SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This document provides notice that the BLM intends to prepare an EIS for the proposed Silver Rock Transmission Line Project (Project) and announces the beginning of the scoping process. The EIS is being prepared to evaluate a right- ( printed page 56665) of-way (ROW) application to construct up to two new high-voltage interstate transmission lines and associated Project facilities with a nominal voltage of up to 600 kilovolts, extending approximately 330 miles from Millard County, Utah, to Clark County, Nevada. The Project would be located primarily on BLM-managed lands within the Fillmore and Cedar City Field Offices in Utah and the Caliente and Las Vegas Field Offices in Nevada. The Project also includes other Federal (Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)), private, and state lands, each with their own permitting requirements.

Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

The BLM's and the BOR's purpose is to respond to the ROW application submitted by Silver Rock Transmission, LLC, to site, permit, and develop the Project on lands administered by the BLM and the BOR, respectively, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

The need for this action arises from Title V of FLPMA, which authorizes the BLM to issue ROW grants on public lands for facilities that generate, transmit, and distribute electric energy, the Reclamation Act of 1902, as amended, which authorizes the BOR to issue ROWs on BOR-administered lands, and Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, which aims to improve energy transportation and distribution and ensure that an abundant supply of reliable energy is readily accessible across the United States. Through the NEPA process, the BLM will evaluate the Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives and will determine whether to approve the application, approve it with modifications, or deny the application. The BLM's ROW grant for the Project would include any terms, conditions, and stipulations it determines to be in the public interest.

Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives

Under the Proposed Action, up to two new high-voltage interstate transmission lines and associated Project facilities with a nominal voltage of up to 600 kilovolts would be constructed. The transmission lines would extend approximately 330 miles from Millard County, Utah, to Clark County, Nevada. The Project would use a variation of structures within a combined ROW width of 450 to 650 feet and a siting corridor of up to 2,500 feet (various configurations proposed).

In addition to the Proposed Action, three alternative routes were assessed by Silver Rock Transmission, LLC, as contingency options. The BLM plans to assess these, and any other alternative routes identified in scoping, that meet the purpose and need and are technically and economically feasible, as part of the NEPA process. The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives as well as suggestions for additional alternatives.

Summary of Expected Impacts

Preliminary issues for the Project have been identified by the BLM and in consultation with the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies. These preliminary issues include potential impacts to:

• Biological and Wildlife Resources
• Cultural Resources and Native American Concerns
• Geological and Mineral Resources
• Paleontological Resources
• Recreation
• Visual Resources

The public scoping process guides determination of relevant issues that influence the scope of the EIS, including alternatives and mitigation measures. The EIS will identify and describe the effects of the Proposed Action on the human environment. The BLM also requests the identification of potential impacts that should be analyzed. Impacts should be a result of the action; therefore, please identify the activity along with the potential impact. Information that reviewers have that would assist in the development of alternatives or analysis of resources issues is also helpful.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

In addition to the requested BLM ROW grant under Title V of FLPMA, Silver Rock Transmission, LLC, anticipates needing additional permits and authorizations from BOR, state, and local authorities for this Project. These include, among other things, permits and approvals under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act enacted in 1940, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and other laws and regulations determined to be applicable to the Project.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

The BLM may provide additional opportunities for public participation consistent with the NEPA process. The BLM anticipates signing a Record of Decision in the summer of 2028.

Public Scoping Process

This notice of intent initiates the NEPA scoping period, which guides the development and analysis of the EIS.

The BLM will hold up to three virtual scoping meetings. The specific dates and instructions for accessing the scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, social media announcements, and the Project website on the National NEPA Register (see ADDRESSES ).

Responsible Official

The Utah State Director, through delegation of authority, is the authorized officer for the Project. The Color Country District Manager, through delegation of authority, is the authorized officer responsible for Project implementation. The BOR would issue a separate decision for lands under their jurisdiction based on the analysis contained in the EIS.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

The BLM and BOR will each use the analysis in the EIS to inform their respective decisions on whether to grant, grant with conditions, or deny their separate applications for a ROW. If either agency issues a grant, the decision maker may include terms, conditions, and stipulations determined to be in the public interest.

Interdisciplinary Team

The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the EIS to identify and consider various resource issues. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be involved in the EIS: biology, cultural resources, geology and minerals, lands and realty, paleontology, recreation, visual resources, and wildlife.

Additional Information

The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA process to help support compliance with applicable procedural requirements under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including the public involvement requirements of section 106. The information about historic and cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the area potentially affected by the proposed Project will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.

The BLM will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM Manual ( printed page 56666) Section 1780, and other Departmental 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 Indian Tribal Nations and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed Project, 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 EIS as a cooperating agency.

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.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4336a(c))

91 FR 56664