San Juan Basin Energy Connect 230-kV Transmission Line Project, NM/CO

CLIENT: Bureau of Land Management and Tri-state Generation and transmission, inc.

FAST FACTS:

• Third-party NEPA preparer of a complex EIS

• New multi-state 230-kV transmission line

• Critical access and ROW issues

• Multiple local, state, federal, and Tribal agencies

• Complex cultural and biological resource issues

EMPSi served as a co-lead for a high-profile, third-party environmental impact statement (EIS) focused on a proposed 230-kV transmission line that spanned 80 miles across rugged mesas and rivers from Shiprock, New Mexico to Ignacio, Colorado. The project involved the BLM, New Mexico State Land Office, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe (SUIT), US Army Corps of Engineers, State Historic Preservation Officers, private landowners, and many others. EMPSi worked closely with the proponent, agencies, and subconsultants on critical access and ROW issues while identifying and mitigating resource challenges to ensure that there would be no issues during construction or future maintenance.  

We helped manage a fast-tracked third-party schedule, highly complex archaeological resource issues, challenging river crossings, siting issues, ROWs, and other critical infrastructure. EMPSi facilitated meetings with the BLM and cooperators, and led a series of public meetings with the SUIT, city and county governments, concerned private landowners, NGOs, and citizens to engage the public and solicit meaningful comments. A draft EIS was successfully accepted by the BLM in 2015.