Consent 3.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Community Development
- Meeting Date:
- 05/22/2012
- Title:
- Letter to BLM Regarding County's Coordinating Agency Status for Southline Transmission Line Project
- Submitted By:
- Mike Turisk, Community Development
- Department:
- Community Development
- Division:
- Planning
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
1
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Federal or State Mandate
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve a letter acknowledging the designation of Coordinating Agency status for Cochise County by the BLM in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and possible land use amendments for the Southline Transmission Project.
Background:
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the BLM intends to prepare an EIS to analyze the potential environmental and land use impacts of the proposed Southline Transmission Line Project, a 225-mile, 345-kV and 230-kV transmission line between existing substations at Afton, New Mexico, and Apache, Arizona. The project would also make improvements to approximately 130 miles of existing transmission lines between the Apache and Saguaro, Arizona substations. Southline has filed a ROW application with the BLM proposing to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission these high-voltage, AC transmission lines. The proposed project would consist of two segments:
The first segment would be the construction of a new double-circuit 345-kV transmission line linking existing substations at Afton (located south of Las Cruces, New Mexico) and Apache, Arizona. This segment would enable up to 1,500 MW of transmission capacity.
The second segment is an upgrade and rebuild of approximately 130 miles of existing transmission line, providing up to 1,000 MW of increased transmission capacity between the Apache Substation and the Saguaro Substation northwest of Tucson.
Approximately 40 percent of the proposed transmission line would be on public land, 30 percent would be on State land, and the remaining 30 percent would be on private land.
The transmission lines may be supported by lattice steel structures or tubular steel pole structures. However, final decision on the specific type of structure will be based on topography, structural requirements, economics, the environment, etc. The structures are anticipated to be from 110 to 170 feet in height, and the distance between each structure would depend on site-specific characteristics but is expected to be approximately 800 to 1,500 feet.
During the public scoping period, the BLM and the DOE are soliciting public comments on behalf of all cooperating agencies regarding issues, concerns, and opportunities that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action. The BLM and DOE intend to conduct six public meetings at various locations in New Mexico and Arizona during the public scoping period, and will announce public scoping meetings on their website at http://www.blm.gov/nm/southline and other media at least 15 days prior to each meeting.
The scoping period will end on June 4, 2012, or 15 days after the last public scoping meeting, whichever is later.
The first segment would be the construction of a new double-circuit 345-kV transmission line linking existing substations at Afton (located south of Las Cruces, New Mexico) and Apache, Arizona. This segment would enable up to 1,500 MW of transmission capacity.
The second segment is an upgrade and rebuild of approximately 130 miles of existing transmission line, providing up to 1,000 MW of increased transmission capacity between the Apache Substation and the Saguaro Substation northwest of Tucson.
Approximately 40 percent of the proposed transmission line would be on public land, 30 percent would be on State land, and the remaining 30 percent would be on private land.
The transmission lines may be supported by lattice steel structures or tubular steel pole structures. However, final decision on the specific type of structure will be based on topography, structural requirements, economics, the environment, etc. The structures are anticipated to be from 110 to 170 feet in height, and the distance between each structure would depend on site-specific characteristics but is expected to be approximately 800 to 1,500 feet.
During the public scoping period, the BLM and the DOE are soliciting public comments on behalf of all cooperating agencies regarding issues, concerns, and opportunities that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action. The BLM and DOE intend to conduct six public meetings at various locations in New Mexico and Arizona during the public scoping period, and will announce public scoping meetings on their website at http://www.blm.gov/nm/southline and other media at least 15 days prior to each meeting.
The scoping period will end on June 4, 2012, or 15 days after the last public scoping meeting, whichever is later.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Have the Chairman sign and send the letter.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The County would not acknowledge the BLM's acceptance of our request for Coordinating Agency status in the preparation of the proposed EIS and potential land use plan amendments for the Southline Transmission Line Project.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Please send the letter as soon as possible (scoping period ends 4 June) directly to the Bureau of Land Management:
Bill Childress, District Manager
Las Cruces District Office
Bureau of Land Management
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, NM 8805-3371
Frances Martinez, Realty Specialist
Las Cruces District Office
Southline Transmission Project
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005
Bill Childress, District Manager
Las Cruces District Office
Bureau of Land Management
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, NM 8805-3371
Frances Martinez, Realty Specialist
Las Cruces District Office
Southline Transmission Project
1800 Marquess Street
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005