81 FR 21377 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Fort Mojave Solar Project on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation, Mohave County, Arizona, and Clark County, Nevada
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 69 (April 11, 2016)
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 69 (April 11, 2016)
| Page Range | 21377-21378 | |
| FR Document | 2016-08264 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 21377-21378] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-08264] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs [167A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Fort Mojave Solar Project on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation, Mohave County, Arizona, and Clark County, Nevada AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency in cooperation with the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe (Tribe), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and other agencies, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation project on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation in Mohave County, Arizona. Associated transmission lines and substations located on Tribal trust lands, Federal lands administered and managed by BLM and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), State- administered lands, and county and private lands in Clark County, Nevada, will also be evaluated. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comment and identify potential issues related to the EIS. It also announces that two public scoping meetings will be held to identify potential issues, alternatives, and mitigation to be considered in the EIS. DATES: In order to be fully considered, written comments on the scope of the EIS or implementation of the proposal must arrive by May 11, 2016. The dates and locations of the public scoping meetings will be published in local papers (Mohave Valley Daily News, Needles Desert Star, and Laughlin Nevada Times) 15 days before the scoping meetings and will also be available on the EIS Web site at FortMojaveSolarProjectEIS.com. ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, or hand carry written comments to Mr. Chip Lewis, Regional Environmental Compliance Officer, BIA Western Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, Arizona 85004; telephone: (602) 379-6782; email: [email protected]. 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 Tribal Solar, LLC (Tribal Solar), a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Solar. If approved, these documents would allow the construction and operation of an up-to 332 megawatt (MW) alternating current solar PV electricity generation facility located entirely on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation and specifically on lands held in trust by the United States for the Tribe. The proposed generation-tie transmission lines and substations required for interconnection would be located on Tribal trust lands, Federal lands administered and managed by BLM and BOR, State-administered lands, and county and private lands in Clark County, Nevada. The BIA and BLM would additionally approve right-of-ways (ROWs) authorizing the construction and operation of the transmission line and other supporting facilities, as needed. Together, the proposed solar energy facility, transmission lines, and other associated facilities will make up the proposed solar project (Project). The proposed solar energy facility would be located on approximately 2,800 acres of Tribal trust lands leased from the Tribe out of a total of approximately 3,600 acres available under an option for lease. These lands are currently used for agriculture. The solar energy facility would include PV panels, power inverters and transformers, a 34.5 kV collection system either overhead or underground, a substation, an operations and maintenance building with parking, meteorology towers, security fencing and lighting, and other on-site facilities as required. The Project would interconnect into the existing Mohave 500 kV Switchyard located near the town of Laughlin, Nevada. As proposed, an approximately 18-mile 230 kilovolt (kV) single or multiple circuit line would be built to a new 230/500 kV substation, which would be located next to/near the Mohave 500 kV Switchyard. Here, the voltage would be stepped up to 500 kV and then a short single or multiple circuit 500 kV line would be built from the 230/500 kV substation to connect to the Mohave 500 kV Switchyard. The solar facility would be located on Tribal lands in Township 18 North, Range 22 West, Sections 3, 4, 9, and 10 and Township 19 North, Range 22 West, Sections 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 33, and 34 in Arizona. Access to the solar facility site would be provided by existing roads crossing through and next to the proposed solar facility site. Construction of the Project is expected to take approximately 18 to 32 months. Tribal Solar is expected to operate the energy facility for up to 35 years subsequent to the Project's Commercial Operations Date. No water would be used to generate electricity during operations. Water would be needed during construction for dust control and other construction activities and a minimal amount would be needed during operations. The water supply required for portions of the Project on the Reservation would be obtained from the Tribe. The purposes of the proposed actions and the Project are, among other things, to: use the Tribe's solar energy resources; provide a long-term, diverse, and viable economic revenue base, job opportunities and other benefits for the Tribe; generate clean, renewable electricity to help Southwestern states to meet their State renewable energy needs and reduce demand for generation facilities that might result in cross- border air pollution; and allow the Tribe, in partnership with Tribal Solar, to optimize the use of the lease site while maximizing the potential economic benefit to the Tribe. BIA will prepare the EIS in cooperation with the Tribe, BLM, and possibly BOR, Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State of Nevada, and Clark County, Nevada. In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will provide input on the analysis and may also serve as a cooperating agency. The resulting EIS will aim to: (1) Provide agency decision makers, the Tribe, and the general public with a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the proposed Project and alternatives on and off the Reservation; [[Page 21378]] (2) describe the cumulative impacts of development on the Reservation; and (3) identify and propose mitigation measures that would minimize or prevent significant adverse impacts. Consistent with these objectives, the EIS will analyze the proposed Project and appurtenant features, viable alternatives, and the No Action alternative. The EIS will provide a framework for BIA and BLM to make determinations and to decide whether to take the aforementioned Federal actions. In addition, BIA and BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy its obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108), as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with Departmental policy, and Tribal concerns, including potential impacts on Indian trust assets, will be given due consideration. Other Federal agencies may rely on the EIS to make decisions under their authority and the Tribe may also use the EIS to support any of their decisions. USFWS will review the EIS for consistency with the Endangered Species Act, as amended, and other implementing acts, and may rely on the EIS to support its decisions and opinions regarding the Project. Issues to be covered during the scoping process may include, but would not be limited to, Project impacts on: Air quality, geology and soils, surface and groundwater resources, biological resources, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, socioeconomic conditions, land use, aesthetics, environmental justice, climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and Indian trust resources. In addition to those already identified above, additional Federal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the BIA's decision on the proposed Project, are invited to participate in the scoping process. Submission of Public Comments Please include your name, return address, and the caption ``EIS, Fort Mojave Solar Project,'' on the first page of any written comments. You may also submit comments at the public scoping meetings or via the EIS Web site at FortMojaveSolarProjectEIS.com. The public scoping meetings will be held to further describe the Project and identify potential issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS. One public scoping meeting will be held on the Reservation and another public scoping meeting will be held in Laughlin, Nevada. The dates of the public scoping meetings will be included in notices to be posted in local papers (Mohave Valley Daily News, Needles Desert Star, and Laughlin Nevada Times) 15 days before the meetings and will also be available on the EIS Web site (FortMojaveSolarProjectEIS.com). Public Comment Availability Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the mailing address 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, phone 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. Authority This notice is published in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 of the Council of Environmental Quality regulations and 43 CFR 46.235 of the Department of the Interior Regulations implementing the procedural requirements of the 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 31, 2016. Lawrence S. Roberts, Acting Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2016-08264 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices 21377
comment—including your personal DATES: In order to be fully considered, The Project would interconnect into
identifying information— may be made written comments on the scope of the the existing Mohave 500 kV Switchyard
publicly available at any time. While EIS or implementation of the proposal located near the town of Laughlin,
you can ask us in your comment to must arrive by May 11, 2016. The dates Nevada. As proposed, an approximately
withhold your personal identifying and locations of the public scoping 18-mile 230 kilovolt (kV) single or
information from public review, we meetings will be published in local multiple circuit line would be built to
cannot guarantee that we will be able to papers (Mohave Valley Daily News, a new 230/500 kV substation, which
do so. Needles Desert Star, and Laughlin would be located next to/near the
Authority: This notice is published in Nevada Times) 15 days before the Mohave 500 kV Switchyard. Here, the
accordance with Section 1503.1 of the scoping meetings and will also be voltage would be stepped up to 500 kV
Council on Environmental Quality available on the EIS Web site at and then a short single or multiple
regulations (40 CFR part 1500 et seq.) and the FortMojaveSolarProjectEIS.com. circuit 500 kV line would be built from
Department of the Interior Regulations (43 ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, or the 230/500 kV substation to connect to
CFR part 46) implementing the procedural
hand carry written comments to Mr. the Mohave 500 kV Switchyard.
requirements of the National Environmental The solar facility would be located on
Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
Chip Lewis, Regional Environmental
Compliance Officer, BIA Western Tribal lands in Township 18 North,
seq.), and in accordance with the authority Range 22 West, Sections 3, 4, 9, and 10
delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Regional Office, 2600 North Central
Avenue, 4th Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, and Township 19 North, Range 22 West,
Affairs in Part 209 of the Department Manual.
Arizona 85004; telephone: (602) 379– Sections 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 33,
Dated: April 5, 2016. and 34 in Arizona. Access to the solar
6782; email: chip.lewis@bia.gov.
Michael S. Black, facility site would be provided by
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs. existing roads crossing through and next
proposed Federal action, taken under 25 to the proposed solar facility site.
[FR Doc. 2016–08260 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am]
U.S.C. 415, is BIA’s approval of a solar Construction of the Project is expected
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P energy ground lease and associated to take approximately 18 to 32 months.
agreements entered into by the Tribe Tribal Solar is expected to operate the
with Tribal Solar, LLC (Tribal Solar), a energy facility for up to 35 years
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR wholly-owned subsidiary of First Solar. subsequent to the Project’s Commercial
Bureau of Indian Affairs If approved, these documents would Operations Date. No water would be
allow the construction and operation of used to generate electricity during
[167A2100DD/AAKC001030/ an up-to 332 megawatt (MW) alternating
A0A501010.999900] operations. Water would be needed
current solar PV electricity generation during construction for dust control and
facility located entirely on the Fort other construction activities and a
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Mojave Indian Reservation and minimal amount would be needed
Environmental Impact Statement for
specifically on lands held in trust by the during operations. The water supply
the Fort Mojave Solar Project on the
United States for the Tribe. The required for portions of the Project on
Fort Mojave Indian Reservation,
proposed generation-tie transmission the Reservation would be obtained from
Mohave County, Arizona, and Clark
lines and substations required for the Tribe.
County, Nevada
interconnection would be located on The purposes of the proposed actions
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribal trust lands, Federal lands and the Project are, among other things,
Interior. administered and managed by BLM and to: use the Tribe’s solar energy
ACTION: Notice. BOR, State-administered lands, and resources; provide a long-term, diverse,
county and private lands in Clark and viable economic revenue base, job
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs County, Nevada. The BIA and BLM opportunities and other benefits for the
(BIA), as lead agency in cooperation would additionally approve right-of- Tribe; generate clean, renewable
with the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe ways (ROWs) authorizing the electricity to help Southwestern states
(Tribe), the Bureau of Land Management construction and operation of the to meet their State renewable energy
(BLM), and other agencies, intends to transmission line and other supporting needs and reduce demand for
prepare an Environmental Impact facilities, as needed. Together, the generation facilities that might result in
Statement (EIS) that will evaluate a proposed solar energy facility, cross-border air pollution; and allow the
photovoltaic (PV) solar energy transmission lines, and other associated Tribe, in partnership with Tribal Solar,
generation project on the Fort Mojave facilities will make up the proposed to optimize the use of the lease site
Indian Reservation in Mohave County, solar project (Project). while maximizing the potential
Arizona. Associated transmission lines The proposed solar energy facility economic benefit to the Tribe.
and substations located on Tribal trust would be located on approximately BIA will prepare the EIS in
lands, Federal lands administered and 2,800 acres of Tribal trust lands leased cooperation with the Tribe, BLM, and
managed by BLM and Bureau of from the Tribe out of a total of possibly BOR, Army Corps of Engineers,
Reclamation (BOR), State-administered approximately 3,600 acres available Environmental Protection Agency
lands, and county and private lands in under an option for lease. These lands (EPA), State of Nevada, and Clark
Clark County, Nevada, will also be are currently used for agriculture. The County, Nevada. In addition, the U.S.
evaluated. solar energy facility would include PV Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
This notice announces the beginning panels, power inverters and provide input on the analysis and may
of the scoping process to solicit public transformers, a 34.5 kV collection also serve as a cooperating agency. The
comment and identify potential issues system either overhead or underground, resulting EIS will aim to: (1) Provide
related to the EIS. It also announces that a substation, an operations and agency decision makers, the Tribe, and
two public scoping meetings will be maintenance building with parking, the general public with a
held to identify potential issues, meteorology towers, security fencing comprehensive understanding of the
alternatives, and mitigation to be and lighting, and other on-site facilities impacts of the proposed Project and
considered in the EIS. as required. alternatives on and off the Reservation;
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![21378 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices
(2) describe the cumulative impacts of Nevada. The dates of the public scoping meeting will be held in the Iñupiat
development on the Reservation; and (3) meetings will be included in notices to Heritage Center, 5421 Northstar St.,
identify and propose mitigation be posted in local papers (Mohave Barrow, AK 99723. The meeting will
measures that would minimize or Valley Daily News, Needles Desert Star, begin on Monday, May 9, 2016, at 1:00
prevent significant adverse impacts. and Laughlin Nevada Times) 15 days p.m. and again on Tuesday, May 10, at
Consistent with these objectives, the EIS before the meetings and will also be 8:30 a.m. There will be an opportunity
will analyze the proposed Project and available on the EIS Web site for public comment from 4:30 to 5:00
appurtenant features, viable (FortMojaveSolarProjectEIS.com). p.m. on Monday, May 9. Depending on
alternatives, and the No Action the number of persons wishing to
Public Comment Availability
alternative. comment and time available, the time
The EIS will provide a framework for Comments, including names and for individual oral comments may be
BIA and BLM to make determinations addresses of respondents, will be limited.
and to decide whether to take the available for public review at the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
aforementioned Federal actions. In mailing address shown in the
Denny Lassuy, Acting Director, North
addition, BIA and BLM will use and ADDRESSES section during regular
Slope Science Initiative, Bureau of Land
coordinate the NEPA commenting business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Management, 222 W. Seventh Avenue,
process to satisfy its obligations under Monday through Friday, except
#13, Anchorage, AK 99513, (907) 271–
Section 106 of the National Historic holidays. Before including your address,
3212 or email dlassuy@blm.gov. Persons
Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. phone number, email address, or other
who use a telecommunications device
306108), as provided for in 36 CFR personal identifying information in your for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal comment, you should be aware that Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
consultations will be conducted in your entire comment—including your 800–877–8339 to contact the above
accordance with Departmental policy, personal identifying information—may individual during normal business
and Tribal concerns, including potential be made publicly available at any time. hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a
impacts on Indian trust assets, will be day, seven days a week, to leave a
Authority
given due consideration. Other Federal message or question with the above
agencies may rely on the EIS to make This notice is published in
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 of the individual. You will receive a reply
decisions under their authority and the during normal business hours.
Tribe may also use the EIS to support Council of Environmental Quality
regulations and 43 CFR 46.235 of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NSSI
any of their decisions. USFWS will
review the EIS for consistency with the Department of the Interior Regulations STAP provides advice and
Endangered Species Act, as amended, implementing the procedural recommendations to the NSSI Oversight
and other implementing acts, and may requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. Group regarding priority information
rely on the EIS to support its decisions 4321 et seq.), and in accordance with needs for management decisions across
and opinions regarding the Project. the exercise of authority delegated to the the North Slope of Alaska. These
Issues to be covered during the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by priority information needs may include
scoping process may include, but would part 209 of the Department Manual. recommendations on inventory,
not be limited to, Project impacts on: monitoring, and research activities that
Dated: March 31, 2016.
Air quality, geology and soils, surface contribute to informed resource
Lawrence S. Roberts, management decisions. This meeting
and groundwater resources, biological
Acting Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. will include interagency coordination
resources, threatened and endangered
[FR Doc. 2016–08264 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] on planned 2016 and 2017 research and
species, cultural resources,
socioeconomic conditions, land use, BILLING CODE 4337–15–P monitoring projects, plus discussions
aesthetics, environmental justice, and updates on the ongoing North Slope
climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) Development Scenarios Project, the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Arctic Waterway Safety Committee’s
emissions, and Indian trust resources. In
addition to those already identified effort to develop a communications
Bureau of Land Management
above, additional Federal, State, and protocol to reduce potential conflicts
local agencies, along with other [16X LLAK910000.L13100000.DB0000. between research vessels and
LXSINSSI0000] subsistence users, and a Barrow Area
stakeholders that may be interested in or
affected by the BIA’s decision on the Information Database presentation on
Notice of Public Meeting, North Slope their Decision Support Tools
proposed Project, are invited to Science Initiative—Science Technical
participate in the scoping process. Development project. Individuals who
Advisory Panel plan to attend and need special
Submission of Public Comments AGENCY: North Slope Science Initiative, assistance, such as sign language
Please include your name, return Bureau of Land Management Alaska, interpretation, transportation, or other
address, and the caption ‘‘EIS, Fort Interior. reasonable accommodations, should
Mojave Solar Project,’’ on the first page ACTION: Notice of public meeting. contact the NSSI Director. The public
of any written comments. You may also may present written comments to the
submit comments at the public scoping SUMMARY: In accordance with the STAP through the NSSI Acting Director.
meetings or via the EIS Web site at Federal Land Policy and Management Before including your address, phone
Act and the Federal Advisory
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
FortMojaveSolarProjectEIS.com. number, email address, or other
The public scoping meetings will be Committee Act, the U.S. Department of personal identifying information in your
held to further describe the Project and the Interior, North Slope Science comment, you should be aware that
identify potential issues and alternatives Initiative (NSSI)—Science Technical your entire comment—including your
to be considered in the EIS. One public Advisory Panel (STAP) will meet as personal identifying information—may
scoping meeting will be held on the indicated below. be made publicly available. While you
Reservation and another public scoping DATES: The meeting will be held May 9– can ask us in your comment to withhold
meeting will be held in Laughlin, 10, 2016, in Barrow, Alaska. The your personal identifying information
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Document Created: 2016-04-09 00:11:10
Document Modified: 2016-04-09 00:11:10
| 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. | |
| Dates | In order to be fully considered, written comments on the scope of the EIS or implementation of the proposal must arrive by May 11, 2016. The dates and locations of the public scoping meetings will be published in local papers (Mohave Valley Daily News, Needles Desert Star, and Laughlin Nevada Times) 15 days before the scoping meetings and will also be available on the EIS Web site at FortMojaveSolarProjectEIS.com. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 21377 |
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