81 FR 72821 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kV Transmission Line Project in Benton, Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties, Washington
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)
| Page Range | 72821-72823 | |
| FR Document | 2016-25404 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 72821-72823] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-25404] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLORW00000.L51010000.ER0000.LVRWH09H0570.16XL5017AP, HAG 16-0131; WAOR65753] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kV Transmission Line Project in Benton, Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties, Washington AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Vantage to Pomona Heights 230 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project (Project) and, by this notice, is announcing its availability. DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposed Project for a minimum of 30 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to Federal, State, tribal and local governments, and public libraries in the Project area. The Final EIS and supporting documents are available electronically on the Project Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/plans/vph230.php. Copies of the Final EIS are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the BLM office locations listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Estes, Vantage to Pomona Heights Final EIS Project Manager, at (541) 416-6728, by email at [email protected], or at the following address: BLM Spokane District Office, 1103 North Fancher Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99212- 1275. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 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: The project proponent, Pacific Power, filed Federal applications for rights-of-way (ROWs) with the BLM, the U.S. Department of the Army Joint Base Lewis-McChord Yakima Training Center (JBLM YTC), and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for construction, operation, and maintenance of a 230 kV transmission line from Pacific Power's Pomona Heights Substation located east of Selah, Washington, in Yakima County, to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Vantage Substation located just east of the Wanapum Dam in Grant County, Washington. The project proponent's interest in the new line is to reduce the risk of service interruptions and ensure continued reliable, efficient, and coordinated service to the Yakima Valley. On January 4, 2013, the BLM released a Draft EIS for public review and comment. The Draft EIS analyzed nine alternative routes. As a result of the comments received at public meetings and submitted in writing during the Draft EIS comment period, the BLM, Pacific Power, and JBLM YTC met and identified a new alternative route, the New Northern Route (NNR) Alternative. This alternative, unlike the others analyzed in the Draft EIS is located largely on JBLM YTC land. As a result of the identification of this new alternative, the BLM determined that a Supplemental Draft EIS was required. On January 2, 2015, the BLM released the Supplemental Draft EIS for public review and comment. Both the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS fully described the alternatives and analyzed their direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts, as well as mitigation measures that could offset those potential impacts. The BLM as the Lead Federal Agency is responsible for analyzing the effects of granting, granting with conditions, or denying Pacific Power's ROW applications submitted to the Federal agencies to construct, operate, and maintain a 230 kV transmission line, associated access roads, and other ancillary facilities. The JBLM YTC, Reclamation, BPA, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, [[Page 72822]] Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima counties are Cooperating Agencies that assisted with the preparation of the Final EIS. Each of these Cooperating Agencies will subsequently make decisions related to the proposed Project within their respective jurisdictions. Pacific Power proposes to use a variety of transmission line structures depending on the terrain. These structures were all analyzed in the Draft EIS, the Supplemental Draft EIS, and the Final EIS. Most of the proposed transmission line would be constructed on H-frame wood pole structures between 65 and 90 feet tall and spaced approximately 650 to 1,000 feet apart depending on terrain. In developed or agricultural areas, single wood or steel monopole structures would be used. The single pole structures would be between 80 and 110 feet tall and spaced approximately 400 to 700 feet apart. The ROW width for the H-frame structures and the single pole structures would be between 125 to 150 feet, and 75 to 100 feet, respectively. Steel lattice structures approximately 200 feet tall would be used to span the 2,800-foot Columbia River crossing. The Final EIS addresses public comments received on both the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS, and considers the No Action Alternative and all nine of the action alternatives analyzed in the EIS documents. The nine action alternatives considered in the Final EIS range from 40.5 miles to 66.8 miles in length. The action alternatives cross private lands, Federal land managed by the BLM, JBLM YTC, and Reclamation, and state land managed by WSDOT and DNR. Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, and Grant counties are crossed by the action alternatives considered in the Final EIS. The information presented in the Draft EIS and the Supplemental Draft EIS has been combined in the Final EIS for clarity, and resource data and analyses have been updated as necessary in order to provide full disclosure of anticipated impacts for all action alternatives. To provide maximum flexibility to the decision makers and incorporate all public review input from Cooperating Agencies and interested parties, all alternatives are available for consideration up to the issuance of decisions by the BLM and Cooperating Agencies. The BLM will document its decision in a Record of Decision (ROD). In the Final EIS, the Agency Preferred Alternative has been changed from Alternative D (presented in the Draft EIS and the Supplemental Draft EIS) to the New Northern Route (NNR) Alternative--Overhead Design Option. The NNR Alternative--Overhead Design Option has also been identified as the Environmentally Preferred Alternative. The change in Agency Preferred Alternative was based on the analysis contained in the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS, including information regarding economic, environmental, technical, and other factors; the preferences of the Cooperating Agencies and Tribal Representatives; and input received from the public via comments. The NNR Alternative would be 40.5 miles in length, located primarily on Federal land, and would parallel Pacific Power's existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line for the majority of its length. The NNR Alternative would cross JBLM YTC on its north side for over 70 percent of its total length, Reclamation land east of the Columbia River, and BLM-managed land in the Yakima River Canyon Management Area. The NNR Alternative would also cross WSDOT and Grant County PUD-managed lands and private lands, and would be located in Yakima, Kittitas, and Grant counties. The EIS documents fully describe the alternatives and identify direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts as well as mitigation measures that could avoid, mitigate, or offset potential impacts. To minimize the amount and significance of the Project's impacts to Greater Sage- grouse, a Framework for Development of a Greater Sage-grouse Compensatory Mitigation Plan (Mitigation Framework) was developed to address the residual impacts (i.e., the unavoidable impacts) to the Greater Sage-grouse, which may result from the proposed construction, maintenance, and operation of the Project. The Mitigation Framework will provide the specific direction for Pacific Power's development of a Greater Sage-grouse Compensatory Mitigation Plan (CMP). With the development and implementation of the CMP, Pacific Power would take the necessary steps to compensate for the Project's residual impacts in order to achieve a net conservation gain for the species and its habitat. The Mitigation Framework is included as appendices in the Final EIS. The BLM has consulted with the Federally recognized Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Colville Confederated Tribes, and with the non-Federally recognized Wanapum Band of Indians. The BLM will continue to consult with Indian tribes on a government-to- government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts to trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, have been given due consideration. The BLM also continues to work with the State and Federal agencies and consulting tribes regarding development of a Programmatic Agreement (PA) that outlines how the Federal agencies will comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for this undertaking. A draft of the PA is included as an appendix to the Final EIS. Federal, state, and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed Project were invited to participate in the scoping process and comment on the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS. Major issues brought forward during the scoping process that were addressed in the Draft EIS and Supplemental Draft EIS and have been carried forward in the Final EIS include:Land use conflicts and effects on agricultural operations and property values; Effects on wildlife habitat, plants, and animals including threatened, endangered, and sensitive species (especially Greater Sage- grouse); Potential effects to JBLM YTC military training operations; Effects to visual resources and existing viewsheds; Effects to cultural resources and traditional cultural properties; Effects to soils and water from surface-disturbing activities; Social and economic effects; Management and control of invasive plant species; and Public health and safety. Comments received on the Draft EIS and the Supplemental Draft EIS were considered, and document revisions were incorporated as appropriate into the Final EIS. The BLM decision on the Project: The BLM will consider information contained in the Final EIS when deciding whether to grant, grant with modifications, or deny Pacific Power's Application for ROW across BLM- managed lands. The BLM's decision will be documented in its ROD. Copies of the Final EIS are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the following BLM offices: Bureau of Land Management, Wenatchee Field Office, 915 Walla Walla Ave., Wenatchee, Washington; and Bureau of Land Management, Spokane District Office, 1103 N. Fancher Rd., Spokane Valley, Washington. [[Page 72823]] Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10 Linda Clark, Spokane District Manager and Authorizing Officer. [FR Doc. 2016-25404 Filed 10-20-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Notices 72821
development of the environmental Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
analysis as a cooperating agency, if 1610.2. 800–877–8339 to contact the above
eligible. Before including your address, Sharon Pinto, individual during normal business
phone number, email address, or other Navajo Regional Director, Bureau of Indian
hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a
personal identifying information in your Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. day, 7 days a week, to leave a message
comment, you should be aware that or question with the above individual.
your entire comment—including your Amy Lueders, You will receive a reply during normal
personal identifying information—may State Director, New Mexico, Bureau of Land business hours.
be made publicly available at any time. Management, U.S. Department of the Interior.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
While you can ask us in your comment [FR Doc. 2016–25527 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am]
project proponent, Pacific Power, filed
to withhold your personal identifying BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P
Federal applications for rights-of-way
information from public review, we (ROWs) with the BLM, the U.S.
cannot guarantee that we will be able to Department of the Army Joint Base
do so. The minutes and list of attendees DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Lewis-McChord Yakima Training Center
for each public scoping meeting will be (JBLM YTC), and the U.S. Bureau of
available to the public and open for 30 Bureau of Land Management
Reclamation (Reclamation) for
days after the meeting to any participant [LLORW00000.L51010000.ER0000. construction, operation, and
who wishes to clarify the views he or LVRWH09H0570.16XL5017AP, HAG 16–
maintenance of a 230 kV transmission
she expressed. 0131; WAOR65753]
line from Pacific Power’s Pomona
The BLM and BIA will evaluate
Notice of Availability of the Final Heights Substation located east of Selah,
identified issues to be addressed and
Environmental Impact Statement for Washington, in Yakima County, to the
will place them into one of three
the Proposed Vantage to Pomona Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)
categories; the draft RMPA/EIS will
Heights 230 kV Transmission Line Vantage Substation located just east of
provide an explanation as to why an
Project in Benton, Grant, Kittitas, and the Wanapum Dam in Grant County,
issue was placed in category two or
Yakima Counties, Washington Washington. The project proponent’s
three, and is therefore beyond the scope
interest in the new line is to reduce the
of this EIS: AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
1. Issues to be resolved by the BIA in risk of service interruptions and ensure
Interior. continued reliable, efficient, and
its subsequent decision-making
ACTION: Notice of availability. coordinated service to the Yakima
processes regarding BIA-managed
mineral leasing and associated activities Valley.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the On January 4, 2013, the BLM released
in the Planning Area; National Environmental Policy Act of
2. Issues to be resolved through policy a Draft EIS for public review and
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land comment. The Draft EIS analyzed nine
or administrative action; or Management (BLM) has prepared a
3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan alternative routes. As a result of the
Final Environmental Impact Statement comments received at public meetings
amendment. (EIS) for the Vantage to Pomona Heights
The public is also encouraged to help and submitted in writing during the
230 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Draft EIS comment period, the BLM,
identify any management questions and Project (Project) and, by this notice, is
concerns that should be addressed in Pacific Power, and JBLM YTC met and
announcing its availability. identified a new alternative route, the
the plan. The BIA and BLM will work
DATES: The BLM will not issue a final New Northern Route (NNR) Alternative.
collaboratively with interested parties to
identify the management decisions that decision on the proposed Project for a This alternative, unlike the others
are best suited to local, regional, and minimum of 30 days following the date analyzed in the Draft EIS is located
National needs and concerns and trust the Environmental Protection Agency largely on JBLM YTC land. As a result
responsibilities. publishes its Notice of Availability in of the identification of this new
The following resource issues were the Federal Register. alternative, the BLM determined that a
identified in a prior scoping period ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS have Supplemental Draft EIS was required.
announced by the February 25, 2014, been sent to Federal, State, tribal and On January 2, 2015, the BLM released
Federal Register Notice of Intent to local governments, and public libraries the Supplemental Draft EIS for public
Prepare a Resource Management Plan in the Project area. The Final EIS and review and comment. Both the Draft EIS
Amendment and an Associated supporting documents are available and Supplemental Draft EIS fully
Environmental Impact Statement for the electronically on the Project Web site at: described the alternatives and analyzed
Farmington Field Office, New Mexico: http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/ their direct, indirect, and cumulative
lands with wilderness characteristics; spokane/plans/vph230.php. Copies of impacts, as well as mitigation measures
areas of critical environmental concern; the Final EIS are available for public that could offset those potential
air, soil, and water resources; vegetative inspection during normal business impacts.
communities; wildlife/habitat hours at the BLM office locations listed The BLM as the Lead Federal Agency
management areas; and land use in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION is responsible for analyzing the effects
authorizations. These resource issues section below. of granting, granting with conditions, or
will not be revisited but embodied in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: denying Pacific Power’s ROW
the current scoping process, except as Robin Estes, Vantage to Pomona Heights applications submitted to the Federal
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
they pertain to BIA-managed mineral Final EIS Project Manager, at (541) 416– agencies to construct, operate, and
leasing and associated activity 6728, by email at blm_or_vantage_ maintain a 230 kV transmission line,
decisions. pomona@blm.gov, or at the following associated access roads, and other
The BIA and BLM will use an address: BLM Spokane District Office, ancillary facilities. The JBLM YTC,
interdisciplinary approach to develop 1103 North Fancher Road, Spokane Reclamation, BPA, Federal Highway
the plan amendment in order to Valley, WA 99212–1275. Persons who Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
consider the variety of resource issues use a telecommunications device for the Service, Washington Department of
and concerns identified. deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Archaeology and Historic Preservation,
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Notices 72823
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10 Pine Hall, 43145 Cty. Rd. 397, Granite, Dated: September 27, 2016.
16000759 J. Paul Loether,
Linda Clark,
Spokane District Manager and Authorizing CONNECTICUT Chief, National Register of Historic Places/
Officer. National Historic Landmarks Program.
Fairfield County
[FR Doc. 2016–25460 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2016–25404 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am]
Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
BILLING CODE 4310–33–P
Hill Rd., Wilton, 16000760
LOUISIANA
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Natchitoches Parish
National Park Service Briarwood, 216 Caroline Dorman Rd., Saline, National Park Service
16000761 [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–22112;
[NPS–WASO–NRNHL–22063:
PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000] MICHIGAN PPWOCRAD00, PUC00RP14.R50000]
Wayne County Notice of the December 7, 2016,
National Register of Historic Places;
Notification of Pending Nominations Starkweather School, 550 N. Holbrook St., Meeting of the Cold War Advisory
and Related Actions Plymouth, 16000762 Committee
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. MISSOURI AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice. Greene County ACTION: Meeting notice.
Heercleff, (Springfield MPS) 6405 S. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given in
SUMMARY: The National Park Service is Campbell Ave., Springfield, 16000763
soliciting comments on the significance accordance with the Federal Advisory
of properties nominated before Jackson County Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 1–
September 24, 2016, for listing or Creamery Package Manufacturing Company 16) for a meeting of the Cold War
related actions in the National Register Building, (Railroad Related Historic Advisory Committee.
of Historic Places. Commercial and Industrial Resources in DATES: The public meeting of the
DATES: Comments should be submitted Kansas City, Missouri MPS), 1408–1410 W. Committee will be held on Wednesday,
by November 7, 2016. 12th St., Kansas City, 16000764 December 7, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 5
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via VERMONT p.m. (Eastern).
U.S. Postal Service to the National ADDRESSES: The meeting will be
Washington County
Register of Historic Places, National conducted in Meeting Room 201, 2nd
Park Service, 1849 C St. NW., MS 2280, Vermont State Hospital Historic District, floor of the National Park Service, 1201
Washington, DC 20240; by all other Horseshoe & State Drs., Park Row, Eye Street NW., Washington, DC 20005,
carriers, National Register of Historic Waterbury, 16000765 to discuss the following:
Places, National Park Service, 1201 Eye WISCONSIN 1. Welcome and Introductions
St. NW., 8th floor, Washington, DC 2. Discussion of Revisions to the Draft
Forest County
20005; or by fax, 202–371–6447. Cold War National Historic
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wywialowski, John and Anna, 8680 WI 101,
Landmarks Theme Study
Armstrong Creek, 16000766
properties listed in this notice are being 3. Discussion of Planning for
considered for listing or related actions Milwaukee County Publication of the Cold War
in the National Register of Historic 27th and Wells Streets Commercial Historic National Historic Landmarks
Places. Nominations for their District, 757, 760, 800–810, 801–813, 817– Theme Study
consideration were received by the 831, 820–826 N. 27th St., 2632, 2711 W. 4. Discussion of Efforts to Nominate
National Park Service before September Wells St., Milwaukee, 16000767 Eligible Properties for National
24, 2016. Pursuant to section 60.13 of 36 Historic Landmarks Designation
Sheboygan County
CFR part 60, written comments are FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
being accepted concerning the Lueder, Rudolph, 13 Sided Barn, W. 4651
Cty. Rd. J, Plymouth, 16000768
information concerning the Cold War
significance of the nominated properties Advisory Committee or to request to
under the National Register criteria for A request to remove has been received for
address the Committee, contact Robie
evaluation. the following resources:
Lange, Historian, National Historic
Before including your address, phone MINNESOTA Landmarks Program, National Park
number, email address, or other Service, 1849 C Street NW., MS 2280,
personal identifying information in your Houston County
Washington, DC 20240, telephone (202)
comment, you should be aware that Eitzen Stone Barn, S. of Eitzen, Eitzen,
354–2257, or email robie_lange@
your entire comment—including your 82002965
nps.gov.
personal identifying information—may Olmsted County
be made publicly available at any time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Pierce House, 426 2nd Ave. SW., Rochester, Committee meeting will be open to the
While you can ask us in your comment 80002101
to withhold your personal identifying public. Space and facilities to
accommodate the public are limited and
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
information from public review, we Rice County
cannot guarantee that we will be able to Blind Department Building and Dow Hall, attendees will be accommodated on a
do so. State School for the Blind, 400 6th Ave. first-come basis. Opportunities for oral
SE., Faribault, 90001092 comment will be limited to no more
COLORADO than 3 minutes per speaker and no more
Winona County
Chaffee County than 15 minutes total. The Committee’s
Bridge No. L1409, Twp. Rd. 62 over Garvin Chairman will determine how much
Head Lettuce Day—Collegiate Peaks
Brook, Winona, 90000978 time for oral comments will be allotted.
Stampede Rodeo Grounds, 2001 Gregg Dr.,
Buena Vista, 16000758 Authority: 60.13 of 36 CFR part 60. Anyone may file a written statement
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Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:36:14
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:36:14
| 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 | The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposed Project for a minimum of 30 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. | |
| Contact | Robin Estes, Vantage to Pomona Heights Final EIS Project Manager, at (541) 416-6728, by email at | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 72821 |
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