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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2026-0004-CE
Project Name: Wells Rural Electric Rights-of-Way Renewals and Amendments 2026
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Project Information
NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2026-0004-CE
Project Name

Wells Rural Electric Rights-of-Way Renewals and Amendments 2026
Project Type

CE
NEPA Status

In Progress - Decision and Appeal Period
Lead Office

Wells Field Office
Last Updated

3/25/2026 5:00:00 PM
Project Description
NVN-006713 (NVNV106765286): The applicant applied to renew an existing 14.4/24.9kv single-phase overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located northeast of Wells, NV, near the Wells Communication Sites, and serves as providing a power source for livestock water pumps in the area. The original authorization was issued in 1975 for 8,836 feet x 25 feet (5.07 acres) and a relinquishment of 5,050 feet x 25 feet (2.90 acres) was completed in 1991. The current as built line is approximately 3,955.5 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 2.27 acres. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in General Habitat Management Area (GHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is within 4 miles of 1 active/pending lek. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 38 N., R. 62 E., sec. 28, SESW, SWSE; sec. 33, N2NE, NENW.

NVN-006714 (NVNV106765278): The applicant applied to renew and amend an existing 14.4kv 3 phase and single-phase overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located south of Wells, NV in North Ruby Valley and provides power to local private residences and ranching operations in Ruby Valley. The original authorization was issued in 1975 for 32,711 feet x 25 feet (18.77 acres), two land patents occurred in 1986 and 1992 removing a total of 4,771.44 feet x 25 feet (2.73 acres) from federal ownership, changing the total disturbance to 27,939.56 feet x 25 feet (16.04 acres). The current as built line is approximately 29,767.62 feet x 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 17.08 acres. An amendment is requested to correct the length and acreage to account for approximately 1,828 feet x 25 feet (1.05 acres). Original map documents and current map documents reflect an additional line segment for that approximate acreage in T. 33 N., R60 E., sec. 36, W2SW. The segment has been built; no new ground disturbance is requested with this amendment. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is within 4 miles of 9 active/pending leks, 3.1 miles of 2 active/pending leks, and 2 miles of 2 active/pending leks. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal and amendment; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 32 N., R. 60 E., sec. 1, lot 3, W2SENW, W2SW; sec. 12, W2SE; sec. 14, NESE, NWSE, SESE; sec. 23, NENE; sec. 24, NWNW.
T. 33 N., R. 60 E., sec. 25, E2NE; sec. 36, NESW, SESW, SWSE, SESE.
T. 33 N., R. 61 E., sec. 18, lots 3 and 4; sec. 30, lots 2-4; sec. 31, lots 1-4.

NVN-006716 (NVNV106765187): The applicant applied to renew an existing 14.4kv single-phase overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located north of Wells, NV; this tap line serves to provide power to a livestock watering pump also located on public land. The original authorization was issued in 1975 for 2,080 feet x 25 feet (1.19 acres). The current as built line is approximately 2,075.31 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 1.19 acres. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is within 4 miles of 4 active/pending leks, 3.1 miles of 3 active/pending leks, and 2 miles of 1 active/pending lek. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 41 N., R. 64 E., sec. 8, SESW, SWSE.

NVN-007217 (NVNV106765900): The applicant applied to renew an existing 14.4kv single-phase primary overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located north of Deeth, NV; this line provides power to several livestock watering pumps/wells in the area. The original authorization was issued in 1975 for 55,402 feet x 25 feet (31.79 acres). A patent occurred in 1996 and reduced the overall length by 15,024.90 feet, later an amendment was approved in 2001 to add an additional 2,200 feet x 25 feet to the authorization. The proponent included an amendment with the renewal request to incorporate portions of the powerline located in T. 38 N., R. 61 E., sec. 2 and 4, adding 6,831.82 feet in length by 25 feet in width. The proponent states this has been constructed since the original authorization, as the main power supply comes from the east to the west, it is undetermined why this segment was not included under the original authorization. The current total as built line with the removal and additions of the stated segments, is approximately 53,701.87 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 30.82 acres. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in Priority, General, and Other Habitat Management Areas (PHMA, GHMA, and OHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is within 4 miles of 2 active/pending leks, and 3.1 miles of 1 active/pending lek. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal and amendment; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 38 N., R. 60 E., sec. 1, lots 1-4; sec. 2, lot 1, S2NE, NESW, NWSW, SWSW; sec. 3, SWSE, SESE; sec. 9, SENE, NESE, NWSE, SWSE; sec. 10, NWNE, NENW, SWNW, SENW; sec. 16, NWNE, SWNE, SENW, E2SW; sec. 21, NENW, NWNW, SWNW, W2SW; sec. 28, W2NW; sec. 29, SENE, NWSE, E2SE; sec. 32, NENE.

T. 38 N., R. 61 E., sec. 2, lot 5; sec. 4, lots 5-8; sec. 6, lots 8-11.

NVN-007660 (NVNV106765905): The applicant applied to renew an existing 14.4kv single-phase overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located north of Wells, NV, and provides power to a single microwave site. The original authorization was issued in 1975 for 5,362 feet x 25 feet (3.07 acres). On an unknown date, the ROW was partially moved from wholly overhead to partially overhead and underground, which involved relocating the majority of the overhead line to underground on private and BLM administered lands; therefore, reducing the overall length by 2,782.36 feet (1.59 acres). The applicant acquired the ROW already constructed in 1988 from another holder and states that the ROW was underground prior to accepting the assignment. The overhead portion is approximately 891.17 feet, and the underground portion is 1,688.47 feet (BLM administered lands), and the current total as built line is approximately 2,579.64 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 1.48 acres. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is withing 4 miles of 1 active/pending lek, 3.1 miles of 1 active/pending lek, and 2 miles of 1 active/pending lek. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 38 N., R. 62 E., sec. 10, NENE, NWNW.

NVN-010912 (NVNV106765908): The applicant applied to renew an existing 14.4kv single-phase overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located east of Wells, NV near the Moor Summit Exit off of I-80 and serves as a secondary tap line for a well site used for livestock grazing. The original authorization was issued in 1975 for 703 feet x 25 feet (0.40 acres). The current as built line is approximately 867.9 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 0.50 acres. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in General Habitat Management Area (GHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is withing 4 miles of 1 active/pending lek, and 3.1 miles of 1 active/pending lek. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 37 N., R. 63 E., sec. 10, NENW.

NVN-011029 and NVN-007840 (NVNV106765944): The applicant applied to renew an existing 2.3kv single-phase secondary overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located south of Wells, NV, off of Highway 93. This line is a secondary tap line that serves a well site used for livestock grazing, that spurs from ROW authorization NVN-0007840. The original authorization was issued in 1975 for 32 feet x 25 feet (0.018 acres). The current as built line is approximately 20.6 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 0.01 acres. 

They also applied to renew the existing ROW authorization for NVN-007840 which serves as the main 14.4kv single phase distribution overhead powerline that NVN-011029 spurs from, that serves a private residence and their ranching operations. This segment was originally authorized in 1975 for 9,594.0 feet x 25 feet (5.51 acres) and the as built is 9,589.5 feet in length x 25 feet wide for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 5.50 acres. The applicant is requesting that the two cases NVN-011029 and NVN-007840 be combined into one authorization during the renewal process, due to the NVN-011029 segment being so short and originating from the NVN-007840 segment. 

Maintenance for the powerline(s) would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW(s) be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in General Habitat Management Area (GHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG). NVN-011029 is within 4 miles of 1 active/pending lek, NVN-007840 is within 4 miles of the same active/pending lek and 1 more active/pending lek, and within 3.1 miles of 1 active/pending lek. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal(s); terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 34 N., R. 61 E., sec. 25, NWSE, SWSE, SESW, SWSW; sec. 26, SESESE; sec. 35, lot 1, NWNE, NW. 

NVN-095759 (NVNV106273704): The applicant applied to amend an existing 14.4kv single-phase overhead powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located east of Wells, NV near the Deeth Exit off of I-80. The existing ROW was renewed and authorized in 2018 for a total length of 27,192 feet x 25 feet (15.6 acres). The total current, verified (2021), as built line is approximately 24,842.6 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 14.25 acres. During the review process plotting the 2018 renewal authorization, it was noted by the BLM that there was a segment of the line that was built but was not under a ROW authorization, and a portion under an incorrect ROW authorization. The applicant reviewed their records, and it was determined that the segments of the line found (segment total length 2,851.26 feet x 25 feet wide) should have been included under the NVN-095759 ROW authorization. There were also amendments completed in 2001 (additional 10,224 feet) and 2005 (additional 1,115 feet) for additional line, but during this review it was also determined that the 2005 segment was never constructed, and only a portion of the 2001 segment was constructed (approximately 2,700 feet) and requested that they be removed from the authorization during this amendment proposal. No ground disturbance is proposed with this amendment; the line is constructed and has been in operation for many years. The amended segments are within the NDOT Interstate 80 ROW. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in Priority, General, and Other Habitat Management Areas (PHMA/GHMA/OHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is not within 4 miles of any active/pending leks. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the amendment; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 36 N., R. 59 E., sec. 6, lots 3 and 5. 
T. 37 N., R. 59 E., sec. 2, lot 2, SWNE, NWSE, SWSE; sec. 14, NE, E2SE; sec. 24, W2NW; sec. 28, E2NE, E2SE; sec. 32, SWNE, NWNW, NESW, SENE. 

NVN-056997 (NVNV105990789): The applicant applied to renew an existing 25kv 3-phase overhead distribution powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located at South Fork, NV, and provides power to local private residences. The original authorization was issued in 1993 for 9,240 feet x 25 feet (5.30 acres). The current as built line is slightly different than authorized; specifically, the line was authorized in the N1/2NW1/4NE1/4 and the N1/2N1/2NW1/4, which was not constructed in that location, and it was built only in the N1/2NE1/4NE1/4 (not authorized) of T. 32 N., R. 55 E., sec. 16. The line was built in the S1/2SE1/4 and the S1/2SW1/4 as well, which was part of the original authorization. The current as built is approximately 4,734.16 feet in length and 25 feet wide on public land, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 3.31 acres (includes 12.5 foot buffer on private for approximately 0.60 acres), approximately 2,099.11 feet of the line is located on private land, but a buffer of 12.5 feet in width is on public land (0.60 acres).   Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 50-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in a Non-Habitat Management Area for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is within 4 miles of 1 active/pending lek. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 32 N., R. 55 E., sec. 16, N2NENE, S2SE, S2SW; sec. 22, NWNWNW.

NVN-057529 (NVNV106083768): The applicant applied to renew an existing 120kv overhead transmission powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located north of Carlin, NV, this transmission line serves to provide power to mining operations operated by Nevada Gold Mines. The line is an addition to provide power load from the Quarry/Hadley/Maggie Creek Substations to the Schroeder Mountain Substation. The original authorization was issued on January 21, 1994, for 4,200 feet x 100 feet (9.64 acres). The current as built line is approximately 4,219 feet in length and 100 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 9.69 acres. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 50-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in a Non-Habitat Management Area for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is not within 4 miles of any active/pending leks. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.

T. 34 N., R. 51 E., sec. 26, lots 6-8, sec. 35, W2NENW.

NVN-058051 (NVNV106140267): The applicant applied to renew an existing 24.9kv overhead transmission powerline ROW authorization. The existing ROW is located on BLM administered land located south of Carlin, NV, off of SR-278. This distribution line serves to provide power to an oil and gas operation (North Willow Creek) operated by Berry Petroleum Company. The original authorization was issued on March 17, 1994, for 7,810 feet x 25 feet (4.47 acres). The current as built line is approximately 5,580.5 feet in length and 25 feet wide, for a total ROW disturbance area of approximately 3.20 acres. Maintenance for the powerline would be as needed and minimally through the life of the ROW, routine inspections performed by the applicant would occur and consist of one vehicle and personnel. The applicant is requesting the ROW be renewed and issued for a 30-year length of term, with the option to renew. The proposed action is located in General and Other Habitat Management Area (GHMA/OHMA) for the Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) and is not within 4 miles of any active/pending leks. No new ground disturbance is proposed with the renewal; terms, conditions, and standard stipulations would be applied if authorized.     

T. 29 N., R. 52 E., sec. 27, NWSE, N2SW; sec. 28, NESE, SWSE, SESE.
What's New
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Wells Field Office (WFO) has completed the Wells Rural Electric Rights-of-Way Renewals and Amendments 2026 Categorical Exclusion (CE) and issued a Decision; the 30-day appeal period begins today, March 26, 2026, and ends April 24, 2026, at which time the Decision will be final. The CE, Decision, and provisions for Appeal and Petition for Stay are available under the ‘Documents’ link at the top of this page.
Project Location
City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Elko	Nevada	89801	Elko
Application Information
Applicant

Wells Rural Electric Cooperative
Case File Number

See Project Description
Program

Lands and Realty
Sub-Program

Rights-of-Way
Project Dates
Start Date

3/25/2026
End Date

3/25/2026
Project Office Information
Lead Office

Wells Field Office
Offices

Tuscarora FO, Wells FO
Contacts
Contact 1 Name

Brady Owens
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(775) 753-0220
Contact 2 Name

Kayla Cox
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(775) 753-0249