Falcon to Gonder 345kV transmission project : draft environmental impact statement and resource management plan amendments

750 Pages·2001·211.9 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management. Battle Mountain Field Office

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Falcon to Gonder 345 kV Transmission Project
DRAFT
Environmental Impact Statement and
Resource Management Plan Amendments
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United States Department of the Interior
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Bureau ofLand Management
Battle Mountain Field Office
50 Bastian Road
Battle Mountain, Nevada 89820
[phone] Fax [phone]
In Reply, Refer to:
NV
063-EIS00-27
1790/1600
N-63162
2800
Dear Reader:
Enclosed foryourreview and information is the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
prepared by the Bureau ofLand Management (BLM) for the proposed Falcon to Gonder 345 kV
transmission project and related Resource Management Plan amendments.
The Draft EIS analyzes the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with the construction,
operation, and maintenance ofa 345 kV transmission line that would cross both public and private
lands in north central Nevada. The project applicant. Sierra Pacific Power Company, has applied to
BLM
the for a right-of-waygrant for the portion ofthe transmission line thatwould traverse federal
public lands. This Draft EIS also analyzes related amendments to BLM’s Shoshone-Eureka, Elko,
and Egan Resource Management Plans.
Written comments on the Draft EIS are encouraged and mustbe postmarked byAugust 22, 2001.
Please send wntten comments to: Mary Cra^ett, Bureau ofLand Management, Battle Mountain
Field Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820.
A
Final EIS will be issued upon the completion ofthe 90-dayreview period forthis Draft EIS. If
you have anyquestions, orwould like any additionalinformation, please contactMary Craggett, BLM
Team Leader, at [phone], or Kenneth Bailey, Project Coordinator, at [phone].
Sincerely,
Gerald M. Smith
Field Manager
Battle Mountain Field Office
Enclosure:
Falcon-GonderDEIS
DRAFT FALCON TO GONDER345 kVTRANSMISSION PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS
Lead Agency: U.S. Department ofthe Interior
Bureau ofLand Management (BLM)
Batde Mountain, Elko and Ely Field Offices
CooperatingAgencies Nevada Division ofWildlife
State Historic Preservation Office
ProjectLocation: Eureka, Elko, Lander, andWhite Pine Counties, in the State of
Nevada. The projectwould be constructed on both public and
private lands.
NV
EIS Number: 063-EIS00-27
Case File Number N-63162
Correspondence on this EIS Mary Craggett,Team Leader
Should be Directed to: Bureau ofLand Management, Batde Mountain Field Office
50 Bastian Road
NV
Batde Mountain, 89820-1420
[phone]
Questions Related to this EIS Mary Cra^ett, Team Leader
Should be Directed to: Bureau ofLand Management, Batde Mountain Field Office
50 Bastian Road
NV
Batde Mountain, 89820-1420
[phone]
Website: This documentis also available on ourwebsite at
http://www.nv.blm.gov/falcongonder
ABSTRACT
Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPC) is proposing to construct a new 345 kV electric transmission
line in north central Nevada thatwould extend approximately 165-185 miles between the Falcon
substation west ofDunphy to the Gonder substation north ofEly. The transmission line would be
supported by approximately 725 to 820 tubular steel H-firame structures and angle towers thatwould
varyin height from 75 to 130 feet above ground level, dependingon the terrain. The project also
includes the expansion and installation ofadditional facilities at the existing Falcon and Gonder
substations. SPPC has applied for a right-of-waygrant from the BLM to construct, operate and
maintain the project on federal public land. This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
analyzes the environmental effects offive potential transmission line route alternatives for the
project, as well as the No Action Alternative. The Draft EIS also analyzes the environmental effects
ofamendments to BLM Resource Management Plans (RMPs) that may be required as part ofthe
proposed action (i.e., amendments to the Shoshone-Eureka, Elko, and Egan RMPs). Written
comments on the Draft EIS must be postmarked byAugust 22, 2001, and sent to the address above.
Responsible Official for the EIS: RobertV. Abbey
Nevada State Director
Bureau ofLand Management
11
TableofContents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE ACTION
1.0 I.I
1.1 Authority and Jurisdiction 1-1
1.2 Purpose ofand Need for the Project 1-1
1.3 Regional Transmission Network Overview 1-2
1.4 Sierra Pacific Power Company’s Transmission System 1-5
1.4.1 Forecasts ofSPPC’s System Demand/Load 1-7
1.4.2 Primary Objectives AndDesign 1-13
1.4.3 PrimaryProjectBenefits 1-15
1.4.4 SecondaryBenefits and Objectives 1-16
1.5 Permits 1-18
1.6 Resource Management Plan Conformance Statement 1-18
2.0 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION 2-
2.1 Proposed Action 2-2
2.1.1 Overview ofthe Project 2-2
2.1.2 Work Force and Construction Schedule 2-24
2.1.3 Operation and Maintenance 2-25
2.1.4 Right-of-WayTerm ofAuthorization 2-26
2.1.5 AbandonmentProcedures 2-26
2.2 Route Alternatives 2-26
2.2.1 Background 2-26
2.2.2 CrescentValley RouteAlternatives 2-27
2.2.3 PineValleyRouteAlternatives 2-29
2.2.4 BuckMountain Route Alternative 2-29
No
2.2.5 Action Alternative 2-29
2.3 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis 2-30
2.3.1 Alternative Transmission Line Route Alternatives 2-30
Highway 305 and SWIPAlternative 2-30
V
Antelope alley 2-31
Yucca Mountain PotentialRail CorridorAlternative 2-31
2.3.2 Other System, Facility and Construction Alternatives 2-31
SubstationAlternatives 2-31
System EnhancementAlternatives 2-31
GenerationAlternatives 2-32
Alternative Combinations 2-32
Alternative TransmissionTechnologies 2-32
AlternativeTowerTypes 2-34
PreuminaryDraftEIS andRMPAmendments
2.3.3 Alternative StringingMethods 2-34
Transmission Alternatives Presented to Public Utilities Commission 2-34
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES &
3.0 3.0.
MITIG3A.0T.ION MEASURES 3.0-1
BLM
1 Critical Elements 3.0-1
2 Approach and Format ofAnalysis 3.0-2
3.1 Geology and Minerals 3.1-1
3.1.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.1-1
3.1.2 Affected Environment 3.1-2
3.1.3 Environmental Consequences 3.1-20
3.2 SoUs 3.2-1
!
3.2.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology.. 3.2-1
3.2.2 Affected Environment 3.2-2
3.2.3 Environmental Consequences 3.2-4
33 Water Resources 3.3-1
3.3.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.3-1
3.3.2 Affected Environment..... 3.3-3
3.3.3 Environmental Consequences... 3.3-9
3.4 Vegetation (including Wetlands)..... 3.4-1
3.4.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.4-1
3.4.2 Affected Environment 3.4-4
3.4.3 Environmental Consequences..,.. 3.4-10
3.5 Invasive, Nonnative Species 3.5-1
3.5.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.5-1
3.5.2 Affected Environment 3.5-4
3.5.3 Environmental Consequences 3.5-7
3.6 Wildlife and Wddlife Habitat 3.6-1
3.6.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.6-1
3.6.2 Affected Environment 3.6-1
3.6.3 Environmental Consequences 3.6-11
3.7 Special Status Species - Animal and Plant 3.7-1
3.7.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.7-1
3.7.2 Affected Environment 3.7-4
3.7.3 Environmental Consequences 3.7-21
3.8 Range Resources - Livestock Grazing and Wild Horses 3.8-1
3.8.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.8-1
3.8.2 Affected Environment 3.8-2
3.8.3 Environmental Consequences 3.8-6
3.9 Visual Resources 3.9-1
3.9.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.9-1
3.9.2 Affected Environment 3.9-5
FalcontoGonderProject
ii
TableofContents
3.9.3
Environmental Consequences 3.9-6
3.10 Public Health and Safety: Fire Management, Hazardous Materials, and
EMFs
3.10-1
3.10.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.10-1
3.10.2 Affected Environment 3.10-1
3.10.3 Environmental Consequences 3.10-11
3.11 Noise 3.11-1
3.11.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.11-2
3.11.2 Affected Environment 3.11-11
3.11.3 Environmental Consequences 3.11-14
3.12 Air Quality 3.12-1
3.12.1 Area ofAnalysis andMethodology 3.12-1
3.12.2 Affected Environment 3.12-3
3.12.3 Environmental Consequences 3.12-7
3.13 Land Use and Access 3.13-1
3.13.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.13-1
3.13.2 Affected Environment 3.13-1
;
3.13.3 Environmental Consequences 3.13-10
3.14 Recreation and Wilderness 3.14-1
3.14.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.14-1
3.14.2 Affected Environment 3.14-1
3.14.3 Environmental Consequences 3.14-11
3.15 Social and Economic Values 3.15-1
3.15.1 Area ofAnalysis andMethodology 3.15-1
3.15.2 Affected Environment 3.15-2
3.15.3 Environmental Consequences 3.15-6
3.16 Cultural Resources 3.16-1
3.16.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.16-1
3.16.2 Affected Environment 3.16-8
3.16.3 Environmental Consequences 3.16-20
3.17 Paleontology 3.17-1
3.17.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.17-1
3.17.2 Affected Environment 3.17-2
3.17.3 Environmental Consequences 3.17-5
3.18 Environmental Justice 3.18-1
3.18.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.18-1
3.18.2 Affected Environment 3.18-1
3.18.3 Environmental Consequences 3.18-4
3.19 Native American Concerns 3.19-1
3.19.1 Area ofAnalysis and Methodology 3.19-1
3.19.2 Affected Environment 3.19-3
3.19.3 Environmental Consequences 3.19-6
PreuminaryDraftEISandRMPAmendments
iii
3.20 Comparison ofRoute Alternatives 3.20-1
3.20.1 Summary ofImpacts 3.20-1
3.20.2 Identification ofthe Environmentally Preferred Route Alternatives 3.20-10
3.20.3 Unavoidable SignificantAdverse Effects 3.20-10
3.20.4 No Action Alternative 3.20-10
4.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS, SHORT-TERM USE OF THE ENVIRONMENTVS. LONG-
TERM PRODUCTIVITY, IRREVERSIBLE IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF
/ ^
RESOURCES
4.1 Cumulative Impacts Study Area and Timeframe 4-1
4.2 Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions 4-3
4.2.1 PastActions 4-5
4.2.2 PresentActions 4-6
4.2.3 Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions 4-7
4.3 Evaluation ofPotential Cumulative Impacts 4-10
4.3.1 Geology and Minerals 4-10
4.3.2 Soils...... 4-11
4.3.3 Water Resources 4-11
4.3.4 Vegetation 4-12
4.3.5 Invasive Nonnative Species 4-13
4.3.6 Wildlife andWildlife Habitat 4-13
4.3.7 Special-Status Species 4-14
4.3.8 VisualResources 4-15
4.3.9 Public Health and Safety' 4-16
4.3.10 Cultural Resources 4-16
4.3.11 Native American Concerns 4-19
4.3.12 Land Use andAccess 4-19
4.3.13 Recreation/Wildemess 4-19
4.3.14 EnvironmentalJustice 4-20
4.3.15 SocialAnd EconomicValues 4-20
4.3.16 Noise 4-20
4.3.17 AirQuaHty 4-20
4.4 Short-Term Use ofthe Environment vs. Long-Term Productivity 4-21
4.5 Irreversible /Irretrievable Commitment ofResoures 4-21
^
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS
5.0
5.1 Proposed RMP Amendments 5-1
5.2 RMP Amendment Process 5-1
5.2.1 Planning Criteria 5-2
5.3 Objectives for Designating Utility Corridors 5-2
5.4 Analysis ofEnvironmental Impacts and Planning Implications 5-5
5.4.1 Geology and Mineral Resources 5-5
5.4.2 Soils 5-5
iv FalcontoGonderProject
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TableofContents
5.4.3 Water Resources 5-6
5.4.4 Vegetation 5-6
5.4.5 Invasive Nonnative Species..... 5-7
5.4.6 Wildlife andWildlife Habitat 5-8
5.4.7 Special-Status Species 5-9
5.4.8 Range Resources 5-9
5.4.9 Visual Resources 5-10
5.4.10 Public Health and Safety 5-11
5.4.11 Noise 5-11
5.4.12 Air Quality 5-12
5.4.13 Recreation/Wildemess 5-12
5.4.14 Land Use andAccess 5-13
5.4.15 Social and EconomicValues 5-14
5.4.16 CulturalResources 5-15
5.4.17 EnvironmentalJustice 5-16
5.4.18 NativeAmerican Concerns 5-16
5.5 Conclusion 5-17
CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION
6.0 6-1
6.1 List ofPreparers 6-1
6.1.1 Bureau ofLandManagementTeam 6-1
EdawTeam
6.1.2 6-2
6.1.3 CooperatingAgencies 6-4
6.1.4 Sierra Pacific Power Company 6-4
6.2 Persons, Groups, and Agencies Contacted 6-5
6.3 References Cited 6-6
GLOSSARYAND ACRONYMS
7.0 7-
7.1 Glossary 7-1
7.2 List ofAcronyms 7-5
INDEX
8.0 8-1
PreuminaryDraftEIS andRMPAmendments V
APPENDICES
A. Typical Pole Structure Components A-1
B. Agencies, Organizations, and Individuals Who Received the Draft EIS B-1
C. Alternative Route Selection Methodology C-1
D. Land Use Information D-1
E. Reclamation Plan E-1
F. Preliminary Fire Prevention and Suppression Plan F-1
G. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species Lists G-1
vi FalcontoGonderPro)ect