LR2000 Data Standards and eTrans Data Entry for High-Voltage Transmission Line Rights-of-Way Cases
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
August 3, 2012
In Reply Refer To:
2800 (350) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 08/15/2012
Instruction Memorandum No. 2012-168
Expires: 09/30/2013
To: All Field Office Officials
From: Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management
Subject: LR2000 Data Standards and eTrans Data Entry for High-Voltage Transmission Line Rights-of-Way Cases DD: 10/09/2012
Program Area: Lands and Realty.
Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) provides guidance on the Legacy Rehost 2000 (LR2000) System data standards and the Department of Energy (DOE) Interagency Federal Permitting Transmission Tracking System (eTrans) data entry requirements for electric power line rights-of-way (ROW) cases.
Policy/Action: The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) representation of the total high voltage transmission line workload has entered a critical stage, with an ever-increasing need to produce reports that are consistent and timely. The BLM’s reporting system on high voltage electric transmission line cases must accurately reflect our progress on processing of these applications. To meet this need, the BLM must modify the LR2000 data standards for electric power line ROW cases. Additionally, in order to enhance transparency and provide a consistent and reliable resource for the public, state and local agencies, other Federal agencies, and tribes, all high-voltage (100 kilovolt (kV) and above) electric transmission line projects (except those identified as High Priority Infrastructure Projects in accordance with Executive Order 13604) must be included on the DOE eTrans website when the BLM is the lead Federal agency for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This IM transmits new data standards required for electric power line ROW cases (Attachment 1). The Washington Office (WO) will ensure that these new data standards are incorporated into the consolidated data standards, as identified in WO-IM-2011-190, Lands and Realty Program Data Standards.
It is essential that the lead office, or the lead office in each state for multi-state projects, update case records in LR2000 for all pending electric power line ROW cases to comply with these new data standards. The lead office must properly maintain the case records thereafter in order to enable the production of timely and accurate reports. The Washington Office will ensure appropriate tracking of projects.
The delegated lead state office, field office, or designated project manager will be responsible for the initial project creation on the eTrans website and will designate a project data steward responsible for ensuring the project information on the website is consistent, up-to-date, and accurate. For projects where there is a third-party contractor assisting with the NEPA document preparation, project management, etc., the BLM Project Manager or State Office Lands Lead, may request that the contractor be granted access to enter project information into the eTrans website. The designated project data steward will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the information being posted on eTrans. When entering information into the eTrans website, keep in mind that the information will be posted and available to the public without further agency review. If a BLM field office or state office representative needs access for themselves or for a third party contractor to create or update a project on the website, please contact the WO Branch of Rights-of-Way for information on gaining access to the website.
The lead office must complete the LR 2000 and eTrans entries required by this IM within 45 days of issuance of this IM. Thereafter, the WO Branch of Rights-of-Way will run periodic reports to verify that data standards are being followed. Each BLM State Director will identify a state point-of-contact for data entry feedback and issue resolution. Within 45 days of issuance of this IM, please forward the names of state points-of-contact to Lucas Lucero, Branch Chief, Rights-of-Way.
Timeframe: Lead offices must update pending case records within 45 days of the issuance of this IM. In addition, State Directors must identify a point-of-contact for power line-related data entry issues within 45 days of publication of this IM. State Directors will notify the Washington Office once all offices within their state have updated the pending case records and also provide the name for their identified point-of-contact. Pending and new applications entered in LR2000 must conform to this IM and all of the consolidated data standards outlined in WO-IM-2011-190, Lands and Realty Program Data Standards.
Budget Impact: There will be a minimal cost to create and maintain records in conformance with this IM. Record maintenance will eliminate costly and time-consuming data calls to the field.
Background: In October 2009, nine Federal agencies approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve coordination and expedite siting and construction of electric transmission infrastructure. The BLM issued corresponding policy in July 2010 in WO-IM-2010-169, Implementation Guidance for the Interagency Transmission Memorandum of Understanding. In June 2011, multiple Federal agencies developed an Interagency Rapid Response Team (RRT) to ensure close agency coordination for renewable energy and electric transmission line projects. In August 2011, the President issued a memorandum to Executive Departments and Agencies identifying actions for agencies to expedite infrastructure development.
LR2000 is the BLM’s official tool for internal and external case file record information, and proper use allows data to be aggregated in a consistent manner across BLM administrative boundaries. LR2000 must contain complete, accurate, up-to-date information for use by the BLM, the Department, and the public.
The DOE eTrans website is an interagency tool created as a direct result of the October 2009 interagency MOU. The agencies will use the eTrans website to make the agencies’ permitting process transparent to the public, state and local governments, other Federal agencies, and tribal governments for transmission lines that are qualifying projects under the MOU. This IM further builds on that effort by enhancing the transparency of the BLM’s permitting process for all high voltage (100 kV and above) electric transmission lines.
Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: This IM establishes policy that will be incorporated into BLM Manual 2801, Right-of-Way Management, and Handbook H-2801-1 during the next revision.
Coordination: The BLM state and field offices reviewed and provided input for this policy prior to its finalization.
Contact: If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at 202-208-4201, or your staff may contact Lucas Lucero, Branch Chief, Rights-of-Way at 202-912-7342; or Beth Ransel, Linear ROW and Master Agreements Lead at 202-912-7213.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Michael Nedd Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Minerals and Realty Management
1 Attachment