NOVEMBER 2016

U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office

Energy Gateway South Transmission Project

Plan of DevelopmentVolume I

Colorado UtahWyoming

PREPARED BY:

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ENERGY GATEWAY SOUTH TRANSMISSION PROJECT

PLAN OF DEVELOPMENTVOLUME I

Case Files Wyoming: WYW-174597

Colorado: COC-72907

Utah: UTU-87237

Prepared by:

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Wyoming State Office

November 2016

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ENERGY GATEWAY SOUTH TRANSMISSION PROJECT

Plan of Development

Because there will be an extended period oftime between execution of the Records of Decision (ROD) and the completion of the design and engineering and commencement of construction of the Energy Gateway South Transmission Project (Project), the Plan of Development (POD) is being developed in two phases. This phase of the POD is required by the BLM to contain sufficient information for the BLM and the other federal land-management agencies to sign their respective RODs at the culmination of the NEP A process. This draft of the POD contains data and information (including the framework for mitigation) documented in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is based on a description of a typical 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line along the location of the right-of-way centerline since the design and engineering of the Project is not available during preparation ofthe EIS. Also, as an appendix, tbis phase of the POD contains a complete and agency-approved POD for geotechnical investigation that will commence once the RODs are executed and the right-of-way is granted, the special-use authorization is issued, and the encroachment permit and grant of easement are issued (Appendix G- Geotechnical Investigation Plan of Development).

The approval of tbis phase of the POD is required as evidence that tbis phase of the POD contains sufficient information to support the respective RODs of the federal land-management agencies cooperating in tbis Project and for implementation of the Geotechnical Investigations that are required prior to development of the second phase of the POD for construction.

CONCURRENCE

Approved by: .& ~, Sharon Seppi Managing Director, Construction PacifiCorp

Date:_I_I/__;,_~__;_//.J...._~ _ ___ _

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Energy Gateway South Transmission Project i Plan of Development Table of Contents November 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VOLUME I – Plan of Development

Section 1 – Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need of the Plan of Development ...................................................................... 1-3 1.3 Project Overview .................................................................................................................... 1-3 1.4 Organization of the Plan of Development .............................................................................. 1-4

1.4.1 Volume I .................................................................................................................... 1-4 1.4.1.1 Sections 1 through 5.................................................................................. 1-7 1.4.1.2 Appendices ................................................................................................ 1-7

1.4.2 Volume II: Map Sets ................................................................................................. 1-9 1.4.2.1 Map Set 1 – Project and Environmental Features (1 inch = 2,000

feet [1:24,000]) ......................................................................................... 1-9 1.4.2.2 Map Set 2 – Key Mitigation and Reclamation Practices (1 inch =

400 feet [1:4,800]) .................................................................................... 1-9 1.5 Relationship with Other Environmental Documents .............................................................. 1-9 1.6 Federal, State, and Local Permits ......................................................................................... 1-10

Section 2 – Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.1 Company ................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Indian

Affairs/Ute Indian Tribe ............................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.3 Compliance Inspection Contractor ............................................................................ 2-2 2.1.4 Construction Contractor(s) ........................................................................................ 2-2

Section 3 – Project Description .................................................................................................................. 3-1 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Proposed Facilities ................................................................................................................. 3-1

3.2.1 Transmission Segment Descriptions ......................................................................... 3-1 3.2.2 Typical Design Characteristics .................................................................................. 3-3 3.2.3 Transmission Structures ............................................................................................ 3-5 3.2.4 Structure Foundations................................................................................................ 3-9 3.2.5 Transmission Line Hardware .................................................................................. 3-11 3.2.6 Communications Systems ....................................................................................... 3-12 3.2.7 Substations and Series Compensation Stations ....................................................... 3-14

3.2.7.1 Substation and Series Compensation Stations Overview ............................ 3-14 3.2.7.2 Series Compensation Station Components .................................................. 3-15

3.2.8 Preliminary Access Road Information .................................................................... 3-16 3.3 Land Requirements and Construction Disturbance .............................................................. 3-19

3.3.1 Right-of-Way Acquisition ....................................................................................... 3-20 3.3.2 Temporary and Permanent (Long-term) Construction Disturbance ........................ 3-21

Section 4 – Environmental Setting, Issues, and Mitigation Measures ....................................................... 4-1 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4-1 4.2 Summary of Environmental Setting ....................................................................................... 4-1 4.3 Summary of Environmental Issues by Environmental Resource ........................................... 4-5

Climate and Air Quality ............................................................................................ 4-5 4.3.1

Earth Resources ......................................................................................................... 4-5 4.3.2

Energy Gateway South Transmission Project ii Plan of Development Table of Contents November 2016

4.3.2.1 Geologic Hazards ...................................................................................... 4-5 4.3.2.2 Soil Resources ........................................................................................... 4-6 4.3.2.3 Mineral Resources .................................................................................... 4-6

Paleontological Resources ......................................................................................... 4-6 4.3.3

Water Resources ........................................................................................................ 4-6 4.3.4

Vegetation ................................................................................................................. 4-7 4.3.5

Special-status Plants .................................................................................................. 4-7 4.3.6

Wildlife ...................................................................................................................... 4-7 4.3.7

4.3.7.1 Raptors ...................................................................................................... 4-7 4.3.7.2 Mammals .................................................................................................. 4-8 4.3.7.3 Big Game .................................................................................................. 4-8 4.3.7.4 Reptiles ..................................................................................................... 4-8

Special-status Wildlife .............................................................................................. 4-9 4.3.8

4.3.8.1 Special-status Passerine and Waterfowl Birds .......................................... 4-9 4.3.8.2 Special-status Raptors and Migratory Birds ............................................. 4-9 4.3.8.3 Yellow-Billed Cuckoo .............................................................................. 4-9 4.3.8.4 Greater Sage-grouse .................................................................................. 4-9 4.3.8.5 Mammals ................................................................................................ 4-10 4.3.8.6 Reptiles ................................................................................................... 4-10

Migratory Birds ....................................................................................................... 4-11 4.3.9

Fish and Aquatic Resources .................................................................................... 4-11 4.3.10

Land Use ................................................................................................................. 4-11 4.3.11

Parks, Preservation, and Recreation ........................................................................ 4-12 4.3.12

Transportation and Access ...................................................................................... 4-12 4.3.13

Congressional Designations .................................................................................... 4-12 4.3.14

Special Designations and Other Management Areas .............................................. 4-12 4.3.15

Non-wilderness Study Area Lands with Wilderness Characteristics ...................... 4-13 4.3.16

Inventoried Roadless Areas and Unroaded/Undeveloped Areas ............................. 4-13 4.3.17

Visual Resources ..................................................................................................... 4-13 4.3.18

National Trails System ............................................................................................ 4-14 4.3.19

Cultural Resources .................................................................................................. 4-14 4.3.20

Fire Ecology and Management ................................................................................ 4-14 4.3.21

Public Health and Safety ......................................................................................... 4-14 4.3.22

4.4 Overview of Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................ 4-14 4.5 Overview of Mitigation Measures Discussed in Appendices ............................................... 4-16 4.6 Selective Mitigation by Milepost ......................................................................................... 4-17

Section 5 – Literature Cited ....................................................................................................................... 5-1

Appendix A – Construction Considerations

A1 Flagging, Fencing, and Signage Plan

A2 Traffic and Transportation Management Plan

A3 Project Construction

A4 Environmental and Safety Training Plan

A5 Environmental Compliance Management Plan

A6 Operation and Maintenance Plan

Appendix B – Environmental Protection Plans

B1 Biological Resources Conservation Plan

Attachment A – Biological Resources Survey Requirements

Attachment B – Biological Resources Monitoring Plan Framework

Energy Gateway South Transmission Project iii Plan of Development Table of Contents November 2016

Attachment C –Wildlife Variance Management Plan Framework

Attachment D – Migratory Bird Nest Management, Monitoring, and Nesting Plan Framework

Attachment E – Clay Phacelia and Deseret Milkvetch Suitable Habitat Parameters

Attachment F – Uinta Basin Hookless Cactus Survey Protocol

Attachment G – Seasonal and Spatial Restrictions for Biological Resources

B2 Noxious Weed Management Plan

B3 Water Resources Protection Plan

B4 Vegetation Management Plan

B5 Historic Properties Treatment Plan

B6 Paleontological Resources Treatment Plan

B7 Erosion, Dust Control, and Air Quality Plan

B8 Fire Protection Plan

Appendix C – Environmental Protection Plan Frameworks

C1 Reclamation, Revegetation, and Monitoring Plan Framework

C2 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Framework

C3 Spill Prevention, Containment, and Countermeasures Plan Framework

C4 Hazardous Materials Management Plan Framework

C5 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Framework

C6 Blasting Plan Framework

C7 Water Use Plan Framework

Appendix D – Resource Survey Protocols

D1 Cultural Resources Survey Protocol

D2 Draft Paleontological Resources Survey Plan

Appendix E Land Description of the Project Across Federal Lands

Appendix F – Company Transmission Construction Standards

Appendix G – Geotechnical Investigation Plan of Development

VOLUME II – Map Sets 1 and 2

Map Set 1 – Project and Environmental Features (1 inch = 2,000 feet [1:24,000])

Map Set 2 – Key Mitigation and Reclamation Practices (1 inch = 400 feet [1:4,800])

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Project Study Area ........................................................................................................... 1-5 Figure 3-1 Project Layout Diagram ................................................................................................... 3-2 Figure 3-2 Proposed Tangent Single-circuit 500-kilovolt Lattice Steel Structure (Delta

Configuration) .................................................................................................................. 3-6 Figure 3-3 Alternative Proposed Single-circuit 500-kilovolt Lattice Steel Structure

(Horizontal Configuration) .............................................................................................. 3-6 Figure 3-4 Proposed Tangent Single-circuit 500-kilovolt H-frame Structure ................................... 3-7 Figure 3-5 Proposed Tangent Single-circuit 500-kilovolt Guyed V .................................................. 3-7 Figure 3-6 Proposed Tangent Single-circuit 500-kilovolt Guyed Delta ............................................ 3-8 Figure 3-7 Proposed Tangent Single-circuit 345-kilovolt H-frame Structure ................................... 3-8 Figure 3-8 Proposed Single-circuit 345-kilovolt Mono-pole Tangent Structure (for angles

0° to 5°) ............................................................................................................................ 3-9

Energy Gateway South Transmission Project iv Plan of Development Table of Contents November 2016

Figure 3-9 Proposed Double-circuit 345-kilovolt Mono-pole Tangent Structure (for angles

0° to 5°) ............................................................................................................................ 3-9 Figure 3-10 Typical Regeneration Site Layout ................................................................................. 3-13 Figure 3-11 Typical 500-kilovolt Substation ..................................................................................... 3-15 Figure 3-12 Typical Right-of-Way .................................................................................................... 3-19

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1-1 Land Ownership/Jurisdiction – Miles Crossed by the Project ......................................... 1-4 Table 1-2 Summary of Potential Major Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Permits or Licenses

Required and Other Environmental Review Requirements for Project Construction

and Operation ................................................................................................................. 1-10 Table 3-1 Typical Design Characteristics of the 500-kilovolt and 345-kilovolt Transmission

Lines ................................................................................................................................ 3-3 Table 3-2 Typical 500-kilovolt Structure Type Foundation........................................................... 3-10 Table 3-3 Typical 345-kilovolt Structure Type Foundations ......................................................... 3-10 Table 3-4 Right-of-way Disturbance Acreages Across Administrative Jurisdictions for the

Project ............................................................................................................................ 3-20 Table 4-1 Design Features of the Project for Environmental Protection ....................................... 4-18 Table 4-2 Selective Mitigation Measures ....................................................................................... 4-31 Table 4-3 Selective Mitigation Measures by Link and Milepost ................................................... 4-39

Energy Gateway South Transmission Project v Plan of Development List of Acronyms November 2016

LIST OF ACRONYMS

A AC Alternating current

ACEC Area of Critical Environmental Concern

ACSR Aluminum-conductor steel-reinforced

ARPA Archaeological Resources Protection Act

ATV All-terrain vehicles

B BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs

BLM Bureau of Land Management

C CCR Code of Colorado Regulations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CIC Compliance Inspection Contractor

Company PacifiCorp, doing business as Rocky Mountain Power

C.R.S. Colorado Revised Statutes

CWA Clean Water Act

E ECMP Environmental Compliance Management Plan

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

ESA Endangered Species Act

F FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FFSL Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act

FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

G GIS Geographic Information System

H HPTP Historic Properties Treatment Plan

K Kcmil Thousand circular mil

kV Kilovolt

Energy Gateway South Transmission Project vi Plan of Development List of Acronyms November 2016

M MW Megawatts

N NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NERC National Electric Reliability Council

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NTP Notice to Proceed

O OPGW Optical Ground Wire

P PFYC Potential Fossil Yield Classification

P.L. Public Law

POD Plan of Development

Project Energy Gateway South Transmission Project

PRPA Paleontological Resources Preservation Act

PRTP Paleontological Resources Treatment Plan

PSC Public Service Commission

R RMP Resource Management Plan

ROD Record of Decision

S SHPO State Historic Preservation Office

SITLA School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration

SPCC Spill Prevention, Containment, and Countermeasures

SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

U UAC Utah Administrative Code

UDEQ Utah Department of Environmental Quality

UDWR Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S.C. United States Code

USFS U.S. Forest Service

W WDEQ Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

WECC Western Electricity Coordinating Council

WSA Wilderness Study Area

WWPC Wyoming Weed and Pest Control