80 FR 69693 - Notice of Availability of the Southline Transmission Line Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0474), New Mexico and Arizona

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 217 (November 10, 2015)

Page Range		69693-69695
FR Document		2015-28676

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Western Area Power Administration (Western) have prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Southline Transmission Line Project (Project), and by this notice are announcing its availability.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69693-69695]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28676]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration

[LLNM930000 L51010000.ER0000 LVRWG14G0790 14XL5017AP]


Notice of Availability of the Southline Transmission Line Project 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0474), New Mexico and 
Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior; Western Area Power 
Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and 
the Western Area Power Administration (Western) have prepared a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Southline 
Transmission Line Project (Project), and by this notice are announcing 
its availability.

DATES: Neither the BLM nor Western will issue a final decision on the 
proposed Project for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the 
Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in 
the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Southline Transmission Line Project Final EIS 
have been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government 
agencies as well as to other stakeholders. Copies of the Final EIS are 
available for public inspection at the BLM Las Cruces District Office, 
1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005; the BLM New Mexico 
State Office, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508; the BLM 
Arizona State Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, 
Arizona 85004; the BLM Safford Field Office, 711 14th Avenue, Safford, 
Arizona 85546; and the BLM Tucson Field Office, 3201 East Universal 
Way, Tucson, Arizona 85756. The Final EIS and supporting documents are 
available electronically on the Project Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nm/southline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Mackiewicz, PMP, BLM Senior 
National Project Manager; telephone (435) 636-3616; email: 
mmackiew@blm.gov. For information about Western's involvement, contact 
Mark Wieringa, Western NEPA Document Manager; telephone (720) 962-7448; 
email: wieringa@wapa.gov. For general information on the Department of 
Energy's (DOE) NEPA review procedures or on the status of a NEPA 
review, contact Carol M. Borgstrom, Director of NEPA Policy and 
Compliance, GC-54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0119, telephone (202) 586-4600 or toll free 
at (800) 472-2756, fax (202) 586-7031, email askNEPA@hq.doe.gov.
    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: Southline Transmission, LLC (Southline), the 
proponent, has filed a right-of-way (ROW) application with the BLM 
pursuant to Title V of FLPMA, proposing to construct, operate, 
maintain, and eventually decommission a high-voltage, alternating 
current electric transmission line. The BLM and Western agreed to be 
joint lead agencies in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5(b). Western is a 
power-marketing agency within the DOE and is also a participant in the 
proposed Project with Southline.
    The proposed Project would consist of two sections. The first 
section would entail construction of approximately 240 miles of new 
double-circuit 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in a 200-foot ROW 
between the Afton Substation, south of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and 
Apache Substation, south of Willcox, Arizona (Afton-Apache or New Build 
Section). The second section would entail the upgrade of approximately 
120 miles of Western's existing Saguaro-Tucson and Tucson-Apache 115-kV 
transmission line in a 100-foot existing ROW to a double-circuit 230-kV 
transmission line in a 100 to 150-foot ROW (Apache-Saguaro or Upgrade 
Section). The Upgrade Section would originate at the Apache Substation 
and terminate at the Saguaro Substation northwest of Tucson, Arizona. 
Both new permanent ROWs and temporary construction ROWs would be 
required in the New Build Section and in some portions of the Upgrade 
Section for the transmission line, access roads, and other permanent 
and temporary Project components.
    The proposed Project would involve the interconnection with and 
expansion and upgrade of 14 existing substations in southern Arizona 
and New Mexico, as well as the potential construction of a new 345-kV 
substation facility in New Mexico. The Project would also include 
installation of a fiber optic network communications system. Fee 
ownership would only be considered for substations or substation 
expansions; all other land rights acquired on non-federal lands would 
be through easements or leases. The New Build Section (Afton-Apache) 
would include construction and operation of:
     205 miles of 345-kV double-circuit electric transmission 
line as well as associated roads and ancillary facilities in New Mexico 
and Arizona with a planned bidirectional capacity of up to 1,000 MW. 
This section is defined by endpoints at the existing Afton Substation, 
south of Las Cruces in Do[ntilde]a Ana County, New Mexico, and 
Western's existing Apache Substation, south of Willcox in Cochise 
County, Arizona;
     5 miles of 345-kV single-circuit electric transmission 
line between the existing Afton Substation and the existing Luna-Diablo 
345-kV transmission line;
     30 miles of 345-kV double-circuit electric transmission 
line between New Mexico State Route 9 and Interstate 10 east of Deming 
in Luna County, New Mexico, to provide access for potential renewable 
energy generation sources in southern New Mexico. This segment of the 
proposed Project is included in the analysis, however, development of 
this segment would be determined at a later date;
     One potential new substation on approximately 25 acres of 
land in Luna County, New Mexico (proposed Midpoint Substation), to 
provide an intermediate connection point for future interconnection 
requests; and

[[Page 69694]]

    The Upgrade Section (Apache-Saguaro) would include:
     Replacing 120 miles of Western's existing Saguaro-Tucson 
and Tucson-Apache 115-kV single-circuit electric wood-pole H-frame 
transmission lines with a 230-kV double-circuit electric steel-pole 
transmission line. This section is defined by endpoints at the existing 
Apache Substation, south of Willcox in Cochise County, Arizona, and the 
existing Saguaro Substation, northwest of Tucson in Pima County, 
Arizona;
     2 miles of new build double-circuit 230-kV electric 
transmission line to interconnect with the existing Tucson Electric 
Power Company Vail Substation, located southeast of Tucson and just 
north of the existing 115-kV Tucson-Apache line; and
     Interconnection with and upgrade of 12 existing 
substations along Western's existing Saguaro-Tucson and Tucson-Apache 
115-kV lines in Arizona. Substation expansions would be required for 
installation of new communications equipment, new 230-kV bays with 
transformers, breakers, switches, and ancillary equipment. In some 
cases expansion may require a separate yard.
    Environmental and social concerns and issues were identified 
through both the initial public scoping and Draft EIS comment periods. 
The issues addressed in the Final EIS that shaped the Project's scope 
and alternatives include, but are not limited to:

 Air and climate
 Biological resources
 Cultural resources
 Health and safety
 Noise
 Land use (including farmlands and military operations)
 Recreation
 Socioeconomics and environmental justice
 Special designations
 Wilderness characteristics units
 Trails
 Visual
 Transportation

    In addition to the Proponent Preferred Action, Southline also 
submitted the Proponent Alternative route for the New Build Section of 
the proposed Project, both of which were the product of extensive 
stakeholder outreach. In addition to the Proponent Preferred Action, 
the Proponent Alternative and the No Action Alternative, the BLM and 
Western are considering local alternatives and route variations. To 
simplify the analysis of alternatives, the Project area has been 
divided into four major route groups: (1) Afton Substation to Hidalgo 
Substation (New Build Section); (2) Hidalgo Substation to Apache 
Substation (New Build Section); (3) Apache Substation to Pantano 
Substation (Upgrade Section); and (4) Pantano Substation to Saguaro 
Substation (Upgrade Section).
    Route Group 1: Afton to Hidalgo (New Build Section). This route 
group includes two sub-routes and five local alternatives. Both sub-
routes are approximately 140 miles long. Local alternatives range 
between approximately 9 and 43 miles long. The route group crosses 
portions of Do[ntilde]a Ana, Grant, and Hidalgo counties in New Mexico. 
Three of the four local alternatives were identified by Southline and 
represent routing options developed to avoid localized environmental 
conflicts along the international border. The fourth local alternative 
provides a co-location option with the proposed SunZia Southwest 
Transmission Line Project.
    Route Group 2: Hidalgo to Apache (New Build Section). This route 
group includes two sub-routes, four route variations and eight local 
alternatives. Both sub-routes are approximately 95 miles long. Route 
variations and local alternatives range between approximately 1 and 54 
miles long. The alternatives in this group cross portions of Hidalgo 
County in New Mexico and portions of Cochise, Greenlee, and Graham 
counties in Arizona. The four route variations and eight local 
alternatives were identified by the BLM and Western and represent 
routing options developed to avoid localized environmental conflicts 
around Lordsburg and Willcox Playas.
    Route Group 3: Apache to Pantano (Upgrade Section). This route 
group includes the upgrade of the existing Western 115-kV line between 
the Apache and Pantano substations; the line measures about 70 miles 
between these two substations. There is one local alternative 
identified by Southline that represents routing options designed to 
avoid residential development in the Benson area. Route Group 3 crosses 
portions of Cochise and Pima counties in Arizona.
    Route Group 4: Pantano to Saguaro (Upgrade Section). This group 
includes the upgrade of the existing Western 115-kV line between the 
Pantano and Saguaro substations; the line measures about 50 miles 
between these two substations. There are one route variation and ten 
local alternatives in Route Group 4. The alternatives in this group 
cross portions of Pima and Pinal counties in Arizona. Nine of the ten 
local alternatives proposed by the BLM and Western in this route group 
are options for replacing the portion of the existing Western line that 
crosses over Tumamoc Hill in Tucson. The route variation and the tenth 
local alternative are routing options near the Tucson International 
Airport and Marana Regional Airport, and were proposed by the lead 
agencies to address potential conflicts with future airport expansion 
and economic development plans as well as removing the existing line 
from a dense residential development with encroachments.
    The Final EIS also considers two substation alternatives (Midpoint 
North and Midpoint South) proposed by Southline; they are options for 
the location of the proposed Midpoint Substation located within Route 
Group 1. Both alternative locations would be in Luna County, New 
Mexico.
    For the New Build Section, the Agency Preferred Alternative 
consists of a combination of the Proponent-Proposed Action, Proponent 
Alternative, and agency local alternative segments within Route Groups 
1 and 2. The route was selected by the BLM and Western as the Agency 
Preferred Alternative because it would maximize use of existing and 
linear ROWs by paralleling existing and proposed infrastructure and 
transmission lines; eliminate the need for plan amendments through 
conformance with existing land use plans; minimize impacts to military 
operations at and near the Willcox Playa; and minimize impacts to 
sensitive resources. Public and agency comments on the Draft EIS 
expressed concern that portions of the Agency Preferred Alternative in 
the New Build Section would parallel the SunZia Southwest Transmission 
Line project, a project not yet constructed. Additional comments 
expressed concern about potential avian conflicts along the 
southeastern side of the Willcox Playa. The Agency Preferred 
Alternative for the Final EIS takes all comments received on the Draft 
EIS into consideration and suggests appropriate mitigation to be used 
to avoid sensitive resources as well as residential and economic 
development conflicts in the area.
    The Agency Preferred Alternative for the Upgrade Section consists 
of a combination of Proponent-Proposed Action and local alternatives at 
Tumamoc Hill and near the Marana Airport within Route Groups 3 and 4. 
The route was selected because it would maximize the use of the 
existing ROW and facilities currently used for Western's Saguaro-Tucson 
and Tucson-Apache 115-kV transmission lines; minimize impacts to 
sensitive resources at Tumamoc Hill; and minimize impacts

[[Page 69695]]

to military training operations at the Marana Airport.
    The BLM requires mitigation measures and conservation actions to 
achieve land use plan goals and objectives. The sequence of mitigation 
action would be the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, rectify, 
reduce or eliminate over time, or compensate) identified by the CEQ (40 
CFR 1508.20), BLM's Draft Regional Mitigation Manual, section 1794, and 
as described in the Final EIS. Certain alternatives, if selected, may 
require compensatory mitigation for those implementation-level 
activities that result in impacts the agencies cannot adequately avoid, 
minimize, rectify, reduce, or eliminate over time (i.e., residual 
impacts).
    The BLM, Western, Southline, and cooperating agencies worked 
together to develop routes that would conform to existing Federal land 
use plans. No plan amendments are required for the Upgrade portion of 
the proposed Project in Arizona or the Agency Preferred Alternative for 
the New Build Section in New Mexico, as described in the Final EIS.
    The BLM and Western have utilized the NEPA comment period to assist 
the agencies in satisfying the public involvement requirements under 
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 
470(f)), as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The agencies have also 
consulted with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis in 
accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Ongoing 
Native American tribal consultations will continue to be conducted in 
accordance with law and policy, and tribal concerns, including impacts 
on Indian trust assets, will be given due consideration. The BLM has 
also completed, with Western input, formal consultation under Section 7 
of the Endangered Species Act with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
    Based on the environmental analysis in this Final EIS, the BLM will 
decide whether to authorize the Proponent Preferred Action, Agency 
Preferred Alternative, alternatives, or any combination thereof on 
Public Lands. The Administrator will decide whether Western would use 
its borrowing authority to partially finance and/or hold partial 
ownership in the resulting transmission facilities and capacity. 
Western will consider the environmental analysis as the Project 
Development and Finance Phases are completed, as outlined in the 
Transmission Infrastructure Program Federal Register Notice of 
Procedures (79 FR 19065-19077, April 7, 2014)
    Comments on the Draft EIS received from the public and internal 
agency review were considered, and document revisions were incorporated 
as appropriate into the Final EIS. Public comments resulted in the 
addition of clarifying text, but did not result in substantial changes 
to the proposed Project or the impact analysis between the Draft and 
Final EIS.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2.

Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator, Western Area Power Administration.
Aden Seidlitz,
Acting State Director, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 2015-28676 Filed 11-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 217 / Tuesday, November 10, 2015 / Notices 69693

monitor individual Indian land leases Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005; the entail the upgrade of approximately 120
and other types of leases not covered BLM New Mexico State Office, 301 miles of Western’s existing Saguaro-
under the tribal regulations according to Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico Tucson and Tucson-Apache 115-kV
the Part 162 regulations. 87508; the BLM Arizona State Office, transmission line in a 100-foot existing
Accordingly, the Federal and tribal One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, ROW to a double-circuit 230-kV
interests weigh heavily in favor of Phoenix, Arizona 85004; the BLM transmission line in a 100 to 150-foot
preemption of State and local taxes on Safford Field Office, 711 14th Avenue, ROW (Apache-Saguaro or Upgrade
lease-related activities and interests, Safford, Arizona 85546; and the BLM Section). The Upgrade Section would
regardless of whether the lease is Tucson Field Office, 3201 East originate at the Apache Substation and
governed by tribal leasing regulations or Universal Way, Tucson, Arizona 85756. terminate at the Saguaro Substation
Part 162. Improvements, activities, and The Final EIS and supporting northwest of Tucson, Arizona. Both new
leasehold or possessory interests may be documents are available electronically permanent ROWs and temporary
subject to taxation by the Navajo Nation. on the Project Web site at: http:// construction ROWs would be required
Dated: November 2, 2015. www.blm.gov/nm/southline. in the New Build Section and in some
Kevin K. Washburn, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: portions of the Upgrade Section for the
Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs. Mark Mackiewicz, PMP, BLM Senior transmission line, access roads, and
National Project Manager; telephone other permanent and temporary Project
[FR Doc. 2015–28476 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am]
(435) 636–3616; email: mmackiew@ components.
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
blm.gov. For information about The proposed Project would involve
Western’s involvement, contact Mark the interconnection with and expansion
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Wieringa, Western NEPA Document and upgrade of 14 existing substations
Manager; telephone (720) 962–7448; in southern Arizona and New Mexico,
Bureau of Land Management email: wieringa@wapa.gov. For general as well as the potential construction of
information on the Department of a new 345-kV substation facility in New
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy’s (DOE) NEPA review Mexico. The Project would also include
procedures or on the status of a NEPA installation of a fiber optic network
Western Area Power Administration review, contact Carol M. Borgstrom, communications system. Fee ownership
Director of NEPA Policy and would only be considered for
[LLNM930000 L51010000.ER0000 substations or substation expansions; all
Compliance, GC–54, U.S. Department of
LVRWG14G0790 14XL5017AP]
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue other land rights acquired on non-
Notice of Availability of the Southline SW., Washington, DC 20585–0119, federal lands would be through
Transmission Line Project Final telephone (202) 586–4600 or toll free at easements or leases. The New Build
Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/ (800) 472–2756, fax (202) 586–7031, Section (Afton-Apache) would include
EIS–0474), New Mexico and Arizona email askNEPA@hq.doe.gov. construction and operation of:
Persons who use a • 205 miles of 345-kV double-circuit
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, telecommunications device for the deaf electric transmission line as well as
Interior; Western Area Power (TDD) may call the Federal Information associated roads and ancillary facilities
Administration, DOE. Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339 in New Mexico and Arizona with a
ACTION: Notice of availability. to contact the above individual during planned bidirectional capacity of up to
normal business hours. The FIRS is 1,000 MW. This section is defined by
SUMMARY: In accordance with the available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, endpoints at the existing Afton
National Environmental Policy Act of to leave a message or question with the Substation, south of Las Cruces in Doña
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the above individual. You will receive a Ana County, New Mexico, and
Federal Land Policy and Management reply during normal business hours. Western’s existing Apache Substation,
Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the south of Willcox in Cochise County,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southline
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Arizona;
Transmission, LLC (Southline), the
the Western Area Power Administration • 5 miles of 345-kV single-circuit
proponent, has filed a right-of-way
(Western) have prepared a Final electric transmission line between the
(ROW) application with the BLM
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) existing Afton Substation and the
pursuant to Title V of FLPMA,
for the proposed Southline existing Luna-Diablo 345-kV
proposing to construct, operate,
Transmission Line Project (Project), and transmission line;
maintain, and eventually decommission
by this notice are announcing its • 30 miles of 345-kV double-circuit
a high-voltage, alternating current
availability. electric transmission line between New
electric transmission line. The BLM and
DATES: Neither the BLM nor Western Western agreed to be joint lead agencies Mexico State Route 9 and Interstate 10
will issue a final decision on the in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5(b). east of Deming in Luna County, New
proposed Project for a minimum of 30 Western is a power-marketing agency Mexico, to provide access for potential
days after the date that the within the DOE and is also a participant renewable energy generation sources in
Environmental Protection Agency in the proposed Project with Southline. southern New Mexico. This segment of
publishes its Notice of Availability in The proposed Project would consist of the proposed Project is included in the
the Federal Register. two sections. The first section would analysis, however, development of this
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Southline entail construction of approximately segment would be determined at a later
Transmission Line Project Final EIS 240 miles of new double-circuit 345- date;
have been sent to affected Federal, State, kilovolt (kV) transmission line in a 200- • One potential new substation on
and local government agencies as well foot ROW between the Afton Substation, approximately 25 acres of land in Luna
as to other stakeholders. Copies of the south of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and County, New Mexico (proposed
Final EIS are available for public Apache Substation, south of Willcox, Midpoint Substation), to provide an
inspection at the BLM Las Cruces Arizona (Afton-Apache or New Build intermediate connection point for future
District Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Section). The second section would interconnection requests; and

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 217 / Tuesday, November 10, 2015 / Notices 69695

to military training operations at the Comments on the Draft EIS received BLM, on a variety of planning and
Marana Airport. from the public and internal agency management issues associated with
The BLM requires mitigation review were considered, and document public land management in New
measures and conservation actions to revisions were incorporated as Mexico. Planned agenda items include a
achieve land use plan goals and appropriate into the Final EIS. Public welcome by the Chair, and
objectives. The sequence of mitigation comments resulted in the addition of presentations and discussions related to
action would be the mitigation clarifying text, but did not result in the New Mexico Copper Project Draft
hierarchy (avoid, minimize, rectify, substantial changes to the proposed Environmental Impact Statement; the
reduce or eliminate over time, or Project or the impact analysis between Prehistoric Trackways National
compensate) identified by the CEQ (40 the Draft and Final EIS. Monument Record of Decision and
CFR 1508.20), BLM’s Draft Regional planning process; lands with wilderness
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR
Mitigation Manual, section 1794, and as 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2. characteristics; Restore New Mexico;
described in the Final EIS. Certain and grazing permit renewals. A half-
alternatives, if selected, may require Mark A. Gabriel, hour public comment period, during
compensatory mitigation for those Administrator, Western Area Power which the public may address the RAC,
implementation-level activities that Administration. will begin at 11:30 a.m. All RAC
result in impacts the agencies cannot Aden Seidlitz, meetings are open to the public.
adequately avoid, minimize, rectify, Acting State Director, Bureau of Land Depending on the number of
reduce, or eliminate over time (i.e., Management, New Mexico. individuals wishing to comment and
residual impacts). [FR Doc. 2015–28676 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am] time available, the time for individual
The BLM, Western, Southline, and BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P oral comments may be limited.
cooperating agencies worked together to
develop routes that would conform to Melanie Barnes,
existing Federal land use plans. No plan DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Acting Deputy State Director, Lands and
amendments are required for the Resources.
Upgrade portion of the proposed Project Bureau of Land Management [FR Doc. 2015–28541 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am]
in Arizona or the Agency Preferred [LLNML00000 L12200000.DF0000 BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P
Alternative for the New Build Section in 16XL1109AF]
New Mexico, as described in the Final
EIS. Notice of Public Meeting, Las Cruces DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The BLM and Western have utilized District Resource Advisory Council
the NEPA comment period to assist the Meeting, New Mexico National Park Service
agencies in satisfying the public [NPS–WASO–BSD–COMM–19682;
involvement requirements under AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
PPWOBSADC0, PPMVSCS1Y.Y00000 (166)]
Section 106 of the National Historic Interior.
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f)), as ACTION: Notice of public meeting. Proposed Information Collection;
provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Park Service Concessions
agencies have also consulted with Federal Land Policy and Management
Indian tribes on a government-to- AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
Act and the Federal Advisory ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
government basis in accordance with Committee Act, the Bureau of Land
Executive Order 13175 and other
Management’s (BLM), Las Cruces SUMMARY: We (National Park Service,
policies. Ongoing Native American
District Resource Advisory Council NPS) will ask the Office of Management
tribal consultations will continue to be
(RAC) will meet as indicated below. and Budget (OMB) to approve the
conducted in accordance with law and
DATES: The RAC will meet on December information collection (IC) described
policy, and tribal concerns, including
8, 2015, at the BLM Las Cruces District below. As required by the Paperwork
impacts on Indian trust assets, will be
given due consideration. The BLM has Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our
also completed, with Western input, Cruces, New Mexico from 8:30 a.m.–12 continuing efforts to reduce paperwork
formal consultation under Section 7 of p.m. The public may send written and respondent burden, we invite the
the Endangered Species Act with the comments to the RAC at the BLM Las general public and other Federal
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess agencies to take this opportunity to
Based on the environmental analysis Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005. comment on this IC. This IC is
in this Final EIS, the BLM will decide FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: scheduled to expire on November 30,
whether to authorize the Proponent Deborah Stevens, BLM Las Cruces 2016. We may not conduct or sponsor
Preferred Action, Agency Preferred District, 1800 Marquess Street, Las and a person is not required to respond
Alternative, alternatives, or any Cruces, NM 88005, 575–525–4421. to a collection of information unless it
combination thereof on Public Lands. Persons who use a telecommunications displays a currently valid OMB control
The Administrator will decide whether device for the deaf (TDD) may call the number.
Western would use its borrowing Federal Information Relay Service DATES: To ensure that we are able to
authority to partially finance and/or (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8229 to contact the consider your comments on this IC, we
hold partial ownership in the resulting above individual during normal must receive them by January 11, 2016.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

transmission facilities and capacity. business hours. The FIRS is available 24 ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the
Western will consider the hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a IC to Madonna L. Baucum, Information
environmental analysis as the Project message or question with the above Collection Clearance Officer, National
Development and Finance Phases are individual. You will receive a reply Park Service, 12201 Sunrise Valley
completed, as outlined in the during normal business hours. Drive, Room 2C114, Mail Stop 242,
Transmission Infrastructure Program SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 10- Reston, VA 20192 (mail); or
Federal Register Notice of Procedures member Las Cruces District RAC advises madonna_baucum@nps.gov (email).
(79 FR 19065–19077, April 7, 2014) the Secretary of the Interior, through the Please include ‘‘1024–0029’’ in the

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Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:26:16
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:26:16

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability.
Dates		Neither the BLM nor Western will issue a final decision on the proposed Project for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
Contact		Mark Mackiewicz, PMP, BLM Senior National Project Manager; telephone (435) 636-3616; email: [email protected] For information about Western's involvement, contact Mark Wieringa, Western NEPA Document Manager; telephone (720) 962-7448; email: [email protected] For general information on the Department of Energy's (DOE) NEPA review procedures or on the status of a NEPA review, contact Carol M. Borgstrom, Director of NEPA Policy and Compliance, GC-54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0119, telephone (202) 586-4600 or toll free at (800) 472-2756, fax (202) 586-7031, email [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 69693

80 FR 69693 - Notice of Availability of the Southline Transmission Line Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0474), New Mexico and Arizona

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land ManagementDEPARTMENT OF ENERGYWestern Area Power Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 217 (November 10, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration