BLM NEWS RELEASE
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Sierra Front Field Office (SFFO) has made available for public review and comment the Nevada Broadband Telemedicine Initiative Environmental Assessment (EA). The fiber optic cable project would connect, maintain and operate a statewide telemedicine network and would serve a minimum of 36 hospitals and medical facilities, with additional capacity available to serve public safety entities, educational institutions, and Tribal governments. The comment period will close January 4, 2012.
The EA analyzes the potential direct, indirect and cumulative effects to the human environment from constructing and maintaining new fiber optic cable between Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. The new fiber optic cable on BLM-managed lands would include: approximately 15 miles of new buried cable between Goldfield and Lida Junction; 310 miles of new aerial fiber optic cable connected to existing transmission poles; and 6 miles of fiber optic cable in existing conduit. The BLM has preliminarily determined that the proposal would not have significant effects on the human environment on BLM-managed lands, and has prepared a draft Finding of No Significant Impact.
This project is being funded by the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The Nevada Hospital Association was awarded a $19.6 million federal grant to build fiber optic routes between Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. Communities along Highways 80 and 50 (Elko and Ely) would also be connected by use of existing conduit.
Individuals can send written comments to the Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, Nevada 89701 attn: Brian L. Buttazoni, or email comments to: [email protected]. Comments can also be faxed to: (775) 885-6147 attn: Brian L. Buttazoni.
The document, DOI-BLM-NV-C020-2011-0512-EA, and supporting maps may be viewed on-line at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_information/nepa.html.
For questions about segments of the project, please contact the realty specialist for the area:
Tonopah: Wendy Seley (775) 482-7805
Las Vegas: Frederick Marcell (702) 515-5092, or Philip Rhinehart (702) 515-5182
Carson City: Chuck Valentine (775) 885-6008
