Notice2023-11070
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Greenlink North Project in White Pine, Eureka, Lander, Churchill, and Lyon Counties, Nevada
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Published
May 26, 2023
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentLand Management Bureau
Abstract
In compliance 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) Nevada State Office, Reno, Nevada, intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider the effects of a right-of-way (ROW) application for proposed transmission facilities from NV Energy for the Greenlink North Project. Publication of this notice initiates the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues to be analyzed in the Draft EIS.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 102 (Friday, May 26, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34178-34180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11070]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NV_FRN_MO #4500170412]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Greenlink North Project in White Pine, Eureka, Lander,
Churchill, and Lyon Counties, Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: In compliance 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) Nevada
State Office, Reno, Nevada, intends to prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to consider the effects of a right-of-way (ROW)
application for proposed transmission facilities from NV Energy for the
Greenlink North Project. Publication of this notice initiates the
scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues to be
analyzed in the Draft EIS.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS.
The BLM requests the public submit comments concerning the scope of the
analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant
information and studies by July 10, 2023. To afford the BLM the
opportunity to consider issues raised by commenters in the Draft EIS,
please ensure your comments are received prior to the close of the 45-
day scoping period or 15 days after the last public scoping workshop,
whichever is later.
The BLM will conduct a combination of virtual and in-person scoping
workshops during the 45-day scoping period. The BLM will provide the
public at least 15 days' notice prior to the workshops.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues related to the Greenlink
North Project by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Website: <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2017033/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2017033/510</a>.
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5a7a9a89aabb39aa2b7a0a0aba9acabaeabaab7b1ad85a7a9a8eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="27454b4a7849517840554242494b4e494c494855534f67454b4a09404851">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Mail: BLM, Nevada State Office, Attn: Greenlink North
Project, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89502.
Documents pertinent to this Project may also be examined at the
Reno Nevada State Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Buttazoni, Planning &
Environmental Specialist, telephone (775) 861-6491; address 1340
Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89502; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6c4cacbf9c8d0f9c1d4c3c3c8cacfc8cdc8c9d4d2cee6c4cacb88c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="553739380a3b230a322730303b393c3b3e3b3a27213d153739387b323a23">[email protected]</span></a>. Contact us at this email address to have
your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the United States
who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability
may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications
relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the
relay services offered within their country to make international calls
to the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM
Nevada State Office intends to prepare an EIS to consider the effects
of a ROW application for the Greenlink North Project, announces the
beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input on issues to
be analyzed in the Draft EIS. The proposed Project is in White Pine,
Eureka, Lander, Churchill, and Lyon counties, Nevada. The proposed
Project encompasses approximately 1,394 acres of public lands
administered by the BLM.
Purpose and Need
In compliance with NEPA and FLPMA, the BLM Nevada State Office
intends to prepare an EIS to analyze the environmental impacts
associated with NV Energy's application seeking to obtain a ROW grant
for the Greenlink North Project.
Under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC's) Open
Access Transmission Tariff adopted in 18 CFR parts 35 and 385, Order
No. 888 (75 FERC 61,080 (April 24, 1996)), NV Energy is required to
plan and construct adequate transmission facilities to deliver the
projected electric demand in Nevada. The State of Nevada is facing
unprecedented changes in both system growth and resource requirements.
By 2031, 1,000 megawatts (MW) of base load generation are planned for
retirement, i.e., will no longer be generating electricity. In
addition, NV Energy has received more than 1,450 MW of new electric
service requests in northern Nevada that will require additional
transmission facilities. Currently, the maximum amount of power that
can be provided in northern Nevada on the existing transmission network
is 1,275 MW, and all 1,275 MW are being used by current network
customers. The power demand in northern Nevada is forecast to increase
by more than 700 MW within 10 years. New transmission infrastructure is
required to deliver the anticipated electric power demand.
The Greenlink North Project would alleviate some of the capacity
issues on existing transmission lines and enhance
[[Page 34179]]
electric grid reliability by allowing interconnections to occur
throughout the State. The purpose of this Federal action is to respond
to the ROW application for construction, operation, and decommissioning
of proposed electrical transmission facilities on Federal land. Based
on the goals and objectives of the proponent and the BLM's authority,
the BLM will evaluate the ROW application submitted by NV Energy in
compliance with FLPMA, BLM regulations, and other applicable Federal
laws and policies. The need for this Federal action is to fulfill the
BLM's responsibilities under FLPMA and its ROW regulations to manage
the public lands for multiple uses, including for ``systems for
generation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy'' (43
U.S.C. 1761(a)(4)).
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The Proposed Action is to construct, operate and decommission a
proposed system of new 525-kV, 345-kV, 230-kV, and 120-kV electric
transmission facilities on approximately 1,394 acres of BLM
administered lands. Additional action alternatives have not been
identified to date but will be developed by taking into consideration
comments and input received during the application evaluation
determination process and scoping.
Under the No Action Alternative, the BLM would not issue a ROW
grant for the construction, operation and decommissioning of a proposed
system of new 525-kV, 345-kV, 230-kV, and 120-kV electric transmission
facilities. The proposed Project would not be constructed, and existing
land uses in the project area would continue. The BLM welcomes comments
on the preliminary Proposed Action as well as suggestions for
additional alternatives.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The analysis in the EIS will be focused on the proposed
transmission project and associated facilities. The BLM evaluated the
proposed Project application per the 43 CFR part 2800 application
evaluation determination process. Through this process, the BLM
gathered input from an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists
and completed public outreach and agency and Indian Tribal Nations
coordination specific to the proposed Project. From the input received
during four pre-EIS virtual public workshops, the preliminary impacts
from construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of the
Project and associated facilities could include:
<bullet> Vegetation and soils.
<bullet> Threatened, endangered, and BLM sensitive species.
<bullet> Air quality and climate.
<bullet> Cultural and historical resources.
<bullet> Greater-sage grouse.
<bullet> Access to public lands.
<bullet> Socioeconomics.
<bullet> Public health and safety.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
Along with a BLM ROW grant as required under 43 CFR 2801.9, NV
Energy anticipates needing additional permits for the proposed project:
a Nevada Public Utilities Commission Permit to Construct; Nevada
Division of Water Resources water rights modification permits; and
other permits, as necessary. A portion of the Project could occur on
lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service, which would require a
special use permit for the Project. The U.S. Forest Service would rely
on the analysis contained in the EIS to support any special use permit.
Further details on these permitting requirements may be found in the
Preliminary Plan of Development which is available on the project
website at: <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/project/2017033/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/project/2017033/510</a>.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public
participation consistent with the NEPA process, including a 60-day
comment period on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is anticipated to be
available for public review in winter 2024, and the Final EIS and
subsequent Record of Decision are anticipated to be released in summer
2024.
Public Scoping Process
This Notice of Intent initiates the public scoping process, which
guides the development of the Draft EIS.
The BLM will be holding a combination of virtual and in-person
scoping workshops. The specific date(s) and location(s) of scoping
workshops will be announced at least 15 days in advance through the
local media and the e-Planning web page: <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2017033/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2017033/510</a>.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including alternatives and mitigation measures, and to guide the
process for developing the Draft EIS. Federal, State, and local
agencies, along with Indian Tribal Nations and stakeholders that may be
interested or affected by the BLM's decision on this project, are
invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may
request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating
agency. The BLM encourages comments concerning the proposed Greenlink
North Project, possible measures to minimize and/or avoid adverse
environmental impacts, and any other information relevant to the
Proposed Action.
The BLM also requests assistance with identifying potential
reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action. As alternatives should
resolve an issue with the Proposed Action, please indicate the purpose
of the suggested alternative. In addition, the BLM requests the
identification of potential issues that should be analyzed. Issues
should be a result of the Proposed Action or other reasonable
alternatives; therefore, please identify the activity along with the
potential issues.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM Nevada State Office is the lead Federal agency for this
EIS. The BLM has initially identified the following agencies and
organizations as potential Cooperating Agencies to participate in the
environmental analysis of the Project: Department of the Air Force,
Department of Defense, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Region 9, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada
Department of Transportation, Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, Ely Shoshone
Tribe, Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Walker
River Paiute Tribe, Yomba Shoshone Tribe, Nevada Department of
Wildlife, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Nevada Division
of Minerals, Churchill County, White Pine County, Lyon County, Eureka
County, and Lander County.
The following Tribes were invited to participate as a Cooperating
Agency in BLM's initial notification letter: Confederated Tribes of the
Goshute Reservation, Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, Ely Shoshone Tribe,
Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe,
Lovelock Paiute Tribe, Moapa Band of Paiutes, Pahrump Paiute Tribe,
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Shoshone-Bannock
Tribes, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley, Summit Lake Paiute
Tribe, Susanville Indian Rancheria, Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone,
Te-Moak Tribe-Battle Mountain Band, Te-Moak Tribe-Elko Band, Te-Moak
Tribe-South Fork Band, Te-Moak Tribe-Wells Band, Timbisha Shoshone
Tribe, Walker River Paiute Tribe, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and
California, Winnemucca Indian Colony, Winnemucca Indian
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Colony, Yerington Paiute Tribe, and Yomba Shoshone Tribe. These and
other federally recognized T`ribes may request Cooperating Agency
status during preparation and review of the Draft EIS.
Responsible Official
The Nevada State Office Director is the deciding official for the
proposed Greenlink North Project.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM will decide whether to grant, grant with conditions, or
deny the right-of-way application. Pursuant to 43 CFR 2805.10, if the
BLM issues a right-of-way grant(s), the BLM 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 consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified.
Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be
involved in this process: air quality, archaeology, botany, climate
change (greenhouse gases), environmental justice, fire and fuels,
geology/mineral resources, hydrology, invasive/non-native species,
lands and realty, National Conservation Lands, National Trails System,
public health and safety, recreation/transportation, socioeconomics,
soils, visual resources, and wildlife.
Additional Information
The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from all analyzed
reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14(e),
include appropriate mitigation measures not already included in the
proposed alternatives. Mitigation may include avoidance, minimization,
rectification, reduction or elimination over time, and compensation;
and may be considered at multiple scales, including the landscape
scale.
The BLM will utilize the NEPA process to help support compliance
with applicable procedural requirements under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36
CFR 800.2(d)(3), including 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
Section 1780, and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on
Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will
be given due consideration. The BLM intends to hold government-to-
government consultation meetings. The BLM will send invitations to
potentially impacted Indian Tribal Nations prior to the meetings. The
BLM will provide additional opportunities for government-to-government
consultation during the NEPA process.
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: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 2800.)
Jon K. Raby,
Nevada State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023-11070 Filed 5-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-21-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 26, 2023.
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