81 FR 69546 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Verde Transmission Project in New Mexico

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 194 (October 6, 2016)

Page Range		69546-69547
FR Document		2016-24224

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) land use planning regulations, the BLM announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating the proposed 33-mile, 345-kilovolt (kV) Verde Transmission Project and potential amendment to the Taos Resource Management Plan (RMP) pursuant to the BLM's land use planning regulations. The BLM is the lead agency in the development of the EIS and will work in cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE), and the National Park Service (NPS). 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 a potential plan amendment.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69546-69547]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24224]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNM930000.L51010000.ER0000.LVRWG16G1190.16X; NMNM114507]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Verde Transmission Project 
in New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended, and the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) land use 
planning regulations, the BLM announces its intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating the proposed 33-mile, 
345-kilovolt (kV) Verde Transmission Project and potential amendment to 
the Taos Resource Management Plan (RMP) pursuant to the BLM's land use 
planning regulations. The BLM is the lead agency in the development of 
the EIS and will work in cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
(BIA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE), and the National Park 
Service (NPS). 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 a potential plan amendment.

DATES: Comments may be submitted in writing until December 5, 2016. The 
dates and locations 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/nm/verde. In order to be included in 
the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 
60-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, 
whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public participation 
will be provided as appropriate.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or resource information by any of 
the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nm/verde
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: (505) 954-2136.
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office, 
Verde Transmission Project, P.O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115.
    Documents pertinent to the right-of-way (ROW) application for the 
proposed transmission line project may be examined at: Bureau of Land 
Management, New Mexico State Office, Public Room, 301 Dinosaur Trail, 
Santa Fe, NM 87508, and the BLM's Taos Field Office, 226 Cruz Alta 
Road, Taos, NM 87571-5983.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to the project mailing list, contact Adrian Garcia, BLM 
Project Manager, Verde Transmission Project, at the BLM New Mexico 
State Office, P.O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115, or by email at 
[email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to 
contact the above individual during normal business hours. The Service 
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: Verde Transmission, LLC (Applicant) has 
submitted an application to the BLM for a right-of-way (ROW) to 
construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission a 345-kV 
overhead transmission line that would connect the existing Public 
Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) Ojo Substation in southern Rio 
Arriba County to the existing Norton Substation in Santa Fe County, New 
Mexico. The proposed line would cross approximately 10 miles of BLM 
land, 15 miles of tribal land, and 8 miles of private land. The 
permanent ROW requested for the project would be 150 feet wide if 
approved. Since the proposed transmission project would not be 
consistent with the existing visual resource management classifications 
of the area, as part of its review of the ROW application the BLM is 
also evaluating potential amendments to the visual resource 
classifications in the Taos Resource Management Plan.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary 
issues for analysis in the forthcoming EIS and the potential plan 
amendment have been identified by BLM personnel. The issues specific to 
the proposed transmission project include potential impacts to 
cultural, visual, and wildlife resources; the Old Spanish Trail 
National Historic Trail and the El Camino Real National Historical 
Trail; livestock grazing; opportunities for recreation; and 
socioeconomic impacts. Issues specific to the potential RMP amendment 
include a possible change to the visual resource management 
classification of the project area, as prescribed by the Taos RMP, 
which was originally designed to limit visual intrusions that create a 
contrast with the existing visual quality of the area.
    If the ROW application or plan amendment is approved, the BLM would 
identify, analyze, and require mitigation, as appropriate, to address 
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources. Mitigation may include 
avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction, or elimination over 
time, and compensatory mitigation. These potential measures may be 
considered at multiple scales, including the landscape-scale. You may 
submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing to the BLM 
at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the BLM using 
one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. To be most 
helpful, you must submit comments by the close of the 60-day scoping 
period or within 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is 
later.

[[Page 69547]]

    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to 
help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic 
Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). 
The information about historic and cultural resources within the area 
potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
    The BLM will also 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. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed action, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, 
if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in 
the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
    As part of the scoping process, the BLM will evaluate the issues to 
be addressed in the EIS and proposed plan amendment. Those issues will 
be placed into one of three categories:
    1. Issues to be resolved in the EIS and plan amendment;
    2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; 
or
    3. Issues beyond the scope of this EIS and plan amendment.
    The BLM will provide an explanation in the draft EIS/draft RMP 
amendment as to why an issue was placed in category two or three. The 
public is also encouraged to help identify any management questions and 
concerns that should be addressed in the EIS and plan amendment. The 
BLM will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the 
management decisions that are best suited to local, regional, and 
national needs and concerns.
    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. The minutes and list of attendees for each scoping 
meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days after the 
meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he or she 
expressed.
    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the EIS 
and RMP amendment in order to consider the variety of resource issues 
and concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following 
disciplines will be involved in the planning process: Cultural 
resources, outdoor recreation, rangeland management, realty, 
socioeconomics, visual resources, and biology.

    Authority: Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2

Amy Lueders,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-24224 Filed 10-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2016 / Notices 69547

The BLM will utilize and coordinate The BLM will use an interdisciplinary Mail: U.S. Department of the Interior,
the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill approach to develop the EIS and RMP Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C
the public involvement process under amendment in order to consider the Street NW., Room 2134LM, Attention:
the National Historic Preservation Act variety of resource issues and concerns Jean Sonneman, Washington, DC 20240.
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 identified. Specialists with expertise in Fax: to Jean Sonneman at 202–245–
CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about the following disciplines will be 0050.
historic and cultural resources within involved in the planning process: Electronic mail: jesonnem@blm.gov.
the area potentially affected by the Cultural resources, outdoor recreation, Please indicate ‘‘Attn: 1004–0019’’
proposed action will assist the BLM in rangeland management, realty, regardless of the form of your
identifying and evaluating impacts to socioeconomics, visual resources, and comments.
such resources. biology. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The BLM will also consult with Authority: Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and Kimberly Hackett, at 202–912–7216.
Indian tribes on a government-to- 43 CFR 1610.2 Persons who use a telecommunication
government basis in accordance with device for the deaf may call the Federal
Executive Order 13175 and other Amy Lueders,
Information Relay Service at 1–800–
policies. Tribal concerns, including State Director.
877–8339, to leave a message for Ms.
impacts on Indian trust assets and [FR Doc. 2016–24224 Filed 10–5–16; 8:45 am] Hackett. You may also review the
potential impacts to cultural resources, BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P information collection request online at
will be given due consideration. http://www.reginfo.gov/public/.
Federal, State, and local agencies, along SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
with tribes and other stakeholders that DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
may be interested in or affected by the 3501–3521) and OMB regulations at 5
proposed action, are invited to Bureau of Land Management
CFR part 1320 provide that an agency
participate in the scoping process and, may not conduct or sponsor a collection
[LLWO2200000.L10200000.PK0000.
if eligible, may request or be requested 00000000] of information unless it displays a
by the BLM to participate in the currently valid OMB control number.
development of the environmental Renewal of Approved Information Until OMB approves a collection of
analysis as a cooperating agency. Collection; OMB Control No. 1004– information, you are not obligated to
As part of the scoping process, the 0019 respond. In order to obtain and renew
BLM will evaluate the issues to be an OMB control number, Federal
addressed in the EIS and proposed plan AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
agencies are required to seek public
amendment. Those issues will be placed Interior.
comment on information collection and
into one of three categories: ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR
1. Issues to be resolved in the EIS and comments. 1320.8(d) and 1320.12(a)).
plan amendment; As required at 5 CFR 1320.8(d), the
2. Issues to be resolved through policy SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) has submitted an BLM published a 60-day notice in the
or administrative action; or Federal Register on March 30, 2016 (81
3. Issues beyond the scope of this EIS information collection request to the
Office of Management and Budget FR 17728), and the comment period
and plan amendment. ended May 31, 2016. The BLM received
The BLM will provide an explanation (OMB) to continue the collection of
information regarding the construction one comment. The comment was a
in the draft EIS/draft RMP amendment general invective about the Federal
as to why an issue was placed in and maintenance of range improvement
projects. The respondents include government, the Department of the
category two or three. The public is also Interior, and the BLM. It did not
encouraged to help identify any holders of BLM grazing permits or
grazing leases; affected individuals and address, and was not germane to, this
management questions and concerns information collection. Therefore, we
that should be addressed in the EIS and households; and affected tribal, state,
and county agencies. The Office of have not changed the collection in
plan amendment. The BLM will work response to the comment. The BLM now
collaboratively with interested parties to Management and Budget (OMB)
previously approved this information requests comments on the following
identify the management decisions that subjects:
are best suited to local, regional, and collection activity, and assigned it
1. Whether the collection of
national needs and concerns. control number 1004–0019.
information is necessary for the proper
Before including your address, phone DATES: The OMB is required to respond functioning of the BLM, including
number, email address, or other to this information collection request whether the information will have
personal identifying information in your within 60 days but may respond after 30 practical utility;
comment, you should be aware that days. For maximum consideration, 2. The accuracy of the BLM’s estimate
your entire comment—including your written comments should be received of the burden of collecting the
personal identifying information—may on or before November 7, 2016. information, including the validity of
be made publicly available at any time. ADDRESSES: Please submit comments the methodology and assumptions used;
While you can ask us in your comment directly to the Desk Officer for the 3. The quality, utility and clarity of
to withhold your personal identifying Department of the Interior (OMB #1004– the information to be collected; and
information from public review, we 0019), Office of Management and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

4. How to minimize the information
cannot guarantee that we will be able to Budget, Office of Information and collection burden on those who are to
do so. The minutes and list of attendees Regulatory Affairs, fax 202–395–5806, respond, including the use of
for each scoping meeting will be or by electronic mail at OIRA_ appropriate automated, electronic,
available to the public and open for 30 submission@omb.eop.gov. Please mechanical, or other forms of
days after the meeting to any participant provide a copy of your comments to the information technology.
who wishes to clarify the views he or BLM. You may do so via mail, fax, or Please send comments as directed
she expressed. electronic mail. under ADDRESSES and DATES. Please

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Document Created: 2016-10-06 02:37:37
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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.
Dates		Comments may be submitted in writing until December 5, 2016. The dates and locations 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/nm/verde. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 60-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public participation will be provided as appropriate.
Contact		For further information and/or to have your name added to the project mailing list, contact Adrian Garcia, BLM Project Manager, Verde Transmission Project, at the BLM New Mexico State Office, P.O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115, or by email at [email protected] Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The Service 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.
FR Citation		81 FR 69546

81 FR 69546 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Verde Transmission Project in New Mexico

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 194 (October 6, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management