U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-NV-S000-2015-0002-EA DATE: October 2015 Environmental Assessment ARES Nevada, LLC’s File Number: N-92514 Southern Nevada District Office Renewable Energy Coordination Office 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas, NV 89130 Phone: 702-515-5000 Fax: 702-515-5010 Environmental Assessment ARES October 2015 Page i TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................. XV 1 PURPOSE AND NEED .................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose and Need ............................................................................................. 3 1.3 Scoping, Public Involvement and Issues ......................................................... 3 1.3.1 Consultations with Cooperating Agencies/Organizations ............................................ 5 1.3.2 Public Meetings .................................................................................................................. 5 1.3.3 Project Location and Existing Land Use ........................................................................... 5 2 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .................................................................. 6 2.1 The Proposed Action .......................................................................................... 6 2.1.1 Applicant and Agencies involved ................................................................................... 7 2.1.2 Action to be taken ............................................................................................................. 7 2.1.2.1 Location ................................................................................................. 7 2.1.2.2 Time frame for construction and operation ...................................... 10 2.1.3 Construction ...................................................................................................................... 10 2.1.3.1 Pre Construction Activities .................................................................. 14 2.1.3.1.1 Land Surveys ......................................................................................................... 14 2.1.3.1.2 Aerial Surveys ........................................................................................................ 14 2.1.3.1.3 Engineering Surveys ............................................................................................. 14 2.1.3.1.4 Cultural Resource Surveys ................................................................................... 14 2.1.3.1.5 Biological Surveys ................................................................................................. 15 2.1.3.1.6 Interconnection Geotechnical Investigation .................................................. 15 2.1.3.2 Construction Activities ........................................................................ 16 2.1.3.2.1 Materials ................................................................................................................ 22 2.1.3.2.2 Project Access Roads .......................................................................................... 22 2.1.3.2.3 Rail Line .................................................................................................................. 23 2.1.3.2.4 Catenary Power Distribution Line ....................................................................... 24 2.1.3.2.5 Building and Support Facilities ........................................................................... 24 2.1.3.2.6 Transmission Line ................................................................................................... 25 2.1.3.2.7 Cleanup ................................................................................................................ 25 2.1.4 Operations and Maintenance ........................................................................................ 27 2.1.5 Design features and mitigation to reduce/eliminate potential impacts ................... 28 2.1.6 Connected actions .......................................................................................................... 29 Environmental Assessment ARES October 2015 Page ii 2.1.7 Land Use Plan Conformance .......................................................................................... 29 2.2 The Alternative .................................................................................................. 30 2.2.1 Applicant and Agencies involved ................................................................................. 30 2.2.2 Action to be taken ........................................................................................................... 30 2.2.2.1 Location ............................................................................................... 30 2.2.2.2 Time frame for construction and operation ...................................... 32 2.2.2.3 Construction ........................................................................................ 32 2.2.2.3.1 Pre Construction Activities .................................................................................. 36 2.2.2.3.2 Construction Activities ......................................................................................... 36 2.2.2.3.3 Materials ................................................................................................................ 40 2.2.2.3.4 Project Access Roads .......................................................................................... 40 2.2.2.3.5 Rail Line .................................................................................................................. 40 2.2.2.3.6 Catenary Power Distribution Line ....................................................................... 40 2.2.2.3.7 Building and Support Facilities ........................................................................... 40 2.2.2.3.8 Transmission Line ................................................................................................... 40 2.2.2.3.9 Cleanup ................................................................................................................ 40 2.2.2.4 Operations and Maintenance ........................................................... 40 2.2.2.5 Design features and mitigation to reduce/eliminate potential impacts ............................................................................................................. 40 2.2.3 Connected actions .......................................................................................................... 41 2.2.4 Conformance.................................................................................................................... 41 2.2.4.1 Land Use Plan Conformance ............................................................. 41 2.3 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 41 2.4 Alternative Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ................... 41 2.4.1 Wheeler Wash ................................................................................................................... 41 2.5 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, Policy, Plans or Other EAs ................ 42 2.5.1 BLM Resource Management Plan .................................................................................. 42 2.5.2 Statutes, Regulations, and Policies ................................................................................. 43 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................... 43 3.1 Supplemental Authorities ................................................................................ 44 3.2 Cumulative Scenario ....................................................................................... 50 3.2.1 Past and Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions (RFFAs) ................... 52 3.2.2 Cumulative Effects Study Area ....................................................................................... 55 3.2.2.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................. 56 Environmental Assessment ARES October 2015 Page iii 3.2.2.2 Alternative ........................................................................................... 57 3.2.2.3 No Action Alternative ......................................................................... 57 3.3 Air Quality ......................................................................................................... 57 3.3.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 57 3.3.2 Methodology .................................................................................................................... 58 3.3.3 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................ 58 3.3.3.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................. 58 3.3.3.1.1 Direct and Indirect Effects .................................................................................. 58 3.3.3.1.2 Mitigation Measures ...........................................................................................