Boardman to Hemingway

NEPA Document Collection for: Boardman to Hemingway
EIS

Environmental Impact Statement and Land Use Plan Amendments for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project

Proposed Action

Idaho Power Company proposes to construct, operate, and maintain the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project (the B2H Project), that is approximately 305 miles long. The line would be a single-circuit alternating-current, 500-kilovolt (kV) overhead electric transmission line with ancillary facilities. The transmission line would be constructed to connect the Grassland Substation, that is under construction by Portland General Electric Company (PGE), near the near the city of Boardman, Morrow County, Oregon, to the existing Hemingway Substation, near the city of Melba in Owyhee County, Idaho. The proposed B2H Project would include relocating approximately 4.5 miles of existing 138-kV transmission line to a newly constructed double circuit 138/69-kV transmission line in the existing right-of-way in the vicinity of Weatherby, Oregon.

The B2H Project is proposed to cross federal, state, and private lands in five counties in Oregon and one county in Idaho. Approximately 93 miles (33 percent) of the lands the proposed B2H Project would cross are administered by federal agencies, including the BLM, USFS, and the Bureau of Reclamation. The B2H Project may also affect lands and military Special Use Airspace administered by the U.S. Department of the Navy.

Conditions of Approval

Final EIS anticipated release is Summer 2016; no ROD issued yet.

Data Completion Notes

A complete record of project files can be found on the Project website at: http://www.boardmantohemingway.com/default.aspx

NEPA Resource Analysis chart updated May 2016.

Documents

EA/EIS Report:

• B2H DraftEIS Volume I.pdf
• B2H DraftEIS Volume II.pdf
• Draft EIS

 

Resource Analysis

Resource	Not Present	Present, Not Affected	Present, Potentially Affected	Not Indicated	Comment	Applicant Proposed Mitigation	Agency Imposed Mitigation

Access and Transportation "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

ClosePeriodic access to the transmission line right-of-way is required to maintain its operating function. Thus, access roads would be kept open, at least at a two-track level, which increases the potential for vandalism and illicit artifact collection. Continued use of access roads for maintenance may also promote erosion, which could impact cultural resources located along the margins of roads. Other maintenance activities, such as vegetation removal, bear the potential to create ground disturbance, which may in turn, impact both previously identified and unidentified resources.

Cultural Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseCULT 1—All cultural resources work conducted for the Project would be performed by qualified archaeologists CULT-2—Where needed, cultural and historic sites would be flagged for avoidance prior to start of construction activities. Flagging would be removed once construction is completed in an area. CULT-3—To minimize unauthorized collecting of archaeological material or vandalism to known archaeological sites, all workers would attend mandatory training on the significance of cultural resources and the relevant federal regulations intended to protect them. Additional Mitigation: Modification of the Project and associated elements through micrositing and relocation to avoid identified cultural resources Erection of fencing around areas known to possess cultural resources or considered likely to possess buried cultural resources Monitoring of construction activities in order to ensure avoidance of identified cultural resources and to prevent disturbance in areas considered likely to possess buried cultural resource The following design features are proposed to avoid, reduce, or minimize visual impacts on cultural resources: Conductors for the 500-kV and 230-kV lines that are made of aluminum/steel stranding with a nonspecular or diffuse finish A surface finish for each galvanized steel lattice tower (single or double circuit) to produce a dulled finish that reduces surface reflectivity A surface finish for each single circuit weathered steel pole H-frame, which forms a rust-like appearance that can blend into some land Preparation of National Register nominations Interpretive and/or education materials in a variety of media formats Partnerships and funding for public programs geared at preservation and interpretation of resources Partnerships and funding for public archaeology projects Conservation easements Purchase of land for long-term protection of historic properties

Environmental Justice "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Native American Reservations are not crossed, however, there are 45 tribes within 2 miles of the proposed project's pathway.

Fisheries Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Geology and Minerals "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseOregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 345-022-0020 (Structural Standard) and OAR 345- 29 021-0010(1)(h) (Contents of an Application, Exhibit H) outline EFSC facility standards and application 30 requirements related to geological and soil stability. To issue a site certificate, the EFSC “must find that the applicant can design, engineer, and construct the facility to avoid dangers to human safety presented by seismic hazards” (OAR 345-022-0020(1)(b))

Lands and Realty "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Migratory Birds "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Native American Concerns "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Native American Reservations are not crossed, however, there are 45 tribes within 2 miles of the proposed project's pathway. Burial sites, cultural practices, and artifacts commonly occur off of the indian reservation.

Noise "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

"Buzzing" disturbances may interfere with "wildness" feeling. The noise generated from this project will not exceed allowable decibels.

Paleontological Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Close1. Avoidance areas would be flagged prior to construction activities. Flagging would be removed once construction is completed in an area. 2. If a subsurface fossil is discovered during construction, including stopping construction in the vicinity of the find, notification of the appropriate land management agency, contacting a qualified paleontologist to conduct an evaluation of the find, and the development of an approved data recovery program or other mitigation measures. 3. All surface-disturbing activities in the vicinity of the find would cease until notification to proceed is given by the authorized officer. The site would be protected to reduce the risk of damage to fossils and context. To minimize unauthorized collecting of paleontological resources, all workers would attend mandatory training on the importance of paleontological resources and the relevant federal regulations that protect them.

Public Health and Safety "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseIn addition to the construction and operation standards, other mitigation measures would be included that reduce the potential for stray voltage. For example, perceived currents or potentials on vehicles or farm equipment can be mitigated if they occur by using a ground strap on the vehicle or equipment, or by avoiding stopping the vehicle or equipment while under the lines. Since a spark and current may occur between objects under the line if the objects are not properly connected and grounded, refueling a vehicle while it is under the line should also be avoided.

Recreation "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Threatened and Endangered Species "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

The Sage Grouse habitat will be heavily disturbed.

CloseThe Proposed Plan will implement land use allocations, infrastructure development buffers and limitations, and areal disturbance caps that are intended to conserve and enhance Greater Sage-Grouse populations in Oregon into the foreseeable future.

Vegetation "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Visual Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseAssess land features to limit visual impacts from highways, towns, reservations, and trails.

Wildlife Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Special Status Species "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseThe Proposed Plan will implement land use allocations, infrastructure development buffers and limitations, and areal disturbance caps that are intended to conserve and enhance listed special status species habitats.