Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 217 / Tuesday, November 10, 2015 / Notices 69693

monitor individual Indian land leases Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005; the entail the upgrade of approximately 120 and other types of leases not covered BLM New Mexico State Office, 301 miles of Western’s existing Saguaro- under the tribal regulations according to Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico Tucson and Tucson-Apache 115-kV the Part 162 regulations. 87508; the BLM Arizona State Office, transmission line in a 100-foot existing Accordingly, the Federal and tribal One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, ROW to a double-circuit 230-kV interests weigh heavily in favor of Phoenix, Arizona 85004; the BLM transmission line in a 100 to 150-foot preemption of State and local taxes on Safford Field Office, 711 14th Avenue, ROW (Apache-Saguaro or Upgrade lease-related activities and interests, Safford, Arizona 85546; and the BLM Section). The Upgrade Section would regardless of whether the lease is Tucson Field Office, 3201 East originate at the Apache Substation and governed by tribal leasing regulations or Universal Way, Tucson, Arizona 85756. terminate at the Saguaro Substation Part 162. Improvements, activities, and The Final EIS and supporting northwest of Tucson, Arizona. Both new leasehold or possessory interests may be documents are available electronically permanent ROWs and temporary subject to taxation by the Navajo Nation. on the Project Web site at: http:// construction ROWs would be required Dated: November 2, 2015. www.blm.gov/nm/southline. in the New Build Section and in some Kevin K. Washburn, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: portions of the Upgrade Section for the transmission line, access roads, and Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs. Mark Mackiewicz, PMP, BLM Senior other permanent and temporary Project [FR Doc. 2015–28476 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am] National Project Manager; telephone (435) 636–3616; email: mmackiew@ components. BILLING CODE 4337–15–P blm.gov. For information about The proposed Project would involve Western’s involvement, contact Mark the interconnection with and expansion DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Wieringa, Western NEPA Document and upgrade of 14 existing substations Manager; telephone (720) 962–7448; in southern Arizona and New Mexico, Bureau of Land Management email: [email protected]. For general as well as the potential construction of information on the Department of a new 345-kV substation facility in New DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy’s (DOE) NEPA review Mexico. The Project would also include procedures or on the status of a NEPA installation of a fiber optic network Western Area Power Administration review, contact Carol M. Borgstrom, communications system. Fee ownership Director of NEPA Policy and would only be considered for [LLNM930000 L51010000.ER0000 substations or substation expansions; all LVRWG14G0790 14XL5017AP] Compliance, GC–54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue other land rights acquired on non- Notice of Availability of the Southline SW., Washington, DC 20585–0119, federal lands would be through Transmission Line Project Final telephone (202) 586–4600 or toll free at easements or leases. The New Build Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/ (800) 472–2756, fax (202) 586–7031, Section (Afton-Apache) would include EIS–0474), New Mexico and Arizona email [email protected]. construction and operation of: Persons who use a • 205 miles of 345-kV double-circuit AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, telecommunications device for the deaf electric transmission line as well as Interior; Western Area Power (TDD) may call the Federal Information associated roads and ancillary facilities Administration, DOE. Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339 in New Mexico and Arizona with a ACTION: Notice of availability. to contact the above individual during planned bidirectional capacity of up to normal business hours. The FIRS is 1,000 MW. This section is defined by SUMMARY: In accordance with the available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, endpoints at the existing Afton National Environmental Policy Act of to leave a message or question with the Substation, south of Las Cruces in Don˜ a 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the above individual. You will receive a Ana County, New Mexico, and Federal Land Policy and Management reply during normal business hours. Western’s existing Apache Substation, Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southline south of Willcox in Cochise County, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Transmission, LLC (Southline), the Arizona; the Western Area Power Administration proponent, has filed a right-of-way • 5 miles of 345-kV single-circuit (Western) have prepared a Final (ROW) application with the BLM electric transmission line between the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to Title V of FLPMA, existing Afton Substation and the for the proposed Southline proposing to construct, operate, existing Luna-Diablo 345-kV Transmission Line Project (Project), and maintain, and eventually decommission transmission line; by this notice are announcing its a high-voltage, alternating current • 30 miles of 345-kV double-circuit availability. electric transmission line. The BLM and electric transmission line between New DATES: Neither the BLM nor Western Western agreed to be joint lead agencies Mexico State Route 9 and Interstate 10 will issue a final decision on the in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5(b). east of Deming in Luna County, New proposed Project for a minimum of 30 Western is a power-marketing agency Mexico, to provide access for potential days after the date that the within the DOE and is also a participant renewable energy generation sources in Environmental Protection Agency in the proposed Project with Southline. southern New Mexico. This segment of publishes its Notice of Availability in The proposed Project would consist of the proposed Project is included in the the Federal Register. two sections. The first section would analysis, however, development of this ADDRESSES: Copies of the Southline entail construction of approximately segment would be determined at a later Transmission Line Project Final EIS 240 miles of new double-circuit 345- date; have been sent to affected Federal, State, kilovolt (kV) transmission line in a 200- • One potential new substation on and local government agencies as well foot ROW between the Afton Substation, approximately 25 acres of land in Luna as to other stakeholders. Copies of the south of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and County, New Mexico (proposed Final EIS are available for public Apache Substation, south of Willcox, Midpoint Substation), to provide an inspection at the BLM Las Cruces Arizona (Afton-Apache or New Build intermediate connection point for future District Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Section). The second section would interconnection requests; and

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The Upgrade Section (Apache- to Hidalgo Substation (New Build options for replacing the portion of the Saguaro) would include: Section); (2) Hidalgo Substation to existing Western line that crosses over • Replacing 120 miles of Western’s Apache Substation (New Build Section); Tumamoc Hill in Tucson. The route existing Saguaro-Tucson and Tucson- (3) Apache Substation to Pantano variation and the tenth local alternative Apache 115-kV single-circuit electric Substation (Upgrade Section); and (4) are routing options near the Tucson wood-pole H-frame transmission lines Pantano Substation to Saguaro International Airport and Marana with a 230-kV double-circuit electric Substation (Upgrade Section). Regional Airport, and were proposed by steel-pole transmission line. This Route Group 1: Afton to Hidalgo (New the lead agencies to address potential section is defined by endpoints at the Build Section). This route group conflicts with future airport expansion existing Apache Substation, south of includes two sub-routes and five local and economic development plans as Willcox in Cochise County, Arizona, alternatives. Both sub-routes are well as removing the existing line from and the existing Saguaro Substation, approximately 140 miles long. Local a dense residential development with northwest of Tucson in Pima County, alternatives range between encroachments. Arizona; approximately 9 and 43 miles long. The The Final EIS also considers two • 2 miles of new build double-circuit route group crosses portions of Don˜ a substation alternatives (Midpoint North 230-kV electric transmission line to Ana, Grant, and Hidalgo counties in and Midpoint South) proposed by interconnect with the existing Tucson New Mexico. Three of the four local Southline; they are options for the Electric Power Company Vail alternatives were identified by location of the proposed Midpoint Substation, located southeast of Tucson Southline and represent routing options Substation located within Route Group and just north of the existing 115-kV developed to avoid localized 1. Both alternative locations would be in Tucson-Apache line; and environmental conflicts along the Luna County, New Mexico. • Interconnection with and upgrade international border. The fourth local For the New Build Section, the of 12 existing substations along alternative provides a co-location option Agency Preferred Alternative consists of Western’s existing Saguaro-Tucson and with the proposed SunZia Southwest a combination of the Proponent- Tucson-Apache 115-kV lines in Transmission Line Project. Proposed Action, Proponent Arizona. Substation expansions would Route Group 2: Hidalgo to Apache Alternative, and agency local alternative be required for installation of new (New Build Section). This route group segments within Route Groups 1 and 2. communications equipment, new 230- includes two sub-routes, four route The route was selected by the BLM and kV bays with transformers, breakers, variations and eight local alternatives. Western as the Agency Preferred switches, and ancillary equipment. In Both sub-routes are approximately 95 Alternative because it would maximize some cases expansion may require a miles long. Route variations and local use of existing and linear ROWs by separate yard. alternatives range between paralleling existing and proposed Environmental and social concerns approximately 1 and 54 miles long. The infrastructure and transmission lines; and issues were identified through both alternatives in this group cross portions eliminate the need for plan amendments the initial public scoping and Draft EIS of Hidalgo County in New Mexico and through conformance with existing land comment periods. The issues addressed portions of Cochise, Greenlee, and use plans; minimize impacts to military in the Final EIS that shaped the Project’s Graham counties in Arizona. The four operations at and near the Willcox route variations and eight local Playa; and minimize impacts to scope and alternatives include, but are alternatives were identified by the BLM sensitive resources. Public and agency not limited to: and Western and represent routing comments on the Draft EIS expressed • Air and climate • options developed to avoid localized concern that portions of the Agency Biological resources environmental conflicts around Preferred Alternative in the New Build • Cultural resources • Lordsburg and Willcox Playas. Section would parallel the SunZia Health and safety Route Group 3: Apache to Pantano • Southwest Transmission Line project, a Noise (Upgrade Section). This route group • project not yet constructed. Additional Land use (including farmlands and includes the upgrade of the existing comments expressed concern about military operations) Western 115-kV line between the • potential avian conflicts along the Recreation Apache and Pantano substations; the • southeastern side of the Willcox Playa. Socioeconomics and environmental line measures about 70 miles between The Agency Preferred Alternative for justice these two substations. There is one local the Final EIS takes all comments • Special designations alternative identified by Southline that received on the Draft EIS into • Wilderness characteristics units represents routing options designed to consideration and suggests appropriate • Trails avoid residential development in the mitigation to be used to avoid sensitive • Visual Benson area. Route Group 3 crosses resources as well as residential and • Transportation portions of Cochise and Pima counties economic development conflicts in the In addition to the Proponent Preferred in Arizona. area. Action, Southline also submitted the Route Group 4: Pantano to Saguaro The Agency Preferred Alternative for Proponent Alternative route for the New (Upgrade Section). This group includes the Upgrade Section consists of a Build Section of the proposed Project, the upgrade of the existing Western 115- combination of Proponent-Proposed both of which were the product of kV line between the Pantano and Action and local alternatives at extensive stakeholder outreach. In Saguaro substations; the line measures Tumamoc Hill and near the Marana addition to the Proponent Preferred about 50 miles between these two Airport within Route Groups 3 and 4. Action, the Proponent Alternative and substations. There are one route The route was selected because it would the No Action Alternative, the BLM and variation and ten local alternatives in maximize the use of the existing ROW Western are considering local Route Group 4. The alternatives in this and facilities currently used for alternatives and route variations. To group cross portions of Pima and Pinal Western’s Saguaro-Tucson and Tucson- simplify the analysis of alternatives, the counties in Arizona. Nine of the ten Apache 115-kV transmission lines; Project area has been divided into four local alternatives proposed by the BLM minimize impacts to sensitive resources major route groups: (1) Afton Substation and Western in this route group are at Tumamoc Hill; and minimize impacts

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to military training operations at the Comments on the Draft EIS received BLM, on a variety of planning and Marana Airport. from the public and internal agency management issues associated with The BLM requires mitigation review were considered, and document public land management in New measures and conservation actions to revisions were incorporated as Mexico. Planned agenda items include a achieve land use plan goals and appropriate into the Final EIS. Public welcome by the Chair, and objectives. The sequence of mitigation comments resulted in the addition of presentations and discussions related to action would be the mitigation clarifying text, but did not result in the New Mexico Copper Project Draft hierarchy (avoid, minimize, rectify, substantial changes to the proposed Environmental Impact Statement; the reduce or eliminate over time, or Project or the impact analysis between Prehistoric Trackways National compensate) identified by the CEQ (40 the Draft and Final EIS. Monument Record of Decision and CFR 1508.20), BLM’s Draft Regional Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR planning process; lands with wilderness Mitigation Manual, section 1794, and as 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2. characteristics; Restore New Mexico; described in the Final EIS. Certain and grazing permit renewals. A half- alternatives, if selected, may require Mark A. Gabriel, hour public comment period, during compensatory mitigation for those Administrator, Western Area Power which the public may address the RAC, implementation-level activities that Administration. will begin at 11:30 a.m. All RAC result in impacts the agencies cannot Aden Seidlitz, meetings are open to the public. adequately avoid, minimize, rectify, Acting State Director, Bureau of Land Depending on the number of reduce, or eliminate over time (i.e., Management, New Mexico. individuals wishing to comment and residual impacts). [FR Doc. 2015–28676 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am] time available, the time for individual The BLM, Western, Southline, and BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P oral comments may be limited. cooperating agencies worked together to develop routes that would conform to Melanie Barnes, existing Federal land use plans. No plan DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Acting Deputy State Director, Lands and amendments are required for the Resources. Upgrade portion of the proposed Project Bureau of Land Management [FR Doc. 2015–28541 Filed 11–9–15; 8:45 am] in Arizona or the Agency Preferred [LLNML00000 L12200000.DF0000 BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P Alternative for the New Build Section in 16XL1109AF] New Mexico, as described in the Final EIS. Notice of Public Meeting, Las Cruces DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The BLM and Western have utilized District Resource Advisory Council the NEPA comment period to assist the Meeting, New Mexico National Park Service agencies in satisfying the public AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, [NPS–WASO–BSD–COMM–19682; involvement requirements under PPWOBSADC0, PPMVSCS1Y.Y00000 (166)] Section 106 of the National Historic Interior. Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f)), as ACTION: Notice of public meeting. Proposed Information Collection; provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The National Park Service Concessions SUMMARY: In accordance with the agencies have also consulted with Federal Land Policy and Management Indian tribes on a government-to- AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. Act and the Federal Advisory ACTION: Notice; request for comments. government basis in accordance with Committee Act, the Bureau of Land Executive Order 13175 and other Management’s (BLM), Las Cruces SUMMARY: We (National Park Service, policies. Ongoing Native American District Resource Advisory Council NPS) will ask the Office of Management tribal consultations will continue to be (RAC) will meet as indicated below. and Budget (OMB) to approve the conducted in accordance with law and information collection (IC) described policy, and tribal concerns, including DATES: The RAC will meet on December below. As required by the Paperwork impacts on Indian trust assets, will be 8, 2015, at the BLM Las Cruces District given due consideration. The BLM has Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our also completed, with Western input, Cruces, New Mexico from 8:30 a.m.–12 continuing efforts to reduce paperwork formal consultation under Section 7 of p.m. The public may send written and respondent burden, we invite the the Endangered Species Act with the comments to the RAC at the BLM Las general public and other Federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess agencies to take this opportunity to Based on the environmental analysis Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005. comment on this IC. This IC is in this Final EIS, the BLM will decide FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: scheduled to expire on November 30, whether to authorize the Proponent Deborah Stevens, BLM Las Cruces 2016. We may not conduct or sponsor Preferred Action, Agency Preferred District, 1800 Marquess Street, Las and a person is not required to respond Alternative, alternatives, or any Cruces, NM 88005, 575–525–4421. to a collection of information unless it combination thereof on Public Lands. Persons who use a telecommunications displays a currently valid OMB control The Administrator will decide whether device for the deaf (TDD) may call the number. Western would use its borrowing Federal Information Relay Service DATES: To ensure that we are able to authority to partially finance and/or (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8229 to contact the consider your comments on this IC, we hold partial ownership in the resulting above individual during normal must receive them by January 11, 2016. transmission facilities and capacity. business hours. The FIRS is available 24 ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the Western will consider the hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a IC to Madonna L. Baucum, Information environmental analysis as the Project message or question with the above Collection Clearance Officer, National Development and Finance Phases are individual. You will receive a reply Park Service, 12201 Sunrise Valley completed, as outlined in the during normal business hours. Drive, Room 2C114, Mail Stop 242, Transmission Infrastructure Program SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 10- Reston, VA 20192 (mail); or Federal Register Notice of Procedures member Las Cruces District RAC advises [email protected] (email). (79 FR 19065–19077, April 7, 2014) the Secretary of the Interior, through the Please include ‘‘1024–0029’’ in the

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