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Opportunity to Object to the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center Interconnection Project

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Forest Service (FS), as a cooperating agency, prepared a final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center (BREC) Interconnection Project, located on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest (Kaibab NF) lands, private lands, and Arizona State Land Department lands. The Forest Supervisor of the Kaibab NF has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and draft Decision Notice (DN) for the portion of the BREC Interconnection Project occurring on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

NextEra Energy Resources, LLC proposes an interconnection of the BREC to the Navajo Southern Transmission Systems (NSTS) at the Moenkopi to Cedar Mountain 500-kilovolt transmission line in Coconino County, approximately 30 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona. At full buildout, the BREC facility would provide up to 160 megawatts of generation output to the transmission line. Reclamation is part owner of the NSTS and must make the decision to approve a Large Generator Interconnection Agreement. The interconnection facilities would include collection lines, a substation, a switchyard, and an Arizona Public Service (APS) line tap. The BREC Interconnection Project would also include a 25-mile-long fiber-optic communication line to be located within the existing NSTS right-of-way. APS would secure a FS Special Use Permit (SUP) from the Kaibab NF prior to the installation and maintenance of the portion of fiber-optic line that falls within NFS lands. The SUP would authorize APS the legal use and access across FS lands for the Cedar Mountain Substation to BREC Interconnection Project fiber-optic corridor. The Kaibab NF would consider this request in accordance with 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 251, Subpart B. This opportunity to object is limited to actions occurring on NFS lands (authorization of the fiber optic line).

The final EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61288. Additional information can be obtained from Marcos Roybal, Environmental Coordinator, at 928-635-8331 or email at marcos.roybal@usda.gov. The BREC Interconnection Project is an activity implementing a land management plan not authorized under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act and is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR Part 218, Subparts A and B.

How to File an Objection and Time Frame

Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. Objections, including attachments, must be addressed to the Reviewing Official, Southwestern Regional Forester, filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger service to 333 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102; by facsimile to (505) 842-3173; or by email to objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc or .docx), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html) and should include “Babbitt Ranch Energy Center Interconnection Project” in the subject line. Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Arizona Daily Sun. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or time frame information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection. At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available.
2. A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection).
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request).
4. The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented.
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable; how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; and supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider.
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b).

It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.