(a) Preparation and submission. The project proponent shall prepare and submit to DOE the 13 project proponent resource reports described in this section. The project proponent may submit the resource reports at any time before requesting a review meeting under § 900.8 and shall, at the direction of DOE, revise resource reports in response to comments received from relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities during the Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process.
(b) Content. Each resource report must include concise descriptions, based on the best available scientific and commercial information, of the known existing environment and major site conditions. The detail of each resource report must be commensurate with the complexity of the proposal and its potential for environmental impacts. Each topic in each resource report must be addressed or its omission justified. If any resource report topic is not addressed at the time the applicable resource report is filed or its omission is not addressed, the report must explain why the topic is missing. If material required for one resource report is provided in another resource report or in another exhibit, it may be incorporated by reference. If outside material is reasonably available for review and comment, a resource report may incorporate that material by reference by including a citation to the material and a brief summary of the material. Consistent with §§ 900.1(h) and 900.4(g), the Director may modify the requirements of this section to reflect differences in onshore and offshore environments and uses.
(c) Requirements for IIP Process progression. Failure of the project proponent to provide at least the required initial or revised content will prevent progress through the IIP Process to the IIP Process review or close-out meetings, unless the Director determines that the project proponent has provided an acceptable reason for the item's absence and an acceptable timeline for filing it. Failure to file within the accepted timeline will prevent further progress in the IIP Process.
(d) General requirements. As appropriate, each resource report shall:
(1) Address conditions or resources that might be directly or indirectly affected by the proposed electric transmission project;
(2) Identify environmental effects expected to occur as a result of the proposed project;
(3) Identify the potential effects of construction, operation (including maintenance and malfunctions), and termination of the proposed project, as well as potential cumulative effects resulting from existing or reasonably foreseeable projects;
(4) Identify measures proposed to enhance the environment or to avoid, minimize, or compensate for potential adverse effects of the proposed project; and
(5) Provide a list of publications, reports, and other literature or communications, including agency communications, that were cited or relied upon to prepare each report.
(e) Federal responsibility. The resource reports prepared by the project proponent under this section do not supplant the requirements under existing environmental laws related to the information required for Federal authorization or consultation processes. The relevant Federal entities shall independently evaluate the information submitted and shall be responsible for the accuracy, scope, and contents of all Federal authorization decision documents and related environmental reviews.
(f) Resource Report 1—General project description. This report should describe all expected facilities associated with the project, special construction and operation procedures, construction timetables, future plans for related construction, and permits, authorizations, and consultations that are expected to be required for proposed project. Resource Report 1 must:
(1) Describe and provide location maps of all facilities to be constructed, modified, abandoned, replaced, or removed, including facilities related to construction and operational support activities and areas such as maintenance bases, staging areas, communications towers, power lines, and new access roads (roads to be built or modified), as well as any existing infrastructure proposed to be used for the project (e.g., connections to existing substations and transmission, and existing access roads);
(2) Describe specific generation resources that are known or reasonably foreseen to be developed or interconnected as a result of the proposed electric transmission project, if any;
(3) Identify facilities constructed by other entities that are related to the proposed project (e.g., fiber optic cables) and where those facilities would be located;
(4) Provide the following information for each facility described under paragraphs (f)(1) through (3) of this section:
(i) A brief description of the facility, including, as appropriate, ownership, land requirements, megawatt size, construction status, and an update of the latest status of Federal, State, and local permits and approvals; and
(ii) Current topographic maps showing the location of the facility;
(5) Provide any communications with the appropriate State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) regarding cultural and historic resources in the project area;
(6) To the extent known, identify the permits, authorizations, and consultations that are expected to be required for proposed project, including consultation under section 106 of the NHPA, consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-205, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), consistency determinations under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), and permits under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) (CWA);
(7) Describe any developments in obtaining authorizations and permits or completing required consultations for the proposed project and identify environmental mitigation requirements specified in any permit or proposed in any permit application to the extent not specified elsewhere in this resource report or another resource report;
(8) If the project includes abandonment of certain facilities, rights-of-way, or easements, identify and describe the following:
(i) facilities, rights-of-way, or easements that the project proponent plans to abandon;
(ii) how the facilities, rights-of-way, or easements would be abandoned;
(iii) how the abandoned facilities, rights-of-way, and easements would be restored;
(iv) the owner of the facilities, rights-of-way, or easement after abandonment;
(v) the party responsible for the abandoned facilities, rights-of-way, or easement;
(vi) whether landowners were or are expected to be given the opportunity to request that the abandoned facilities on their property, including foundations and below ground components, be removed; and
(vii) landowners whose preferences regarding abandoned facility removal the project proponent does not intend to honor and reasons why the project proponent does not intend to honor those preferences;
(9) Provide construction timetables and describe, by milepost, proposed construction and restoration methods to be used in areas of rugged topography, residential areas, active croplands, sites where the proposed project would be located parallel to and under roads, and sites where explosives may be used;
(10) Describe estimated workforce requirements for the proposed project, including the number of construction spreads, average workforce requirements for each construction spread, estimated duration of construction from initial clearing to final restoration, and number of personnel to be hired to operate the proposed project;
(11) Describe reasonably foreseeable plans for future expansion of facilities related to the project, including additional land requirements and the compatibility of those plans with the current proposal;
(12) Provide the names and mailing addresses of all potentially affected landowners identified by the project proponent, identify which potentially affected landowners have been notified by the project proponent, and describe the methodology used to identify potentially affected landowners;
(13) Summarize the proposed mitigation approach anticipated by the project proponent to reduce the potential impacts of the proposed project to resources warranting or requiring mitigation; and
(14) Describe how the proposed project will reduce capacity constraints and congestion on the transmission system, meet unmet demand, or connect generation resources (including the expected type of generation, if known) to load, as appropriate.
(g) Resource Report 2—Water use and quality. This report should describe water resources that may be impacted by the proposed project, describe the potential impacts on these resources, and describe the measures taken to avoid and minimize adverse effects to such water resources, where appropriate. Resource Report 2 must:
(1) Identify surface water resources, including perennial waterbodies, intermittent streams, ephemeral waterbodies, municipal water supply or watershed areas, specially designated surface water protection areas and sensitive waterbodies, floodplains, and wetlands, that would be crossed by a potential route;
(2) For each surface water resource that would be crossed by a potential route, identify the approximate width of the crossing, State water quality classifications, any known potential pollutants present in the water or sediments, and any downstream potable water intake sources within the applicable analysis area;
(3) Describe typical staging area requirements at surface water resource crossings and identify and describe each potential surface water crossing where staging areas are likely to be more extensive and could require a mitigation approach to address potential impacts to the water resource;
(4) Provide two copies of floodplain and National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps or, if not available, appropriate State wetland maps clearly showing the study corridors or potential routes and mileposts;
(5) For each wetland crossing, identify the milepost of the crossing, the wetland classification specified by the USFWS, and the length of the crossing, and describe, by milepost, wetland crossings as determined by field delineations using the current Federal methodology;
(6) For each floodplain crossing, identify the mileposts, acres of floodplains affected, flood elevation, and basis for determining that elevation;
(7) Describe and provide data supporting the expected impact of the proposed project on surface and groundwater resources;
(8) Describe and provide data supporting proposed avoidance and minimization measures as well as protection or enhancement measures that would reduce the potential for adverse impacts to surface and groundwater resources, and discuss any potential compensation expected to be provided for remaining unavoidable impacts to water resources due to the proposed project;
(9) Identify the location of known public and private groundwater supply wells or springs within the applicable analysis area;
(10) Identify locations of EPA or State-designated principal-source aquifers and wellhead protection areas crossed by a potential route;
(11) Discuss the results of any coordination with relevant Federal entities or non-Federal entities related to CWA permitting and include any written correspondence that resulted from the coordination; and
(12) Indicate whether the project proponent expects that a water quality certification (under section 401 of the CWA) will be required for any potential routes.
(h) Resource Report 3—Fish, wildlife, and vegetation. This report should identify and describe potential impacts to aquatic and terrestrial habitats, wildlife, and plants from the proposed project and discuss potential avoidance, minimization, or compensation measures, and enhancement or protection measures to reduce adverse impacts to these resources. Resource Report 3 must:
(1) Describe aquatic habitats that occur in the applicable analysis area, including commercial and recreational warmwater, coldwater, and saltwater fisheries and associated significant habitats such as spawning or rearing areas, estuaries, and other essential fish habitats;
(2) Describe terrestrial habitats that occur in the project area, including wetlands, typical wildlife habitats, and rare, unique, or otherwise significant habitats;
(3) Identify fish, wildlife, and plants that may be affected by the proposed project, including species that have commercial, recreational, or aesthetic value and that may be affected by the proposed project;
(4) Describe and provide the acreage of vegetation cover types that would be affected by the proposed project, including unique ecosystems or communities such as remnant prairie or old-growth forest, or significant individual plants, such as old-growth specimen trees;
(5) Describe the impact of the proposed project on aquatic and terrestrial habitats, including potential loss and fragmentation;
(6) Describe the potential impact of the proposed project on Federally listed, candidate, or proposed endangered or threatened species, State, Tribal, and local species of concern, and those species' habitats, including the possibility of a major alteration to ecosystems or biodiversity;
(7) Describe the potential impact of maintenance, clearing, and treatment of the applicable analysis area on fish, wildlife, and plant life;
(8) Identify all Federally listed, candidate, or proposed endangered or threatened species that may be affected by the proposed project and proposed or designated critical habitats that potentially occur in the applicable analysis area;
(9) Identify all State, Tribal, and local species of concern that may be affected by the proposed project;
(10) Identify all known and potential bald and golden eagle nesting and roosting sites, migratory bird flyways, and any sites important to migratory bird breeding, feeding, and sheltering within the applicable analysis areas. These identifications should coincide with the USFWS's most current range and location maps at the time this resource report is submitted;
(11) Discuss the results of any discussions conducted by the proponent to date with relevant Federal entities or relevant non-Federal entities related to fish, wildlife, and vegetation resources, and include any written correspondence that resulted from the discussions;
(12) Include the results of any appropriate surveys that have already been conducted, as well as plans and protocols for future surveys. If potentially suitable habitat is present, species-specific surveys may be required;
(13) If present, identify all Federally designated essential fish habitat (EFH) that occurs in the applicable analysis area and provide:
(i) Information on all EFH, as identified by the pertinent Federal fishery management plans, which may be adversely affected by potential routes;
(ii) The results of discussions with National Marine Fisheries Service; and
(iii) Any resulting EFH assessments that were evaluated, and EFH Conservation Recommendations that were provided by the National Marine Fisheries Service;
(14) Describe potential avoidance, minimization, or compensation measures, and enhancement or protection measures to address adverse effects described in paragraphs (h)(5), (6), and (7) of this section;
(15) Describe anticipated site-specific mitigation approaches for fisheries, wildlife (including migration corridors and seasonal areas of use), grazing, and plant life;
(16) Describe proposed measures to avoid and minimize incidental take of Federally listed and candidate species and species of concern, including eagles and migratory birds; and
(17) Include copies of any correspondence not otherwise provided pursuant to this paragraph (h) containing recommendations from appropriate Federal, State, and local fish and wildlife agencies to avoid or limit impact on wildlife, fish, fisheries, habitats, and plants, and the project proponent's response to those recommendations.
(i) Resource Report 4—Cultural resources. This report should describe the location of known cultural and historic resources, previous surveys and listings of cultural and historic resources, the potential effects that construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project will have on those resources, and initial recommendations for avoidance and minimization measures to address potential effects to those resources. The information provided in Resource Report 4 will contribute to the satisfaction of DOE's and relevant Federal entities' obligations under section 106 of the NHPA.
(1) Resource Report 4 must contain:
(i) A summary of known cultural and historic resources in the applicable analysis area including but not limited to those listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, such as properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian Tribes, and any material remains of past human life or activities that are of an archeological interest;
(ii) A description of potential effects that construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project will have on resources identified in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this section;
(iii) Documentation of the project proponent's initial communications and engagement, including preliminary outreach and coordination, with Indian Tribes, indigenous peoples, THPOs, SHPOs, communities of interest, and other entities having knowledge of, interest regarding, or an understanding about the resources identified in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this section and any written comments from SHPOs, THPOs, other Tribal historic preservation offices or governments, or others, as appropriate and available;
(iv) Recommended avoidance and minimization measures to address potential effects of the proposed project;
(v) Any relevant existing surveys or listings of cultural and historic resources in the affected environment; and
(vi) Recommendations for any additional surveys needed; and
(vii) A description, by milepost, of any area that has not been surveyed due to a denial of access by landowners.
(2) The project proponent must update this report with the results of any additional surveys that the project proponent chooses to undertake, as identified in in paragraph (i)(1)(vi) of this section, after the initial submission of this report.
(3) The project proponent must request confidential treatment for all material filed with DOE containing non-public location, character, and ownership information about cultural resources in accordance with § 900.4(h).
(j) Resource Report 5—Socioeconomics. This report should identify and quantify the impacts of constructing and operating the proposed project on the demographics and economics of communities in the applicable analysis area, including minority and underrepresented communities. Resource Report 5 must:
(1) Describe the socioeconomic resources that may be affected in the applicable analysis area;
(2) Describe the positive and adverse socioeconomic impacts of the proposed project;
(3) Evaluate the impact of any substantial migration of people into the applicable analysis area on governmental facilities and services and describe plans to reduce the impact on the local infrastructure;
(4) Describe on-site labor requirements during construction and operation, including projections of the number of construction personnel who currently reside within the applicable analysis area, who would commute daily to the site from outside the analysis area, or who would relocate temporarily within the analysis area;
(5) Determine whether existing affordable housing within the applicable analysis area is sufficient to meet the needs of the additional population; and
(6) Describe the number and types of residences and businesses that would be displaced by the proposed project, procedures to be used to acquire these properties, and types and amounts of relocation assistance payments.
(k) Resource Report 6—Tribal interests. This report must identify the Indian Tribes and indigenous communities that may be affected by the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project facilities, including those Indian Tribes and indigenous communities that may attach religious and cultural significance to cultural resources within the project area. In developing this report, the project proponent should consider both Indian Tribes with contemporary presence in the project area and Indian Tribes with historic connections to the area. To the extent Indian Tribes and indigenous communities are willing to communicate and share resource information, this report must discuss the potential impacts of project construction, operation, and maintenance on Indian Tribes and Tribal interests. This discussion must include impacts to sacred sites and Treaty rights, impacts related to enumerated resources and areas identified in the resource reports listed in this section (for instance, water rights, access to property, wildlife and ecological resources, etc.), and set forth available information on any additional, relevant traditional cultural and religious resources that could be affected by the proposed electric transmission project that are not already addressed. This resource report should acknowledge existing relationships between adjacent and underlying Federal land management agencies and the Indian Tribes. In developing this report, the project proponent should engage the Federal land manager early to leverage existing relationships. Specific site or property locations, the disclosure of which may create a risk of harm, theft, or destruction of archaeological or Native American cultural resources and information which would violate any Federal law, including section 9 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-95, as amended) (16 U.S.C. 470hh) and section 304 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 307103), should be submitted consistent with § 900.4(h). The project proponent must request confidential treatment for all material filed with DOE containing non-public location, character, and ownership information about Tribal resources in accordance with § 900.4(h).
(l) Resource Report 7—Communities of Interest. This report must summarize best available information about the presence of communities of interest. The resource report must identify and describe the potential impacts of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed electric transmission project on communities of interest; and describe any proposed mitigation approaches for such impacts or community concerns. The report must include a discussion of any disproportionate and/or adverse human health or environmental impacts to communities of interest.
(m) Resource Report 8—Geological resources and hazards. This report should describe geological resources that might be directly or indirectly affected by the proposed electric transmission project and methods to reduce those effects. The report should also describe geological hazards that could place project facilities at risk and methods proposed to mitigate those risks. Resource Report 8 must:
(1) Describe geological resources in the applicable analysis area that are currently or potentially exploitable, if relevant;
(2) Identify, by milepost, existing and potential geological hazards and areas of nonroutine geotechnical concern in the applicable analysis area, such as high seismicity areas, active faults, and areas susceptible to soil liquefaction; planned, active, and abandoned mines; karst terrain (including significant caves protected under the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act (Pub. L. 100-691, as amended) (16 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.)); and areas of potential ground failure, such as subsidence, slumping, and land sliding;
(3) Discuss the risks posed to the proposed project from each hazard or area of nonroutine geotechnical concern identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this section;
(4) Describe how the proposed project would be located or designed to avoid or minimize adverse effects to geological resources and reduce risk to project facilities, including geotechnical investigations and monitoring that would be conducted before, during, and after construction;
(5) Discuss the potential for blasting to affect structures and the measures to be taken to remedy such effects; and
(6) Specify methods to be used to prevent project-induced contamination from mines or from mine tailings along the right-of-way and discuss whether the proposed project would hinder mine reclamation or expansion efforts.
(n) Resource Report 9—Soil resources. This report should describe the soils that could be crossed by the proposed electric transmission project, the potential effect on those soils, and the proposed mitigation approach for those effects. Resource Report 9 must:
(1) List, by milepost, the soil associations that would be crossed by each potential route and describe the erosion potential, fertility, and drainage characteristics of each association;
(2) For the applicable analysis area:
(i) List the soil series within the area and the percentage of the area comprised of each series;
(ii) List the percentage of each series which would be permanently disturbed;
(iii) Describe the characteristics of each soil series; and
(iv) Indicate which soil units are classified as prime or unique farmland by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service;
(3) Identify potential impacts from: soil erosion due to water, wind, or loss of vegetation; soil compaction and damage to soil structure resulting from movement of construction vehicles; wet soils and soils with poor drainage that are especially prone to structural damage; damage to drainage tile systems due to movement of construction vehicles and trenching activities; and interference with the operation of agricultural equipment due to the probability of large stones or blasted rock occurring on or near the surface as a result of construction;
(4) Identify, by milepost, cropland and residential areas where loss of soil fertility due to trenching and backfilling could occur; and
(5) Describe the proposed mitigation approach to reduce the potential for adverse impact to soils or agricultural productivity.
(o) Resource Report 10—Land use, recreation, and aesthetics. This report should describe the existing uses of land that may be impacted by the proposed project, and changes to those land uses and impacts to inhabitants and users that would occur if the proposed electric transmission project is approved. Resource Report 10 must:
(1) Describe the width and acreage requirements of all construction and permanent rights-of-way required for project construction, operation, and maintenance;
(2) List existing rights-of-way that would be co-located with or adjacent to the proposed rights-of-way (including temporary construction lines), and any required utility coordination, permits, and fees that would be associated as a result;
(3) Identify, preferably by diagrams, existing rights-of-way that are expected to be used for any portion of the construction or operational right-of-way, the overlap, and how much additional width is expected to be required;
(4) Identify the total amount of land to be purchased or leased for each project facility, the amount of land that would be disturbed for construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility, and the use of the remaining land not required for project operation and maintenance, if any;
(5) Identify the size of typical staging areas and expanded work areas, such as those at railroad, road, and waterbody crossings, and the size and location of all construction materials storage yards and access roads;
(6) Identify, by milepost, the existing use of:
(i) Lands crossed by or adjacent to each project facility; and
(ii) Lands on which a project facility is expected to be located;
(7) Describe:
(i) Planned development within the applicable analysis area that is either included in a master plan or on file with the local planning board or the county;
(ii) The time frame (if available) for such development; and
(iii) Proposed coordination to minimize impacts on land use due to such development;
(8) Identify areas within applicable analysis areas that:
(i) Are owned or controlled by Federal, State or local agencies, or private preservation groups;
(ii) Are directly affected by the proposed project or any project facilities or operational sites; and
(iii) Have special designations not otherwise mentioned in other resource reports.
(iv) Examples of such specially designated areas under this provision may include but are not limited to sugar maple stands, orchards and nurseries, landfills, hazardous waste sites, nature preserves, conservation or agricultural lands subject to conservation or agricultural easements or restrictions, game management areas, remnant prairie, old-growth forest, national or State forests, parks, designated natural, recreational or scenic areas, registered natural landmarks, and areas managed by Federal entities under existing land use plans as Visual Resource Management Class I or Class II areas;
(9) Identify Indian Tribes and indigenous communities that may be affected by the proposed project;
(10) Describe Tribal and indigenous community resources lands, interests, and established treaty rights that may be affected by the proposed project;
(11) Identify properties within the project area which may hold cultural or religious significance for Indian Tribes and indigenous communities, regardless of whether the property is on or off of any Federally recognized Indian reservation;
(12) Identify resources within the applicable analysis area that are included in, or are designated for study for inclusion in, if available: the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (16 U.S.C. 1271), the National Wildlife Refuge System (16 U.S.C. 668dd), the National Wilderness Preservation System (16 U.S.C. 1131), the National Trails System (16 U.S.C. 1241-1251), the National Park System (54 U.S.C. 100101-120104), National Historic Landmarks (NHLs), National Natural Landmarks (NNLs), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) acquired Federal lands, LWCF State Assistance Program sites and the Federal Lands to Parks (FLP) program lands, or a wilderness area designated under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131-1136); or the National Marine Sanctuary System, including national marine sanctuaries (16 U.S.C. 1431-1445c-1.) and Marine National Monuments as designated under authority by the Antiquities Act (54 U.S.C. 320301-320303) or by Congress; National Forests and Grasslands (16 U.S.C. 1609 et seq); and lands in easement programs managed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service or the U.S. Forest Service (16 U.S.C. 3865, et seq.);
(13) Indicate whether the project proponent will need to submit a CZMA Federal consistency certification to State coastal management program(s) for the project, as required by NOAA's Federal consistency regulations at 15 CFR part 930, subpart D;
(14) Describe the impacts the proposed project will have on:
(i) Present uses of land in the applicable analysis area, including commercial uses, mineral resource uses, and recreational uses,
(ii) Public health and safety;
(iii) Federal, State, and Tribal scientific survey, research, and observation activities;
(iv) Sensitive resources and critical habitats;
(v) The aesthetic value of the land and its features; and
(vi) Federal, State or Tribal access limitations.
(15) Describe any temporary or permanent restrictions on land use that would result from the proposed project.
(16) Describe the proposed mitigation approach intended to address impacts described in paragraphs (o)(12) and (13) of this section, as well as protection and enhancement of existing land use;
(17) Provide a proposed operations and maintenance plan for vegetation management, including management of noxious and invasive species;
(18) Describe the visual characteristics of the lands and waters affected by the proposed project. Components of this description include a description of how permanent project facilities will impact the visual character of proposed project right-of-way and surrounding vicinity, and measures proposed to lessen these impacts. Project proponents are encouraged to supplement the text description with visual aids;
(19) Identify, by milepost, all residences and buildings near the proposed electric transmission facility construction right-of-way, and identify the distance of the residence or building from the edge of the right-of-way and provide survey drawings or alignment sheets to illustrate the location of the proposed facility in relation to the buildings;
(20) List all dwellings and related structures, commercial structures, industrial structures, places of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or other structures normally inhabited by humans or intended to be inhabited by humans on a regular basis within the applicable analysis area and provide a general description of each habitable structure and its distance from the centerline of the proposed project. In cities, towns, or rural subdivisions, houses can be identified in groups, and the report must provide the number of habitable structures in each group and list the distance from the centerline to the closest habitable structure in the group;
(21) List all known commercial AM radio transmitters located within the applicable analysis area and all known FM radio transmitters, microwave relay stations, or other similar electronic installations located within the analysis area; provide a general description of each installation and its distance from the centerline of the proposed project; and locate all installations on a routing map; and
(22) List all known private airstrips within the applicable analysis area and all airports registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with at least one runway more than 3,200 feet in length that are located within the analysis area. Indicate whether any transmission structures will exceed a 100:1 horizontal slope (one foot in height for each 100 feet in distance) from the closest point of the closest runway. List all airports registered with the FAA having no runway more than 3,200 feet in length that are located within the analysis area. Indicate whether any transmission structures will exceed a 50:1 horizontal slope from the closest point of the closest runway. List all heliports located within the analysis area. Indicate whether any transmission structures will exceed a 25:1 horizontal slope from the closest point of the closest landing and takeoff area of the heliport. Provide a general description of each private airstrip, registered airport, and registered heliport, and state the distance of each from the centerline of the proposed transmission line. Locate all airstrips, airports, and heliports on a routing map.
(23) Information made available under paragraphs (o)(9), (10), and (11) must be submitted consistent with § 900.4(h), including information regarding specific site or property locations, the disclosure of which will create a risk of harm, theft, or destruction of archaeological or Native American cultural resources and information which would violate any Federal law, including section 9 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-95, as amended) (16 U.S.C. 470hh) and section 304 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 307103).
(p) Resource Report 11—Air quality and noise effects. This report should identify the effects of the proposed electric transmission project on the existing air quality and noise environment and describe proposed measures to mitigate the effects. Resource Report 11 must:
(1) Describe the existing air quality in the applicable analysis area, indicate if any project facilities are located within a designated nonattainment or maintenance area under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), and provide the distance from the project facilities to any Class I area in the project area;
(2) Estimate emissions from the proposed project and the corresponding impacts on air quality and the environment;
(i) Estimate the reasonably foreseeable emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions, from construction, operation, and maintenance of the project facilities (such as emissions from tailpipes, equipment, fugitive dust, open burning, and substations) expressed in tons per year; include supporting calculations, emissions factors, fuel consumption rates, and annual hours of operation;
(ii) Estimate the reasonably foreseeable change in greenhouse gas emissions from the existing, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable generation resources identified in Resource Report 1 (see paragraph (f) of this section) that may connect to the proposed project or interconnect as a result of the proposed project, if any, as well as any other modeled air emissions impacts;
(iii) For each designated nonattainment or maintenance area, provide a comparison of the emissions from construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project with the applicable General Conformity thresholds (40 CFR part 93);
(iv) Identify the corresponding impacts on communities and the environment in the applicable analysis area from the estimated emissions;
(v) Describe any proposed mitigation measures to control emissions identified under this section; and
(vi) Estimate the reasonably foreseeable effect of the proposed project on indirect emissions;
(3) Describe existing noise levels at noise-sensitive areas in the applicable analysis area, such as schools, hospitals, residences, and any areas covered by relevant State or local noise ordinances;
(i) Report existing noise levels as the a-weighted decibel (dBA) Leq (day), Leq (night), and Ldn (day-night sound level) and include the basis for the data or estimates;
(ii) Include a plot plan that identifies the locations and duration of noise measurements, the time of day, weather conditions, wind speed and direction, engine load, and other noise sources present during each measurement; and
(iii) Identify any noise regulations that may be applicable to the proposed project;
(4) Estimate the impact of the proposed project on the noise environment;
(i) Provide a quantitative estimate of the impact of transmission line operation on noise levels at the edge of the proposed right-of-way, including corona, insulator, and Aeolian noise; and provide a quantitative estimate of the impact of operation of proposed substations and appurtenant project facilities on noise levels at nearby noise-sensitive areas, including discrete tones;
(A) Include step-by-step supporting calculations or identify the computer program used to model the noise levels, the input and raw output data and all assumptions made when running the model, far-field sound level data for maximum facility operation (either from the manufacturer or from far-field sound level data measured from similar project facilities in service elsewhere) and the source of the data;
(B) Include sound pressure levels for project facilities, dynamic insertion loss for structures, and sound attenuation from the project facilities to the edge of the right-of-way or to nearby noise-sensitive areas (as applicable);
(ii) Describe the impact of proposed construction activities, including any nighttime construction, on the noise environment; estimate the impact of any horizontal directional drilling, pile driving, or blasting on noise levels at nearby noise-sensitive areas and include supporting assumptions and calculations;
(5) Based on noise estimates, indicate whether the proposed project will comply with applicable noise regulations and whether noise attributable to any proposed substation or appurtenant facility will exceed permissible levels at any pre-existing noise-sensitive area;
(6) Based on noise estimates, determine whether any wildlife-specific noise thresholds may have an impact on the proposed project, such as those thresholds specific to avian species that may be relevant in significant wildlife areas, if appropriate; and
(7) Describe measures, and manufacturer's specifications for equipment, proposed to mitigate noise effects and impacts to air quality, including emission control systems, installation of filters, mufflers, or insulation of piping and buildings, and orientation of equipment away from noise-sensitive areas.
(q) Resource Report 12—Alternatives. This report should describe the range of study corridors that were considered as alternatives during the planning, identification, and design of the proposed electric transmission project and compare the environmental impacts of such corridors and the routes contained in those corridors. This analysis may inform the relevant Federal entities' subsequent analysis of their alternatives during the NEPA process. Resource Report 12 must:
(1) Identify all study corridors and routes contained within those corridors. The report must identify the location of the corridors on maps of sufficient scale to depict their location and relationship to the proposed project, and the relationship of the proposed electric transmission facility to existing rights-of-way;
(2) Discuss the “no action” alternative and the potential for accomplishing the proponent's proposed objectives using alternative means;
(3) Discuss design and construction methods considered by the project proponent;
(4) Identify all the alternative study corridors and routes the project proponent considered in the initial screening for the proposed project but did not recommend for further study and the reasons why the proponent chose not to examine such alternatives.
(5) For alternative study corridors and routes recommended for more in-depth consideration, the report must:
(i) Describe the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources for each alternative;
(ii) Describe the environmental characteristics of each alternative, provide comparative tables showing the differences in environmental characteristics for the alternatives, and include an analysis of the potential relative environmental impacts for each alternative;
(iii) Provide an explanation of the costs to construct, operate, and maintain each alternative, the potential for each alternative to meet project deadlines, and technological and procedural constraints in developing the alternatives; and
(iv) Demonstrate whether and how environmental benefits and costs were weighed against economic benefits and costs to the public.
(r) Resource Report 13—Reliability, resilience, and safety. This report should describe the impacts that would result from a failure of the proposed electric transmission facility, the measures, procedures, and features that would reduce the risk of failure, and measures in place to reduce impacts and protect the public if a failure did occur. Resource Report 13 must:
(1) Discuss events that could result in a failure of the proposed facility, including accidents, intentional destructive acts, and natural catastrophes (accounting for the likelihood of relevant natural catastrophes resulting from climate change);
(2) Describe the reasonably foreseeable impacts that would result from a failure of the proposed electric transmission facility, including hazards to the public, environmental impacts, and service interruptions;
(3) Describe the operational measures, procedures, and design features of the proposed project that would reduce the risk of facility failure;
(4) Describe measures proposed to protect the public from failure of the proposed facility (including coordination with local agencies);
(5) Discuss contingency plans for maintaining service or reducing downtime;
(6) Describe measures used to exclude the public from hazardous areas, measures used to minimize problems arising from malfunctions and accidents (with estimates of probability of occurrence), and identify standard procedures for protecting services and public safety during maintenance and breakdowns; and
(7) Describe improvements to reliability likely to result from the proposed project.
