Corridor 81-213 Section 368 Energy Corridor Regional ... 81-213 Section 368 Energy Corridor Regional Reviews - Region 2 January 2018 6 Corridor Analysis The corridor analysis table

Corridor 81-213 Section 368 Energy Corridor Regional Reviews - Region 2 January 2018

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Corridor 81-213 Las Cruces-Tucson Corridor

Introduction Corridor 81-213 (Figures 1 and 2) begins 20 miles north of the Mexican border in southern New Mexico, just west of Interstate 10, and runs west into

southeastern Arizona. Federally designated portions of this corridor are entirely on BLM-administered lands and have a width of 3,500 feet. Corridor 81-213 is

designated multi-modal for future electrical transmission and pipeline projects. There are 51.4 miles of designated corridor on BLM-administered lands; the

overall route including gaps is 145.3 miles. The designated area is 21,571 acres or 33.7 square miles. Corridor 81-213 is in Dona Ana, Luna, Grant, and Hidalgo

counties in New Mexico and Cochise County in Arizona under the BLM jurisdiction of the Safford Field Office in Arizona and the Las Cruces District Office in

New Mexico. This corridor is entirely in Region 2.

Figure 1. Corridor 81-213


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Key for All Figures


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Figure 2. Corridor 81-213, Including Existing Energy Infrastructure


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Corridor Rationale During scoping for the WWEC PEIS, routes generally following this corridor were suggested by the American Wind Energy Association; Kinder Morgan; the

New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department; and the Western Utility Group.

Existing Infrastructure: The corridor generally parallels existing electric transmission and pipeline infrastructure as well as I-10. The corridor generally follows

natural gas pipelines operated by El Paso Natural Gas Company for almost the entire length of the corridor, two refined product pipelines, a 345-kV electric

transmission line operated by Public Service Company of New Mexico from MP 76.4 to MP 99.3, and a 345-kV electric transmission line operated by El Paso

Electric Company from MP 3.2 to MP 28.

Potential for Future Development: During interviews for the Corridor Study, Agencies indicated that Southline would be partially inside the corridor in one

alternative and potentially plans to use the corridor for 5 to 10 miles in Arizona. The Platts data indicate two planned 500-kV transmission lines to be operated

by Arizona Public Service Company and Western Area Power Administration generally follow the path of the corridor from MP 76 to MP 99.4 and MP 125 to

MP 145.3, respectively.

Corridor of Concern Status This corridor was not identified in the Settlement Agreement as a corridor of concern.

Conflict Map Analysis Figure 3 reflects a comprehensive resource conflict assessment to help the Agencies identify a corridor’s proximity to environmentally sensitive areas. The

potential conflict assessment (low, medium, high) shown in the figure is based on criteria found on the WWEC Information Center at www.corridoreis.anl.gov.

The conflict assessment criteria table was used to identify if the corridor meets the Settlement Agreement siting principles to provide maximum utility and

minimum impact on the environment. This facilitates balance between resource protection and potential development. Where feasible, corridors should be

sited in the areas of low conflict; however, to meet the requirements in the Energy Policy Act and the siting principles in the Settlement Agreement, corridors

may be located in high potential conflict areas. Many energy corridors were designated in land use plans prior to being carried forward into Section 368

designation. In almost all instances, these existing corridors (pre-Section 368) contained existing infrastructure. Corridor 81-213 follow existing pipelines and

transmission lines. Between MP 0 and 20, Corridor 81-213 runs through medium potential conflict areas. Between MP 25 and MP 145, the available data

indicate that the corridor can be found within medium and high potential conflict areas, particularly between MP 82 and MP 145. There may be opportunities

for revising the corridor and reducing conflicts with multiple pathways of existing energy infrastructure in the vicinity running the same general direction.

http://corridoreis.anl.gov/documents/docs/conflict_assessment_table.pdf

http://www.corridoreis.anl.gov/


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Figure 3. Mapping of Conflict Areas in Vicinity of Corridor 81-213


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Corridor Analysis The corridor analysis table below identifies issues potentially affecting Corridor 81-213, locations of resources within the corridor, and the results of the analysis

by the Agencies. Issues are checked if they are known to apply to the corridor.

☒ Energy Planning Opportunities

☒ Energy Planning Issues

☐Physical barrier

☒Jurisdiction

☒Existing infrastructure/available

space

☒ Land Management Responsibilities

and Environmental Resource Issues

☒Air quality

☒Cultural resources

☒Ecological resources

☒Hydrological resources

☒Lands and realty

☒Lands with wilderness

characteristics

☐Livestock grazing

☐Paleontology

☐Public access and recreation

☒Soils/erosion

☒Specially designated areas

☒Tribal concerns

☒Visual resources

☐ Interagency Operating Procedures

REGION 2 – CORRIDOR 81-213 – ANALYSIS TABLE

ID Agency Agency Jurisdiction

County Primary Issue

Corridor Location (by Milepost [MP]) Source Agency Review and Analysis1

ENERGY PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES

81-213 .001

BLM Las Cruces DO

Dona Ana, NM

Afton SEZ MP 4.3 to MP 19.4 GIS analysis: the Afton SEZ and the corridor overlap.

The Afton SEZ provides opportunity for the corridor to accommodate transmission tied to renewable energy development. However, solar energy development within the corridor reduces space for future development of transmission and pipelines. Avoiding or restricting nonlinear features, such as geothermal and solar energy development, within the Section 368 energy corridors would best preserve the intended use of the corridor.

81-213 .002

BLM Las Cruces DO

Dona Ana, NM

Afton Generating Station-natural gas

MP 8 GIS analysis: power plant and the corridor overlap.

The power plant provides an opportunity for the corridor to accommodate additional transmission; but within the corridor, it reduces space for additional development.

81-213 .003

BLM Safford FO and Las Cruces DO

Cochise, AZ and Hidalgo, Grant, Luna,

Substations MP 8.1, MP 11.9, MP 37.2, MP 57.7, MP 91.9, MP 117.1,

GIS Analysis: 10 substations within 5 mi of corridor.

Nearby substations provide an opportunity for the corridor to accommodate additional transmission.


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and Dona Ana, NM

MP 117.8, and MP 145.3

81-213 .004

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo and Dona Ana, NM

Lordsburg Generating - natural gas

MP 117.1 GIS Analysis: power plant is within 2.3 mi of corridor.

The power plant provides an opportunity for the corridor to accommodate additional transmission.

81-213 .005

BLM Safford FO Cochise, AZ REDA MP 145.3 GIS Analysis: REDA is within 5 mi of corridor.

REDA provides an opportunity for the corridor to accommodate transmission tied to renewable energy development.

ENERGY PLANNING ISSUES

Jurisdiction

81-213 .006

NA State Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, and Dona Ana, NM

Discontinuous section of corridor

MP 27.9 to MP 135.5 GIS Analysis: State lands are in corridor gap.

BLM can only authorize projects on BLM-administered lands. Development in corridor gaps would require coordination outside of the Agencies.

Existing Infrastructure/Available Space

81-213 .007

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, Grant, Luna, and Dona Ana, NM

Existing pipelines and transmission lines

MP 3 to MP 18; MP 42; MP 55 to MP 81; MP 97 to MP 99; MP 107 to MP 113; and MP 121.2 to MP 123.5

GIS Analysis: several pipelines and transmission lines intersect corridor at angles.

The corridor conforms to the Mimbres RMP to encourage new facilities to be located near existing sites or in existing corridors. Consistent with BLM ROW regulations, notification to adjacent ROW holders would be provided.

81-213 .008

BLM Las Cruces DO

Luna and Hidalgo, NM

I-10 MP 67.8 to MP 69.9, MP 110.6 to MP 111.2, and MP 121.8 to MP 122.5

GIS Analysis: I-10 passes through the corridor several times.

Generally does not affect use of the corridor. Consistent with BLM ROW regulations, notification to adjacent ROW holders would be provided.

81-213 .009

BLM Las Cruces DO

Dona Ana, Luna, and Hidalgo, NM

Railroads MP 25.9 to MP 28, MP 60 to MP 60.6, MP 67.2 to MP 69.8, MP 110.3 to MP 111.2, and MP 122.5 to MP 123.7

GIS Analysis: railroads cross corridor.

Generally does not affect use of the corridor. Consistent with BLM ROW regulations, notification to adjacent ROW holders would be provided.

LAND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE ISSUES

Air Quality

81-213 .010

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Lordsburg Playa MP 127.9 to MP 131.6 GIS Analysis: corridor intersects playa.

Future development of corridor may conflict with existing Mimbres RMP and Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Management RMPA. Construction


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activities in the playa which remove or destroy riparian vegetation are to be avoided in these avoidance areas. In addition, dust from the playa causes hazardous dust events known as “brown-outs” on I-10 and have contributed to past and recent driving fatalities. NMDOT submitted an ACEC proposal to preserve land and reduce uses that contribute more dust. The ACEC proposal would be dealt with in a land use plan effort (amendment or revision). Routing corridor through the playa may present environmental and safety concerns. The Agencies should consider opportunities for corridor revision to avoid the playa.

Cultural Resources

81-213 .011

NA Private land Hidalgo, NM Shakespeare Ghost Town

MP 119.6 (adjacent) GIS Analysis: National Register property adjacent to corridor.

Property is adjacent to corridor and may present a conflict if future development included transmission lines which would be in the viewshed. Section 106 process would be followed to identify any possible impact of development.

Ecology: Vegetation

81-213 .012

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Lordsburg Playa Research Natural Area

MP 127.9 to MP 131.6 GIS Analysis: corridor intersects playa.

Future development of corridor may conflict with existing Mimbres RMP and Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Management RMPA. Construction activities in the playa which remove or destroy riparian vegetation are to be avoided in these avoidance areas. In addition, dust from the playa cause hazardous dust events known as


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“brown-outs” on I-10 and have contributed to past and recent driving fatalities. NMDOT submitted an ACEC proposal to preserve land and reduce uses that contribute more dust. The ACEC proposal would be dealt with in a land use plan effort (amendment or revision). Routing corridor through the playa may present environmental and safety concerns. The Agencies should consider opportunities for corridor revision to avoid the playa.

81-213 .013

BLM Las Cruces DO

Dona Ana, NM

Vegetation treatment area

MP 12.9 to MP 13.1 GIS Analysis: treatment area intersects corridor.

Generally does not affect use of the corridor and would be addressed during the ROW application review process.

Ecology: Special Status Species - Plants

81-213 .014

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM BLM sensitive species: Night-blooming Cereus (ESA-listed: endangered)

MP 117.8 to MP 120.8 MP 135.5

GIS Analysis: endangered species occurrence intersects corridor. GIS Analysis: endangered species occurrence adjacent to designated corridor

Future development in the corridor may conflict with the Mimbres RMP objectives to give priority to the protection and management of habitat for known populations of Federal species, to prevent the listing of Federal candidates, and to assist in the recovery of listed species.

81-213 .015

BLM Las Cruces DO

Dona Ana, NM

BLM sensitive species: Sand Prickly Pear Cactus (ESA-listed: endangered)

MP 5.3 to MP 6.3 GIS Analysis: endangered species occurrence intersects designated corridor.

Future development in the corridor may conflict with the Mimbres RMP objectives to give priority to the protection and management of habitat for known populations of Federal listed species, to prevent the listing of Federal candidates, and to assist in the recovery of listed species.

Hydrology: Surface Water

81-213 .016

BLM Las Cruces DO

Luna and Grant, NM

Two intermittent stream crossings:

MP 80.2 to MP 80.9 and MP 95.2

GIS Analysis: streams cross corridor.

Not a consideration for corridor-level planning. Linear ROWs can either span


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Cow Springs Draw and Burro Cienaga

intermittent streams or be buried underneath them.

81-213 .017

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Wetland: Lordsburg Playa Research Natural Area

MP 127.9 to MP 131.6 GIS Analysis: corridor intersects wetland (playa)

Future development of corridor may conflict with existing Mimbres RMP and Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Management RMPA. Construction activities in the playa which remove or destroy riparian vegetation are to be avoided in these avoidance areas. In addition, dust from the playa cause hazardous dust events known as “brown-outs” on I-10 and have contributed to past and recent driving fatalities. NMDOT submitted an ACEC proposal to preserve land and reduce uses that contribute more dust. The ACEC proposal would be dealt with in a land use plan effort (amendment or revision). Routing corridor through the playa may present environmental and safety concerns. The Agencies should consider opportunities for corridor revision to avoid the playa.

Lands and Realty: Rights-of-Way and General Land Use

81-213 .018

BLM Las Cruces DO

Luna, Grant, and Hidalgo, NM

ROW Avoidance MP 76.6 to MP 96.5, MP 118.3 to MP 118.9, MP 135.5 to MP 138.5

GIS Analysis: the ROW avoidance areas and the corridor intersect

Future development of corridor may conflict with existing Mimbres RMP. Avoidance areas are those where future rights-of-way may be granted only when no feasible alternative route or designated ROW corridor is available. Special terms and conditions may be required.

81-213 .019

BLM Las Cruces DO

Proposed and/or pending projects

Not specified. Agency Input: proposed and/or pending projects intersect with the corridor.

The corridor conforms to the Mimbres RMP to encourage new facilities to be located near existing sites or in existing corridors. Consistent with BLM ROW


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regulations, notification to adjacent ROW holders would be provided.

Lands and Realty: Military and Civilian Aviation

81-213 .020

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, Grant, and Luna, NM

Military Training Route – VR

MP 88 to MP 112.3 GIS Analysis: VR and the corridor intersect.

Adherence to IOP 1 under Project Planning in the WWEC PEIS RODs regarding coordination with DoD would be required.

Lands and Realty: Transportation

81-213 .021

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Lordsburg Playa MP 127.9 to MP 131.6 Agency Input: Federal Register Notice 63 FR 34661 Emergency Closure of Lordsburg Playa to Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV), Hidalgo County, NM

Future development of corridor may conflict with existing Mimbres RMP and Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Management RMPA. Construction activities in the playa that remove or destroy riparian vegetation are to be avoided in these avoidance areas. In addition, dust from the playa cause hazardous dust events known as “brown-outs” on I-10 and have contributed to past and recent driving fatalities. NMDOT submitted an ACEC proposal to preserve land and reduce uses that contribute more dust. The ACEC proposal would be dealt with in a land use plan effort (amendment or revision). Routing corridor through the playa may present environmental and safety concerns. The Agencies should consider opportunities for corridor revision to avoid the playa.

Lands with Wilderness Characteristics

81-213 .022

BLM Las Cruces DO

lands with wilderness characteristics

Not specified. RFI: BLM-identified Potential LWC - NM-LC-010, NM-LC-011, NM-LC-012, NM-LC-013, and NM-LC-016.

The Mimbres RMP has no ROW exclusion or avoidance prescriptions pertaining to lands with wilderness characteristics.


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NM-LC-010 thru 013, and 016 were part of the Southline EIS analysis. However, 010, 011, 012, and 016 were determined not to possess wilderness characteristics, and only a small portion NM-LC-013 is adjacent to the corridor, and the corridor would not impact the wilderness characteristics.

81-213 .023

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Citizens’ Proposed Wilderness

Not specified. RFI: Lordsburg Playa North. This citizens’ proposed wilderness is not in the RMP management prescriptions and is therefore not a consideration for the review.

Paleontological Resources

81-21 .024

BLM Las Cruces DO

Dona Ana, Luna, Grant, and Hidalgo, NM

PFYC Class 4 MP 0 to MP 22.8, MP 26.2 to MP 26.5, MP 35 to MP 52.6, MP 80 to MP 80.6, MP 87.8 to MP 88.1, MP 94.3 to MP 94.8, and MP 137.2 to MP 137.7

GIS Analysis: PFYC Class 4 areas intersect designated corridor

Not a consideration for corridor-level planning, Issue will be addressed during the ROW application review process. Portions of corridor in PFYC Class 4 will require surveys. Proposed ground disturbing activities will require assessments, possible mitigation and or monitoring depending on findings.

Soils/Erosion

81-213 .025

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Lordsburg Playa Natural Research Area

MP 127.9 to MP 131.6 GIS Analysis: corridor intersects playa

Future development of corridor may conflict with existing Mimbres RMP and Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Management RMPA. Construction activities in the playa that remove or destroy riparian vegetation are to be avoided in these avoidance areas. In addition, dust from the playa cause hazardous dust events known as “brown-outs” on I-10 and have contributed to past and recent driving fatalities. NMDOT submitted an ACEC proposal to preserve land and reduce uses that contribute more dust. The ACEC proposal would be dealt with in a


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land use plan effort (amendment or revision). Routing corridor through the playa may present environmental and safety concerns. The Agencies should consider opportunities for corridor revision to avoid the playa.

Specially Designated Areas

81-213 .026

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

MP 118.5 GIS Analysis: CDNST and corridor intersect.

The Mimbres RMP identifies the CDNST as a ROW avoidance area with a special stipulation that a new ROW will not be located parallel to the CDNST. However, no mention is made regarding stipulations on a ROW that crosses over the CDNST. The CDNST is a Congressionally designated trail. Adherence to IOPs would be required. Through project-specific environmental reviews, impacts would be analyzed in relation to any other alternatives that would be identified. The Agencies have identified the need for a new IOP to address development in Section 368 energy corridors while protecting values in Congressionally designated NSTs.

81-213 .027

BLM Las Cruces DO and Safford FO

Hidalgo, NM and Cochise, AZ

Butterfield Trail (study route)

MP 117.9 to MP 129.1 (near), MP 142.3 to MP 144.1 (intersect), and MP 144.1 to MP 145.3 (adjacent)

GIS Analysis: Butterfield Trail and the corridor abut and intersect in some locations. The Butterfield Trail is as close as 0.2 mi from the corridor at other locations.

The Mimbres RMP identifies the. Butterfield Trail as a ROW avoidance area with the special stipulation that a new facility will not be located within 0.25 mi of any stage station on the Trail. The Agencies have identified the need for a new IOP to address development


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in Section 368 energy corridors while protecting values in Congressionally designated NSTs, NHTs, and trails under study for potential designation under the National Trail System.

81-213 .028

BLM Las Cruces DO

Dona Ana and Luna, NM

Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument

MP 25 to MP 29 (near) and MP 35 to MP 36.9 (near)

GIS Analysis: National Monument as close as 1.0 mi from corridor.

The National Monument is not crossed by the corridor and is therefore not a consideration for corridor-level planning.

81-213 .029

BLM Las Cruces DO

Hidalgo, NM Lordsburg Playa NRA MP 127.8 to MP 129.7 GIS Analysis: NRA as close as 1.2 miles north of designated corridor.

The NRA does not intersect the corridor and is therefore not a consideration for corridor-level planning.

Tribal Concerns

81-213 .030

BLM Las Cruces DO

Luna, NM Tribal lands MP 42.2 to MP 42.6 GIS Analysis: Tribal lands within 1.8 mi north of corridor.

The Agencies would consult with the Fort Sill Apache Tribe as required, for any proposed project in the corridor.

Visual Resources

81-213 .031

BLM Las Cruces DO, NM

Luna and Hidalgo, NM

VRM Class II MP 52.1 MP 54.4, MP 118.3 to MP 122.7 MP 118.5 to MP 120.5 MP 122 to MP 123

GIS Analysis: VRM Class II areas intersect corridor. Agency Input: corridor crosses VRM Class II area in vicinity of Continental Divide NST. Agency Input: North side of corridor edges into VRM Class II area associated with Butterfield Trail. I-10 crossing also includes KOPs that should be considered close to the corridor in VRM Class II and III areas.

The Mimbres RMP identifies VRM Class II areas as avoidance areas. These are areas where future ROWs may be granted only when no feasible alternative route or designated ROW corridor is available. Special terms and conditions may be required. Future development within the corridor could be limited as VRM Class II allows for low level of change to the characteristic landscape. Management activities may be seen, but should not attract the attention of the casual observer.

81-213 .032


Cochise, AZ and Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna, NM

VRM Class III MP 0 to MP 27.9, MP 37.8 to MP 41.8, MP 54.1 to MP 54.4, MP 76.6 to MP 94.8, MP 120.5 to MP 132.3, MP 138.4

GIS Analysis: VRM Class III areas intersect the corridor.

VRM Class III allows for moderate change to the characteristic landscape, although minimizing visual contrast remains a requirement. Management activities may attract the attention of


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to MP 145.3; MP 142 to MP 145

Agency Input: Butterfield Trail National Study Trail crosses corridor within VRM Class III area increasing potential conflict with VRM objective.

the casual observer, but shall not dominate the view.

81-213 .033


Cochise, AZ, Dona Ana, Hidalgo, and Luna, NM

VRM Class IV MP 28.6 to MP 29.0, MP 35 to MP 38, MP 115.6 to MP 118.5, MP 138.5 to MP 140.3

GIS Analysis: VRM Class IV areas intersect the corridor.

Corridor meets Settlement Agreement general principles for corridor siting for minimum impact on the environment in terms of visual resources. VRM Class IV objectives allow for major modification to occur and management activities may dominate the view, although minimizing visual contrast remains a requirement.

1 Projects proposed in the corridor would be reviewed during their ROW application review process and would adhere to federal laws, regulations, and policy.

Abstract Acronyms and Abbreviations ACEC = Area of Critical Environmental Concern; BLM = Bureau of Land Management; CDNST = Continental Divide National Scenic Trail; DO = District Office; FO = Field Office;

DoD = Department of Defense; GIS = geographic information system; IOP = Interagency Operating Procedures; KOP = key observation point; LWC = Lands with Wilderness

Characteristics; MP = milepost; MS = Manual Section; NA = not applicable; NMDGF = New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; NMDOT = New Mexico Department of

Transportation; NHT = National Historic Trail; NST = National Scenic Trail; PEIS = Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement; PFYC = Potential Fossil Yield Classification;

RDEP = Restoration Design Energy Project; REDA = Renewable Energy Development Area; RMP = resource management plan; RMPA = Resource Management Plan

Amendment; RNA = Research Natural Area; ROD = Record of Decision; ROW = right-of-way; SEZ = Solar Energy Zone; VR = Visual Route; VRM = Visual Resource

Management; WWEC = West-wide Energy Corridor.

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Corridor 81-213 Section 368 Energy Corridor Regional ... 81-213 Section 368 Energy Corridor Regional Reviews - Region 2 January 2018 6 Corridor Analysis The corridor analysis table