BLM re-opens comment on authorization of Gateway West transmission line
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Boise, IDAHO – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today began to reconsider the selected route on public lands in Idaho for two segments of the Gateway West transmission line project.
On January 19, 2017, the BLM Director signed a Record of Decision granting a right-of-way (ROW) for segments 8 and 9 of the proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line along alignments totaling 322 miles on public lands in Cassia, Elmore, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Owyhee, and Twin Falls counties in Idaho.
The State of Idaho, Owyhee County, and three environmental groups appealed the January decision on the ROW grant. Idaho Governor Butch Otter also asked the Secretary of the Interior to direct the BLM to reconsider the ROW decision and review different routes with fewer impacts to State and county resources and communities. The project proponents – Rocky Mountain Power and Idaho Power – also requested reconsideration. Upon the recommendation of the BLM Idaho State Director, Acting BLM Director Michael D. Nedd concluded that reconsideration was appropriate.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017, signed into law on May 5, 2017, removed certain lands from the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area and directed the BLM to issue a ROW for portions of segments 8 and 9 on those lands, as aligned in Alternative 1 of the 2016 Gateway West Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In light of this direction, the BLM will reconsider only those alternative(s) from the Supplemental EIS that feasibly connect with the statutory ROW.
Developing transmission line infrastructure supports the President’s America First Energy Plan while furthering the Administration’s priorities of achieving energy independence, creating jobs, and providing economic opportunity. Authorizing the final segments of Gateway West will make lands available to transmit electric power generated from both traditional (i.e., coal-fired and natural gas-fired) generation facilities and renewable sources (i.e., wind generation facilities). As part of a larger effort to modernize the grid in the Pacific Northwest, the project would also promote America’s energy independence, security, and reliability.
The BLM will complete an environmental assessment (EA) as part of the reconsideration of the January route decision, and interested parties have the opportunity to participate fully. The BLM may also need to amend certain land use plans to accommodate selection of a route alternative that differs from the one selected in the January 2017 decision. The process begins with a 30-day public scoping period to identify issues that will be analyzed in the EA.
The BLM is now accepting comments until September 27, 2017, on issues, potential impacts, and mitigation measures that may not have been addressed in the October 2016 Final Supplemental EIS. A notice published in today’s Federal Register outlines issues analyzed in the Supplemental EIS and summarizes the land use plan amendments associated with the route alternative(s) being considered.
Documents related to previous phases of the project are available at https://www.blm.gov/
Individuals wishing to submit comments on issues or planning criteria related to the EA may do so via:
- Website: https://www.blm.gov/
gatewaywest - Email: blm_id_gateway_west@blm.gov
- Fax: 208-384-3326
- Mail or hand delivery: BLM Boise District Office, 3948 Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, please be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request that the BLM withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The BLM will also publish a draft EA and any draft land use plan amendment(s) for public review and comment.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.