80 FR 28001 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Aiya Solar Project, Clark County, Nevada
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 94 (May 15, 2015)
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 94 (May 15, 2015)
| Page Range | 28001-28002 | |
| FR Document | 2015-11298 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 28001-28002] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-11298] [[Page 28001]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs [156A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900 253G] Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Aiya Solar Project, Clark County, Nevada AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as the lead Federal agency, with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Tribe) as Cooperating Agencies, has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the proposed Aiya Solar Project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation (Reservation) in Clark County, Nevada. This notice announces that the DEIS is now available for public review and that BIA will hold public meetings to solicit comments on the DEIS. DATES: The date and locations of the public meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through notices in the following local newspapers: Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review Journal and the Moapa Valley Progress and on the following Web site: www.AiyaSolarProjectEIS.com. In order to be fully considered, written comments on the DEIS must arrive no later than 45 days after EPA publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, hand deliver or telefax written comments to Mr. Chip Lewis, Acting Regional Environmental Protection Officer, BIA Western Regional Office, Branch of Environmental Quality Services, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mail Room, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-3008; fax (602) 379-3833; email: [email protected]. The DEIS will be available for review at: BIA Western Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 12th Floor, Suite 210, Phoenix, Arizona; BIA Southern Paiute Agency, 180 North 200 East, Suite 111, St. George, Utah; and the BLM Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada. The DEIS is also available on line at: www.AiyaSolarProjectEIS.com. To obtain a compact disk copy of the DEIS, please provide your name and address in writing or by voicemail to Mr. Chip Lewis or Mr. Garry Cantley. Their contact information is listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individual paper copies of the DEIS will be provided only upon request. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional Office, Branch of Environmental Quality Services, 2600 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-3008, telephone (602) 379-6782; or Mr. Garry Cantley at (602) 379-6750. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Federal action, taken under 25 U.S.C. 415, is BIA's approval of a solar energy ground lease and associated agreements entered into by the Tribe with Aiya Solar Project, LLC (Aiya Solar or Applicant), a wholly owned subsidiary of First Solar, Inc. (First Solar), to provide for construction and operation of an up-to 100 megawatt (MW) alternating current solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation facility located entirely on the Reservation and specifically on lands held in trust by BIA for the Tribe. The proposed 230 kilovolt (kV) generation-tie transmission line required for interconnection would be located on Tribal lands, private lands and Federal lands administered and managed by BLM. The Applicant has accordingly requested that BIA and BLM additionally approve right- of-ways (ROWs) authorizing the construction and operation of the transmission line. Together, the proposed solar energy facility, transmission line, and other associated facilities make up the proposed Aiya Solar Project (Project). The Project would be located in Township 14 South, Range 66 East, Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32 Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada. The generation facility would generate electricity using PV panels. Also included would be inverters, a collection system, an on-site substation to step-up the voltage to transmission level voltage at 230 kV, an operations and maintenance building, and other related facilities. A single overhead 230 kV generation-tie transmission line, approximately 1.5 to 3 miles long, would connect the solar project to NV Energy's Reid-Gardner 230kV substation through a point northeast of the existing Reid-Gardner substation where a new NV Energy collector station would be built in the future. Construction of the Project is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months. The Applicant is expected to operate the energy facility for 30 years, with two options to renew the lease for an additional 10 years, if mutually acceptable to the Tribe and Applicant. During construction, the PV panels will be placed on top of fixed-tilt and/or single-axis tracking mounting systems that are set on steel posts embedded in the ground. Other foundation design techniques may be used depending on the site topography and conditions. No water will be used to generate electricity during operations. Water will be needed during construction for dust control and a minimal amount will be needed during operations for landscape irrigation and administrative and sanitary water use on site. The water supply required for construction of the Project would be leased from the Tribe and would be provided via a new temporary intake installed in the Muddy River and a new temporary above-ground pipeline approximately two miles in length. Operational water would be provided through a tap into an existing water pipeline that crosses the solar site. Access to the Project will be provided via State Highway 168. The purposes of the Project are to: (1) Provide a long-term, diverse, and viable economic revenue base and job opportunities for the Tribe; (2) help Nevada and neighboring states to meet their state renewable energy needs; and (3) allow the Tribe, in partnership with the Applicant, to optimize the use of the lease site while maximizing the potential economic benefit to the Tribe. The BIA and BLM will use the EIS to make decisions on the land lease and ROW applications under their respective jurisdiction. The EPA may use the document to make decisions under its authorities. The Tribe may use the EIS to make decisions under its Tribal Environmental Policy Ordinance. The USFWS may use the EIS to support its decision under the Endangered Species Act. Directions for Submitting Comments: Please include your name, return address and the caption: ``DEIS Comments, Proposed Aiya Solar Project'', on the first page of your written comments. Public Comment Availability: Written comments, including names and addresses of respondents will be available for public review at the BIA mailing addresses shown in the ADDRESSES section during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal [[Page 28002]] identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: This notice is published in accordance with section 1503.1 of the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1500 et seq.) and the Department of the Interior Regulations (43 CFR part 46) implementing the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and in accordance with the exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by part 209 of the Department Manual. Dated: May 1, 2015. Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2015-11298 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 94 / Friday, May 15, 2015 / Notices 28001
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Their contact information is listed in the During construction, the PV panels will
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT be placed on top of fixed-tilt and/or
Bureau of Indian Affairs section of this notice. Individual paper single-axis tracking mounting systems
[156A2100DD/AAKC001030/ copies of the DEIS will be provided only that are set on steel posts embedded in
A0A501010.999900 253G] upon request. the ground. Other foundation design
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. techniques may be used depending on
Draft Environmental Impact Statement Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional the site topography and conditions. No
for the Proposed Aiya Solar Project, Office, Branch of Environmental Quality water will be used to generate electricity
Clark County, Nevada Services, 2600 North Central Avenue, during operations. Water will be needed
Phoenix, Arizona 85004–3008, during construction for dust control and
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, a minimal amount will be needed
Interior. telephone (602) 379–6782; or Mr. Garry
Cantley at (602) 379–6750. during operations for landscape
ACTION: Notice of Availability. irrigation and administrative and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
SUMMARY: In accordance with the proposed Federal action, taken under 25 sanitary water use on site. The water
National Environmental Policy Act U.S.C. 415, is BIA’s approval of a solar supply required for construction of the
(NEPA), the Bureau of Indian Affairs Project would be leased from the Tribe
energy ground lease and associated
(BIA), as the lead Federal agency, with and would be provided via a new
agreements entered into by the Tribe
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), temporary intake installed in the Muddy
with Aiya Solar Project, LLC (Aiya Solar
the Environmental Protection Agency River and a new temporary above-
or Applicant), a wholly owned
(EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ground pipeline approximately two
subsidiary of First Solar, Inc. (First
(USFWS), and the Moapa Band of Paiute miles in length. Operational water
Solar), to provide for construction and
Indians (Tribe) as Cooperating Agencies, would be provided through a tap into an
operation of an up-to 100 megawatt
has prepared a draft environmental existing water pipeline that crosses the
(MW) alternating current solar
impact statement (DEIS) for the solar site. Access to the Project will be
photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation
proposed Aiya Solar Project on the provided via State Highway 168.
facility located entirely on the The purposes of the Project are to: (1)
Moapa River Indian Reservation Reservation and specifically on lands
(Reservation) in Clark County, Nevada. Provide a long-term, diverse, and viable
held in trust by BIA for the Tribe. The economic revenue base and job
This notice announces that the DEIS is proposed 230 kilovolt (kV) generation-
now available for public review and that opportunities for the Tribe; (2) help
tie transmission line required for Nevada and neighboring states to meet
BIA will hold public meetings to solicit interconnection would be located on
comments on the DEIS. their state renewable energy needs; and
Tribal lands, private lands and Federal (3) allow the Tribe, in partnership with
DATES: The date and locations of the lands administered and managed by the Applicant, to optimize the use of the
public meetings will be announced at BLM. The Applicant has accordingly lease site while maximizing the
least 15 days in advance through notices requested that BIA and BLM potential economic benefit to the Tribe.
in the following local newspapers: Las additionally approve right-of-ways The BIA and BLM will use the EIS to
Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review Journal (ROWs) authorizing the construction make decisions on the land lease and
and the Moapa Valley Progress and on and operation of the transmission line. ROW applications under their
the following Web site: Together, the proposed solar energy respective jurisdiction. The EPA may
www.AiyaSolarProjectEIS.com. In order facility, transmission line, and other use the document to make decisions
to be fully considered, written associated facilities make up the under its authorities. The Tribe may use
comments on the DEIS must arrive no proposed Aiya Solar Project (Project). the EIS to make decisions under its
later than 45 days after EPA publishes The Project would be located in Tribal Environmental Policy Ordinance.
its Notice of Availability in the Federal Township 14 South, Range 66 East, The USFWS may use the EIS to support
Register. Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32 Mount its decision under the Endangered
ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, hand Diablo Meridian, Nevada. The Species Act.
deliver or telefax written comments to generation facility would generate Directions for Submitting Comments:
Mr. Chip Lewis, Acting Regional electricity using PV panels. Also Please include your name, return
Environmental Protection Officer, BIA included would be inverters, a address and the caption: ‘‘DEIS
Western Regional Office, Branch of collection system, an on-site substation Comments, Proposed Aiya Solar
Environmental Quality Services, 2600 to step-up the voltage to transmission Project’’, on the first page of your
North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mail level voltage at 230 kV, an operations written comments.
Room, Phoenix, Arizona 85004–3008; and maintenance building, and other Public Comment Availability: Written
fax (602) 379–3833; email: chip.lewis@ related facilities. A single overhead 230 comments, including names and
bia.gov. The DEIS will be available for kV generation-tie transmission line, addresses of respondents will be
review at: BIA Western Regional Office, approximately 1.5 to 3 miles long, available for public review at the BIA
2600 North Central Avenue, 12th Floor, would connect the solar project to NV mailing addresses shown in the
Suite 210, Phoenix, Arizona; BIA Energy’s Reid-Gardner 230kV substation ADDRESSES section during regular
Southern Paiute Agency, 180 North 200 through a point northeast of the existing business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
East, Suite 111, St. George, Utah; and Reid-Gardner substation where a new Monday through Friday, except
the BLM Southern Nevada District NV Energy collector station would be holidays. Before including your address,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las built in the future. telephone number, email address, or
Vegas, Nevada. The DEIS is also Construction of the Project is other personal identifying information
available on line at: expected to take approximately 12 to 15 in your comment, you should be aware
www.AiyaSolarProjectEIS.com. months. The Applicant is expected to that your entire comment—including
To obtain a compact disk copy of the operate the energy facility for 30 years, your personal identifying information—
DEIS, please provide your name and with two options to renew the lease for may be made publicly available at any
address in writing or by voicemail to an additional 10 years, if mutually time. While you can ask us in your
Mr. Chip Lewis or Mr. Garry Cantley. acceptable to the Tribe and Applicant. comment to withhold your personal
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_28095/page/1.svg)
![28002 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 94 / Friday, May 15, 2015 / Notices
identifying information from public Mount Diablo Meridian the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as
review, we cannot guarantee that we T. 21 N., R. 19 E., amended and supplemented.
will be able to do so. Sec. 8, E1⁄2E1⁄2, NW1⁄4NE1⁄4; DATES: The lease sale will be held at
Authority: This notice is published in Sec. 16, SW1⁄4SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4, 1:00 p.m. on June 17, 2015. Sealed bids
accordance with section 1503.1 of the W1⁄2SE1⁄4. must be sent by certified mail, return
Council on Environmental Quality The area described contains 450 acres, receipt requested, to the Collections
regulations (40 CFR part 1500 et seq.) and the more or less, in Washoe County, Nevada. Officer, BLM Utah State Office or be
Department of the Interior Regulations (43 The closure notice and map of the hand delivered to the public room
CFR part 46) implementing the procedural closure area will be posted at the BLM Contact Representatives, BLM Utah
requirements of the National Environmental
Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan State Office at the address indicated
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and in
accordance with the exercise of authority Mill Road, Carson City, Nevada and on below, and must be received on or
delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian the BLM Web site: http://www.blm.gov/ before 10:00 a.m. on June 17, 2015. Any
Affairs by part 209 of the Department nv/st/en/fo/carsoncity_field.html. Roads bid received after the time specified will
Manual. leading into the public lands under the not be considered and will be returned.
Dated: May 1, 2015. closure will be posted to notify the The BLM public room Contact
public of the closure. Under the Representative will issue a receipt for
Kevin Washburn,
authority of Section 303(a) of the each hand-delivered sealed bid. The
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
Federal Lands Policy and Management outside of the sealed envelope
[FR Doc. 2015–11298 Filed 5–14–15; 8:45 am] Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), 43 CFR containing the bid must clearly state
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P 8360.9–7 and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau that the envelope contains a bid for Coal
of Land Management will enforce the Lease Sale UTU–77114 and is not to be
following rules in the area described opened before the date and hour of the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR above: All public use, whether sale.
Bureau of Land Management motorized, on foot, or otherwise, is ADDRESSES: The lease sale will be held
prohibited. in the Monument Conference Room at
Exceptions: Closure restrictions do the following address: BLM-Utah State
[LLNVC02000 L57000000.BX0000; 241A; not apply to event officials, medical and
MO# 4500077944] Office, Suite 500, 440 West 200 South,
rescue personnel, law enforcement, and Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. Sealed bids
Notice of Temporary Closures of agency personnel monitoring the events. can be hand delivered to the BLM
Penalties: Any person who fails to public room Contact Representative or
Public Land in Washoe County,
comply with the closure orders is mailed to the Collections Officer, BLM
Nevada
subject to arrest and, upon conviction, Utah State Office, at the address given
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, may be fined not more than $1,000 and/ above.
Interior. or imprisonment for not more than 12
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ACTION: Notice.
months under 43 CFR 8360.0–7.
Contact Jeff McKenzie, 440 West 200
Violations may also be subject to the
South, Suite 500 Salt Lake City, Utah
SUMMARY: As authorized under the provisions of Title 18, U.S.C. 3571 and
84101–1345 or telephone 801–539–
provisions of the Federal Land Policy 3581.
4038. Persons who use a
and Management Act of 1976 and Authority: 43 CFR 8360.0–7 and 8364.1. telecommunications device for the deaf
relevant regulations, certain public land (TDD) may call the Federal Information
Leon Thomas,
near Stead, Nevada, will be temporarily Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
closed to all public use to provide for Field Manager, Sierra Front Field Office.
to leave a message or question for the
public safety during the 2015 Reno Air [FR Doc. 2015–11682 Filed 5–14–15; 8:45 am]
above individual. The FIRS is available
Racing Association Pylon Racing BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Replies
Seminar and the Reno National are provided during normal business
Championship Air Races. hours.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DATES: Temporary closure periods are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This coal
June 17 through June 20, 2015, and Bureau of Land Management lease sale is being held in response to
September 16 through September 20, a lease by application (LBA) submitted
2015. [15X L1109AF LLUT920000
L13200000.EL0000, UTU–77114] by Canyon Fuel Company, LLC. to the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: BLM on March 18, 1998. The successful
Leon Thomas, 775–885–6000, email: Notice of Federal Competitive Coal bidder must pay to the BLM the cost
l70thoma@blm.gov. Persons who use a Lease Sale, Utah BLM incurs regarding the publishing of
telecommunications device for the deaf this sale notice. If there is no successful
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, bidder, the applicant will be responsible
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Interior. for all publishing costs.
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
ACTION: Notice. The coal resources to be offered
to contact the above individual during
normal business hours. The FIRS is SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that consist of all reserves recoverable by
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the United States Department of the underground methods available in the
to leave a message or question with the following-described lands located in
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Interior, Bureau of Land Management
above individual. You will receive a (BLM) Utah State Office will offer Sanpete County, Utah, approximately 10
reply during normal business hours. certain coal resources described below miles southeast of Scofield, Utah, under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This as the Flat Canyon Tract (UTU–77114) both private and public surface.
closure applies to all public use, in Sanpete County, Utah, for Salt Lake Meridian
including pedestrian use and vehicles. competitive sale by sealed bid, in T. 13 S., R.6 E.,
The public lands affected by this closure accordance with the Federal regulations Sec. 21, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, E1/2NE1/4,
are described as follows: for competitive lease sale notices and and E1/2SE1/4;
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_28095/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:27:58
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:27:58
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Availability. | |
| Dates | The date and locations of the public meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through notices in the following local newspapers: Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review Journal and the Moapa Valley Progress and on the following Web site: www.AiyaSolarProjectEIS.com. In order to be fully considered, written comments on the DEIS must arrive no later than 45 days after EPA publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. | |
| Contact | Mr. Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional Office, Branch of Environmental Quality Services, 2600 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-3008, telephone (602) 379-6782; or Mr. Garry Cantley at (602) 379-6750. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 28001 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR