81 FR 12746 - Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Aiya Solar Project, Clark County, Nevada

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 47 (March 10, 2016)

Page Range		12746-12746
FR Document		2016-05458

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), 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 final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the proposed Aiya Solar Project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada. This notice announces that the FEIS is now available for public review.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 12746]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05458]



[[Page 12746]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[167A2100DD/AAKC001030/AOA501010.999900]


Final 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), 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 
final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the proposed Aiya Solar 
Project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada. 
This notice announces that the FEIS is now available for public review.

DATES: The Record of Decision on the proposed action will be issued no 
sooner than 30 days after EPA publishes a Notice of Availability in the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: You may request a compact disk copy of the FEIS by providing 
your name and address in writing or by voicemail 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 FEIS 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 FEIS is also available on line at: www.AiyaSolarProjectEIS.com. 
Individual paper copies of the FEIS 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 Moapa River Indian Reservation and specifically on lands held in 
trust by the United States 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 the BIA and BLM additionally approve rights-of-way 
(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. An 
overhead 230 kV generation-tie transmission line, approximately 2.7 
miles long, would connect the solar project to NV Energy's Reid-Gardner 
230kV substation.
    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 Moapa Band 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; 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; and the USFWS may use the EIS to support its decision under 
the Endangered Species Act.

    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 NEPA 
(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: March 1, 2016.
Lawrence S. Roberts,
Acting Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2016-05458 Filed 3-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4337-15-P

12746 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 2016 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR energy ground lease and associated ground pipeline approximately two
agreements entered into by the Tribe miles in length. Operational water
Bureau of Indian Affairs with Aiya Solar Project, LLC (Aiya Solar would be provided through a tap into an
[167A2100DD/AAKC001030/AOA501010. or Applicant), a wholly owned existing water pipeline that crosses the
999900] subsidiary of First Solar, Inc. (First solar site. Access to the Project will be
Solar), to provide for construction and provided via State Highway 168.
Final Environmental Impact Statement operation of an up-to 100 megawatt The purposes of the Project are to: (1)
for the Proposed Aiya Solar Project, (MW) alternating current solar Provide a long-term, diverse, and viable
Clark County, Nevada photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation economic revenue base and job
facility located entirely on the Moapa opportunities for the Tribe; (2) help
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, River Indian Reservation and Nevada and neighboring states to meet
Interior. specifically on lands held in trust by the their state renewable energy needs; and
ACTION: Notice of availability. United States for the Tribe. The (3) allow the Tribe, in partnership with
proposed 230 kilovolt (kV) generation- the Applicant, to optimize the use of the
SUMMARY: In accordance with the tie transmission line required for lease site while maximizing the
National Environmental Policy Act interconnection would be located on potential economic benefit to the Tribe.
(NEPA), the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal lands, private lands and Federal The BIA and BLM will use the EIS to
(BIA), as the lead Federal agency, with lands administered and managed by make decisions on the land lease and
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), BLM. The Applicant has accordingly ROW applications under their
Environmental Protection Agency requested that the BIA and BLM respective jurisdiction; EPA may use the
(EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service additionally approve rights-of-way document to make decisions under its
(USFWS), and the Moapa Band of Paiute (ROWs) authorizing the construction authorities; the Tribe may use the EIS to
Indians (Tribe) as Cooperating Agencies, and operation of the transmission line. make decisions under its Tribal
has prepared a final environmental Together, the proposed solar energy Environmental Policy Ordinance; and
impact statement (FEIS) for the facility, transmission line, and other the USFWS may use the EIS to support
proposed Aiya Solar Project on the associated facilities make up the its decision under the Endangered
Moapa River Indian Reservation in proposed Aiya Solar Project (Project). Species Act.
Clark County, Nevada. This notice The Project would be located in
announces that the FEIS is now Township 14 South, Range 66 East, Authority: This notice is published in
available for public review. accordance with section 1503.1 of the
Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32 Mount
Council on Environmental Quality
DATES: The Record of Decision on the Diablo Meridian, Nevada. The regulations (40 CFR part 1500 et seq.) and the
proposed action will be issued no generation facility would generate Department of the Interior Regulations (43
sooner than 30 days after EPA publishes electricity using PV panels. Also CFR part 46) implementing the procedural
a Notice of Availability in the Federal included would be inverters, a requirements of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
Register. collection system, an on-site substation seq.), and in accordance with the exercise of
ADDRESSES: You may request a compact to step-up the voltage to transmission authority delegated to the Assistant
level voltage at 230 kV, an operations Secretary—Indian Affairs by part 209 of the
disk copy of the FEIS by providing your
and maintenance building, and other Department Manual.
name and address in writing or by
voicemail to Mr. Chip Lewis, Acting related facilities. An overhead 230 kV Dated: March 1, 2016.
Regional Environmental Protection generation-tie transmission line, Lawrence S. Roberts,
Officer, BIA Western Regional Office, approximately 2.7 miles long, would Acting Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
Branch of Environmental Quality connect the solar project to NV Energy’s [FR Doc. 2016–05458 Filed 3–9–16; 8:45 am]
Services, 2600 North Central Avenue, Reid-Gardner 230kV substation.
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
4th Floor Mail Room, Phoenix, Arizona Construction of the Project is
85004–3008; fax (602) 379–3833; email: expected to take approximately 12 to 15
chip.lewis@bia.gov. The FEIS will be months. The Applicant is expected to DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
available for review at: BIA Western operate the energy facility for 30 years,
Regional Office, 2600 North Central with two options to renew the lease for Bureau of Indian Affairs
an additional 10 years, if mutually
Avenue, 12th Floor, Suite 210, Phoenix,
acceptable to the Tribe and Applicant. [167 A2100DD/AAKC001030/
Arizona; BIA Southern Paiute Agency,
During construction, the PV panels will A0A501010.999900]
180 North 200 East, Suite 111, St.
be placed on top of fixed-tilt and/or
George, Utah; and the BLM Southern Indian Gaming; Extension of Tribal-
single-axis tracking mounting systems
Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey State Class III Gaming Compact
that are set on steel posts embedded in
Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada. The (Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the State of
the ground. Other foundation design
FEIS is also available on line at: South Dakota)
techniques may be used depending on
www.AiyaSolarProjectEIS.com.
the site topography and conditions. No
Individual paper copies of the FEIS will AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs,
water will be used to generate electricity
be provided only upon request. during operations. Water will be needed Interior.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. during construction for dust control and ACTION: Notice.
Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional a minimal amount will be needed
Office, Branch of Environmental Quality SUMMARY: This notice announces the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

during operations for landscape
Services, 2600 North Central Avenue, irrigation and administrative and extension of the Class III gaming
Phoenix, Arizona 85004–3008, sanitary water use on site. The water compact between the Rosebud Sioux
telephone (602) 379–6782; or Mr. Garry supply required for construction of the Tribe and the State of South Dakota.
Cantley at (602) 379–6750. Project would be leased from the Moapa DATES: Effective March 10, 2016.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Band and would be provided via a new FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
proposed Federal action, taken under 25 temporary intake installed in the Muddy Paula L. Hart, Director, Office of Indian
U.S.C. 415, is BIA’s approval of a solar River and a new temporary above- Gaming, Office of the Assistant

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Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:11:59
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:11:59

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 Record of Decision on the proposed action will be issued no sooner than 30 days after EPA publishes a 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		81 FR 12746

81 FR 12746 - Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Aiya Solar Project, Clark County, Nevada

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Indian Affairs

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 47 (March 10, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs