Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H

West-wide Energy Corridor Interagency Operating Procedures 

This appendix lists the Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs) that were developed under 

the Section 368 Corridor Program of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and enumerated in the 

PEIS for the West-Wide Energy Corridors (DOE and BLM 2008). This appendix shows how 

the Gateway West Project would conform to these IOPs and provides the location in the 

main part of the EIS or in supplemental documentation in the administrative record where 

they are discussed.
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-1

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Regulatory Compliance

1

The appropriate agency, assisted by the 

applicant, must conduct project-specific 

NEPA analyses in compliance with Section 

102 of NEPA. The scope, content, and type 

of analysis shall be determined on a projectby-project basis by the Agencies and the 

applicants.

BLM is the lead federal agency under NEPA and has 

coordinated the preparation of an EIS and the determination of 

compliance with related environmental laws and cooperating 

agencies. The cooperating agencies include the U.S. Forest 

Service (Caribou-Targhee, Medicine Bow-Routt, and Sawtooth 

National Forests); the National Park Service (National Trails 

Office, Minidoka National Historic Site, Hagerman Fossil Beds 

National Monument, Fossil Butte National Monument, Craters 

of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and City of 

Rocks National Reserve); the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(Ecological Services Division, Seedskadee and Cokeville 

Meadows National Wildlife Refuges); the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers; the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the States of Idaho 

and Wyoming; Idaho Army National Guard; Cassia, Power, 

and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho; Lincoln, Sweetwater, and 

Carbon Counties, Wyoming; the Medicine Bow and Saratoga 

Encampment-Rawlins Conservation Districts in Wyoming; and 

the City of Kuna in Idaho.

EIS Section 1.1 (Purpose and 

Need; Introduction)

2

The appropriate agency, assisted by the 

project applicant, must comply with Section 

106 of the NHPA on a project by-project 

basis. Consultation with SHPOs, any 

federally recognized Tribes, and other 

appropriate parties as per regulations (36 

CFR 800) must begin early in the planning 

process and continue throughout project 

development and execution. The ACHP 

retains the option to comment on all 

undertakings (36 CFR 800.9).

A PA has been developed for the Gateway West Project and is 

a collaborative process involving BLM, SHPOs of Wyoming and 

Idaho, the ACHP, and other consulting parties.

EIS Section 3.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources); Appendix N: 

Programmatic Agreement 

Regarding Compliance with the 

National Historic Protection Act 

(PA) of this EIS

In compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA (as amended) 

and the revised ACHP 3 regulations (36 CFR 800), the BLM 

initiated and continue government-to-government consultation 

with seven Native American tribes in the Project area, 

including the Shoshone-Bannock; Northern Arapaho Business 

Council; Ute Tribal Council; Northwest Shoshone Band; 

Eastern Shoshone Business Council; Northern Cheyenne 

Tribal Council; and Shoshone-Paiute. The BLM also 

consulted with the Idaho and Wyoming SHPOs.

EIS Section 5.2 (Consultation and 

Collaboration; Consultation), 

Appendix N (PA) of this EIS
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-2

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

3

The appropriate agency, assisted by the 

project applicant, must consult with the 

USFWS and the NMFS as required by 

Section 7 of ESA. The specific consultation 

requirements, as set forth in regulations at 

50 CFR Part 402, would be applied on a 

project-by-project basis. Applicants shall 

identify known occupied sites, such as nest 

sites, for threatened and endangered 

species and special status species. 

Consultation with the USFWS began in March 2008 and has 

continued throughout the scoping and EIS analysis process.

EIS Section 5.2.2.1 (Consultation 

and Collaboration; Consultation;

Federal Agencies; U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service)

The identification and characterization of TES species within 

the Analysis Area were completed through the review of 

available literature, federal and state databases, consultation 

with federal and state biologists, and the completion of limited 

biological surveys and remote habitat assessments. 

EIS Section 3.11.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Wildlife and Fish Species; Affected 

Environment, Methods)

The BLM determined that greater sage-grouse surveys were 

necessary at limited locations along the Proposed Action and 

its Alternatives. BLM biologists identified specific areas within 

the Project’s segments that had a high potential for greater 

sage grouse occurrence, but where very little data regarding 

possible lek locations existed. These areas were surveyed for 

both greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse 

during April 2008. The BLM also determined that raptor nest 

surveys were necessary along specific portions of the 

Proposed Action and its Alternatives. Raptor nest surveys 

were conducted by aerial survey methods concurrent with 

sage and sharp-tail grouse surveys. Additionally, ground 

nesting raptor surveys were conducted on portions of 

Segment 2 during the appropriate survey window in the late 

spring/early summer of 2008. 

EIS Section 3.11.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Wildlife and Fish Species; Affected 

Environment; Methods; Biological 

Field Surveys)

The EPMs proposed by the Proponents (Appendix B) state 

that preconstruction surveys would be completed within 

specific areas along the Project’s Proposed Action for certain 

species. Surveys the year prior to construction would be 

conducted in the Analysis Area in the vicinity of the Project, 

using agreed-upon protocols, for: black-footed ferret, 

burrowing owl, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage 

grouse, mountain plover, pygmy rabbit, white-tailed prairie 

dog, Wyoming pocket gopher, and any other species that are 

listed between now and the beginning of construction.

EIS Section 3.11.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Wildlife and Fish Species; Affected 

Environment; Methods; Biological 

Field Surveys); also see

Table 2.7-1.
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-3

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

The EIS includes mitigation measures that would be required 

by the Agencies in addition to those EPMs proposed by the 

Proponents. These measures are presented in the species 

discussions in Chapter 3, and are summarized in Table 2.7-1, 

also see Appendix B.

EIS Section 3.11 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Wildlife and Fish Species;

Mitigation Measures in section 

3.11; also see Table 2.7-1.

4

The appropriate agency, assisted by the 

project applicant, must coordinate and 

consult with NMFS regarding potential 

impacts to essential fish habitat (EFH) as 

required by the 1996 reauthorization of the 

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 

and Management Act.

Not applicable to the areas crossed by the Project. Not Applicable

Agency Coordination

1

Applicants seeking to develop energy 

transport projects within corridors located on 

or near DOD facilities or flight training areas 

(see Appendix L for applicable corridors) 

must, early in the planning process and in 

conjunction with the appropriate agency 

staff, inform and coordinate with the DOD 

regarding the characteristics and locations of 

the anticipated project infrastructure.

The Proponents held, or participated in, a series of Project 

kickoff meetings that included U.S. Air Force (USAF) Mountain 

Home Air Force Base, Saylor Creek Bombing Range. The 

Proponents met with representatives of the USAF Saylor 

Creek Bombing Range. During the routing study and scoping 

period, the Proponents met with representatives of Saylor 

Creek Bombing Range to discuss height restrictions north of 

the bombing range. 

Siting Study Section 2.2.4 (Overall 

Siting Approach, Transmission 

Line Siting; Initial Agency 

Consultation and Stakeholder 

Input)

2

Early in the planning process, applicants 

seeking ROW authorization within a Section 

368 energy corridor that is located within five 

miles of a unit of the NPS should contact the 

appropriate Agency staff and work with the 

NPS regarding the characteristics and 

locations of anticipated project infrastructure. 

In those instances where corridors cross 

lands within the boundaries of a unit of the 

NPS, the National Park Service Organic Act 

and other relevant laws and policies shall 

apply.

BLM is the lead federal agency under NEPA and has 

coordinated the preparation of an EIS and the determination of 

compliance with related environmental laws and cooperating 

agencies, which include the National Park Service (National 

Trails Office, Minidoka National Historic Site, Hagerman Fossil 

Beds National Monument, Fossil Butte National Monument, 

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and 

City of Rocks National Reserve).

EIS Section 1.1 (Purpose and 

Need; Introduction)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-4

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

3

In those instances where projects using 

energy corridors are proposed to also cross 

National Wildlife Refuge System lands, the 

National Wildlife System Administration Act 

and other relevant laws and policies 

pertinent to national wildlife refuges shall 

apply.

Not applicable because there are no WWE Corridors planned 

for use through National Wildlife Refuges for the Gateway 

West Project.

Not Applicable

4

For electricity transmission projects, the 

applicant shall notify the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) as early as practicable 

in the planning process in order to identify 

appropriate aircraft safety requirements.

Activities accompanied by helicopter flight operations would 

operate under the control of the FAA. The Proponents would 

file a notice of construction activities, (Federal Regulation Title 

14 Part 77) with the FAA. The FAA is concerned with: 1) Any 

construction or alteration exceeding 200 feet above ground 

level; and 2) Any construction or alteration: a) within 20,000 

feet (3.79 miles) of a public use or military airport that exceeds 

a 100:1 sloping surface from any point on the runway of each 

airport with at least one runway more than 3,200 feet; b) within 

10,000 feet (1.89 miles) of a public use or military airport that 

exceeds a 50:1 sloping surface from any point on the runway 

of each airport with its longest runway no more than 3,200 

feet; and c) within 5,000 feet of a public use heliport that 

exceeds a 25:1 sloping surface. These regulations do not 

apply to private landing strips.

EIS Section 3.19.1.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Transportation;

Affected Environment; Regulatory 

Framework; Federal; Federal 

Aviation Administration)

5

All project applications must reflect 

applicable findings, mitigation, and/or 

standards contained in regional land 

management plans, such as the Northwest 

Forest Plan, when such regional plans have 

been incorporated into agency planning 

guidelines and requirements. Modification of 

some standards may be needed to 

reasonably allow for energy transport within 

a corridor.

Table 1.5-1 lists the various federal land use plans that provide 

direction and management standards for activities within their 

jurisdiction, their year of publication, and the status of their 

revision. Mitigation measures summarized in Table 2.7-1 are 

derived from agency planning guidelines and requirements.

EIS Section 1.5 (Purpose and 

Need; Relationship to Policies, 

Plans, and Programs)

Where possible, the proposed Project has been modified to 

comply with the plans. Portions of the Proposed Action and the 

Route Alternatives are still not in compliance with one or more of 

the plans; therefore, land use plan amendments are included as 

part of the Proposed Action and Route Alternatives, and the 

effects are analyzed in Chapter 3. As part of the ROD, the BLM 

and Forest Service will decide whether to implement the 

amendments and the significance of the amendments. Table 2.2-

1 lists the plans that would require amendment and the proposed 

amendments based on the alignment of the Proposed Route and 

Route Alternatives.

EIS Section 1.5.1 (Purpose and 

Need; Relationship to Policies, 

Plans, and Programs; Plan 

Amendments); EIS Section 2.2.4

(Alternatives; Alternative 

Development; Proposed Plan 

Amendments and Amendments 

Associated with Alternative 

Routes); Appendix F
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-5

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Government-to-Government Coordination

1

The appropriate agency, assisted by the 

project applicant, must initiate governmentto-government consultation with affected 

Tribes at the outset of project planning and 

shall continue consultation throughout all 

phases of the project, as necessary. 

Agencies should determine how to consult in 

a manner that reflects the cultural values, 

socioeconomic factors, and administrative 

structures of the interested Tribes.

As lead agency, the BLM initiated government-to-government 

consultation with seven Native American tribes in the Project 

area. Table 5.2-2 lists the Native American tribes that have 

been contacted and summarizes the concerns they have 

raised to date and the status of consultation. The BLM is 

continuing government-to-government consultation with these 

Tribes.

EIS Section 5.2.1 (Consultation 

and Collaboration; Consultation;

Government-to-Government)

2

The agency POC may require the project 

proponent to prepare an ethnographic study 

when Tribal consultation indicates the need. 

The study shall be conducted by a qualified 

professional selected in consultation with the 

affected Tribe.

An ethnography was completed for Shoshone-Paiute. A 

second ethnography study is in progress. The results of these 

studies will be used to inform the discussions between the 

BLM and the Tribes concerning TCPs. 

EIS Section 3.3.2.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources; Affected Environment;

Regulatory Framework;

Consultation);

EIS Section 5.2.1.1 (Consultation 

and Collaboration; Consultation;

Government-to-Government;

Ethnographic Study Process/TCP)

General

1

Applicants seeking to develop an electricity 

transmission or pipeline project will develop 

a project-specific Plan of Development 

(POD). The POD should display the location 

of the project infrastructure (i.e., towers, 

power lines) and identify areas of short- and 

long-term land and resource impacts and the 

mitigation measures for site-specific and 

resource-specific environmental impacts. 

The POD should also include notification of 

project termination and decommissioning to 

the agencies at a time period specified by 

the agencies.

Applicants submitted a revised POD. The POD they filed

provides detailed information on the currently proposed 

Project facilities and the steps that the Proponents will follow 

during construction, operation, and maintenance of the 

Project. During the course of Project development, further 

changes are anticipated to the POD. Revisions will be 

submitted as they become available. The final POD will be 

appended to the BLM ROW Grant.

EIS Appendix B
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-6

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

Applicants, working with the appropriate 

agencies, shall design projects to comply 

with all appropriate and applicable Agency 

policies and guidance.

Where possible, the proposed Project has been designed to 

conform with land management plans. Portions of the 

Proposed Route and the Route Alternatives still do not 

conform with one or more of the plans. As part of the ROD, 

the BLM and the Forest Service will decide whether to 

implement an amendment for a corresponding route or 

alternative if the decision is to grant a ROW. Section 2.2.1 

identifies whether an amendment would be needed for each 

Proposed Route and Route Alternative and what sections of 

Chapter 3 would be affected if a plan amendment were 

required. Chapter 3 resource sections discuss plan 

amendment consequences.

EIS Section 1.5.1 (Purpose and 

Need; Relationship to Policies, 

Plans, and Programs); EIS Section 

2.2.4 (Alternatives; Alternative 

Development; Proposed Plan 

Amendments and Amendments 

Associated with Alternative 

Routes); and Appendix F

3

Project planning shall be based on the 

current state of knowledge. Where corridors 

are subject to sequential projects, projectrelated planning (such as the development 

of spill-response plans, cultural resource 

management plans, and visual resource 

management plans) and project-specific 

mitigation and monitoring should incorporate 

information and lessons learned from 

previous projects.

Where the Proposed or Alternative Routes are located within a 

WWE Corridor there are no prior projects in the last 10 years.

EIS Chapter 4 (Cumulative 

Effects)

4

Applicants shall follow the best management 

practices for energy transport project siting, 

construction, and operations of the states in 

which the proposed project would be 

located, as well as federal agency practices.

The POD specifies Environmental Protection Measures 

(EPMs) that the Proponents have incorporated as their best 

management practices and as part of the Project description. 

These measures have been developed by the Proponents to 

maintain environmental quality and meet requirements of 

various land management plans. These measures apply 

project-wide unless noted otherwise. These EPMs apply to 

construction, operation, and maintenance as appropriate. 

See Table 2.7-1 of the EIS for additional measures required 

by the Agencies.

Appendix Z to the POD 

(Environmental Protection 

Measures) included in Appendix B 

to this EIS; and Table 2.7-1.

Table 1.4-1 lists the major federal, state, and local permits, 

approvals, and consultations identified for the construction and 

operation of Gateway West.

EIS Section 1.4 (Purpose and 

Need; Authorizing Laws and 

Regulations)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-7

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

5

Corridors are to be efficiently used. The 

applicant, assisted by the appropriate 

agency, shall consolidate the proposed 

infrastructure, such as access roads, 

wherever possible and utilize existing roads 

to the maximum extent feasible, minimizing 

the number, lengths, and widths of roads, 

construction support areas, and borrow 

areas.

Wherever possible, new access roads will be constructed 

within the proposed transmission line ROW, or existing roads 

will be used.

POD Section 3 (Project 

Description) and Appendix B to the 

POD

6

When concurrent development projects are 

proposed and implemented within a corridor, 

the agency POCs shall coordinate the 

projects to ensure consistency with regard to 

all regulatory compliance and consultation 

requirements, and to avoid duplication of 

effort.

Gateway South, Zephyr, and TransWest Express may be 

concurrent with portions of Gateway West. Coordination is 

ongoing to ensure consistency with regard to all regulatory 

compliance and consultation requirements, and to avoid 

duplication of effort.

EIS Section 4 (Cumulative Effects)

7

Applicants, assisted by the appropriate 

agency, shall prepare a monitoring plan for 

all project-specific mitigation activities.

The preliminary Reclamation Plan describes the framework for 

development of the final Reclamation, Revegetation, and 

Weed Management Plan. The plan provides a structure for 

post construction monitoring.

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan)

The POD includes the procedures to be undertaken to 

inventory, evaluate, and protect cultural and paleontological 

resources. 

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework Paleontological 

Monitoring and Mitigation Plan);

Appendix N (PA)

Environmental monitoring is also proposed where construction 

may be permitted but its conformance with minimization 

measures should be monitored and enforced. The details of 

the Proponents environmental compliance program including

monitoring and reporting will be detailed in the construction 

POD.

EIS Appendix B (Framework Plant 

and Wildlife Conservation

Measures Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-8

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

8

Potential cumulative impacts to resources 

should be considered during the early stages 

of the project. Agency POCs must 

coordinate various development projects to 

consider and minimize cumulative impacts. 

A review of resource impacts resulting from 

other projects in the region should be 

conducted and any pertinent information be 

considered during project planning.

Chapter 4 presents a discussion of the potential cumulative 

effects associated with Gateway West.

EIS Chapter 4 (Cumulative 

Effects)

Project Design

1

Applicants shall locate desired projects 

within energy corridors to promote effective 

use of the corridors by subsequent 

applicants and to avoid the elimination of 

use or encumbrance of use of the corridors 

by ROW holders. Proposed projects should 

be compatible with identified energy 

transport modes and avoid conflicts with 

other land uses within a corridor.

In selecting a route for the proposed Project, the Proponents

identified existing transmission lines, easements, or ROWs 

and other utility corridors including the WWE Corridor and 

considered them as opportunities for routing. However, the 

Proponents also must meet the WECC minimum separation 

distance between transmission lines to prevent loss of multiple 

circuits from a single event such as a wildland fire. All 

segments must obtain new ROWs through a combination of 

ROW Grants and easements between the Proponents and 

various federal, state, and local governments; other 

companies (e.g., utilities and railroads); and private 

landowners. 

Appendix B to the POD (Project 

Description; Introduction and 

Project Description; Land 

Requirements and Construction 

Disturbance; Right-of-Way 

Acquisition)

In order to achieve the capacity needed to serve present and 

future loads within the Proponents’ service area, the WECC 

requires a minimum separation from existing transmission 

lines that serve substantially the same load as that served by 

each of the new Gateway West transmission segments. The 

Gateway West transmission lines are located approximately 

1,500 feet from the nearest existing 230-kV or higher voltage 

transmission lines to meet reliability requirements. 

Appendix B to the POD (Project 

Description; Introduction and 

Project Description; Land 

Requirements and Construction 

Disturbance; Right-of-Way 

Acquisition) and Chapter 1 of the 

EIS (Purpose and Need; Existing 

Transmission System Constraints;

Reliability)

During final design of the transmission line segments, 

appropriate electrical studies will be conducted to identify the 

issues associated with paralleling other facilities, and the types 

of equipment that will need to be installed (if any) to mitigate 

the effects of the induced currents.

POD (Project Description;

Proposed Facilities; Induced 

Currents and Adjacent Facilities)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-9

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

Applicant shall identify and delineate existing 

underground metallic pipelines in the vicinity 

of a proposed electricity transmission line 

project and design the project to avoid 

accelerating the corrosion of the pipelines 

and/or pumping wells.

GIS data for large capacity pipelines were obtained from 

Penwell and considered during routing. GIS data for oil and 

gas well heads were obtained from the State of Wyoming and 

NAIP aerial photography, and a 250-foot no occupancy buffer 

was applied during routing. 

Siting Study Section 2.2 (Overall 

Siting Approach; Transmission 

Line Siting)

During final design of the transmission line segments,

appropriate electrical studies will be conducted to identify the 

issues associated with paralleling other facilities, and the types 

of equipment that will need to be installed (if any) to mitigate 

the effects of the induced currents.

POD (Project Description, 

Proposed Facilities; Induced 

Currents and Adjacent Facilities)

Transportation

1

The applicant shall prepare an access road 

siting and management plan that 

incorporates relevant agency standards 

regarding road design, construction, 

maintenance, and decommissioning. 

Corridors will be closed to public access 

unless determined by the appropriate federal 

land manager to be managed as part of an 

existing travel and transportation network in 

a land use plan or subsequent travel 

management plan(s).

Appendix L to the POD, Traffic and Transportation 

Management, includes measures that require compliance with 

federal policies and standards relative to planning, siting, 

improvement, maintenance, and operation of roads for the 

Project. The Proponents shall prepare a Traffic and 

Transportation Management Plan to be included in the 

Construction POD, once the locations of access roads and 

crossings are known, that demonstrates how the measures 

specified herein will be implemented in the field.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and

Framework Traffic and 

Transportation Management)

2

The applicant shall prepare a 

comprehensive transportation plan for the 

transport of transmission tower or pipeline 

components, main assembly cranes, and 

other large equipment. The plan should 

address specific sizes, weights, origin, 

destination, and unique equipment handling 

requirements. The plan should evaluate 

alternative transportation routes and should 

comply with state regulations and all 

necessary permitting requirements. The plan

The Proponents shall prepare a Traffic and Transportation 

Management Plan to be included in the Construction POD, 

once the locations of access roads and crossings are known, 

that demonstrates how the measures specified herein will be 

implemented in the field.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework Traffic and 

Transportation Management)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-10

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

(cont.)

should address site access roads and 

eliminate hazards from truck traffic or 

adverse impacts to normal traffic flow. The 

plan should include measures such as 

informational signage and traffic controls that 

may be necessary during construction or 

maintenance of facilities.

The transportation plan shall evaluate the components 

required. Hauling routes will be determined and all issues 

resolved (access, traffic control, damage mitigation, bridge 

evaluation, etc.), therefore, no evaluation of alternative routes 

will be conducted in the transportation plan. 

Shall be included in the 

Construction POD.

Equipment required for construction of the Gateway West 

transmission lines and substations will include, but are not 

limited to, those listed in Tables 3.8-2 and 3.8-3. These tables 

also include the anticipated daily duration of equipment use for 

each segment for each type. Table 3.8-4 provides an estimate 

of the average and peak construction traffic during the 

construction period.

Appendix B to the POD (Project 

Description; Construction 

Workforce; Construction 

Equipment and Traffic)

3

Applicants shall consult with local planning 

authorities regarding increased traffic during 

the construction phase, including an 

assessment of the number of vehicles per 

day, their size, and type. Specific issues of 

concern (e.g., location of school bus routes 

and stops) should be identified and 

addressed in the traffic management plan.

The POD presents protection measures to be used to 

minimize impacts on roads, traffic, and other users of roads, 

and to reduce dust. The Proponents will prepare a Traffic and 

Transportation Management Plan, once the locations of 

access roads and crossings are known, that demonstrates 

how the measures specified herein will be implemented in the 

field. 

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework Traffic and 

Transportation Management Plan)

Groundwater

1

Applicants must identify and delineate all 

sole source aquifers in the vicinity of a 

proposed project and design the project to 

avoid disturbing these aquifers or to 

minimize potential risks that the aquifers 

could be contaminated by spills or leaks of 

chemicals used in the projects.

Southern and southwest Idaho is underlain by the Snake River 

Plain aquifer (Segments 5 through 10). The Eastern Snake 

River Plain Aquifer is a sole source aquifer. The required 

SPCC plan will address minimizing spills and contamination.

EIS Section 3.16 (Water 

Resources); EIS Appendix B

(Environmental Protection 

Measures and Framework Spill 

Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures Plan). The 

detailed SPCC Plan will be 

prepared after the Final EIS, prior 

to construction.
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-11

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

In instances where a project within an energy 

corridor crosses sole source aquifers, the 

applicant must notify the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) and the agencies 

that administer the land as early as 

practicable in the planning process. Section 

1424(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 

USC Chapter 6A) and other relevant laws and 

policies pertinent to the corridors that cross 

sole source aquifers shall apply.

Southern and southwest Idaho is underlain by the Snake River 

Plain aquifer (Segments 5 through 10). The Eastern Snake 

River Plain Aquifer is a sole source aquifer.

EIS Section 3.16 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Water 

Resources). EPA was notified of 

the Project during scoping and will 

comment on the EIS.

Surface Water

1

Applicants must identify all wild and scenic 

rivers (designated by act of Congress or by 

the Secretary of the Interior under Section 

3(a) or 2(a)(ii) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Act (16 USC 1271-1287), respectively), 

congressionally authorized wild and scenic 

study rivers, and agency identified (eligible 

or suitable) wild and scenic study rivers in 

the vicinity of a proposed project and design 

the project to avoid the rivers or mitigate the 

disturbance of the rivers and their vicinity.

The Project was reviewed for Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSRs). 

While there are no WSR within WWE corridors proposed for 

use by the Project or its Route Alternatives, BLM has 

determined that Salmon Falls Creek is an eligible WSR and 

revised the route to cross at a Recreation portion of the river. 

Alternative routes have been developed.

EIS Section 3.17 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Land Use)

2

In instances where a project within an energy 

corridor crosses a wild and scenic river or a 

wild and scenic study river, the appropriate 

federal permitting agency, assisted by the 

project applicant, must coordinate and 

consult with the river-administrating agency 

regarding the protection and enhancement of 

their free-flowing condition, water quality, and 

outstandingly remarkable natural, cultural, 

and recreational values.

The Project does not employ an Energy Corridor that crosses 

any WSRs or agency-identified eligible WSRs. Not Applicable

3

Applicants shall identify all streams in the 

vicinity of proposed project sites that are 

listed as impaired under Section 303(d) of the 

Clean Water Act (33 USC Chapter 26) and 

provide a management plan to avoid or 

mitigate adverse impacts on those streams.

Lists of 303(d) impaired waterbodies were obtained from the 

IDEQ, NDEP and WDEQ websites. Appendix D presents the 

list of sediment or temperature impaired waterbodies within the 

Idaho portion of the Analysis Area. There were no temperature 

or sediment-impaired waterbodies in the Wyoming portion of 

the Project.

EIS Appendix D; EIS Section 

3.16.1.5 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Water Resources; Affected 

Environment; Existing Conditions;

Surface Water)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-12

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

The TMDL or 303(d) listed streams for sediment that are 

crossed by the Gateway West project and are within a WWE 

Corridor include one unnamed stream in Seg 8 Alt 8A, Browns 

Creek and 3 unnamed streams in Seg 9 Proposed, and 2 

unnamed streams in Seg 9 Alt 9B. Plans to avoid or mitigate 

adverse impacts on these streams are included in the 

proposed EPMs for vegetation, wetlands, fish, soils, 

stormwater pollution prevention, and spill prevention, 

containment, and countermeasures. 

EIS Section 3.6 (Vegetation 

Communities), Section 3.9 

(Wetlands), Section 3.10 (General 

Wildlife and Fish), Section 3.11 

(Special Status Wildlife and Fish 

Species), Section 3.15 (Soils), 

Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures; Framework 

Stormwater Pollution Prevention 

Plan; Framework Spill Prevention, 

Containment, and 

Countermeasures; and Framework 

Operations, Maintenance, and 

Emergency Response Plan)

Paleontological Resources

1

The applicant shall conduct an initial scoping 

assessment to determine whether 

construction activities would disturb 

formations that may contain important 

paleontological resources. Potential impacts 

to significant paleontological resources 

should be avoided by moving or rerouting 

the site of construction or removing or 

reducing the need for surface disturbance. 

When avoidance is not possible, a mitigation 

plan should be prepared to identify physical 

and administrative protective measures and 

protocols such as halting work, to be 

implemented in the event of fossil 

discoveries. The scoping assessment and 

mitigation plan should be conducted in 

accordance with the managing agency’s 

fossil management practices and policies.

To reduce the impacts on paleontological resources during 

construction, the following mitigation is required on federal 

lands; and state, Indian Reservation, or private lands where 

requested by the land management agency or landowner: 

PALEO-1 to PALEO-5 The Proponents will prepare a 

Paleontological Monitoring Plan for the Project, focusing on 

Segment 4 where the potential for adverse impacts is the 

greatest. This plan will be submitted for review and approval 

prior to commencing construction. 

EIS Section 3.13 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Paleontological 

Resources; Mitigation Measures); 

Appendix B (Framework 

Paleontological Resources 

Protection Plan.
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-13

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

If significant paleontological resources are 

known to be present in the project area, or if 

areas with a high potential to contain 

paleontological material have been 

identified, the applicant shall prepare a 

paleontological resources management and 

mitigation plan. If adverse impacts to 

paleontological resources cannot be avoided 

or mitigated within the designated corridors, 

the agency may consider alternative 

development routes to avoid, minimize, or 

mitigate adverse effects.

To reduce the impacts on paleontological resources during 

construction, the following mitigation is required on federal 

lands; and state, Indian Reservation, or private lands where 

requested by the land management agency or land owner: 

PALEO-1 to PALEO-5. The Proponents will prepare a 

Paleontological Monitoring Plan for the Project, focusing on 

identified in the EIS where the potential for adverse impacts is 

the greatest. This plan will be submitted to appropriate 

agencies for review and approval prior to commencing 

construction. 

EIS Section 3.13 (Paleontological 

Resources; Affected Environment

and Environmental 

Consequences); Appendix B

(Framework Paleontological 

Resources Protection Plan)

The overall approach to the transmission line siting included 

identifying routing opportunities and constraints in the Project 

study area and using this information to identify, evaluate, and 

compare alternative corridors for each of the 10 segments and 

select a proposed corridor and, in some cases, recommended 

alternative corridors for each segment. The full list of data 

sources is presented in Table 2-1, which includes 

paleontological formation outcroppings.

Siting Study Section 2.2 (Overall 

Siting Approach; Transmission 

Line Siting), Section 2.2.2 (Overall 

Siting Approach; Transmission 

Line Siting; Data Sources)

3

A protocol for unexpected paleontological 

discoveries should be developed. 

Unexpected discovery during construction 

should be brought to the immediate attention 

of the responsible federal agency’s 

authorized officer. Work should be halted in 

the vicinity of the discovery to avoid further 

disturbance of the resource while the 

resource is being evaluated and appropriate 

mitigation measures are being developed.

An Unanticipated Discovery Plan will be included as part of the 

Cultural Resources and Paleontological Monitoring and 

Mitigation Plan. 

EIS Appendix B (POD) and 

Appendix N (PA)

Ecological Resources

1

Applicants shall identify important, sensitive, 

or unique habitats and BLM-special status 

species (BLM 2008), FS-sensitive, and statelisted species in the vicinity of proposed 

projects and design the project to avoid or 

mitigate impacts to these habitats and 

species.

Federally listed, proposed, and candidate plants and other 

special status species including BLM and Forest Service 

species are discussed in Section 3.7.1.5. The Proponents 

have proposed a series of EPMs (Appendix B). Section 3.6.2.2 

contains applicable references to plans and EPMs related to 

general vegetation, all of which would be applicable to reduce 

impacts to threatened and endangered species. In addition, 

EIS Section 3.7 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Plants) and Section 3.7.1.5

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Special Status Plants; Affected 
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-14

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

the Proponents propose to conduct pre-construction surveys 

in suitable habitat the year prior to construction and to 

redesign the proposed disturbance as needed to avoid direct 

impacts to blowout penstemon, slickspot peppergrass, and 

Ute ladies’-tresses (Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power 

2008a, b). Proponents will conduct preconstruction surveys by 

qualified botanists during a season when target species are 

readily identifiable for special status or globally rare species. 

Where feasible, micrositing of Project facilities will avoid direct 

impacts to identified populations.

Environment; Existing Conditions; 

Other Special Status Plant 

Species), Section 3.7.2.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Plants; Direct and Indirect Effects;

Effects Common to All Action 

Alternatives; Construction)

Appendix B presents EPMs, and the body of the EIS presents 

additional mitigation measures, that address threatened and 

endangered species listed under the ESA, those listed by the 

Forest Service as sensitive and the BLM as special status, 

and special status species identified by state game and fish 

agencies. Sage-grouse plan addressing management and 

avoidance. BLM has prepared a habitat impact analysis and 

mitigation calculations in addition to that proposed by the 

Proponents, included in the EIS as Appendix J.

EIS Appendix B (Framework Plant 

and Wildlife Conservation

Measures Plan – Construction 

Activities); EIS Section 3.11 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Special Status Wildlife and Fish 

Species), Section 3.11.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences, Special Status 

Wildlife and Fish Species, 

Mitigation); EIS Appendix C-1

(Mitigation Plan for Greater Sagegrouse)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-15

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

To restore disturbed habitats, the applicant 

will prepare a habitat restoration plan that 

identifies the approach and methods to be 

used to restore habitats disturbed during 

project construction activities. The plan will 

be designed to expedite the recovery to 

natural habitats supporting native vegetation, 

and require restoration to be completed as 

soon as practicable after completion of 

construction, minimizing the habitat 

converted at any one time. To ensure rapid 

and successful restoration efforts, the plan 

will include restoration success criteria, 

including time frames, which will be 

developed in coordination with the 

appropriate agency and which must be met 

by the applicant. Bonding to cover the full 

cost of restoration will be required.

This preliminary Reclamation Plan describes the framework 

for development of the final Reclamation, Revegetation, and 

Weed Management Plan... which provides a framework for 

the reclamation process, provides a structure for post 

construction monitoring and a clear sequence for remedial 

actions if needed and details the reporting standards to be 

followed. Seeding will be done as soon after ground disturbing 

activities are complete and at the appropriate time of year.

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan)

3

In consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, the appropriate agency, assisted 

by the project applicant, will identify wetlands 

(including ephemeral, intermittent, and 

isolated wetlands), riparian habitats, 

streams, and other aquatic habitats in the 

project area and design the project to avoid 

or mitigate impacts to these habitats.

In general, wetlands and riparian areas would be avoided 

during selection of construction sites. Impacts would be 

avoided and minimized during final design, by rerouting 

Project components outside of wetlands to the extent practical. 

As part of the 404 permitting process, the USACE would 

evaluate whether wetlands have been avoided to the extent 

practical and whether the effects have been adequately 

mitigated. The permitting process would also identify 

additional requirements as necessary to comply with USACE 

regulations. These would include the necessity for 

compensatory mitigation for any permanent loss of wetland or 

wetland function. In order to minimize impacts to wetlands the 

Proponents have proposed a Reclamation Revegetation and 

Weed Management Plan, a SWPPP, and a SPCC Plan (see 

Appendix B). 

EIS Section 3.9.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Wetlands and 

Riparian Areas; Affected 

Environment; Methods), Section 

3.9.2.2 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Wetlands and Riparian Areas;

Direct and Indirect Effects; Effects 

Common to All Action Alternatives;

Construction); EIS Appendix B

(Environmental Protection 

Measures and Framework 

Reclamation Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-16

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

The following mitigation measures are required on federally 

managed lands: WET-1 Impacts on wetland and riparian areas 

shall be avoided unless physically or economically infeasible. 

WET-3 Where impacts on wetlands are not avoidable, sitespecific crossing plans and measures to mitigate impacts shall 

be submitted to the managing agency or owner for approval 

prior to initiation of the activity causing the effect. The 

Proponents have agreed to implement WET-3 on all lands.

EIS Table 2.7-1 and Section 3.9 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Wetlands and Riparian Areas;

Mitigation Measures)

Vegetation Management

1

Applicants shall develop an integrated 

vegetation management plan consistent with 

applicable regulations and agency policies 

for the control of unwanted vegetation, 

noxious weeds, and invasive species (E.O. 

13112). The plan should address monitoring; 

ROW vegetation management; the use of 

certified weed-seed-free hay, straw, and/or 

mulch; the cleaning of vehicles to avoid the 

introduction of invasive weeds; education of 

personnel on weed identification; the manner 

in which weeds spread; and the methods for 

treating infestations (BLM 2006, 2007a,b, 

2008).

The goals of this Plan are to: describe the pre-construction 

planning, provide a framework for the reclamation process, 

provide a structure for post construction monitoring and a clear 

sequence for remedial actions if needed and detail the 

reporting standards to be followed. Successful re-vegetation 

will be determined by monitoring and comparing plots on 

federally-managed lands. REC-13 Project vehicles will be 

cleaned prior to entering the project... REC-1 Company 

personnel and their contractors will be trained on noxious and 

invasive weed identification, prevention, control methods and 

impacts of such weeds on agriculture and wildlife... Mapped 

noxious and invasive weed species locations may be treated 

prior to transmission line construction... REC-2 through REC26. The Proponents will implement BMPs to address the 

introduction and spread of noxious weeds and invasive 

species. RRW-15 Certified weed-free straw will be used for 

sediment or erosion control or when used as mulch. Hay will 

not be used on BLM-administered land. The Agencies also 

require weed free gravel and other road building materials be 

used on federal lands (WEED-4).

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan); EIS Section 

3.6 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences; 

Wetland and Riparian Areas); and

Table 2.7-1.

Cultural Resources

1

Cultural resources management services 

and individuals providing those services 

shall meet the Secretary of the Interior’s 

Standards for Archaeology and Historic 

Preservation, 48 FR 44716 (Sept. 29, 1983).

Cultural resource consultants used on the project were 

approved by the BLM.

Field authorizations and ARPA 

permits, detailing personnel and 

qualifications, are found in the 

Administrative Record
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-17

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

The project applicant may, with the approval 

of the agency POC, assign a Cultural 

Resource Coordinator to ensure an 

integrated compliance process across 

administrated and jurisdictional boundaries. 

The Cultural Resource Coordinator will 

facilitate and coordinate compliance with 

multiple laws, policies, regulations, and 

existing pertinent agreements (PAs, MOAs, 

or MOUs) among multiple agencies and 

other entities, jurisdictions, and federally 

recognized Tribes. The coordinator may 

assist with development of pertinent 

agreements among concerned parties during 

the course of the project. The coordinator 

shall be a qualified professional with 

experience in cultural resource compliance. 

Where appropriate, the Cultural Resource 

Coordinator may also serve as the Tribal 

Coordinator. Alternatively, the agency POC 

may assign such coordinators, to be paid for 

through project cost-recovery funds. The 

agencies, through the POC, remain 

responsible for consultation.

Bonnie Bruce has been assigned by the BLM to be the 

Cultural Resource Coordinator. She is the principal contact for 

the cultural resources program and currently the lead 

archeologist in the Rawlins Field Office.

Administrative Record

3

The project applicant may, with the approval 

of the agency POC, assign a Tribal 

Coordinator to facilitate and coordinate 

consultation and compliance with multiple 

laws, agencies, and Tribes in order to 

ensure effective government-to-government 

consultation throughout the life of the 

project. Alternatively, the agency POC may 

assign such coordinators, to be paid for 

through project cost-recovery funds. The 

agencies, through the POC, remain 

responsible for consultation.

Bonnie Bruce has been assigned by the BLM to be the Tribal 

Coordinator. She is the principal contact for the cultural 

resources program and currently the lead archeologist in the 

Rawlins Field Office.

Administrative Record
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-18

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

4

All historic properties in the Area of Potential 

Effect (APE) will be identified and evaluated. 

The APE shall include that area within which 

an undertaking may directly or indirectly 

cause alterations in the character or use of 

historic properties and shall include a 

reasonable construction buffer zone and 

laydown areas, access roads, and borrow 

areas, as well as a reasonable assessment 

of areas subject to effects from visual, 

auditory, or atmospheric impacts, or impacts 

from increased access.

The APE has been defined in the Programmatic Agreement 

(PA), which is attached to the Final EIS (Appendix N). For the 

purpose of the EIS, the Analysis Area is defined as the 

geographic area in which impacts are likely to occur.

EIS Section 3.3.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources; Introduction Note on 

Vocabulary); Appendix N.
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-19

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

5

Project proponents must develop a cultural 

resources management plan (CRMP) to 

outline the process for compliance with 

applicable cultural resource laws during preproject planning, management of resources 

during operation, and consideration of the 

effect of decommissioning. CRMPs should 

meet the specifications of the appropriate 

agency and address compliance with all 

appropriate laws. CRMPs should include the 

following, as appropriate: identification of the 

federally recognized Tribes, SHPOs, and 

consulting parties for the project; identification 

of long- and short-term management goals for 

cultural resources within the APE of the 

project; the definition of the APE; appropriate 

procedures for inventory, evaluation, and 

identification of effects to historic properties; 

evaluation of eligibility for the NRHP for all 

resources in the APE; description of the 

measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate 

adverse effects to historic properties; 

procedures for inadvertent discovery; 

procedures for considering NAGPRA issues,

monitoring needs, and plans to be employed 

during construction; curation procedures; 

anticipated personnel requirements and 

qualifications; public outreach and 

interpretation plans; and discussion of other 

concerns. The draft CRMP should be 

reviewed and approved by the agency POC in 

consultation with historic preservation 

partners, including appropriate SHPOs, 

Tribes, and consulting parties. CRMPs must 

specify procedures that would be followed for 

compliance with cultural resource laws, 

should the project change during the course 

of implementation.

The requirements set forth in this IOP are addressed in the 

EIS Cultural Resources section, the EIS Consultation and 

Collaboration section, and the EIS Appendix B.NFederal and 

state agencies have reviewed and commented on the analysis 

and interpretation, and will continue to do so as the project 

progresses to ensure the analysis and the project meet their 

requirements.

EIS Section 3.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources); EIS Appendix B

(Environmental Protection 

Measures), Attachment N (PA);

EIS Section 5.0 (Consultation and 

Collaboration)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-20

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

6

Project applicants will provide cultural 

resources training for project personnel 

regarding the laws protecting cultural 

resources, appropriate conduct in the field 

(such as procedures for the inadvertent 

discovery of human remains), and other 

project-specific issues identified in the 

CRMP. Training plans should be part of the 

CRMP and should be subject to the approval 

of the POC. When government-togovernment consultation identifies the need 

and the possibility, Tribes may be invited to 

participate in or contribute to relevant 

sessions.

CUL-7 To minimize unauthorized collecting of archaeological 

material or vandalism to known archaeological sites, all 

workers will attend mandatory training on the significance of 

cultural resources and the relevant federal regulations 

intended to protect them.

EIS Table 2.7-1 and Appendix B

(Environmental Protection 

Measures); Attachment N (PA);

and EIS Appendix B (EPMs)

7

If adverse effects to historic properties will 

result from a project, a Historic Property 

Treatment Plan will be developed in 

consultation with the SHPO, the appropriate 

federally recognized Tribes, and any 

consulting parties. The plan will outline how 

the impacts to the historic properties would be 

mitigated, minimized, or avoided. Agency 

officials will give full consideration to the 

applicable mitigation measures found in 

Section 3.10.5.2 of the final PEIS when 

consulting during the project pre-planning 

stages to resolve adverse effects on historic 

properties.

The Proponents will prepare and submit a Treatment Plan for 

any historic property eligible for or listed on the National 

Register of Historic Places (NRHP) that will be impacted by 

the Project. The plan will specify how each property will be 

treated, including mitigation measures. The Plan will include 

an Unanticipated Discovery Plan that details the steps to be 

taken during construction in response to a new find of an 

historic property potentially eligible for listing on the NRHP 

during construction.

EIS Table 2.7-1 and Appendix B 

(Environmental Protection 

Measures); Attachment N (PA);

and EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Paleontological Resource 

Protection Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-21

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

8

As directed by the agency POC, project 

proponents will prepare a public education 

and outreach component regarding projectrelated cultural resource issues (e.g. 

discoveries, impacts) such as a public 

presentation, a news article, a publication, or 

a display. Public education and outreach 

components will be subject to Agency 

approval and Tribal review and consultation 

when the content or format is of interest to 

affected Tribes.

The PA includes Compensatory Mitigation Measures as 

required: Fund or provide interpretive, educational exhibits 

placed in museums or nearby interpretive centers; Develop an 

illustrated guide to the regional archaeology and history, which 

would present the results of the Project’s archaeology/history 

in layperson’s terms for the general public; Provide new 

markers for the BLM and other public groups to position along 

historic trails; Fund or provide outdoor, interpretive wayside 

exhibits along access points to trails, highways, and other 

linear resources; Fund or provide educational films or 

curriculum for area school districts about the history and 

significance of the linear resources. 

The PA also includes Conservation Easements – Where 

feasible and appropriate, conservation easements will be 

considered to preserve important archaeological and historic 

sites, and high integrity linear resource segments, or to 

preserve viewsheds. 

EIS Section 3.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences, Cultural 

Resources, Mitigation Measures);

Appendix N (PA)

9

Cultural resources inventory, evaluation, and 

mitigation practices should incorporate 

modeling and sampling strategies to the 

extent practicable, in concurrence with 

SHPOs and other relevant parties, and as 

approved by the agency POC.

Federal and State agencies have reviewed and commented 

on the analysis and interpretation, and will continue to do so 

as the project progresses to ensure the analysis and the 

project meet their requirements.

EIS Section 3.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources)

10

Project applicants shall provide all cultural 

resources reports and data in an electronic 

format that is approved by the Agency POC 

and integrated across jurisdictional 

boundaries, that meets current standards, 

and that is compatible with SHPO systems. 

The Agency will submit this data to the 

SHPO in a timely fashion. Project 

proponents should submit cultural resources 

data on a regular basis to ensure that SHPO 

systems are kept up to date for reference as 

the different phases of the project proceed. 

Paper records may also be required by the 

agency.

All completed reports have been submitted to the relevant 

state’s SHPO, and this process will continue. Administrative Record
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-22

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

11

Cultural resources inventory procedures, 

specified in the CRMP, will include 

development of historic contexts based on 

the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and 

Guidelines for Archeology and Historic 

Preservation (48 FR 44716) sufficient to 

support the evaluation of cultural resources 

encountered in the APE.

To identify historic properties and TCPs within the affected 

environment, the project proponents conducted a literature 

review, data sources for the literature review included cultural 

and historical contexts. Federal agencies have reviewed and 

commented on the analysis and interpretation, and will 

continue to do so as the project progresses to ensure the 

analysis and the project meet their requirements.

EIS Section 3.3.2.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources; Affected Environment;

Methods)

Traditional Cultural Properties

1

The appropriate agency, assisted by the 

applicant, must comply with all laws, policies, 

and regulations pertaining to government-togovernment consultation with federally 

recognized Tribes. Agencies shall initiate 

consultation with affected Tribes at the outset of 

project planning and shall continue consultation 

throughout project planning, construction, 

operation, and decommissioning. Consultation 

shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 

(a) identification of potentially affected Tribes; 

(b) identification of appropriate Tribal contacts 

and the preferred means of communication with 

these Tribes; (c) provision to the Tribes of 

project-specific information (e.g., project 

proponents, maps, design features, proposed 

ROW routes, construction methods, etc.) at the 

outset of project planning and throughout the life 

of the project; (d) identification of issues of 

concern specific to affected Tribes (e.g., 

potential impacts to culturally sensitive areas or 

resources, hazard and safety management 

plans, treaty reserved rights and trust 

responsibilities); (e) identification of areas and 

resources of concern to Tribes; and (f) 

resolution of concerns (e.g., actions to avoid, 

minimize, or mitigate impacts to important 

resources; Memoranda of Agreement stating 

what actions would be taken to mitigate project 

effects; or agreements for Tribal participation in 

monitoring efforts or operator training 

programs).

In compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA (as amended) 

and the revised ACHP 3 regulations (36 CFR 800), the BLM 

initiated government-to-government consultation with Native 

American tribes in the Project area... Table 5.2-2 lists the 

Native American tribes that have been contacted and 

summarizes the concerns they have raised to date and the 

status of consultation. The final determination of effects and 

resolution of adverse effects, through the Section 106 

consultation process, will not be complete until surveys of all 

lands crossed by the project have been completed. The PA 

will specify how treatment plans will be completed to set forth 

the measures to minimize or mitigate the project's adverse 

effects to any historic property that the BLM may determine is 

adversely affected and where it is not feasible and prudent to 

avoid effects to that historic property by project relocation.

EIS Section 5.2 (Consultation and 

Collaboration; Consultation); EIS

Section 3.3.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources; Regulatory 

Framework; Scope of the NEPA 

Analysis); EIS Section 3.3.3.2

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Cultural Resources; Direct and 

Indirect Effects; Effects Common 

to All Action Alternatives; 

Construction); Appendix N (PA).
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-23

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

The appropriate agency, assisted by the 

applicant, must comply with all pertinent 

laws, policies, and regulations addressing 

cultural and other resources important to 

Tribes, including the NHPA, the 

Archaeological Resources Protection Act 

(ARPA), the Native American Graves 

Protection Act (NAGPRA), and other laws 

and regulations as listed in Table 3.11-2 of 

the PEIS.

The BLM is continuing government-to-government 

consultation (see Section 3.3 and Chapter 5).

EIS Section 3.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources)

3

The agencies shall recognize the

significance to many Tribes of traditional 

cultural places, such as sacred sites, sacred 

landscapes, gathering grounds, and burial 

areas, and shall seek to identify such areas 

through consultation with affected Tribes 

early in the project planning process. 

Agencies shall seek to avoid, minimize, or 

mitigate impacts to such places in 

consultation with the Tribes, project 

proponents, and other relevant parties. 

Where confidentiality concerning these 

areas is important to an affected Tribe, 

agencies shall honor such confidentiality 

unless the Tribe agrees to release the 

information.

In compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA (as amended) 

and the revised ACHP 3 regulations (36 CFR 800), the BLM 

initiated government-to-government consultation with seven 

Native American tribes in the Project area... Table 5.2-2 lists 

the Native American tribes that have been contacted and 

summarizes the concerns they have raised to date and the 

status of consultation. The final determination of effects and 

resolution of adverse effects, through the Section 106 

consultation process, will not be complete until surveys of all 

lands crossed by the project have been completed. Only then 

can the BLM and other federal agencies complete their 

obligations under Section 106 and the PA.

EIS Section 5.2 (Consultation and 

Collaboration; Consultation); EIS 

Section 3.3.1.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources; Introduction; Scope of 

the NEPA Analysis)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-24

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

4

A protocol must be developed for inadvertent 

discovery of Native American human 

remains and funerary items to comply with 

the NAGPRA in consultation with 

appropriate federally recognized Tribes. 

Unexpected discovery of such items during 

construction must be brought to the 

immediate attention of the responsible 

federal agency’s authorized officer. Work 

must be halted in the vicinity of the find of 

Native American graves and funerary items 

to avoid further disturbance to the resources 

while they are being evaluated and 

appropriate mitigation measures are being 

developed. The procedures for reporting 

items covered under NAGPRA must be 

identified in the CRMP.

CR-2 An Unanticipated Discovery Plan will be included as part 

of the Historic Properties and Trails Plan (HPTP). This plan 

will specify what steps will be taken if a subsurface cultural 

resource or fossil is discovered during construction, including 

stopping construction in the vicinity of the find, notification of 

the appropriate land management agency, identification of a 

qualified archaeologist or paleontologist to conduct an 

evaluation of the find, and the development of an approved 

data recovery program or other mitigation measures. 

CR-8 If remains are discovered, construction will be halted 

and the coroner will be notified and measures specified in the 

HPTP will be followed.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures; Framework 

Paleontological Resources 

Protection Plan); Appendix N (PA);

EIS Section 3.3.3.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources; Direct and Indirect 

Effects; Effects Common to All 

Action Alternatives; Construction)

Visual Resources

1

Applicants shall identify and consider visual 

resource management (VRM) and scenery 

management (SMS) issues early in the 

design process to facilitate integration of 

VRM and scenery treatments into the overall 

site development program and construction 

documents. Visual/scenery management 

considerations, environmental analyses, 

mitigation planning, and design shall 

reference and be in accordance with the 

land management agency visual/scenery 

management policies and procedures 

applicable to the jurisdiction the project lies 

within. Applicants shall coordinate between 

multiple agencies on visual/scenery sensitive 

issues when projects transition from one 

jurisdiction to another, especially when 

transitions occur within a shared viewshed.

The visual analysis has been conducted using applicable 

agency procedures, as described in this IOP. Federal 

agencies have reviewed and commented on the analysis and 

interpretation, and will continue to do so as the project 

progresses to ensure the analysis and the project meet their 

requirements. Federal guidance comes from 1) the BLM’s 

RMPs and MFPs for each BLM District or FO throughout the 

Project area; 2) the Forest Service’s Caribou, Medicine Bow, 

and Sawtooth Forest Plans; 3) the BLM’s Oregon and Mormon 

Pioneers National Historic Trail Management Plan (BLM 

1986a) and Oregon/California National Scenic Trail Goals; and 

4) the visual resource values of the 1995 City of Rocks 

Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP; NPS 1995). For 

information regarding amendments to any of the land use 

planning documents listed above, please refer to Appendix F. 

State guidance is found in the Oregon NHT/Bear Lake Scenic 

Byway, Pioneer Historic Byway, and Snake River Canyon 

Scenic Byway Goals and Policies. Local guidance is found in 

plans and policy documents for Sweetwater and Lincoln 

County, Wyoming, as well as Cassia County, Idaho.

EIS Section 3.2.1.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual Resources, 

Affected Environment; Regulatory 

Framework), and Appendix G 
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-25

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

Applicants shall prepare a VRM or scenery 

management plan. The applicant’s planning 

team shall include an appropriately trained 

specialist, such as a landscape architect with 

demonstrated VRM and/or SMS experience. 

The VRM/SMS specialist shall coordinate with 

the BLM/FS on the availability of the appropriate 

visual or scenic inventory data, VRM 

management class delineations, Scenic 

Integrity Objectives (SIOs), and federal agency 

expectations for preparing project plans and 

mitigation strategies to comply with RMP or 

LRMP direction related to scenery and/or visual 

resources.

Applicants shall confirm that a current Visual 

Resource Inventory and/or Scenic Class 

inventory is available and that the resource 

management plan (RMP) or land resource and 

management plan (LRMP) VRM classifications 

or SIOs have been designated in the current 

land management plan. Project plans shall 

abide by the VRM class designations and SIOs 

and consider sensitivities defined within the 

visual or scenic resource Inventory. If visual or 

scenic management objectives are absent, then 

the proper inventory and classification process 

shall be followed to develop them in accordance 

with the BLM VRM manual and handbooks or 

FS SMS process, depending on the agency. 

When the VRM management classes or SIOs 

are absent, then the project alternatives must 

reflect a range of management options related 

to scenery and visual resources that reflect the 

values identified in the visual/scenic inventory.

Responsibility for developing an inventory or 

VRM management classes (or in the case of the 

FS, Scenic Classes and SIOs) will remain with 

the respective agency, but how to accomplish 

these tasks will be determined by the Field 

Office Manager or Forest Supervisor, who will 

consider the applicant’s role and financial 

participation in completing the work.

The main components of the visual resource inventory 

included identifying the existing landscape conditions, 

potential sensitive viewers, and the representative KOPs 

based on potential viewers; evaluating visual contrast ratings 

for each KOP; applying BLM’s VRM classes and objectives; 

and assessing visual contrast for areas not managed by BLM. 

The non-BLM/non-Forest Service portions of the proposed 

Project and alternatives were analyzed using Visual 

Sensitivity/Visual Quality Ratings, and Project Visibility to 

determine impacts. The analysis on BLM-administered lands 

and National Forests used the BLM’s VRM system and Forest 

Service’s SMS/VMS, respectively. The methods used for the 

visual resources analysis were based on the BLM (1986a) 

Visual Resource Contrast Rating System Manual (BLM 

Manual, Section 8431) and the Forest Service SMS (Forest 

Service 1995a). The degree of potential impact on viewers is 

based on the level of viewer sensitivity combined with Project 

visibility and contrast relative to the existing landscape.

EIS Section 3.2.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual Resources;

Affected Environment; Methods)

and Appendix G 
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-26

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

3

Visual and scenic mitigation planning/design 

and analysis shall be performed through 

integrated field assessment, applied global 

positioning system (GPS) technology, field 

photo documentation, use of computer-aided 

design and development software, 3-D 

modeling GIS software, and visual simulation 

software, as appropriate. Proposed activities, 

projects, and site development plans shall 

be analyzed and further developed using 

these technologies to meet visual and scenic 

objectives for the project area and 

surrounding areas sufficient to provide the 

full context of the viewshed. Visual 

simulations shall be prepared according to 

BLM Handbook H-8432-1, or other agency 

requirements, to create spatially accurate 

depictions of the appearance of proposed 

facilities, as reflected in the 3-D design 

models. Simulations shall depict proposed 

project appearance from sensitive/scenic 

locations as well as more typical viewing 

locations. 

Transmission towers, roads, compressor 

stations, valves, and other aboveground 

infrastructure should be integrated 

esthetically with the surrounding landscape 

in order to minimize contrast with the natural 

environment.

The visual and scenic mitigation planning/design and analysis 

approach used for the project meets the requirements set forth 

in this IOP.

EIS Section 3.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual Resources) 

and Appendix G 
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-27

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

4

Applicants shall develop adequate terrain 

mapping on a landscape/viewshed scale for 

site planning/design, visual impact analysis, 

visual impact mitigation planning/design, and 

for full assessment and mitigation of 

cumulative visual impacts through applied, 

state-of-the-art design practices using the 

cited software systems. The 

landscape/viewshed scale mapping shall be 

geo-referenced and at the same Digital 

Elevation Model (DEM) resolution and 

contour interval within the margin of error 

suitable for engineered site design. This 

level of mapping shall enable proper 

placement of proposed developments into 

the digital viewshed context. Final plans 

shall be field verified for compliance.

The visual and scenic planning/design and analysis approach 

used for the project meets the requirements set forth in this 

IOP. 

EIS Section 3.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual Resources) 

and Appendix G 

5

The full range of visual and scenic best 

management practices shall be considered, 

and plans shall incorporate all pertinent best 

management practices (BMPs). Visual and 

scenic resource monitoring and compliance 

strategies shall be included as a part of the 

project mitigation plans.

The visual analysis has been conducted using applicable 

agency procedures, as described in this IOP. Federal 

agencies have reviewed and commented on the analysis and 

interpretation, and will continue to do so as the project 

progresses to ensure the analysis and the project meet their 

requirements. Proposed mitigation measures are identified in 

the body of the EIS.

EIS Section 3.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual 

Resources); EIS Section 3.2 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences, 

Visual Resources, Mitigation 

Measures), and Appendix G 

6

Compliance with VRM/SMS objectives shall 

be determined through the use of the BLM 

Contrast Rating procedures defined in BLM 

Handbook H- 431-1 Visual Contrast Rating, 

or the FS SMS Handbook 701. Mitigation of 

visual impacts shall abide by the 

requirements of these handbooks.

The methods used for the visual resources analysis were 

based on the BLM (1986a) Visual Resource Contrast Rating 

System Manual (BLM Manual, Section 8431) and the Forest 

Service SMS/VMS (Forest Service 1995a/Bacon 1974).

EIS Section 3.2.1.4 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual Resources, 

Affected Environment; Methods),

and Appendix G 
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-28

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Public Health and Safety

1

An electricity transmission project shall be 

planned by the applicant to comply with FAA 

regulations, including lighting regulations, 

and to avoid potential safety issues 

associated with proximity to airports, military 

bases or training areas, or landing strips.

Towers over 200 feet are required to be lit at night. No 

Gateway West structures would be that tall. Activities 

accompanied by helicopter flight operations would operate 

under the control of the FAA. The Proponents would file a 

notice of construction activities, (Federal Regulation Title 14 

Part 77) with the FAA. Construction of the Proposed Action or 

Action Alternatives would not affect airports or airstrips. Air 

traffic patterns would not be affected by the placement of new 

structures or conductors. The EIS and the Siting Study indicate 

that military operations areas were considered during project 

planning. At the request of IDANG and the U.S. Air Force, 

towers in specified areas would be lit using special lights, 

depending on the selected route.

EIS Section 3.19.1.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Transportation;

Affected Environment; Regulatory 

Framework), Section 3.19.1.3 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Transportation; Affected 

Environment; Regulatory 

Framework; Federal; Federal 

Aviation Administration), 3.19.2.2 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Transportation; Direct and Indirect 

Effects; Effects Common to All 

Action Alternatives). EIS Section 

2.1.1 (Structure Lighting).

2

A health and safety program shall be developed 

by the applicant to protect both workers and the 

general public during construction, operation, 

and decommissioning of an energy transport 

project. The program should identify all 

applicable federal and state occupational safety 

standards, establish safe work practices for 

each task (e.g., requirements for personal 

protective equipment and safety harnesses, 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

[OSHA] standard practices for safe use of 

explosives and blasting agents, measures for 

reducing occupational electromagnetic field 

[EMF] exposures), and define safety 

performance standards (e.g., electrical system 

standards). The program should include a 

training program to identify hazard training 

requirements for workers for each task and 

establish procedures for providing required 

training to all workers. Documentation of 

training and a mechanism for reporting serious 

accidents to appropriate agencies should be 

established.

Information on each of these topics is found in various sections 

of the POD and EIS. A health and safety program is a standard 

operating procedure for all contractors and the Proponents. 

The final construction BLM POD and Forest Service COM Plan 

shall detail Proponent and contractor health and safety plans.

POD and EIS Section 3.22 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Public Safety); Section 3.21 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Electrical Environment); Section 

3.14 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Geologic Hazards); 3.19.1.3 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences, 

Transportation; Affected 

Environment; Regulatory 

Framework; Applicable 

Regulations)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-29

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

3

The health and safety program shall 

establish a safety zone or setback from 

roads and other public access areas that is 

sufficient to prevent accidents resulting from 

various hazards. It should identify 

requirements for temporary fencing around 

staging areas, storage yards, and 

excavations during construction or 

decommissioning activities. It should also 

identify measures to be taken during the 

operations phase to limit public access to 

those components of energy facilities that 

present health or safety risks.

Information on each of these topics is found in various 

sections of the POD and EIS. A health and safety program is a 

standard operating procedure for all contractors and the 

Proponents. The final construction BLM POD and Forest 

Service COM Plan shall detail Proponent and contractor 

health and safety plans.

Appendix B (POD) and EIS 

Section 3.22 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Public Safety); 

Section 3.21 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Electrical 

Environment); Section 3.14 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Geologic Hazards); 3.19.1.3 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Transportation; Affected 

Environment, Regulatory 

Framework; Applicable 

Regulations)

4

Applicants will develop a comprehensive 

emergency plan that considers the 

vulnerabilities of their energy system to all 

credible events initiated by natural causes 

(earthquakes, avalanches, floods, high winds, 

violent storms, etc.), human error, mechanical 

failure, cyber attack, sabotage, or deliberate 

destructive acts of both domestic and 

international origin and the potential for and 

possible consequences of those events. 

Vulnerability, threat, and consequence 

assessment methodologies and criteria in the 

sector-specific plan (SSP) for energy will be 

used and appropriate preemptive and 

mitigative response actions will be identified. 

The applicant must coordinate emergency 

planning with state, local, and Tribal 

emergency and public safety authorities and 

with owners and operators of other energy 

systems collocated in the corridor or in 

adjacent corridors that could also be impacted.

Section 3.22 addresses concerns commonly associated with 

transmission lines. The Proponents shall submit an 

emergency response plan that addresses vulnerabilities 

applicable to electric transmission lines.

EIS Section 3.22 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Public Safety)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-30

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

5

In addition to directives contained in other 

IOPs herein, the applicant must identify all 

federal, state, and local regulations 

pertaining to environmental protection, 

worker health and safety, public safety, and 

system reliability that are applicable 

throughout the construction, operation, and 

decommissioning phases of their facility’s life 

cycle and must develop appropriate 

compliance strategies, including securing all 

necessary permits and approvals.

Table 1.4-1 lists the major federal, state, and local permits, 

approvals, and consultations identified for the construction and 

operation of Gateway West. The Public Safety section of the 

EIS presents the regulatory framework and the effects from 

construction, operation, and decommissioning as related to 

environmental contamination, wind and ice storm, fire hazards, 

and electrocution. The Noise section of the EIS presents 

additional regulatory framework and effects from the project as 

related to worker or public health and safety. The Air Quality 

and Water Resources sections of the EIS present additional 

regulatory framework and effects from the project as related to 

public health and safety. The EIS section describing the 

Proponents' Purpose and Need for the Project presents their 

requirements related to system reliability. Appendix B of the 

EIS (the POD) includes the following framework plans related 

to health and safety: (Environmental Protection Measures, 

Traffic and Transportation Management), Stormwater Pollution 

Prevention), Spill Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures, Blasting, and Operations, Maintenance and 

Emergency Response.

EIS Section 1.4 (Purpose and 

Need, Authorizing Laws and

Regulations), Section 3.22 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Public Safety), Section 3.23 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Noise), Section 3.20 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Air Quality), 

Section 3.16 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Water 

Resources); EIS Appendix B 

(POD)

Hazardous Materials Management

1

Applicants for petroleum pipelines and 

projects involving oil-filled electrical devices 

shall develop a spill prevention and 

response plan identifying spill prevention 

measures to be implemented, training 

requirements, appropriate spill response 

actions, and procedures for making timely 

notifications to authorities. The spill 

prevention and response plan should include 

identification of any sensitive biotic 

resources and locations (such as habitats) 

that require special measures to provide 

protection, as well as the measures needed 

to provide that protection.

Some types of electrical equipment, such as transformers and 

some types of reactors and circuit breakers, are filled with an 

insulating mineral oil. Attachment B, Spill Prevention, 

Containment, and Countermeasures, includes measures for 

spill prevention practices, requirements for refueling and 

operation of equipment near waterbodies, procedures for 

emergency response and incident reporting, and training 

requirements.

POD Section 3.6.7 (Project 

Description; Substation 

Construction; Oil Containment); 

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and Spill 

Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-31

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Fire Management

1

Applicants shall develop a fire management 

strategy to implement measures to minimize 

the potential for a human-caused fire during 

project construction, operation, and 

decommissioning. The strategy should 

consider the need to reduce hazardous fuels 

(e.g., native and non-native annual grasses 

and shrubs) and to prevent the spread of 

fires started outside or inside a corridor, and 

clarify who has responsibility for fire 

suppression and hazardous fuels reduction 

for the corridor.

Elements of the fire management strategy are addressed in 

the Plan for Operations, Maintenance, and Emergency 

Response Activities and Fire Prevention and Suppression 

Plan in the POD; EIS Section 3.22 Public Safety; EIS Section 

3.6 Vegetation Communities; and EIS Section 3.17 Land Use.

Appendix B (Framework Fire 

Prevention and Suppression Plan 

in the POD); EIS Section 3.22 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences; 

Public Safety), Section 3.6 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences; 

Vegetation Communities), and 

Section 3.17 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Land Use)

2

Applicants must work with the local land 

management agency to identify project 

areas that may incur heavy fuel buildups, 

and develop a long-term strategy on 

vegetation management of these areas. The 

strategy may include land treatment during 

project construction, which may extend 

outside the planned ROW clearing limits.

Elements of the fire management strategy are addressed in 

the Plan for Operations, Maintenance, and Emergency 

Response; the POD; EIS Section 3.22 Public Safety; EIS 

Section 3.6 Vegetation Communities; and EIS Section 3.17 

Land Use.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework plans for Operations, 

Maintenance, and Emergency 

Response Plan, Fire Prevention 

and Suppression Plan); EIS 

Section 4.2 (Affected Environment 

and Environmental 

Consequences; Vegetation 

Management), EIS Section 3.22 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Public Safety), Section 3.6 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Vegetation Communities), and 

Section 3.17 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Land Use)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-32

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

IOPs for Project Construction

General

1

To avoid conflict with federal and nonfederal 

operations, the applicant shall be aware of 

liabilities pertaining to environmental 

hazards, safety standards, and military flying 

areas.

Military flying areas in the project area and been investigated 

and included that information in the land use section of the 

EIS. 

EIS Section 3.17 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Land Use), 

Section 2.1.1 (Structure lighting).

2

The applicant shall locate all stationary 

construction equipment (i.e., compressors 

and generators) as far as practicable from 

nearby residences.

The EIS includes noise mitigation measures that would be 

followed during construction.

EIS Section 3.23 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences, Noise, Mitigation)

3

Applicants will pay fair market value to the 

land management agency for any 

merchantable forest products that will be cut 

during ROW clearing. The local land 

management agency will determine the fair 

market value, which will be paid prior to 

clearing. The applicant will either remove the 

forest products from the area or will stack the 

material at locations determined by the local 

land management agency. Treatment of unmerchantable products will be determined by 

the local land management agency.

Construction through forests would require the removal of 

trees for access roads and ROW clearing. When these 

activities occur, the merchantable value of the timber is 

determined and the landowner or land management agency 

would be compensated for the timber taken. The EIS discloses 

that timber will be removed and treated per the land owner’s 

discretion, and would therefore meet the requirements in 

Federal land use plans regarding removal and disposal.

EIS Section 3.17.2.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Land Use; Direct 

and Indirect Effects; Effects 

Common to Action Alternatives;

Construction; Timber 

Management)

Soils, Excavation and Blasting

1

Applicants shall salvage, safeguard, and 

reapply topsoil from all excavations and 

construction activities during restoration.

REC-16 The topsoil layer will be removed, taking care not to 

mix it with the underlying sub-soil. Where topsoil separation is 

employed, topsoil will be stored in a separate stockpile.

EIS Section 3.15 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Soils) and Table 

2.7-1
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-33

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

To facilitate reclamation of temporarily disturbed areas, topsoil 

will be salvaged and protected... REC-16 The topsoil layer will 

be removed, taking care not to mix it with the underlying subsoil. Where topsoil separation is employed, topsoil will be 

stored in a separate stockpile. REC-18 Topsoil and subsurface 

soils will be replaced in the proper order during reclamation. 

REC-19. Where it is necessary to spread soils (subsurface 

soils or waste rock resulting from excavations or foundation 

drilling), it will be done where practicable and in close 

proximity to where the disturbance occurred (within the ROW). 

Material will be spread uniformly to match existing contours 

and covered with topsoil when available and reseeded.

EIS Appendix B (EPMs), EIS 

Section 3.15 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Soils), and Table 

2.7-1

2

All areas of disturbed soil shall be restored 

by the applicant using weed-free native 

grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees as directed 

by the agency. Restoration should not be 

unnecessarily delayed. If native species are 

not available, noninvasive vegetation 

recommended by agency specialists may be 

used.

Seeding will be done as soon after ground disturbing activities 

are complete and at the appropriate time of year; preferably in 

the fall or in the spring if fall is not an option. If there is a lagtime between the end of ground disturbing activities and 

seeding, BMPs from the SWPPP will be implemented. The 

choice of seed mixtures will be dependent upon the existing 

vegetation types, as well as the availability of commercial, 

weed-free live seed at the time of seeding. Because there are 

a variety of vegetation communities across the length of the 

project, the Proponents are proposing to use several different 

seed mixes (Appendix B) on BLM and Forest Service 

managed lands. REC-25 On privately owned lands, the 

Proponents will use seed mixes as approved in advance by 

the land managing agency and the landowner (OM-15). 

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan and EPMs)

3

The applicant must not create excessive 

slopes during excavation. Areas of steep 

slopes, biological soil crusts, erodible soil, 

and stream channel crossings will often 

require site-specific and specialized 

construction techniques by the applicant. 

These specialized construction techniques 

should be implemented by adequately 

trained and experienced employees.

EPMs to minimize impacts on these resources would be 

included in the Framework Reclamation Plan for construction 

Activities, the SWPPP, and the SPCC Plan. 

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan, Framework 

Stormwater Pollution Prevention 

Plan, and Framework Spill 

Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-34

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

4

Blasting activities will be avoided or 

minimized in the vicinity of sole source 

aquifer areas to reduce the risk of releasing 

sediments or particles into the groundwater 

and inadvertently plugging water supply 

wells.

Southern and southwest Idaho is underlain by the Snake River 

Plain aquifer (Segments 5 through 10). The Eastern Snake 

River Plain Aquifer is a sole source aquifer. Gateway West will 

likely need to blast over a sole source aquifer due to shallow 

bedrock. An analysis has been conducted of wells within 1⁄2 

mile of the route that could be affected by blasting. 

EIS Section 3.16 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Water Resources)

5

The applicant must backfill foundations and 

trenches with originally excavated material 

as much as possible. Excess excavation 

materials should be disposed of by the 

applicant only in approved areas.

To facilitate reclamation of temporarily disturbed areas, topsoil 

will be salvaged and protected... REC-16 The topsoil layer will 

be removed, taking care not to mix it with the underlying subsoil. Where topsoil separation is employed, topsoil will be 

stored in a separate stockpile. REC-18 Topsoil and subsurface 

soils will be replaced in the proper order during reclamation. 

REC-19 Where it is necessary to spread soils (subsurface 

soils or waste rock resulting from excavations or foundation 

drilling), it will be done where practicable and in close 

proximity to where the disturbance occurred (within the ROW). 

Material will be spread uniformly to match existing contours 

and covered with topsoil when available and reseeded.

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan and EPMs)

6

The applicant shall obtain borrow (fill) 

material only from authorized sites. Existing 

sites should be used in preference to new 

sites.

If needed, the Applicants would obtain material from 

authorized sites. EIS Appendix B (EPMs)

7

The applicant shall prepare an explosives 

use plan that specifies the times and 

meteorological conditions when explosives 

will be used and specifies minimum 

distances from sensitive vegetation and 

wildlife or streams and lakes.

The construction contractor will be required to prepare an 

overall Blasting Plan for the Project, subject to the approval of 

the Proponents. The Blasting Plan will detail the contractor’s 

proposals for compliance with the Proponents’ blasting 

specifications and will detail the general concepts proposed to 

achieve the desired excavations using individual shot plans. 

Siting Study Section 3.7.1 (Project 

Description; Special Construction 

Techniques; Blasting)

This attachment outlines the procedures and safety measures 

to be used if blasting activities are required during 

construction. The Proponents will prepare a site-specific 

Blasting Plan prior to construction that incorporates these 

measures and demonstrates how and where they will be 

applied in the field.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework Blasting Plan)

8

If blasting or other noisy activities are 

required during the construction period, the 

applicant must notify nearby residents in 

advance.

Noise mitigation measures would be followed during 

construction.

EIS Section 3.23 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Noise; Mitigation), 

Table 2.7-1
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-35

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Mitigation and Monitoring

1

All control and mitigation measures 

established for the project in the POD and 

other required plans must be maintained and 

implemented by the applicant throughout 

construction. Necessary adjustments may be 

made with the concurrence of the 

appropriate agency.

Table 2.7-1 and Appendix B identify Proposed EPMs that 

would be followed during Project-related construction activity. 

The Proponents have committed to implementing these 

measures. Therefore, the EPMs are considered part of the 

Project description. The impact analysis in this EIS assumes 

implementation of all EPMs. However, where other impacts 

are identified that are not addressed by these EPMs, or where 

the EPMs are not adequate to reduce impacts, the EIS 

identifies additional mitigation measures that will apply to 

federal lands. The Proponents have agreed to incorporate 

EPMs into Environmental Management Plans that would be 

included in the construction POD developed for this proposed 

Project, and implementation of the EPMs would be monitored 

in the same fashion as the mitigation measures developed in 

this EIS.

EIS Table 2.7, and individual 

resource sections in Chapter 3; 

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures)

Surface and Groundwater Resources

1

The applicant must safeguard against the 

possibility of dewatering shallow 

groundwater and/or wetlands in the vicinity 

of project sites during foundation 

excavations or excavations for buried 

pipelines.

As part of the 404 permitting process, the USACE would 

evaluate whether wetlands have been avoided to the extent 

practical and whether the effects have been adequately 

mitigated. The permitting process would also identify additional 

requirements as necessary to comply with USACE regulations. 

These would include the necessity for compensatory mitigation 

for any permanent loss of wetland or wetland function. In order 

to minimize impacts to wetlands the Proponents have 

proposed a Reclamation Revegetation and Weed Management 

Plan, a SWPPP, and a SPCC Plan (see Appendix B). 

Dewatering, the elimination of water from waterways so that 

excavation can occur, could result in a local and temporary 

drawdown of groundwater levels, temporarily reducing the yield 

of nearby water supply wells. In addition, blasting or drilling for 

tower foundations could reduce flows in wells and springs. 

Water supply wells are typically deeper than the proposed 

maximum excavation depth of 40 feet, so a temporary 

drawdown limited to that depth likely will not affect water yield.

EIS Section 3.9.2.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Wetlands and 

Riparian Areas; Direct and Indirect 

Effects; Effects Common to All 

Action Alternatives; Construction), 

Section 3.16.2.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Water Resources;

Direct and Indirect Effects; Effects 

Common to All Action Alternatives;

Groundwater)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-36

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

The applicant must implement erosion 

controls complying with county, state, and 

federal standards, such as jute netting, silt 

fences, and check dams, and secure all 

necessary storm water pollution prevention 

plan (SWPPP) permits.

This attachment addresses measures to be undertaken to 

prevent stormwater pollution. To comply with criteria in 

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Clean Water Act, 

all construction site operators engaged in clearing, grading, 

and excavating activities that disturb one acre or more, must 

obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

(NPDES) permit for stormwater discharges (Code of Federal 

Regulations, Title 40, Parts 122 and 123). NPDES permits 

(also called Construction General Permits) are issued by EPA 

or similar authorized state entity following submittal of a Notice 

of Intent (NOI) for construction activities, and preparation of a 

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that describes 

how erosion and sediment transport will be minimized to 

adjacent waterbodies. Two SWPPPs will be necessary for 

Gateway West. Wyoming has its own stormwater control 

program; therefore construction stormwater plans in Wyoming 

will be submitted to Wyoming Department of Environmental 

Quality (DEQ). Measures to assure that construction activities 

comply with state and EPA requirements for stormwater 

management to be incorporated into the SWPPP include:...

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures, Framework

Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Plan

3

The applicant shall minimize stream 

crossings by access roads to the extent 

practicable. All structures crossing 

intermittent and perennial streams should be 

located and constructed so that they do not 

decrease channel stability, increase water 

velocity, or impede fish passage.

Wherever possible, new access roads will be constructed 

within the proposed transmission line ROW, or existing roads 

will be used. Erosion control and sedimentation measures 

such as water bars, culverts, sediment basins, or perimeter 

control will be installed as required to minimize erosion during 

and subsequent to construction of the Project. The Proponents 

have committed to the preparation of a SWPPP (Appendix B), 

which includes measures for temporary and permanent 

erosion and sediment control. A Traffic and Transportation 

Management Plan will be developed and implemented to 

provide site-specific details showing how the Project will 

comply with the EPMs listed in this attachment. 

POD (Appendix B); EIS Section 

3.16 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Water Resources; Affected 

Environment; Methods; Surface 

Water Crossings); Appendix B

(Environmental Protection 

Measures, Framework Traffic and 

Transportation Management Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-37

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

...many of the potential impacts would be reduced or 

eliminated by complying with the permitting requirements for 

each crossing site, which would regulate the methods used, 

BMPs required, and timing of construction in order to 

minimize effects when important fish life histology stages are 

present... If culverts do not meet guidelines for insuring fish 

passage, some impedance or total blockage to passage may 

occur... To ensure these impacts are minimized the 

Proponents have proposed the EPMs found in Table 2.7-1 

and Appendix B. OM-16 states: Routine and corrective O&M 

activities in streams with sensitive fish species will occur from 

July 1 to September 1 in an effort to minimize impact to 

spawning and migration activities. These activities include, but 

are not limited to, culvert installation and or replacement, 

stream bank stabilization. Fording streams at existing

crossings on existing roads (e.g., dip, culvert, bridge) will 

occur as necessary throughout the year. FISH-1 states: On 

BLM-administered land, all culverts, whether temporary or 

permanent, must be designed to meet BLM Gold Book 

standards (Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for 

Oil and Gas Exploration Development). On NFS lands, Forest 

Plan standards and guidelines shall apply.

EIS Section 3.10.2.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; General Wildlife 

and Fish; Direct and Indirect

Effects; Effects Common to All 

Action Alternatives; Construction;

Fish) and Table 2.7-1.

4

Applicants shall not alter existing drainage 

systems and should give particular care to 

sensitive areas such as erodible soils or 

steep slopes. Soil erosion should be reduced 

at culvert outlets by appropriate structures. 

Catch basins, roadway ditches, and culverts 

should be cleaned and maintained.

Erosion control and sedimentation measures such as water 

bars, culverts, sediment basins, or perimeter control will be 

installed as required to minimize erosion during and 

subsequent to construction of the Project. The Proponents 

have committed to the preparation of a SWPPP (Appendix B), 

which includes measures for temporary and permanent

erosion and sediment control, also see the Framework Traffic 

and Transportation Management Plan and EPMs listed in this 

appendix. 

POD (Appendix B); EIS Section 

3.16.2.2 (Affected Environment 

and Environmental 

Consequences; Water Resources;

Direct and Indirect Effects; Effects 

Common to All Action Alternatives;

Surface Water Crossings); EIS 

Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures, Framework 

Traffic and Transportation 

Management Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-38

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

5 Applicants must not create hydrologic 

conduits between aquifers.

Groundwater basins potentially affected generally have 

groundwater deeper than 40 feet, which would be below the 

maximum depth of excavation. With shallow excavation and 

deeper groundwater, there is little likelihood that groundwater 

could be affected during construction. Shallow groundwater 

of less than 14 feet is present in Segments 4, 5, and 7. It is 

not expected that groundwater would be significantly affected 

by any phase of the Project.

EIS Section 3.16.2.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Water Resources, 

Direct and Indirect Effects; Effects 

Common to All Action Alternatives;

Groundwater)

Paleontological Resources

1

Project construction activities will follow the 

protective measures and protocols identified 

in the paleontological resources mitigation 

plan.

The POD presents the procedures to be undertaken to 

inventory, evaluate, and protect cultural and resources. The 

EIS includes additional measures required by the Agencies: 

PALEO-4 (monitoring requirements) and PALEO-5 (survey 

requirements).

EIS Section 3,13, Table 2.7-1, and 

Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and

Framework Paleontological 

Resources Protection Plan)

2

All paleontological specimens found on 

federal lands remain the property of the U.S. 

government. Specimens, therefore, may only 

be collected by a qualified paleontologist 

under a permit issued by the managing 

agency and must be curated in an approved 

repository.

CUL-1 All work conducted under the Cultural Resources and 

Paleontological Monitoring and Mitigation Plan will be 

performed by qualified paleontologists... with trained 

assistants. CUL-2 An Unanticipated Discovery Plan will be 

included as part of the HPTP..... This plan will specify what 

steps will be taken if a subsurface... fossil is discovered during 

construction, including stopping construction in the vicinity of 

the find, notification of the appropriate land management 

agency, identification of a qualified... paleontologist to conduct 

an evaluation of the find, and the development of an approved 

data recovery program or other mitigation measures. CUL-3 

The Cultural Resource and Paleontological Monitoring and 

Mitigation Plan will include provisions for the preparation and 

curation of any fossil collections from federal lands and for the 

preparation of a final report based on the data recovered for 

activities on federal lands. 

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework Paleontological 

Resource Plan)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-39

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Ecological Resources

1

Areas that are known to support ESA-listed 

species, BLM-sensitive, FS-sensitive, and

state-listed species or their habitats must be 

identified and marked with flagging or other 

appropriate means to avoid direct impacts 

during construction activities. Construction 

activities upslope of these areas should be 

avoided to prevent indirect impacts of 

surface water and sediment runoff.

Environmental oversight will be conducted for construction 

activities. G-3 states: Third-party Environmental Construction 

Inspection Contractor (CIC) Monitors approved by the 

Agencies will monitor construction activities. Monitoring 

activities will be structured in accordance with the 

Environmental Compliance Management Plan included as 

Appendix B of the Plan of Development. Monitoring entails 

being present during these activities, communicating with 

contractors, taking daily notes, ensuring that all impacts occur 

within the designated limits, ensuring that the requirements of 

the Project EPMs that the Proponents have incorporated as 

part of the Project and additional measures required on federal 

lands are being met, and using best professional judgment to 

ensure that Project activities do not adversely affect special 

status plant and wildlife species. EPMs for special status 

species are included.

EIS Table 2.7-1; Appendix B 

(Framework Plant and Wildlife 

Conservation Plan and EPMs); 

EIS Section 3.7 (Special Status 

Plants) and Section 3.11 (Special 

Status Wildlife and Fish Species)

EIS Appendix B, Framework Stormwater Pollution Prevention 

Plan, includes measures for temporary and permanent erosion 

and sediment control that will be used during construction, 

operation, and maintenance of the transmission line and 

ancillary facilities. The SWPPP will be designed to avoid direct 

impacts of surface water and sediment runoff in all habitats.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework Stormwater Pollution 

Prevention Plan)

2

All construction activities that could affect 

wetlands or waters of the United States must 

be conducted in accordance with the 

requirements identified in permits issued by 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Table 1.4-1 lists the major... permits... identified for the 

construction and operation of Gateway West. The Proponents 

would be responsible for obtaining all permits and approvals 

required to implement the proposed Project... U.S. Department 

of the Defense, Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, 

Walla Walla District: 1) Section 10, Rivers and Harbors Act 

Permit... for construction across the Snake River; and 2) 

Section 404, Clean Water Act Permit... for the placement of 

dredge or fill material into all Waters of the United States, 

including jurisdictional wetlands.

EIS Section 1.4 (Purpose and 

Need; Authorizing Laws and 

Regulations), EIS Section 3.9

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Effects; Wetlands

and Riparian Areas)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-40

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Visual Resources

1

A pre-construction meeting with BLM/FS 

landscape architects or other designated 

visual/scenic resource specialist shall be 

held before construction begins to 

coordinate on the VRM/SMS mitigation 

strategy and confirm the compliancechecking schedule and procedures. 

Applicants shall integrate interim/final 

reclamation VRM/SMS mitigation elements 

early in the construction, which may include 

treatments such as thinning and feathering 

vegetation along project edges, enhanced 

contour grading, salvaging landscape 

materials from within construction areas, 

special revegetation requirements, etc. 

Applicants shall coordinate with BLM/FS in 

advance to have BLM/FS landscape 

architects or other designated visual/scenic 

resource specialists onsite during 

construction to work with implementing 

BMPs.

The visual analysis has been conducted using applicable 

agency procedures. Federal agencies have reviewed and 

commented on the analysis and interpretation, and will 

continue to do so as the project progresses to ensure the 

analysis and the project meet their requirements. Proposed 

mitigation measures are identified in the body of the EIS. 

EIS Section 3.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual 

Resources), Appendix G. 

Cultural Resources

1

Project applicants shall provide all cultural 

resources reports and data in an approved 

electronic format that is integrated across 

jurisdictional boundaries, that meets current 

standards, and that is compatible with SHPO 

systems. Project proponents shall submit 

cultural resources data on a regular basis to 

ensure that SHPO systems are kept up to 

date for reference as the different phases of 

the project proceed.

All completed reports have been submitted to SHPO, and this 

process will continue. Administrative Record
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-41

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

When an area is identified as having a high 

potential for cultural resources but none are 

found during a pre-construction field survey, 

a professionally qualified cultural resources 

specialist will be required to monitor grounddisturbing activities during project 

construction, and to complete a report when 

the activities are finished. The protocol for 

monitoring should be identified in the CRMP.

CR-2 Unanticipated Discovery Plan covers applicable 

monitoring and notification procedures. 

EIS Section 3.3 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Cultural 

Resources), Appendix B (EPMs),

and Appendix N (PA)

3

When human remains, funerary objects, 

sacred objects, or objects of cultural 

patrimony are inadvertently discovered, the 

provisions of NAGPRA shall apply and the 

process identified in the CRMP must be 

followed.

CR-2 An Unanticipated Discovery Plan will be included as part 

of the HPTP. This plan will specify what steps will be taken if 

a subsurface cultural resource or fossil is discovered during 

construction, including stopping construction in the vicinity of 

the find, notification of the appropriate land management 

agency, identification of a qualified archaeologist or 

paleontologist to conduct an evaluation of the find, and the 

development of an approved data recovery program or other 

mitigation measures. CUL-8 If human remains are discovered, 

construction will be halted and the coroner will be notified

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures); EIS Section 

3.3. (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Cultural Resources; Mitigation 

Measures); Appendix N (PA)

Hazardous Materials and Wastewater

1

Any wastewater generated by the applicant 

in association with temporary, portable 

sanitary facilities must be periodically 

removed on a schedule approved by the 

agency, by a licensed hauler and introduced 

into an existing municipal sewage treatment 

facility. Temporary, portable sanitary facilities 

provided for construction crews should be 

adequate to support expected on-site 

personnel and should be removed at 

completion of construction activities.

Construction permits will include these requirements. Administrative Record
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-42

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

All hazardous materials (including vehicle 

and equipment fuels) brought to the project 

site will be in appropriate containers and will 

be stored in designated and properly 

designed storage areas with appropriate 

secondary containment features. Excess 

hazardous materials will be removed from 

the project site after completion of the 

activities in which they are used.

The Proponents will prepare a Spill Prevention, Containment, 

and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC Plan) for review and 

approval by the appropriate regulatory agencies. That plan 

will include site-specific implementation of cleanup procedures 

in the event of soil contamination from spills or leaks of fuels, 

lubricants, coolants, or solvents as outlined in this attachment.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures, Framework 

Spill Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures Plan)

Air Emissions

1

The applicant shall cover construction 

materials and stockpiled soils if these are 

sources of fugitive dust.

BMPs will be used as appropriate and as described in the 

SWPPP to stabilize the stockpile and limit erosion.., control 

dust, ...in stockpiled soils. Sources, including construction 

projects, operating within Wyoming and Idaho are required to 

control fugitive dust emissions. Section 3.20 includes the 

fugitive dust regulations and control measures that apply to 

the Project. Construction materials would not be a source of 

fugitive dust. 

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan); EIS Section 

3.20 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences; Air 

Quality; Affected Environment, 

Regulatory Framework; State 

Level; Fugitive Dust Control);

Administrative Record

2

To minimize fugitive dust generation, the 

applicant shall water land before and during 

surface clearing or excavation activities. 

Areas where blasting would occur should be 

covered with mats.

BMPs will be used as appropriate and as described in the 

SWPPP to stabilize the stockpile and limit erosion.., control 

dust, ...in stockpiled soils. Sources, including construction 

projects, operating within Wyoming and Idaho are required to 

control fugitive dust emissions. Table 3.20-2 lists the fugitive 

dust regulations and control measures that apply to the 

Project.

EIS Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan); EIS Section 

3.20 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences; Air 

Quality; Affected Environment;

Regulatory Framework; State

Level; Fugitive Dust Control); EIS

Appendix B(Environmental 

Protection Measures and 

Framework Blasting Plan)

Noise

1

The applicant shall limit noisy construction 

activities (including blasting) to the least 

noise-sensitive times of day (i.e., daytime 

only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.) and 

weekdays.

Construction activities at the substations could last from 

several weeks to several months on an intermittent schedule. 

Construction equipment would be operated on an as-needed 

basis during this period and activities would occur for limited 

lengths of time at a specific location and would occur during 

daytime hours in order to minimize impacts at NSAs. The EIS 

includes noise mitigation measures that would be followed 

during construction.

EIS Section 3.23.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Noise; Direct and 

Indirect Effects; Effects Common 

to All Action Alternatives; 

Construction)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-43

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Fire Safety

1

The applicant must ensure that all 

construction equipment used is adequately 

muffled and maintained and that spark 

arrestors are used with construction 

equipment in areas with, and during periods 

of, high fire danger.

To reduce the potential for construction-related fires, BLM

recommends a fire control plan be part of any contract 

between the Proponents and contractors. This plan should 

include specific measures to control fire... The contractors 

should also prepare a fire prevention plan that will include 

potential fire hazards... and housekeeping procedures.

EIS Section 3.22 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Public Safety;

Direct and Indirect Effects; Effects 

Common to All Action Alternatives;

Construction; Fire Hazards)

2 Flammable materials (including fuels) will be 

stored in appropriate containers.

WQA-13 Construction industry standard practices and BMPs 

will be used for spill prevention and containment.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures; Framework 

Spill Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures Plan)

IOPs for Project Operation

Mitigation and Monitoring

1

All control and mitigation measures 

established for the project shall be 

maintained and implemented by the 

applicant throughout the operation of the 

project. Necessary adjustments may be 

made with the concurrence of the 

appropriate agency.

EPMs, proposed by the Proponents, are provided in Appendix 

B and are considered part of the Project description for the 

proposed and alternative routes and design alternatives. This 

plan includes environmental protection measures for site 

access and road management, vegetation management, 

noxious weed control, protection measures for aquatic 

resources, protection for threatened, endangered and 

sensitive plant and animal species, restoration and 

revegetation, protection measures for cultural resources, fire 

protection, and emergency notification procedures.

EIS Section 2.7.5 (Alternatives, 

Components Common to All 

Action Alternatives, Table 2.7-1 

Proposed EPMs and Agency 

Mitigation Measures); EIS 

Appendix B (Framework

Operations, Maintenance, and 

Emergency Response Plan)

Ecological Resources

1

Applicants shall review existing information 

regarding plant and animal species and their 

habitats in the vicinity of the project area and 

identify potential impacts to the applicable 

agencies.

This section addresses potential impacts... from the Proposed 

Route and its Alternatives, during... operation.

EIS Section 3.6 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Vegetation 

Communities), Section 3.7 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Plants), Section 3.10 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; General Wildlife and 

Fish), Section 3.11 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Wildlife and Fish Species)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-44

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

Project staff shall avoid harassment or 

disturbance of wildlife, especially during 

reproductive courtship, migratory, and 

nesting seasons.

WILD-1 Requests for exceptions from closure periods and 

areas will be submitted by the Proponents to the appropriate 

BLM Field Office in which the exception is requested through 

the Environmental Construction Inspection Contractor (CIC). 

Established exception processes on BLM-managed lands will 

be followed. The agency, the CIC, or a contractor chosen by 

the Proponents and approved by the agency will conduct any 

surveys and coordinate with any other agencies as necessary. 

Factors considered in granting the exception include animal 

conditions, climate and weather conditions, habitat conditions 

and availability, spatial considerations (e.g., travel routes and 

landscape connectivity), breeding activity levels, incubation or 

nestling stage, and timing, intensity, and duration of the 

Proposed action. Requests will be submitted in writing no 

more than 2 weeks prior to the proposed commencement of 

the construction period, to ensure that conditions during 

construction are consistent with those evaluated. The 

authorized officer, on a case-by-case basis, may grant 

exceptions to seasonal stipulations, and has the authority to 

cancel this exception at any time. A good faith effort will be 

made to act on exceptions within 5 business days of receiving 

a request to allow for orderly` construction mobilization. The 

CIC will conduct any required site visit and report the status to 

BLM for consideration of the decision to accept or deny the 

request. There is no exception process for NFS lands; all 

closure periods will be adhered to. Any proposed 

modifications to closure periods will be discussed on a caseby-case basis with the Forest Service.

EIS Section 3.10 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; General Wildlife 

and Fish), Section 3.11 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Special Status 

Wildlife and Fish Species), Table 

2.7-1, and Appendix B

(Framework Operations, 

Maintenance, and Emergency 

Response Plan, Environmental 

Protection Measures)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-45

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

3

Observations by project staff of potential 

wildlife problems, including wildlife mortality, 

will be immediately reported to the 

applicable agency authorized officer.

OM-23 If sensitive wildlife species are discovered during O&M 

activities, and the animals are not directly within ground 

disturbance areas, they will be protected by marking the edges 

of the ROW and new access roads in the general vicinity to 

ensure that workers do not leave those areas. If the animals 

are within work areas that have, or will have, ground 

disturbance, the Proponents will establish an appropriate 

buffer zone and will contact the federal or state land manager 

immediately. The federal or state agency may evaluate the 

adequacy of the buffer on a case by case basis. Unless the 

Proponents are informed otherwise, work outside of the buffer 

area will continue. If the Proponents need to work within the 

buffer area, the Agencies and Proponents will work together to 

develop a solution that is acceptable to both parties and will 

allow for the Proponents to complete the work in a timely 

manner or within the scheduled outage window, if applicable. 

After the O&M activities are completed or no longer pose a 

threat to the species, the marking (stakes) will promptly be 

removed to protect the site’s significance and location from 

unwanted attention. As needed, marking will be reinstated 

during the land rehabilitation period. OM-26 If sensitive 

wildlife species are killed or injured due to O&M activities, the 

appropriate federal agency will be notified.

EIS Table 2.7-1, Section 3.7

Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Special Status Plants), Section 

3.10 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences; 

General Wildlife and Fish), Section 

3.11 (Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences; 

Special Status Wildlife and Fish 

Species); EIS Appendix B

(Framework Operations, 

Maintenance, and Emergency 

Response Activities, 

Environmental Protection 

Measures)

Pesticide and Herbicide Use

1

If pesticides are used, the applicant shall 

ensure that pesticide applications as 

specified in the integrated vegetation 

management plan are conducted within the 

framework of agency policies and entail only 

the use of EPA registered pesticides that are 

applied in a manner consistent with label 

directions and state pesticide regulations. 

Pesticide use should be limited to nonpersistent immobile pesticides and may be 

applied only in accordance with label and 

application permit directions and stipulations 

for terrestrial and aquatic applications (BLM 

2007b).

The use of herbicides is included in the Framework 

Reclamation Plan, and these requirements will be met.

EIS Table 2.7-1; Section 3.8

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Invasive Plant Species), and 

Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan, Environmental 

Protection Measures)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-46

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

2

Pesticide and herbicide uses must be 

avoided in the vicinity of sole source aquifer 

areas (BLM 2007b).

The use of herbicides is included in the Framework 

Reclamation Plan, and this requirement will be met. REC – 7 It 

may also be applicable to use other forms of weed control or 

eradication (mechanical control, hand control, grazing, 

biological agents), and the Final Reclamation Plan will discuss 

those options, as applicable.

EIS Table 2.7-1, Section 3.8

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Invasive Plant Species), and EIS 

Appendix B (Framework 

Reclamation Plan, Environmental 

Protection Measures)

Visual Resources

1

Terms and conditions for VRM/SMS 

mitigation compliance shall be maintained 

and monitored for compliance with visual 

objectives, with adaptive management 

adjustments and modifications as necessary 

and approved by the BLM/FS landscape 

architect or other designated visual/scenic 

resource specialist.

Project in general compliant with VRM/SMS 

objectives. Where the Proposed or Alternative Routes would 

not be in conformance with VRM or SMS objectives, 

management plan amendments are proposed. See EIS 

Section 3.2 for visual resource mitigation and Appendix F and 

G for plan amendments and visual resource impacts analysis, 

respectively.

EIS Section 3.2 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Visual 

Resources); EIS Appendix F 

(Proposed Land Use 

Amendments), EIS Appendix G 

(Visual Resource Amendment 

Analysis)

Hazardous Materials, Waste, and Wastewater

1

The applicant shall provide secondary 

containment for all on-site hazardous 

materials and waste storage areas.

WQA-13 Construction industry standard practices and BMPs 

will be used for spill prevention and containment. WQA-15 All 

staging areas will contain fueling areas with containment. 

Where fueling must be conducted along the ROW, the plan 

will specify BMPs.WQA-22 Pumps and temporary fuel tanks 

for the pumps will be stored in secondary containment. 

Containment will provide a minimum volume equal to 110 

percent of the volume of the largest storage vessel located in 

the yard.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures; Framework 

Spill Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures)

2

The applicant shall ensure that wastes are 

properly containerized and removed 

periodically for disposal at appropriate offsite permitted disposal facilities.

The Proponents will prepare a Spill Prevention, Containment, 

and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC Plan) for review and 

approval by the appropriate regulatory agencies. That plan 

will include site-specific implementation of cleanup procedures 

in the event of soil contamination from spills or leaks of fuels, 

lubricants, coolants, or solvents as outlined in this attachment.

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures; Framework 

Spill Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures)
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-47

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

3

In the event of an accidental release to the 

environment, the applicant must initiate spill 

cleanup procedures and document the 

event, including a cause analysis; 

appropriate corrective actions taken; and a 

characterization of the resulting 

environmental or health and safety impacts. 

Documentation of the event should be 

provided to the land management agency’s 

authorized officer and other federal and state 

agencies, as required.

The Proponents will prepare a Spill Prevention, Containment, 

and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC Plan) for review and 

approval by the appropriate regulatory agencies. That plan 

will include site-specific implementation of cleanup procedures 

in the event of soil contamination from spills or leaks of fuels, 

lubricants, coolants, or solvents as outlined in this attachment. 

EIS Appendix B (Environmental 

Protection Measures; Framework 

Spill Prevention, Containment, and 

Countermeasures)

Air Quality

1

Dust abatement techniques (e.g., water 

spraying) shall be used by the applicant on 

unpaved, unvegetated surfaces to minimize 

airborne dust. Water for dust abatement 

should be obtained and used by the 

applicant under the appropriate state water 

use permitting system. Used oil will not be 

used for dust abatement.

Sources, including construction projects, operating within 

Wyoming and Idaho are required to control fugitive dust 

emissions. Table 3.20-2 lists the fugitive dust regulations and 

control measures that apply to the Project. The Proponents 

have proposed that construction water would be obtained from 

municipal sources and landowners. No new water rights would 

be required.

EIS Section 3.20 (Affected 

Environment and Environmental 

Consequences; Air Quality;

Affected Environment; Regulatory 

Framework; State Level; Fugitive 

Dust Control), Section 3.16 

(Affected Environment and 

Environmental Consequences;

Water Resources; Direct and 

Indirect Effects, Effects Common 

to All Action Alternatives;

Construction)

Noise

1

The applicant shall ensure that all equipment 

has sound-control devices no less effective 

than those provided on the original 

equipment.

The Proponents shall include noise mitigation measures in the 

Construction POD and COM Plan to ensure that equipment 

has sound control devices no less effective than those 

provided on original equipment.

Not Applicable
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-48

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

IOPs for Project Decommissioning

General

1

Where applicable, decommissioning 

activities will conform to agency standards 

and guidance for mitigation and reclamation 

(e.g., BLM’s Gold Book4).

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

2

Applicants must receive approval for 

changes to the ROW authorization prior to 

any modifications to the ROW required for 

decommissioning.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

3

Gravel work pads will be removed; gravel 

and other borrow material brought to the 

ROW during construction will be disposed of 

as approved by the agency.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

4

Any wells constructed on the ROW to 

support operations will be removed and 

properly closed in accordance with 

applicable local or state regulations.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-49

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

5

All equipment, components, and aboveground structures must be cleaned and 

removed from the site for reclamation, 

salvage, or disposal; all below-ground 

components will be removed to a minimum 

depth of three feet to establish a root zone 

free of obstacles; pipeline segments and 

other components located at greater depths 

may be abandoned in place provided they are 

cleaned (of all residue) and filled with inert 

material to prevent possible future 

subsidence.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

6

Dismantled and cleaned components will be 

promptly removed; interim storage of 

removed components or salvaged materials 

that is required before final disposition is 

completed will not occur on federal land.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

7

At the close of decommissioning, applicants 

will provide the federal land manager with 

survey data precisely locating all belowgrade components that were abandoned in 

place.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

Mitigation and Monitoring

1

All control and mitigation measures 

established for the project in the POD and 

other required plans will be incorporated into 

a decommissioning plan that will be 

approved by the federal land manager(s); 

the decommissioning plan will include a site 

reclamation plan and a monitoring program 

and will be coordinated with owners and 

operators of other systems on the corridor to 

ensure no disruption to the operation of 

those systems.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-50

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Surface Water

1

A SWPPP permit will be obtained and its 

provisions implemented for all affected areas 

before any ground-disturbance activities 

commence.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning. NPDES permitting requirements will be 

followed.

EIS Appendix B, Table 1.4-1, EIS 

Chapter 1

Transportation

1

Additional access roads needed for 

decommissioning will follow the paths of 

access roads established during 

construction to the greatest extent possible; 

all access roads not required for the 

continued operation and maintenance of 

other energy systems present in the corridor 

shall be removed and their footprints 

reclaimed and restored.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

Restoration

1

Topsoil removed during decommissioning 

activities shall be salvaged and reapplied 

during final reclamation; all areas of 

disturbed soil shall be reclaimed using weedfree native shrubs, grasses, and forbs or 

other plant species approved by the land 

management agency; grades will be 

returned to pre-development contours to the 

greatest extent feasible.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

2

The vegetation cover, composition, and 

diversity shall be restored to values 

commensurate with the ecological setting, as 

approved by the authorizing officer.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable
Gateway West Transmission Line Final EIS

Appendix H – West-wide Energy Corridors IOPs

H-51

West-Wide Energy Corridors (WWEC) Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs)

Based on WWEC USFS & BLM Jan 2009 RODs

WWEC 

IOP # WWEC IOP Description GW Response Description GW Response Source(s)

Hazardous Materials and Waste Management

1

All fuels, hazardous materials, and other 

chemicals will be removed from the site and 

properly disposed of or reused.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

2

Incidental spills of petroleum products and 

other chemicals will be removed and the 

affected area cleaned to meet applicable 

standards.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

3

Solid wastes generated during 

decommissioning will be accumulated, 

transported, and disposed in permitted offsite facilities in accordance with state and 

local requirements; no solid wastes will be 

disposed of within the footprint of the ROW 

or the corridor.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable

4 Hazardous wastes generated as a result of 

component cleaning will be containerized 

and disposed of in permitted facilities.

The Proponents shall decommission facilities in accordance 

with the terms and conditions of the agency authorizations. A 

decommissioning plan will be developed at the time of 

decommissioning. This plan shall incorporate construction 

EPMs and mitigation measures as appropriate at the time of 

decommissioning.

Not Applicable