80 FR 31022 - Proposed Monterey Bay Regional Water Project Desalination Facility; Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement; Scoping Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 104 (June 1, 2015)

Page Range		31022-31023
FR Document		2015-12877

An application for permit approval has been submitted by DeepWater Desal, LLC to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) and California State Lands Commission (CSLC) to construct and operate a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility and co- located seawater-cooled 150-megawatt computer data center campus project (Project) at Moss Landing, Monterey County, California. The permit review process will be conducted concurrently with a public process conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). NOAA is soliciting information and comments on the range and significance of issues related to the Project proposed within MBNMS boundaries.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 104 (Monday, June 1, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 104 (Monday, June 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31022-31023]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12877]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Monterey Bay Regional Water Project Desalination 
Facility; Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement; 
Scoping Meeting

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare environmental impact statement; 
Scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: An application for permit approval has been submitted by 
DeepWater Desal, LLC to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 
(MBNMS) and California State Lands Commission (CSLC) to construct and 
operate a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility and co-
located seawater-cooled 150-megawatt computer data center campus 
project (Project) at Moss Landing, Monterey County, California. The 
permit review process will be conducted concurrently with a public 
process conducted pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and the California Environmental 
Quality Act (CEQA). NOAA is soliciting information and comments on the 
range and significance of issues related to the Project proposed within 
MBNMS boundaries.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 1, 2015. A public meeting will 
be held as detailed below:
    Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2015.
    Location: Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML), Main Building 
Conference Room.
    Address: 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039.
    Times: sessions begin at 2:00 p.m. and at 6:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by either of the following 
methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NOS-2015-0069, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields and enter or attach 
your comments.
     Mail: MBNMS Desalination Project Lead, 99 Pacific Ave, 
BLDG 455a, Monterey, CA 93940
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. ONMS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bridget Hoover at 99 Pacific Ave, BLDG 
455a, Monterey, CA 93940 or mbnms.comments@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background Information

I. Background

    An application for permit approval has been submitted by DeepWater 
Desal,

[[Page 31023]]

LLC to construct and operate a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) 
desalination facility capable of producing 25,000 acre-feet per year 
(AFY) of potable water and a co-located seawater-cooled computer data 
center campus on a 110-acre site located approximately 1.5 miles east 
of Moss Landing. Seawater intake and brine discharge pipelines would 
extend west from Moss Landing Harbor to the upper reaches of the 
submarine Monterey Canyon and the north shelf, respectively, Monterey 
Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).

II. Need for action

    This notice of intent (NOI) to prepare a draft environmental impact 
statement and conduct scoping is published in accordance with: the 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); California Public 
Resources Code section 21080.4, subdivision (a); State CEQA Guidelines 
section 15082; section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended; and the White House Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of NEPA (CEQ NEPA Regulations).
    The California State Lands Commission (CSLC) and MBNMS, as CEQA and 
NEPA lead agencies respectively, will prepare a joint Environmental 
Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) to identify and 
assess potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed 
DeepWater Desal, LLC Monterey Bay Regional Water Project (Project). 
Agencies would use the EIR/EIS to consider related permits or other 
approvals for the Project as proposed. Possible alternatives could 
include not approving the Project or approving the Project with 
additional modifications identified as part of the terms and conditions 
of a permit or other approval.
    Publication of this notice initiates the public scoping process to 
solicit public and agency comment, in writing or at the public meeting, 
regarding the full spectrum of environmental issues and concerns 
relating to the scope and content of the EIR/EIS, including:
     Analyses of the human and marine resources that could be 
affected;
     the nature and extent of the potential significant impacts 
on those resources;
     a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed action; 
and
     mitigation measures.

III. Process

    This NOI is published in conjunction with the CSLC NOI, as this is 
a joint process between NOAA/MBNMS, the lead federal agency, and the 
CSLC, the lead state agency. The two agencies will prepare a joint 
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), 
and will hold a joint public scoping meeting for the project on 
Tuesday, June 16, 2015; Sessions begin at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm, at Moss 
Landing Marine Laboratories at 8272 Moss Landing Road, CA 95039.

IV. Federal Consultations

    This notice also advises the public that NOAA will coordinate its 
consultation responsibilities under section 7 of the Endangered Species 
Act (ESA), Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) under the Magnuson Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA, 16 U.S.C. 470), and Federal 
Consistency review under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), along 
with its ongoing NEPA process including the use of NEPA documents and 
public and stakeholder meetings to also meet the requirements of other 
federal laws.
    In fulfilling its consultation responsibility under the ESA, MSA, 
NHPA, CZMA and NEPA, NOAA intends to identify consulting parties and 
involve the public in accordance with NOAA's NEPA procedures, and 
develop in consultation with identified consulting parties alternatives 
and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize or mitigate any 
adverse effects on endangered species, essential fish habitat, historic 
properties, or coastal zone management issues, and describe them in any 
environmental assessment or draft environmental impact statement.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.

    Dated: May 21, 2015.
John Armor,
Acting Director for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
[FR Doc. 2015-12877 Filed 5-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 104 / Monday, June 1, 2015 / Notices 31023

LLC to construct and operate a seawater lead state agency. The two agencies will Bass Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a
reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination prepare a joint Environmental Impact public meeting.
facility capable of producing 25,000 Report/Environmental Impact Statement DATES: The meeting will be held on
acre-feet per year (AFY) of potable water (EIR/EIS), and will hold a joint public Wednesday June 17, 2015 from 10 a.m.
and a co-located seawater-cooled scoping meeting for the project on to 4 p.m. For agenda details, see
computer data center campus on a 110- Tuesday, June 16, 2015; Sessions begin SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
acre site located approximately 1.5 at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm, at Moss ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
miles east of Moss Landing. Seawater Landing Marine Laboratories at 8272 the Double Tree by Hilton Baltimore—
intake and brine discharge pipelines Moss Landing Road, CA 95039. BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge Landing
would extend west from Moss Landing Road, Linthicum, MD 21090; telephone:
IV. Federal Consultations
Harbor to the upper reaches of the (410) 859–8400.
submarine Monterey Canyon and the This notice also advises the public
Council address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery
north shelf, respectively, Monterey Bay that NOAA will coordinate its
Management Council, 800 N. State
National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS). consultation responsibilities under
Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901;
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
II. Need for action telephone: (302) 674–2331.
(ESA), Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)
This notice of intent (NOI) to prepare under the Magnuson Stevens Fishery FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
a draft environmental impact statement Conservation and Management Act Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive
and conduct scoping is published in (MSA), section 106 of the National Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
accordance with: the California Historic Preservation Act (NHPA, 16 Management Council, telephone: (302)
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); U.S.C. 470), and Federal Consistency 526–5255.
California Public Resources Code review under the Coastal Zone SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
section 21080.4, subdivision (a); State Management Act (CZMA), along with its MAFMC’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and
CEQA Guidelines section 15082; section ongoing NEPA process including the Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel (AP) will
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental use of NEPA documents and public and meet jointly with the Atlantic States
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended; stakeholder meetings to also meet the Marine Fisheries Commission’s
and the White House Council on requirements of other federal laws. (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and
Environmental Quality Regulations for In fulfilling its consultation Black Sea Bass Advisory Panels. The
Implementing the Procedural Provisions responsibility under the ESA, MSA, purpose of this meeting is to discuss
of NEPA (CEQ NEPA Regulations). NHPA, CZMA and NEPA, NOAA recent performance of the commercial
The California State Lands intends to identify consulting parties and recreational fisheries for summer
Commission (CSLC) and MBNMS, as and involve the public in accordance flounder, scup, and black sea bass.
CEQA and NEPA lead agencies with NOAA’s NEPA procedures, and Council staff will work with the AP to
respectively, will prepare a joint develop in consultation with identified write 2015 Fishery Performance
Environmental Impact Report/ consulting parties alternatives and Reports. The MAFMC and the ASMFC
Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/ proposed measures that might avoid, will consider the Fishery Performance
EIS) to identify and assess potential minimize or mitigate any adverse effects Reports in August when setting fishery
environmental impacts associated with on endangered species, essential fish specifications (i.e. catch and landings
the proposed DeepWater Desal, LLC habitat, historic properties, or coastal limits and management measures) for
Monterey Bay Regional Water Project zone management issues, and describe 2016–18.
(Project). Agencies would use the EIR/ them in any environmental assessment
Special Accommodations
EIS to consider related permits or other or draft environmental impact
approvals for the Project as proposed. statement. The meeting is physically accessible
Possible alternatives could include not Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.
to people with disabilities. Requests for
approving the Project or approving the sign language interpretation or other
Dated: May 21, 2015. auxiliary aid should be directed to M.
Project with additional modifications
identified as part of the terms and John Armor, Jan Saunders, (302) 526–5251, at least 5
conditions of a permit or other approval. Acting Director for the Office of National days prior to the meeting date.
Publication of this notice initiates the Marine Sanctuaries.
Dated: May 26, 2015.
public scoping process to solicit public [FR Doc. 2015–12877 Filed 5–29–15; 8:45 am]
Tracey L. Thompson,
and agency comment, in writing or at BILLING CODE 3510–NK–P
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
the public meeting, regarding the full Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
spectrum of environmental issues and [FR Doc. 2015–13056 Filed 5–29–15; 8:45 am]
concerns relating to the scope and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
content of the EIR/EIS, including:
• Analyses of the human and marine National Oceanic and Atmospheric
resources that could be affected; Administration
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• the nature and extent of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
potential significant impacts on those Council; Public Meeting National Oceanic and Atmospheric
resources; Administration
• a reasonable range of alternatives to AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
the proposed action; and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Submission for OMB Review;
Lhorne on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

• mitigation measures. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Comment Request
III. Process Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting. The Department of Commerce will
This NOI is published in conjunction submit to the Office of Management and
with the CSLC NOI, as this is a joint SUMMARY:The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Budget (OMB) for clearance the
process between NOAA/MBNMS, the Management Council’s (MAFMC) following proposal for collection of
lead federal agency, and the CSLC, the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea information under the provisions of the

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:18:52
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:18:52

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 intent to prepare environmental impact statement; Scoping meeting.
Dates		Comments must be received by July 1, 2015. A public meeting will be held as detailed below:
Contact		Bridget Hoover at 99 Pacific Ave, BLDG 455a, Monterey, CA 93940 or [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 31022

80 FR 31022 - Proposed Monterey Bay Regional Water Project Desalination Facility; Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement; Scoping Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 104 (June 1, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration