[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25656-25658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09397]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[22X LLUTW02100 L51010000 ER0000 LVRWJ22J5140; UTU-92201]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Cross-Tie 500-kV Transmission Project, Beaver, Juab, and 
Millard Counties, Utah, and White Pine County, Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fillmore Field Office 
intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze 
and disclose impacts associated with the proposed Cross-Tie 500-kV 
Transmission Project (Project). The BLM Fillmore Field Office is 
leading the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in 
partnership with the BLM Utah Cedar City Field Office, the BLM Nevada 
Bristlecone Field Office, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest 
Service (USDA Forest Service) Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Ely 
Ranger District. The Project proposed by TransCanyon, LLC (TransCanyon) 
includes a 214-mile, single-circuit, 1,500-megawatt, 500-kilovolt (kV), 
high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) overhead transmission line that 
would be located on BLM-managed public land, USDA Forest Service 
National Forest System Land, state land, and private land in Beaver, 
Juab, and Millard Counties, Utah; and White Pine County, Nevada. This 
notice initiates the public scoping process, which begins a 30-day 
public comment period. The purpose of public scoping is to determine 
relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental 
analysis, including potential alternatives to the proposed Project, and 
guide the process for developing the EIS.

DATES: The BLM requests comments concerning the scope of the analysis 
and identification of relevant information, studies, and analyses. All 
comments must be received by May 31, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments by mail to: ATTN: Cross-Tie Project, 
BLM Fillmore Field Office, 95 East 500 North, Fillmore, Utah 84631. 
Comments may also be sent via email to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and, or to 
have your name added to our mailing list, contact Project Manager Clara 
Stevens, telephone 435-743-3119; 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. 
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: The applicant, TransCanyon, submitted an 
Application for Transportation and Utility Systems and Facilities on 
Federal Lands (Standard Form 299) and a draft Plan of Development to 
the BLM and USDA Forest Service for a permanent facility right-of-way 
(ROW) and a special use permit (SUP) for the construction, operation, 
maintenance, and decommissioning of the transmission line. TransCanyon 
and its affiliates own and operate approximately 36,000 miles of 
transmission projects and propose this Project to facilitate access 
between renewable sources of energy. These resources are primarily wind 
in Wyoming and wind or solar resources in central Utah and eastern 
Nevada.
    The BLM will use the NEPA public participation process to satisfy 
the public involvement requirements under Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C 470(f)) pursuant to 36 C F R 
800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources 
within the area potentially affected by the Project will assist the BLM 
in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context 
of both NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
    The BLM will consult with American Indian Tribes on a government-
to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including 
impacts on American Indian trust assets and potential impacts to 
cultural resources.
    The BLM Fillmore Field Office, in coordination with cooperating 
agencies, intends to prepare the EIS to analyze potential impacts from 
the proposed Project and alternatives. New permanent and temporary land 
authorizations would be required to construct, operate, and maintain 
Project components. The proposed route would cross a total of 137 miles 
in Utah and 77 miles in Nevada. Approximately 165 miles, or 77 percent, 
of the proposed route would be on BLM-managed public land, 
approximately 9 miles (4 percent) on

[[Page 25657]]

National Forest System Land, approximately 11 miles (5 percent) on 
state land, and the remaining approximately 29 miles (14 percent) on 
privately owned land. TransCanyon would obtain these land rights 
through ROW grants from the BLM, a SUP from the USDA Forest Service, 
and easements or fee purchases for non-Federal lands.

Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

    The purpose is to respond to TransCanyon's application for a ROW 
and SUP. The need is derived from the BLM's and the USDA Forest 
Service's regulatory responsibilities to respond to the application in 
accordance with Federal regulations and policies including the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act.

Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives

    The Project includes a 214-mile, single-circuit, 1,500-megawatt, 
500-kV, HVAC overhead transmission line. The Project would be situated 
within a 250-foot-wide ROW/SUP, 125 feet from centerline, which would 
maintain separation from other existing extra-high-voltage transmission 
lines, as required by the North American Electric Reliability 
Corporation. The Project facilities would include a 500-kV HVAC 
overhead transmission line, new substation equipment at the Clover 
Substation in central Utah (within the existing substation footprint) 
and at the Robinson Summit Substation in East-central Nevada (within a 
46-acre proposed expansion), regeneration stations near the line for 
the fiber optical ground wire, temporary and permanent access roads, 
and temporary work areas associated with construction activities. The 
transmission line would be a single-circuit configuration supported 
typically by four types of transmission structures: (1) Steel lattice 
guyed-V tangent structures would be the predominant type used; (2) 
single-circuit self-supporting steel lattice dead-end structures would 
be used specifically at angle and turning points; (3) single-circuit 
self-supporting steel lattice tangent structures would be sited where 
guyed-V structures are not allowed or are not technically feasible; and 
(4) reduced-height tubular steel H-frame would be used in specific 
instances requiring shorter structures. The 500-kV single-circuit 
structures would consist of three phases with a conductor bundle (i.e., 
three subconductors) per phase installed in a triangular configuration. 
Shield wires would be grounded at every structure, and insulated 
hardware and conductors would be used.
    In addition to the Proposed Action and No Action Alternative (i.e., 
not granting the ROW/SUP), preliminary alternatives include 
modifications to the proposed route. Preliminary alternative routes 
were developed during workshops with agency interdisciplinary teams and 
cooperating agencies to reduce impacts on resources of concern. The 
preliminary alternative routes for the Project meet the criteria 
established in Section 6.6.3 of the BLM NEPA Handbook to be carried 
forward for detailed analysis. Three preliminary alternative routes may 
be considered for detailed analysis.
    The first preliminary alternative route occurs at the east end of 
the proposed route in Juab County. This route would deviate from the 
proposed route, pass through a Greater sage-grouse general habitat 
management area, and then follow the route of the approved TransWest 
Express project until it rejoins the proposed route at the Juab-Millard 
County line. This alternative would minimize crossing of private land 
and relocate the Project away from more populated areas, the Sevier 
River, and agricultural property. The portion of the proposed route 
that this alternative route would replace is 23 miles long; this 
alternative route would be approximately 27 miles long, adding 
approximately 4 miles to the 214-mile proposed route for a 2 percent 
increase to the total length.
    The second preliminary alternative route deviates from the proposed 
route in north-central Millard County and travels south into Beaver 
County and then back to the proposed route at the Utah-Nevada border. 
This alternative route follows BLM utility corridors and Section 368 
corridors. It also reduces impacts from crossing the Utah Test and 
Training Range (UTTR) military operating areas (MOAs) that have tower 
height restrictions and lighting requirements and avoids Marjum Pass, 
which has a 1,500-foot-wide corridor between two Wilderness Study 
Areas. The portion of the proposed route that this alternative route 
would replace is 69 miles long; this alternative route would be 
approximately 158 miles long, adding approximately 89 miles to the 214-
mile proposed route for a 41 percent increase to the total length.
    The third preliminary alternative route would occur just west of 
the Utah-Nevada border in western White Pine County to avoid the 
culturally sensitive Swamp Cedars Area of Critical Environmental 
Concern and the Bahsahwahbee Traditional Cultural Property. The portion 
of the proposed route that this alternative route would replace is 7 
miles long; this alternative route would be approximately 13 miles 
long, adding approximately 6 miles to the 214-mile proposed route for a 
3 percent increase to the total length.
    Additional alternatives to be analyzed in detail in the EIS may be 
identified after the scoping process is completed.

Summary of Expected Impacts

    The Project is anticipated to cause direct and indirect impacts 
during construction, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning. 
During construction, 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 
decommissioning would be similar to those expected from the 
construction phase. Cumulative impacts from relevant reasonably 
foreseeable future actions will also be disclosed in the environmental 
impact statement.
    The BLM has preliminarily identified the following resources for 
which issues may need to be analyzed: Effects of a transmission line to 
traditional cultural properties and areas of Native American cultural 
importance; effects of construction and operation to USDA Forest 
Service Inventoried Roadless Areas and BLM Wilderness Study Areas; 
effects to dark night skies; visual effects of a transmission line to 
cultural sites, recreational users, and private landowners; effects to 
the UTTR MOAs; effects of construction and operation to wildlife and 
wildlife habitat (including Greater sage-grouse); and effects of the 
construction workforce to the level of services available in the 
affected communities.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    The BLM anticipates that the following permits and approvals will 
be required for the Project:
     BLM ROW and USDA Forest Service SUP.
     State easements for Project use of state land.
     Private land authorizations for construction and operation 
of the Project.
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act 
compliance.
     U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clean Water Act Section 404 
Nationwide Permit.
     Required permits to complete biological resources, 
cultural resources, or engineering surveys on public and

[[Page 25658]]

state lands or ROW entry for privately owned land. Compliance with the 
Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program's Conservation Credit System for 
Greater sage-grouse.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    The BLM anticipates a draft environmental impact statement in 
Spring 2023, the final environmental impact statement in Winter 2023, 
and a record of decision in Spring 2024.

Public Scoping Process

    This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. The BLM is 
seeking comments from interested and affected parties that provide 
specific and relevant information that inform the issues or 
alternatives to be analyzed, or that could influence the scope of 
issues or range of alternatives considered. Comments may be submitted 
in writing for 30 calendar days following the publication of this 
notice.
    The BLM will conduct two virtual public scoping meetings; the 
public can register for those meetings at https://go.usa.gov/xzvQm. The 
date(s) and time(s) of these virtual scoping meetings will be announced 
at least 10 days in advance through a news release, social media, and 
the BLM's ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xzvQm. In-person 
office hours are being offered during the scoping period by 
prescheduled appointment at the following offices: BLM Fillmore Field 
Office at 95 East 500 North, Fillmore, UT 84631; and Humboldt-Toiyabe 
National Forest's Ely Ranger District at 825 Avenue E, Ely, NV 89301. 
Appointments can be made by contacting Project Manager Clara Stevens, 
by telephone at 435-743-3119. Public scoping presentation materials 
will be available upon request.
    For public comments on the scope of the analysis to be considered 
in the draft environmental impact statement, comments must be received 
prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period. Additional 
opportunities for public participation will be provided upon 
publication of the draft environmental impact statement.
    Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other 
personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the 
entire comment--including personal identifying information--may be made 
publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal 
identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the 
BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and 
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

    The BLM requests assistance with identifying potential alternatives 
to the Proposed Action for consideration. As alternatives should 
resolve a problem with the Proposed Action, please indicate the purpose 
of the suggested alternative. The BLM also requests assistance with 
identifying potential impacts that should be analyzed. Impacts should 
be a result of the action; therefore, please identify the activity and 
the potential impact that should be analyzed. Information that 
reviewers have that would assist in the development of alternatives or 
analysis of resources issues is also helpful.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including the 
names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public 
record for this Project.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The BLM Utah Fillmore Field Office is leading the NEPA process in 
partnership with the BLM Utah Cedar City Field Office, the BLM Nevada 
Bristlecone Field Office, and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest's 
Ely Ranger District.
    Cooperating agencies include:

 USDA Forest Service
 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
 U.S. Department of Defense, Utah Test and Training Range
 Duckwater Shoshone Tribe
 Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone--Elko Band
 Utah:
    [cir] Beaver County
    [cir] Juab County
    [cir] Millard County
    [cir] State of Utah, Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office:
    [ssquf] Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
    [ssquf] Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
    [ssquf] School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration
    [ssquf] Utah Department of Transportation
    [ssquf] University of Utah Telescope Array Project
 Nevada:
    [cir] City of Ely
    [cir] White Pine County
    [cir] Nevada Department of Wildlife
    [cir] Nevada Division of Minerals
    [cir] Nevada Division of State Lands
    [cir] Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Federal decision is whether or not to issue a right-of-way 
grant (BLM) and special-use permit application (USDA Forest Service) 
for the Project and, if issued, under what conditions. The Bureau 
considers alternatives and analyzes potential impacts in issuing its 
final decision.

Anita Bilbao,
BLM Utah Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 2022-09397 Filed 4-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P