81_FR_15612 81 FR 15556 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ten West Link 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Project and Potential Amendment to the Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan in Maricopa and La Paz Counties, AZ, and Riverside County, CA

81 FR 15556 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ten West Link 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Project and Potential Amendment to the Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan in Maricopa and La Paz Counties, AZ, and Riverside County, CA

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 56 (March 23, 2016)

Page Range15556-15557
FR Document2016-06626

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona State Office, Phoenix, Arizona, with the possibility of Western Area Power Administration serving as a co-lead agency, intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Ten West Link 500-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project (Project) and potential amendment to the Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan pursuant to the BLM's land use planning regulations. By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues on the proposed transmission line and potential plan amendment.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15556-15557]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06626]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAZ920000 16X L51010000.ER0000 LVRWA16A3240]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Ten West Link 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Project and 
Potential Amendment to the Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan 
in Maricopa and La Paz Counties, AZ, and Riverside County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona State 
Office, Phoenix, Arizona, with the possibility of Western Area Power 
Administration serving as a co-lead agency, intends to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Ten West Link 
500-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project (Project) and potential 
amendment to the Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan pursuant to 
the BLM's land use planning regulations. By this notice, the BLM is 
announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public 
comments and identify issues on the proposed transmission line and 
potential plan amendment.

DATES: Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until May 9, 
2016. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be 
announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, 
and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en.html. In order to 
be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to 
the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public 
meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional 
opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft 
EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Project by any of the 
following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en.html.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 602-417-9452,
     Mail: BLM, Arizona State Office, Attention: Eddie Arreola/
Ten West Link Project, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 
85004.

[[Page 15557]]

    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Arizona 
State Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eddie Arreola, Project Manager, at 
telephone 602-417-9505; address: BLM, Arizona State Office, One North 
Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004; email: [email protected]. 
People who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339 during 
normal business hours to contact the BLM Project Manager listed above. 
The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message 
or question for the above individual. You will receive a reply during 
normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, DCR Transmission, LLC, has 
submitted an application to the BLM for a right-of-way (ROW) to 
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a single-circuit 500-kV 
transmission line. Authorization of the proposed transmission line may 
require an amendment to the Yuma Field Office Resource Management Plan 
(January 2010) to change visual resource management classifications and 
to possibly change or reclassify designated utility corridors. The 
proposed transmission line may require other land use plan amendments 
for the Project, including the Lower Sonoran, Bradshaw-Harquahala, Lake 
Havasu Resource Management Plans and the California Desert Conservation 
Area Plan, depending on newly proposed alternatives during scoping and 
during the analysis. The Project would provide a connection between the 
Arizona Public Service Company's Delaney Substation in Tonopah, 
Arizona, and the Southern California Edison Company's (SCE) Colorado 
River Substation in Blythe, California. The project purpose is to 
strengthen the electrical grid and improve reliability. The Project 
area involves approximately 83 miles of public lands along a route 
spanning roughly 114 miles. Approximately 97 miles is in Arizona and 17 
miles is in California. The Project would largely follow the existing 
SCE Devers-Palo Verde 500-kV No.1 (DPV1) transmission line in an 
established utility corridor. The transmission line may be supported by 
a combination of self-supporting H-frame structures and steel lattice 
structures. Any final decision on a specific type of structure will be 
based on topography, structural requirements, economics, the 
environment, and other applicable considerations. The structures are 
anticipated to be constructed of guyed galvanized steel with a height 
ranging from 100 to 190 feet, and a width of approximately 100 feet. 
The distance between each structure would depend on site-specific 
characteristics, but is expected to be 400 to 2,200 feet with an 
average span length of approximately 1,600 feet.
    The Project would involve additional facilities, including the 
construction of a series compensation substation parallel to the 
existing compensation substation located in Vicksburg, Arizona. To the 
extent possible, existing access roads for the DPV1 transmission line 
would be used for construction and maintenance. For a 2.8-mile segment 
of the proposed route, DCR Transmission would need an agreement with 
SCE to use the vacant circuit positions on SCE's existing double-
circuit towers in the Copper Bottom Pass area. The requested ROW width 
on public lands is 200 feet.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to identify relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including potential alternatives, and guide the process for developing 
the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary 
issues: Visual resource management classifications that would not allow 
a 500kV transmission line, possible route changes outside the 
designated corridors, potential interference with the U.S. Army's Yuma 
Proving Ground; cultural resources; Native American cultural concerns; 
social and economic effects; potential public health and safety; 
wildlife (including migratory birds); special status species; and 
recreation. The analysis will also consider mitigation at a regional 
scale for those resources that warrant mitigation offsite.
    The BLM will use the NEPA public participation requirements to 
assist the agency in satisfying the public involvement requirements 
under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 
U.S.C. 306108) pursuant to 36 CFR 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 the NEPA and Section 106 of 
the NHPA.
    The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration.
    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.
    Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes and other 
stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the Project are 
invited to participate in the scoping process. If eligible, they may 
request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of 
the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.

Raymond Suazo,
Arizona State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-06626 Filed 3-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-32-P

15556 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / Notices opportunity to make comments to the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Board on the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Persons wishing to make Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management comments during the meeting should register in person with the BLM by 3 [LLWY920000. 16XL5017AR. [LLAZ920000 16X L51010000.ER0000 p.m. on April 13, 2016, at the meeting L57000000.RB0000] LVRWA16A3240] location. Depending on the number of commenters, the Advisory Board may Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Terminated Oil and Gas Lease Environmental Impact Statement for limit the length of comments. At WYW179123, Wyoming the Proposed Ten West Link 500- previous meetings, comments have been Kilovolt Transmission Line Project and limited to 3 minutes in length; however, Potential Amendment to the Yuma this time may vary. Speakers are AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior Field Office Resource Management requested to submit a written copy of Plan in Maricopa and La Paz Counties, their statement to the address listed in ACTION: Notice. AZ, and Riverside County, CA the ADDRESSES section above, email comments to whbadvisoryboard@ SUMMARY: Per the Mineral Leasing Act of AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, blm.gov, or bring a written copy to the 1920, Douglas C. McLeod filed a Interior. meeting. There may be a webcam petition for reinstatement of competitive ACTION: Notice. present during the entire meeting and oil and gas lease WYW179123 for land individual comments may be recorded. in Crook County, Wyoming. The SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of Participation in the Advisory Board petition was filed on time, and the 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the meeting is not a prerequisite for lessee paid the required rentals accruing Federal Land Policy and Management submission of written comments. The from the date of termination. No leases Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of BLM invites written comments from all that affect these lands were issued Land Management (BLM), Arizona State interested parties. Your written before the petition was filed. Office, Phoenix, Arizona, with the comments should be specific and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: possibility of Western Area Power explain the reason for any Chris Hite, Chief of Fluid Minerals Administration serving as a co-lead recommendation. The BLM appreciates Adjudication, Bureau of Land agency, intends to prepare an any and all comments. The BLM Management, Wyoming State Office, environmental impact statement (EIS) considers comments that are either 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, for the proposed Ten West Link 500- supported by quantitative information Wyoming, 82009; phone 307–775–6176; kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project or studies or those that include citations email chite@blm.gov. Persons who use a (Project) and potential amendment to to and analysis of applicable laws and telecommunications device for the deaf the Yuma Field Office Resource regulations to be the most useful and may call the Federal Information Relay Management Plan pursuant to the likely to influence the BLM’s decisions Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to BLM’s land use planning regulations. By on the management and protection of contact Mr. Hite during normal business this notice, the BLM is announcing the wild horses and burros. beginning of the scoping process to hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a solicit public comments and identify Before including your address, phone day, 7 days a week, to leave a message issues on the proposed transmission number, email address, or other or question with the above individual. line and potential plan amendment. personal identifying information in your You will receive a reply during normal business hours. DATES: Comments on issues may be comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your submitted in writing until May 9, 2016. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lessee The date(s) and location(s) of any personal identifying information—may agreed to the amended lease terms for scoping meetings will be announced at be made publicly available at any time. rentals and royalties at rates of $10 per least 15 days in advance through local While you can ask in your comment that acre, or fraction thereof, per year and media, newspapers, and the BLM Web the BLM withhold your personal 162⁄3 percent, respectively. The lessee site at: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/ identifying information from public also agreed to the amended lease en.html. In order to be included in the review, the BLM cannot guarantee that stipulations described in the associated Draft EIS, all comments must be it will be able to do so. Reinstatement Certification. The lessee received prior to the close of the scoping (Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–1) has paid the required $500 period or 15 days after the last public administrative fee and the $159 cost for meeting, whichever is later. The BLM Kristin Bail, will provide additional opportunities publishing this notice. The lessee met Acting Assistant Director, Resources and the requirements for reinstatement of for public participation upon Planning. publication of the Draft EIS. the lease per Sec. 31(d) and (e) of the [FR Doc. 2016–06575 Filed 3–22–16; 8:45 am] Mineral Leasing Act of 1920. The BLM ADDRESSES: You may submit comments BILLING CODE 4310–84–P proposes to reinstate the lease effective related to the Project by any of the July 1, 2012, under the original terms following methods: and conditions of the lease and the • Web site: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/ jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES increased rental and royalty rates cited en.html. above. • Email: TenWestLink@blm.gov. • Fax: 602–417–9452, Chris Hite, • Mail: BLM, Arizona State Office, Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals Adjudication. Attention: Eddie Arreola/Ten West Link [FR Doc. 2016–06570 Filed 3–22–16; 8:45 am] Project, One North Central Avenue, BILLING CODE 4310–22–P Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:26 Mar 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / Notices 15557 Documents pertinent to this proposal constructed of guyed galvanized steel Before including your address, phone may be examined at the Arizona State with a height ranging from 100 to 190 number, email address, or other Office. feet, and a width of approximately 100 personal identifying information in your FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: feet. The distance between each comment, you should be aware that Eddie Arreola, Project Manager, at structure would depend on site-specific your entire comment—including your telephone 602–417–9505; address: BLM, characteristics, but is expected to be 400 personal identifying information—may Arizona State Office, One North Central to 2,200 feet with an average span be made publicly available at any time. Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004; length of approximately 1,600 feet. While you can ask us in your comment email: earreola@blm.gov. People who The Project would involve additional to withhold your personal identifying use a telecommunications device for the facilities, including the construction of information from public review, we deaf (TDD) may call the Federal a series compensation substation cannot guarantee that we will be able to Information Relay Service (FIRS) at parallel to the existing compensation do so. 800–877–8339 during normal business substation located in Vicksburg, Federal, State, and local agencies, hours to contact the BLM Project Arizona. To the extent possible, existing along with tribes and other stakeholders Manager listed above. The FIRS is access roads for the DPV1 transmission that may be interested in or affected by available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, line would be used for construction and the Project are invited to participate in to leave a message or question for the maintenance. For a 2.8-mile segment of the scoping process. If eligible, they may above individual. You will receive a the proposed route, DCR Transmission request or be requested by the BLM to reply during normal business hours. would need an agreement with SCE to participate in the development of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The use the vacant circuit positions on SCE’s environmental analysis as a cooperating applicant, DCR Transmission, LLC, has existing double-circuit towers in the agency. submitted an application to the BLM for Copper Bottom Pass area. The requested Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7. a right-of-way (ROW) to construct, ROW width on public lands is 200 feet. Raymond Suazo, operate, maintain, and decommission a The purpose of the public scoping process is to identify relevant issues that Arizona State Director. single-circuit 500-kV transmission line. will influence the scope of the [FR Doc. 2016–06626 Filed 3–22–16; 8:45 am] Authorization of the proposed transmission line may require an environmental analysis, including BILLING CODE 4310–32–P amendment to the Yuma Field Office potential alternatives, and guide the Resource Management Plan (January process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 2010) to change visual resource management classifications and to following preliminary issues: Visual Bureau of Land Management possibly change or reclassify designated resource management classifications utility corridors. The proposed that would not allow a 500kV [LLCO922000–L13100000–FI0000–16X] transmission line may require other transmission line, possible route changes outside the designated Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated land use plan amendments for the corridors, potential interference with Oil and Gas Lease COC73441, Project, including the Lower Sonoran, the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground; Colorado Bradshaw-Harquahala, Lake Havasu Resource Management Plans and the cultural resources; Native American AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, California Desert Conservation Area cultural concerns; social and economic Interior. Plan, depending on newly proposed effects; potential public health and ACTION: Notice. alternatives during scoping and during safety; wildlife (including migratory the analysis. The Project would provide birds); special status species; and SUMMARY: As provided for under the a connection between the Arizona recreation. The analysis will also Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920, as Public Service Company’s Delaney consider mitigation at a regional scale amended, the Bureau of Land Substation in Tonopah, Arizona, and for those resources that warrant Management (BLM) received a petition the Southern California Edison mitigation offsite. for the reinstatement of oil and gas lease Company’s (SCE) Colorado River The BLM will use the NEPA public COC73441 from Synergy Resources Substation in Blythe, California. The participation requirements to assist the Corporation, for lands in Morgan project purpose is to strengthen the agency in satisfying the public County, Colorado. The lessee filed the electrical grid and improve reliability. involvement requirements under petition on time, along with all the The Project area involves approximately Section 106 of the National Historic rentals due since the lease terminated 83 miles of public lands along a route Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. under the law. spanning roughly 114 miles. 306108) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Approximately 97 miles is in Arizona The information about historic and Cheryl Hirschel, BLM Land Law and 17 miles is in California. The cultural resources within the area Examiner, Fluid Minerals Adjudication, Project would largely follow the existing potentially affected by the Project will at (303) 239–3749. Persons who use a SCE Devers-Palo Verde 500-kV No.1 assist the BLM in identifying and telecommunication device for the deaf (DPV1) transmission line in an evaluating impacts to such resources in (TDD) may call the Federal Information established utility corridor. The the context of both the NEPA and Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 transmission line may be supported by Section 106 of the NHPA. to contact the above individual during a combination of self-supporting H- The BLM will consult with Indian normal business hours. The FIRS is jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES frame structures and steel lattice tribes on a government-to-government available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, structures. Any final decision on a basis in accordance with Executive to leave a message or questions with the specific type of structure will be based Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal above individual. You will receive a on topography, structural requirements, concerns, including impacts on Indian reply during normal business hours. economics, the environment, and other trust assets and potential impacts to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lessee applicable considerations. The cultural resources, will be given due has agreed to the amended lease terms structures are anticipated to be consideration. for additional stipulations and for VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:26 Mar 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1


Document Created: 2016-03-23 00:03:13
Document Modified: 2016-03-23 00:03:13
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesComments on issues may be submitted in writing until May 9, 2016. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.
ContactEddie Arreola, Project Manager, at
FR Citation81 FR 15556 
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