Prineville, Oregon to Reno, Nevada Fiber Optic Project, NV/OR

CLIENT: ZAyo GROUP, LLC

FAST FACTS:

• Analyzing a new fiber optic line crossing 93 miles on BLM-administered lands (out of a total of 439 miles)

• The fiber optic line would cross lands in Oregon, California, and Nevada administered by five BLM field offices (Applegate, Deschutes, Eagle Lake, Lakeview, and Sierra Front)

• The fiber optic line would cross approximately 700 culverts or bridges. A 20-foot-wide construction corridor would occur along existing ROWs

EMPSi is working with Zayo Group, LLC (Zayo) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon State Office on an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate a new fiber optic line from Prineville, Oregon to Reno, Nevada. The fiber optic line would cross various land jurisdictions from private to federal lands. This EA is for the portion of the project that would cross BLM-administered lands. It would cross lands administered by the BLM in Oregon, California, and Nevada, for which Zayo has applied for a right-of-way. The goal of the project is to improve the quality of rural broadband in south-central Oregon, northeastern California, and western Nevada.

This issue-based EA focuses on impacts on wildlife, vegetation, wetlands, and cultural resources and tribal vales. EMPSi is preparing the EA and managing its schedule in coordination with Zayo, the BLM, and subcontractors performing field studies, such as for cultural resources. EMPSi is also compiling timing stipulations, as well as plans for preventing water pollution, controlling hazardous materials, and crossing streams in support of the impact analyses.