81 FR 69845 - Notice of Availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Land Use Plan Amendments for Segments 8 and 9 of the Gateway West 500-kV Transmission Line Project, Idaho
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 195 (October 7, 2016)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 195 (October 7, 2016)
| Page Range | 69845-69848 | |
| FR Document | 2016-24354 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 195 (Friday, October 7, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 69845-69848] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-24354] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [16XL LLWY920000.L51010000.ER0000.LVRWK09K0990.241A00; 4500099288; IDI- 35849-01] Notice of Availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Land Use Plan Amendments for Segments 8 and 9 of the Gateway West 500-kV Transmission Line Project, Idaho AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Management Framework Plan (MFP) Amendments for the right-of-way (ROW) application for Segments 8 and 9 of the Gateway West 500-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project in Idaho. By this notice the BLM is announcing its availability and the opening of a protest period concerning the proposed RMP/MFP amendments. DATES: A person who meets the conditions for protesting an RMP/MFP amendment outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5-2 and wishes to file a protest must do so within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. [[Page 69846]] ADDRESSES: Interested persons may review the Final Supplemental EIS and Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments online at http://on.doi.gov/1sExPBP. Copies of the Final Supplemental EIS and Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments and other documents pertinent to this project may also be examined at several BLM offices and public libraries, as described in the Supplementary Information section of this notice. All protests must be in writing and mailed to one of the following addresses: U.S. Postal Service Mail: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, P.O. Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383. Overnight Delivery: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Feeney, Public Affairs Specialist, telephone 208-373-4060; email hfeeney@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Mrs. Feeney. The Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Mrs. Feeney. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PacifiCorp, dba Rocky Mountain Power, and Idaho Power (Applicants) have submitted a ROW application to construct, operate, and maintain two 500-kV electric transmission lines on Federal lands as part of the Gateway West project. The initial application proposed to construct electric transmission lines from the Windstar Substation near Glenrock, Wyoming, to the Hemingway Substation near Melba, Idaho, approximately 20 miles southwest of Boise, Idaho. The original project comprised 10 transmission line segments with a total length of approximately 1,000 miles and was analyzed in a Final EIS published in April 2013. The BLM issued a Record of Decision (ROD) in November 2013 that authorized routes on Federal lands for Segments 1 through 7 and Segment 10 but deferred a decision for Segments 8 and 9. In August 2014, the BLM received from the Applicants a revised ROW application for Segments 8 and 9 and a revised Plan of Development (POD) for the project. The BLM determined that new information in the revised ROW application and POD, including revised proposed routes for Segments 8 and 9 of the transmission lines and several modified design features, required additional analysis of potential environmental effects to supplement the analysis presented in the 2013 Final EIS. A Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental EIS was published in the Federal Register on September 19, 2014 (79 FR 56399), initiating a 45-day scoping period that included four open house-style public meetings in communities in the project area. The Notice of Availability for the Draft Supplemental EIS was published on March 11, 2016, and the BLM accepted public comments on the range of alternatives, effects analysis and draft RMP/MFP amendments for 90 days, ending on June 9, 2016. During the public comment period, five open house-style public meetings were held in Hagerman, Boise, Kuna, Twin Falls and Murphy, Idaho. An online open house that displayed information presented at the in-person public meetings provided an additional means for the public to submit comments and questions during the public comment period. Both the Draft and Final Supplemental EISs incorporate information contained in two reports developed in 2014 by the BLM Boise District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) subcommittee on Gateway West. One report identified and evaluated route options in the Boise District portions of Segments 8 and 9, and the second report examined potential mitigation and resource enhancement for impacts in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (SRBOP). The BLM must determine whether to grant, grant with modifications, or deny the ROW application to use public lands for Segments 8 and 9 of the Gateway West project. In accordance with 43 CFR 1610.0-5(b), the BLM must consider existing RMPs and MFPs in the decision on whether or not to issue a ROW grant. Portions of the proposed transmission line are not in conformance with several BLM land management plans, and therefore, amendments to these plans are analyzed as part of the Supplemental EIS. The BLM will decide whether to approve land use plan amendments for non-conforming elements. In addition, the BLM must ensure that the authorized project would be compatible with the purposes for which Congress designated the SRBOP in Public Law 103-64 and with current policy for managing units of the BLM's National Conservation Lands. The BLM is the lead Federal agency for the NEPA analysis and preparation of the Supplemental EIS. The State of Idaho, Twin Falls County, and Federal agencies with specialized expertise and/or jurisdictional responsibilities in the area of Segments 8 and 9 are participating as cooperating agencies. These include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); National Park Service; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Idaho State Historic Preservation Office; Idaho Department of Fish and Game; the Idaho Governor's Office of Energy Resources; the City of Kuna, Idaho; and Twin Falls County, Idaho. Comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS/Draft RMP Amendments received from the public and during internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Final Supplemental EIS/ Proposed RMP/MFP amendments. Comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS/ Draft RMP/MFP Amendments resulted in the addition of clarifying text but did not significantly change proposed land use plan decisions. The BLM is also engaging in government-to-government consultations on the Supplemental EIS with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley, under Federal laws and policies including but not limited to the National Historic Preservation Act, NEPA, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and Executive Orders 12875, 12898, 13007, 13084, and 13175. Relevant issues and concerns that influenced the scope of the environmental analysis in the Draft Supplemental EIS but which were not addressed in the original EIS were identified during scoping. Alternatives presented in the Final Supplemental EIS are analyzed based on all the issues included in the 2013 Final EIS (refer to Section 1.10 of the Final EIS), as well as in response to new issues, direction in agency handbooks, and requirements of Federal and State laws and regulations. The following issue categories were identified from public and internal scoping conducted for the Supplemental EIS:National Historic Trails Visual resources Cultural resources Socioeconomics Environmental justice Vegetation Special status plants Invasive plant species Wetlands/Riparian areas Wildlife and fish (General) Special status wildlife and fish Minerals [[Page 69847]] Paleontological resources Geologic hazards Soils Water resources Land use and recreation Agriculture Transportation Air quality Electrical environment Public safety Noise SRBOP resources and values The Final Supplemental EIS analyzes in detail seven pairings of route alternatives for Segments 8 and 9 as Action Alternatives. Analysis of the No Action Alternative, under which the ROW application would be denied and Segments 8 and 9 would not be constructed on public lands, is included in the 2013 Final EIS for the original Gateway West project and is incorporated by reference in the Final Supplemental EIS. Alternative 1 is the pair of revised proposed routes for Segments 8 and 9, as presented by the Applicants. Alternative 2 pairs the revised proposed route for Segment 8 and the Final EIS proposed route for Segment 9. Alternative 3 is the revised proposed route for Segment 8 and a route designated 9K, which was developed as a result of scoping for the Draft Supplemental EIS. Alternative 4 pairs the Final EIS proposed route for Segment 9 and a route designated as 8G, which was developed as a result of scoping for the Draft Supplemental EIS. Alternative 5 pairs routes 8G and 9K. Alternative 6 consists of the Final EIS proposed route for Segment 9 and a Draft Supplemental EIS route 8H. Alternative 7 is routes 8H and 9K. The ROW width requested for all segments is 250 feet, except for Alternative 5, where a 500- foot ROW is required to accommodate two lines at the minimum separation distance. Portions of all route alternatives would cross the SRBOP. Both segments terminate at the Hemingway substation under all action alternatives. Segments are separated at distances of 250 feet to more than 30 miles, varying within routes and/or across alternatives. Analysis of several other routes for Segments 8 and 9 in the 2013 Final EIS are incorporated by reference into the Draft and Final Supplemental EISs. The Final Supplement EIS identifies Alternative 5 as the preferred Alternative. Mitigation The Final Supplemental EIS incorporates by reference the analysis related to Segments 8 and 9 in the Gateway West 2013 Final EIS, including relevant Proposed Environmental Protection Measures identified in Table 2.7-1 of that document. The Final Supplemental EIS supplements the analysis in that Final EIS by assessing new information that has become available since the Final EIS and ROD were published, including the identification of new routes and route variations for Segments 8 and 9. All of those new routes and route variations would have some impact on the SRBOP, a National Conservation Area, whose enabling statute directs that the area be managed ``to provide for the conservation, protection and enhancement of raptor populations and habitats and the natural and environmental resources and values associated therewith, and of the scientific, cultural, and educational resources and values of the public lands in the conservation area.'' Public Law 103-64, at section 3(2). The Final Supplemental EIS includes new information and analyses regarding mitigation and enhancement of resource impacts, especially within the SRBOP. This mitigation is consistent with the Presidential Memorandum on Mitigation (November 3, 2015) which requires that agencies ``[e]stablish a net benefit goal or, at a minimum, a no net loss goal for natural resources the agency manages that are important, scarce, or sensitive . . .''. The Memorandum further provides that: ``[w]hen a resource's value is determined to be irreplaceable, the preferred means of achieving either of these goals is through avoidance, consistent with applicable legal authorities.'' Memorandum at section 3(a). Department of the Interior policy calls for applying a mitigation hierarchy--a sequence of approaches--to develop appropriate actions to address project impacts: Avoid, mitigate, compensate. Department Manual at 600 DM 6. As part of their revised POD, the Applicants proposed a mitigation and enhancement portfolio (MEP) with design features specific to the SRBOP, aimed at mitigating the effects of project-related impacts within the SRBOP, as well as complying with the resource enhancement goal in the SRBOP's enabling statute. The Draft Supplemental EIS found that the MEP did not provide sufficient details or specifics for development of mitigation actions to allow the BLM to determine how the MEP goals for SRBOP would be achieved. Appendix K in the Final Supplemental EIS presents a Framework the BLM has developed for assessing compensatory mitigation for SRBOP consistent with FLPMA, the Department policy, and the Presidential Memorandum as they relate to impacts on National Historic Trails, cultural resources, wildlife habitat, and recreation and visitor services in the SRBOP. The Framework supersedes the MEP and is scalable. It discusses compensatory mitigation measures that would be required under each alternative to address impacts to the resources warranting mitigation, including each SRBOP resource category. The Framework describes three categories of mitigation actions that would address residual impacts to SRBOP resources: Preservation and Protection, Restoration, and Establishment (including Science and Education). If the BLM grants a ROW within the SRBOP, the BLM will require the Applicant to meet the mitigation requirements before the BLM issues a Notice to Proceed. Impacts to Greater sage-grouse (GRSG) and migratory birds, wetlands, and cultural resources and National Historic Trails outside the SRBOP are addressed in the 2013 Final EIS for the entire 10-segment project, and the 2013 ROD contains compensatory mitigation frameworks for each of these resources. The Final Supplemental EIS finds that the 2013 GRSG Habitat Mitigation Plan does not address all potential indirect effects, and as a result, the BLM will require the applicants to develop a proposal and final plan that fully compensates for all potential indirect and direct impacts to GRSG, using methods outlined in the August 2016 white paper authored by the BLM and USFWS. The Final Supplemental EIS sets the standard for compensatory mitigation to address impacts to GRSG as a net conservation gain for the species. The standard for compensatory mitigation that addresses impacts in the SRBOP is enhancement of resources, consistent with the enabling statute for the SRBOP (Pub. L. 103-64). In the ROD, the Authorized Officer, taking into consideration the totality of the analysis and available information, will determine whether the requirements in the Framework will meet the statute's enhancement standard. For impacts to important, scarce or sensitive resources on BLM-managed lands outside the SRBOP and which are not identified as GRSG habitat, compensatory mitigation will be required to achieve a minimum of no net loss or where required or appropriate, a net benefit to impacted resources. Compensatory mitigation for all important scarce or sensitive resources will be designed to ensure durability, effectiveness, timeliness, commensurability, additionality and [[Page 69848]] governance. Department Manual at 600 DM 6. Agency Preferred Alternative In accordance with the Department's NEPA regulations (43 CFR 46.425), the BLM identifies Alternative 5 as the Preferred Alternative. This alignment minimizes crossing of the SRBOP to a total of 17.6 miles, 8.8 miles per segment in parallel, separated by 250 feet. The alternative avoids all GRSG Priority Habitat Management Areas, the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, the historic Toana Freight Road, and Balanced Rock natural landmark in Twin Falls County. The distance separating the segments (250 feet) meets WECC planning criteria, while minimizing the project footprint by reducing the need to construct new access roads to build and service the lines. The alignments in this alternative also avoid primary agricultural lands in Owyhee County and in general, impacts the least amount of private lands of any alternative analyzed in detail in the Supplemental EIS. Residential areas of Kuna and Melba are also avoided. Alternative 5 would require five plan amendments to three current BLM land use plans so that the project would conform to the respective plans. The following land use plans would be amended in a decision selecting Alternative 5: Twin Falls MFP Snake River Birds of Prey RMP Bruneau MFP In order to authorize the Segment 8 alignment in this alternative, two land use plans would need to be amended. The SRBOP RMP would require an amendment to allow an additional ROW and designate an additional corridor for two 500-kV lines, as well as an amendment to allow the project within 0.5 mile of sensitive plant habitat. The Bruneau MFP would need to be amended to change the classification for a VRM Class II parcel near Castle Creek to VRM Class III. These same amendments to the SRBOP RMP and Bruneau MFP would be needed for Segment 9 in this alternative, as the routes would parallel each other in these planning areas. Authorizing the Segment 9 alignment in this alternative would also require two additional amendments. The Twin Falls MFP would need amendments to allow the ROW outside of existing corridors, and to reclassify VRM Class I and II areas adjacent to the Roseworth corridor to VRM class III, while allowing a 500-kV line to cross the Salmon Falls Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Environmentally Preferable Alternative For Gateway West, the environmentally preferable alternative is the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, Gateway West Segments 8 and 9 would not be constructed, no RMPs or MFPs would need to be amended, and the objectives of the project as described in Section 1.4 of the Supplemental EIS would not be met. Protesting Proposed Land Use Plan Amendments Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.5-2, a person may protest the Proposed RMP/ MFP amendments. Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM regarding the Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments may be found online at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/planning/planning_overview/protest_resolution/filinginstructions.html and in the ``Dear Reader'' Letter of the Gateway West Final Supplemental EIS and Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments. All protests must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES section above. Emailed protests will not be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter by either regular mail or overnight delivery postmarked by the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider the email as an advance copy, and it will receive full consideration. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please direct emails to protest@blm.gov. Copies of the Final Supplemental EIS and Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments have been sent to cooperating agencies; other affected Federal, State, and local government agencies; the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley; the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall; and other stakeholders. Copies of the Final Supplemental EIS and Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments and other documents pertinent to this project may also be examined at: Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, Public Room, 1387 South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709, Telephone: 208-373-3863 Bureau of Land Management, Boise District Office, 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705, Telephone: 208-384-3300 Bureau of Land Management, Twin Falls District Office, 2878 Addison Avenue East, Twin Falls, ID 83301, Telephone: 208-735-2060 Bureau of Land Management, Owyhee Field Office, 20 First Avenue West, Marsing, ID 83639, Telephone: 208-896-5912 The following public libraries: Ada Community Library, Victory Branch (Boise) Boise Public Library Boise State University, Albertsons Library Bruneau Valley District Library (Bruneau) College of Idaho, N.L. Terteling Library (Caldwell) College of Southern Idaho Library (Twin Falls) College of Western Idaho Library (Nampa) Gooding Public Library Kuna Library Meridian Library, (Cherry Lane) Mountain Home Public Library Nampa Public Library Northwest Nazarene University, John E. Riley Library (Nampa) State Law Library (Boise) Twin Falls Public Library. Before including your phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your protest, you should be aware that your entire protest--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your protest to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2; 43 CFR 1610.5. Timothy M. Murphy, BLM Idaho State Director. [FR Doc. 2016-24354 Filed 10-6-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P
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(D.N.M. filed Feb. 4, 1969). The under the Settlement Agreement and the The plat, in 2 sheets, and field notes
Settlement Parties include the Pueblo; Settlement Act and that substantially of the dependent resurvey and survey in
Taos Valley Acequia Association conforms to the Settlement Agreement Township 49 North, Range 8 West, New
(representing 55 historic community and Attachment 5 of the Settlement Mexico Principal Meridian, Colorado,
ditches); Town of Taos; EI Prado Water Agreement has been approved by the were accepted on September 20, 2016.
and Sanitation District; 12 Mutual Court and has become final and non- The supplemental plat of section 7 in
Domestic Water Consumers appealable. Township 7 South, Range 73 West,
Associations; the State of New Mexico Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado, was
Sally Jewell, accepted on September 27, 2016.
(State); and the United States
Secretary of the Interior. The plat and field notes of the
(Settlement Parties). The non-federal
Settlement Parties submitted a signed [FR Doc. 2016–24416 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am] dependent resurvey and survey in
Settlement Agreement to Congress prior BILLING CODE 4334–63–P Township 36 North, Range 7 West, New
to enactment of the Settlement Act. As Mexico Principal Meridian, Colorado,
described in section 502 of the were accepted on September 28, 2016.
Settlement Act, the purposes of the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The plat and field notes of the
Settlement Act are: dependent resurvey and survey in
Bureau of Land Management Township 37 North, Range 7 West, New
(1) To approve, ratify, and confirm the
Settlement Agreement; [LLCO956000 L14400000.BJ0000 17X] Mexico Principal Meridian, Colorado,
(2) to authorize and direct the were accepted on September 28, 2016.
Secretary to execute the Settlement Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey;
Randy A. Bloom,
Agreement and to perform all Colorado
Chief Cadastral Surveyor for Colorado.
obligations of the Secretary under the AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, [FR Doc. 2016–24326 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am]
Settlement Agreement and the Interior. BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P
Settlement Act; and ACTION: Notice of Filing of Plats of
(3) to authorize all actions and
Survey; Colorado.
appropriations necessary for the United DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
States to meet its obligations under the SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Settlement Agreement and the Management (BLM) Colorado State Bureau of Land Management
Settlement Act. Office is publishing this notice to
[16XL LLWY920000.L51010000.ER0000.
Statement of Findings inform the public of the intent to LVRWK09K0990.241A00; 4500099288; IDI–
officially file the survey plats listed 35849–01]
In accordance with section 509(f) of below and afford a proper period of time
the Settlement Act, I find as follows: to protest this action prior to the plat Notice of Availability of the Final
(1) The President has signed into law filing. During this time, the plats will be Supplemental Environmental Impact
the Settlement Act; available for review in the BLM Statement and Proposed Land Use
(2) to the extent that the Settlement Colorado State Office. Plan Amendments for Segments 8 and
Agreement conflicted with the 9 of the Gateway West 500-kV
DATES: Unless there are protests of this
Settlement Act, the Settlement Transmission Line Project, Idaho
action, the filing of the plats described
Agreement has been revised to conform
in this notice will happen on November AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
with the Settlement Act;
(3) the Settlement Agreement, so 7, 2016. Interior.
revised, including waivers and releases ADDRESSES: BLM Colorado State Office,
ACTION: Notice of availability.
pursuant to section 510 of the Cadastral Survey, 2850 Youngfield
Settlement Act, has been executed by Street, Lakewood, CO 80215–7093. SUMMARY: In accordance with the
the Settlement Parties and the Secretary FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Environmental Policy Act of
prior to the Settlement Parties’ motion Randy Bloom, Chief Cadastral Surveyor 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
for entry of the Partial Final Decree; for Colorado, (303) 239–3856. Federal Land Policy and Management
(4) Congress has fully appropriated all Persons who use a Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the
funds made available under paragraphs telecommunications device for the deaf Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
(1) and (2) of section 509(c) of the (TDD) may call the Federal Information prepared a Final Supplemental
Settlement Act; Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
(5) the State Legislature has fully to contact the above individual during and Proposed Resource Management
appropriated the funds for the State normal business hours. The FIRS is Plan (RMP)/Management Framework
contributions as specified in the available 24 hours a day, seven days a Plan (MFP) Amendments for the right-
Settlement Agreement, and those funds week, to leave a message or question of-way (ROW) application for Segments
have been deposited in appropriate with the above individual. You will 8 and 9 of the Gateway West 500-
accounts; receive a reply during normal business kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project
(6) the State has enacted legislation hours. in Idaho. By this notice the BLM is
that amends New Mexico Statutes SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The plat announcing its availability and the
Annotated (NMSA) 1978, section 72–6– and field notes of the dependent opening of a protest period concerning
3 to state that a water use due under a resurvey and survey in Township 16 the proposed RMP/MFP amendments.
water right secured to the Pueblo under South, Range 72 West, Sixth Principal DATES: A person who meets the
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
the Settlement Agreement or the Partial Meridian, Colorado, were accepted on conditions for protesting an RMP/MFP
Final Decree may be leased for a term, August 26, 2016. amendment outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5–
including all renewals, not to exceed 99 The plat and field notes of the 2 and wishes to file a protest must do
years; and dependent resurvey and survey in so within 30 days of the date that the
(7) a Partial Final Decree that sets Township 49 North, Range 9 West, New Environmental Protection Agency
forth the water rights and contract rights Mexico Principal Meridian, Colorado, publishes its Notice of Availability in
to water to which the Pueblo is entitled were accepted on September 8, 2016. the Federal Register.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Oct 06, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_70040/page/1.svg)
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• Paleontological resources Protection Measures identified in Table policy, and the Presidential
• Geologic hazards 2.7–1 of that document. The Final Memorandum as they relate to impacts
• Soils Supplemental EIS supplements the on National Historic Trails, cultural
• Water resources analysis in that Final EIS by assessing resources, wildlife habitat, and
• Land use and recreation new information that has become recreation and visitor services in the
• Agriculture available since the Final EIS and ROD SRBOP. The Framework supersedes the
• Transportation were published, including the MEP and is scalable. It discusses
• Air quality identification of new routes and route compensatory mitigation measures that
• Electrical environment variations for Segments 8 and 9. All of would be required under each
• Public safety those new routes and route variations alternative to address impacts to the
• Noise
• SRBOP resources and values would have some impact on the SRBOP, resources warranting mitigation,
a National Conservation Area, whose including each SRBOP resource
The Final Supplemental EIS analyzes enabling statute directs that the area be category. The Framework describes
in detail seven pairings of route managed ‘‘to provide for the three categories of mitigation actions
alternatives for Segments 8 and 9 as conservation, protection and that would address residual impacts to
Action Alternatives. Analysis of the No enhancement of raptor populations and SRBOP resources: Preservation and
Action Alternative, under which the habitats and the natural and Protection, Restoration, and
ROW application would be denied and environmental resources and values Establishment (including Science and
Segments 8 and 9 would not be associated therewith, and of the Education). If the BLM grants a ROW
constructed on public lands, is included scientific, cultural, and educational within the SRBOP, the BLM will require
in the 2013 Final EIS for the original resources and values of the public lands the Applicant to meet the mitigation
Gateway West project and is in the conservation area.’’ Public Law requirements before the BLM issues a
incorporated by reference in the Final 103–64, at section 3(2). Notice to Proceed.
Supplemental EIS. The Final Supplemental EIS includes Impacts to Greater sage-grouse (GRSG)
Alternative 1 is the pair of revised new information and analyses regarding and migratory birds, wetlands, and
proposed routes for Segments 8 and 9, mitigation and enhancement of resource cultural resources and National Historic
as presented by the Applicants. impacts, especially within the SRBOP. Trails outside the SRBOP are addressed
Alternative 2 pairs the revised proposed This mitigation is consistent with the in the 2013 Final EIS for the entire 10-
route for Segment 8 and the Final EIS Presidential Memorandum on segment project, and the 2013 ROD
proposed route for Segment 9. Mitigation (November 3, 2015) which contains compensatory mitigation
Alternative 3 is the revised proposed requires that agencies ‘‘[e]stablish a net frameworks for each of these resources.
route for Segment 8 and a route benefit goal or, at a minimum, a no net The Final Supplemental EIS finds that
designated 9K, which was developed as loss goal for natural resources the the 2013 GRSG Habitat Mitigation Plan
a result of scoping for the Draft agency manages that are important, does not address all potential indirect
Supplemental EIS. Alternative 4 pairs scarce, or sensitive . . .’’. The effects, and as a result, the BLM will
the Final EIS proposed route for Memorandum further provides that: require the applicants to develop a
Segment 9 and a route designated as 8G, ‘‘[w]hen a resource’s value is proposal and final plan that fully
which was developed as a result of determined to be irreplaceable, the compensates for all potential indirect
scoping for the Draft Supplemental EIS. preferred means of achieving either of and direct impacts to GRSG, using
Alternative 5 pairs routes 8G and 9K. these goals is through avoidance, methods outlined in the August 2016
Alternative 6 consists of the Final EIS consistent with applicable legal white paper authored by the BLM and
proposed route for Segment 9 and a authorities.’’ Memorandum at section USFWS.
Draft Supplemental EIS route 8H. 3(a). Department of the Interior policy The Final Supplemental EIS sets the
Alternative 7 is routes 8H and 9K. The calls for applying a mitigation standard for compensatory mitigation to
ROW width requested for all segments hierarchy—a sequence of approaches— address impacts to GRSG as a net
is 250 feet, except for Alternative 5, to develop appropriate actions to conservation gain for the species. The
where a 500-foot ROW is required to address project impacts: Avoid, standard for compensatory mitigation
accommodate two lines at the minimum mitigate, compensate. Department that addresses impacts in the SRBOP is
separation distance. Portions of all route Manual at 600 DM 6. enhancement of resources, consistent
alternatives would cross the SRBOP. As part of their revised POD, the with the enabling statute for the SRBOP
Both segments terminate at the Applicants proposed a mitigation and (Pub. L. 103–64). In the ROD, the
Hemingway substation under all action enhancement portfolio (MEP) with Authorized Officer, taking into
alternatives. Segments are separated at design features specific to the SRBOP, consideration the totality of the analysis
distances of 250 feet to more than 30 aimed at mitigating the effects of and available information, will
miles, varying within routes and/or project-related impacts within the determine whether the requirements in
across alternatives. Analysis of several SRBOP, as well as complying with the the Framework will meet the statute’s
other routes for Segments 8 and 9 in the resource enhancement goal in the enhancement standard. For impacts to
2013 Final EIS are incorporated by SRBOP’s enabling statute. The Draft important, scarce or sensitive resources
reference into the Draft and Final Supplemental EIS found that the MEP on BLM-managed lands outside the
Supplemental EISs. The Final did not provide sufficient details or SRBOP and which are not identified as
Supplement EIS identifies Alternative 5 specifics for development of mitigation GRSG habitat, compensatory mitigation
actions to allow the BLM to determine will be required to achieve a minimum
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
as the preferred Alternative.
how the MEP goals for SRBOP would be of no net loss or where required or
Mitigation achieved. appropriate, a net benefit to impacted
The Final Supplemental EIS Appendix K in the Final resources. Compensatory mitigation for
incorporates by reference the analysis Supplemental EIS presents a Framework all important scarce or sensitive
related to Segments 8 and 9 in the the BLM has developed for assessing resources will be designed to ensure
Gateway West 2013 Final EIS, including compensatory mitigation for SRBOP durability, effectiveness, timeliness,
relevant Proposed Environmental consistent with FLPMA, the Department commensurability, additionality and
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![69848 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Notices
governance. Department Manual at 600 Environmentally Preferable Alternative Marsing, ID 83639, Telephone: 208–
DM 6. 896–5912
For Gateway West, the
• The following public libraries:
Agency Preferred Alternative environmentally preferable alternative Ada Community Library, Victory
is the No Action Alternative. Under the Branch (Boise)
In accordance with the Department’s No Action Alternative, Gateway West
NEPA regulations (43 CFR 46.425), the Boise Public Library
Segments 8 and 9 would not be Boise State University, Albertsons
BLM identifies Alternative 5 as the constructed, no RMPs or MFPs would
Preferred Alternative. This alignment Library
need to be amended, and the objectives Bruneau Valley District Library
minimizes crossing of the SRBOP to a of the project as described in Section 1.4
total of 17.6 miles, 8.8 miles per (Bruneau)
of the Supplemental EIS would not be College of Idaho, N.L. Terteling
segment in parallel, separated by 250 met.
feet. The alternative avoids all GRSG Library (Caldwell)
Priority Habitat Management Areas, the Protesting Proposed Land Use Plan College of Southern Idaho Library
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Amendments (Twin Falls)
Monument, the historic Toana Freight College of Western Idaho Library
Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.5–2, a (Nampa)
Road, and Balanced Rock natural person may protest the Proposed RMP/
landmark in Twin Falls County. The Gooding Public Library
MFP amendments. Instructions for filing Kuna Library
distance separating the segments (250 a protest with the Director of the BLM
feet) meets WECC planning criteria, Meridian Library, (Cherry Lane)
regarding the Proposed RMP/MFP Mountain Home Public Library
while minimizing the project footprint Amendments may be found online at Nampa Public Library
by reducing the need to construct new http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/ Northwest Nazarene University, John
access roads to build and service the planning/planning_overview/protest_ E. Riley Library (Nampa)
lines. The alignments in this alternative resolution/filinginstructions.html and in State Law Library (Boise)
also avoid primary agricultural lands in the ‘‘Dear Reader’’ Letter of the Gateway Twin Falls Public Library.
Owyhee County and in general, impacts West Final Supplemental EIS and
the least amount of private lands of any Before including your phone number,
Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments. All email address, or other personal
alternative analyzed in detail in the protests must be in writing and mailed
Supplemental EIS. Residential areas of identifying information in your protest,
to the appropriate address, as set forth you should be aware that your entire
Kuna and Melba are also avoided. in the ADDRESSES section above. protest—including your personal
Alternative 5 would require five plan Emailed protests will not be accepted as identifying information—may be made
amendments to three current BLM land valid protests unless the protesting publicly available at any time. While
use plans so that the project would party also provides the original letter by you can ask us in your protest to
conform to the respective plans. The either regular mail or overnight delivery withhold your personal identifying
following land use plans would be postmarked by the close of the protest information from public review, we
amended in a decision selecting period. Under these conditions, the cannot guarantee that we will be able to
Alternative 5: BLM will consider the email as an do so.
Twin Falls MFP advance copy, and it will receive full
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10,
Snake River Birds of Prey RMP consideration. If you wish to provide 43 CFR 1610.2; 43 CFR 1610.5.
Bruneau MFP the BLM with such advance
notification, please direct emails to Timothy M. Murphy,
In order to authorize the Segment 8 protest@blm.gov. BLM Idaho State Director.
alignment in this alternative, two land Copies of the Final Supplemental EIS [FR Doc. 2016–24354 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am]
use plans would need to be amended. and Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P
The SRBOP RMP would require an have been sent to cooperating agencies;
amendment to allow an additional ROW other affected Federal, State, and local
and designate an additional corridor for government agencies; the Shoshone- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
two 500-kV lines, as well as an Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley; the
amendment to allow the project within Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall; National Park Service
0.5 mile of sensitive plant habitat. The and other stakeholders. [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–21933;
Bruneau MFP would need to be
Copies of the Final Supplemental EIS PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000]
amended to change the classification for
and Proposed RMP/MFP Amendments
a VRM Class II parcel near Castle Creek National Register of Historic Places;
and other documents pertinent to this
to VRM Class III. These same Notification of Pending Nominations
project may also be examined at:
amendments to the SRBOP RMP and and Related Actions
Bruneau MFP would be needed for • Bureau of Land Management, Idaho
Segment 9 in this alternative, as the State Office, Public Room, 1387 AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
routes would parallel each other in South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID ACTION: Notice.
these planning areas. Authorizing the 83709, Telephone: 208–373–3863
Segment 9 alignment in this alternative • Bureau of Land Management, Boise SUMMARY: The National Park Service is
would also require two additional District Office, 3948 Development soliciting comments on the significance
amendments. The Twin Falls MFP Avenue, Boise, ID 83705, of properties nominated before
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
would need amendments to allow the Telephone: 208–384–3300 September 10, 2016, for listing or
ROW outside of existing corridors, and • Bureau of Land Management, Twin related actions in the National Register
to reclassify VRM Class I and II areas Falls District Office, 2878 Addison of Historic Places.
adjacent to the Roseworth corridor to Avenue East, Twin Falls, ID 83301, DATES: Comments should be submitted
VRM class III, while allowing a 500-kV Telephone: 208–735–2060 by October 24, 2016.
line to cross the Salmon Falls Creek • Bureau of Land Management, Owyhee ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via
Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Field Office, 20 First Avenue West, U.S. Postal Service to the National
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Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:31:41
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:31:41
| 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 | A person who meets the conditions for protesting an RMP/MFP amendment outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5-2 and wishes to file a protest must do so within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. | |
| Contact | Heather Feeney, Public Affairs Specialist, telephone 208-373-4060; email [email protected] Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Mrs. Feeney. The Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Mrs. Feeney. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 69845 |
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