RENO.—Construction on the Ruby Pipeline Project in two northern Nevada locations is expected to resume on Monday, May 16 following temporary shutdowns of the construction sites near sage-grouse leks and lek buffer zones during the sage-grouse active breeding season.

The temporary work shutdowns were taken to protect the sage-grouse, a species that is listed as a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The terms and conditions of the right-of-way grant for the pipeline and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Certificate prohibit construction within sage-grouse lek buffers from March 1 to May 15 in Nevada. The BLM upheld the prohibition, allowing only limited access to two areas during the closure period:

· 8.6 miles of construction not yet completed within active lek buffers

in western Elko County.

· 16 miles of additional construction area affected by restricted

access in and through lek buffers in northwest Humboldt County.

· 6 miles of additional construction area affected by restricted

access in and through lek buffers in northern Washoe County.

The Ruby Pipeline is a 678-mile-long natural gas right-of-way project from Opal, Wyo., through northern Utah and northern Nevada and terminating near Malin, Ore. About 368 miles of the 42-inch diameter pipeline cross Federal public lands.

The Ruby Pipeline Project was approved by FERC on April 5, 2010 and the right-of-way grant and plan of development were approved by a Record of Decision issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on July 12, 2010.

The BLM issues notices to proceed for each segment of the project.

Construction of the pipeline is expected to be completed this summer.