States
NebraskaR-Project Transmission line
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Habitat Conservation Plan
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is releasing the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) associated with R-project Transmission line (R-Project) in central Nebraska through a Federal Register notice published by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Public Power District’s (NPPD) submitted a permit application for the incidental take permit application for the threatened American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus, ABB).
Additional Information
Final Migratory Bird Conservation Plan
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Habitat Conservation Plan
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register and opening a 90-day public comment period on the revised Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the R-Project Transmission Line (R-Project) in Nebraska. The public comment period begins on February 9, 2024, and ends on May 9, 2024.
The FWS hosted two in-person on February 27 and 29, 2024, and one virtual public meeting on March 7, 2024.
All public meetings served the following purposes: allowed members of the public to learn about the Draft SEIS for the NPPD R-Project HCP, ask clarifying questions, and provide verbal public comments. The virtual meeting presented the same information as the in-person meetings.
Recording of the virtual public meeting
Public Meeting Presentation Slides
Draft Migratory Bird Conservation Plan
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has resubmitted an application for a federal permit to authorize the take of the federally threatened American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) under the Endangered Species Act for the proposed construction, operation, and maintenance of a 226-mile-long, 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated infrastructure.
The purpose of the R-Project is three-fold:
- Relieve electrical congestion within the existing transmission system;
- Enhance system reliability;
- Provide opportunities for development of renewable resources.
The proposed project starts at NPPD’s substation at Gerald Gentleman Station; north to a 345 kV substation in Thomas County near Thedford; and then extends eastward to another 345 kV substation sited in Holt County, which is interconnected with Western Area Power Administration’s existing Fort Thompson to Grand Island 345 kV line located on the eastern border of Holt County. The R-Project study area is within the following Nebraska counties: Antelope, Blaine, Brown, Cherry, Garfield, Holt, Hooker, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Rock, Thomas, and Wheeler.
