cold Springs Regional Park, 
Grand Room 3355 White Lake Parkway in Cold Springs, Nevada 89508.
    2. December 8th, 2011 4:30--6:30 p.m., Verdi Elementary School, 250 
Bridge Street, Verdi, Nevada 89523.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such a manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation 
of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close 
of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's 
concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this 
solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will 
be part of the public record for this proposed action (40 CFR 1501.7 
and 1508.22, FS Handbook 1909.15 Section 21).

    Dated: November 10, 2011.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-29797 Filed 11-18-11; 8:45 am]
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