Vantage to Pomona FEIS Index 34 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 1 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Purpose and Need PAGE 1-10 1.4.2.3 Bureau of Reclamation Reclamation is a formal Cooperating Agency responsible for processing Pacific Power’s ROW application (SF-299) filed in April, 2011 and an updated application filed in June, 2016 to include the NNR Alternative, requesting permission to cross federal lands managed by Reclamation. Reclamation will use this FEIS as the basis from which to make decisions relating to granting a ROW to Pacific Power for construction, operation, and maintenance of proposed Project and the need for any required mitigation of impacts occurring on Reclamation-managed lands. 1.4.2.4 Federal Highway Administration FHWA is a formal Cooperating Agency responsible for approving Pacific Power’s application to use Interstate (I)-82 land owned by WSDOT. FHWA works with WSDOT to permit third parties to use interstate property for non-highway uses that do not impact safety and operations on the interstate and the proposed use shall not expose the facility’s users to other hazards. FHWA will use this FEIS as the basis from which to make decisions related to the proposed Project and, if necessary, to establish the need for any mitigation of impacts occurring on WSDOT-owned interstate lands. 1.4.2.5 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service USFWS is a formal Cooperating Agency because of its special expertise and jurisdiction by law of threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species; migratory birds; and bald eagles and golden eagles pursuant to the implementing regulations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. §1531 et seq.); the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 16 U.S.C. §§703-712); Executive Order 13186; and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA; 16 U.S.C. §668-668d), respectively. USFWS would be responsible for providing technical assistance, as necessary, in evaluating Project impacts to ensure threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species, migratory birds, and bald and golden eagles are identified and by providing avoidance and minimization techniques to reduce impacts from implementation of the Project. USFWS would also be responsible for consultation or conferencing with the BLM as the lead federal agency to fulfill Interagency Cooperation obligations in accordance with Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA. 1.4.2.6 Washington State Department of Transportation WSDOT is a formal Cooperating Agency because of its responsibility to process Pacific Power’s utility permit or franchise application(s) to cross the I-82 and State Route (SR) 243. In order for WSDOT to make a determination on Pacific Power’s application(s), the Project will need to comply with SEPA or WSDOT may need to conduct a separate SEPA analysis. WSDOT is the SEPA co-lead agency with Yakima County, and WSDOT’s South Central Region Environmental Office is serving as the nominal lead agency. WSDOT has final responsibility for the completion of all SEPA procedures and documentation. This FEIS may be utilized by state and local governments in meeting SEPA requirements. A Project-specific SEPA Environmental Checklist has been developed for the proposed Project and is included in Appendix D. WSDOT would also be responsible for coordinating FHWA’s review and concurrence of a permanent access break for a utility installation across I-82 providing an easement or utility franchise through the WSDOT ROW and providing any additional documentation for compliance with NEPA and SEPA, the ESA, and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). FHWA will use this FEIS as the basis from which to make decisions related to the proposed Project and, if necessary, to establish the need for any mitigation of impacts occurring on WSDOT-owned lands.