Public Input Sought for Environmental Assessment on Lordsburg Transmission Line
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Las Cruces, N.M. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District is seeking public comments on a proposed transmission line, from property owned by 96 Ranch Energy, LLC to the Hidalgo Substation located in Hidalgo County, N.M. The comments will be considered in an environmental assessment (EA) evaluating the potential impacts the transmission line may have on BLM-managed public land. Public comments on the EA will be accepted for 30 days, ending on Sept. 6, 2017.
The BLM is committed to supporting improved transmission development that stabilizes the grid and otherwise strengthens America’s energy infrastructure. The new transmission line would transmit power generated from private renewable energy facilities.
The BLM has determined that preparation of an EA is necessary under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The proposed EA will analyze the potential effects from the construction, maintenance, operation, and termination of the transmission line, service road, and associated infrastructure.
The proposed facilities are partially located on BLM-managed public land, approximately 4 miles northeast of Lordsburg, in Hidalgo County. The proposed 200-foot wide, 345 kV transmission line, service road, and associated infrastructure would be constructed over 11,052.35 feet on public land; 6,113.28 feet on State Trust land; and 1,044.52 feet on private land owned by 96 Ranch Energy, for a total of 18,210.15 feet (3.45 miles).
The applicant, 96 Ranch Energy, LLC, has provided the BLM with a plan of development (POD) outlining the design features and the reclamation/restoration plan. In the POD, the applicant incorporated applicable best-management practices and environmental protection measures recommended by industry or the BLM to minimize potential resource impacts during construction and maintenance. The total proposed surface occupancy would be 83.61 acres of which 50.75 acres would be located on BLM-administered public land.
Comments can be submitted by one of the following methods:
- Online at: https://eplanning.blm.gov
- Electronically by sending them to: BLM_NM_LCDO_Comments@blm.gov. Please include “Lordsburg Transmission Line” in the subject line of your email.
- Mail to: BLM Las Cruces District Office, ATTN: Lordsburg Transmission Line, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005
For all comments submitted, please identify whether you are submitting comments as an individual or as the designated spokesperson on behalf of an organization. In addition, all comments, and any personal information provided with them, are part of the administrative file and are treated as public information.
If you have questions regarding the proposed project, comment submission, or would like to be added to or removed from the mailing list, contact L. Nancy Robledo, Project Lead-Realty Specialist at 575-525-4394 or via email at lrobledo@blm.gov. Further project details and maps are also available online at https://eplanning.blm.gov by selecting NEPA #: DOI-BLM-NM-L000-2017-0068-EA.
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.