81 FR 52900 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the West of Devers Upgrade Project, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 154 (August 10, 2016)

Page Range		52900-52901
FR Document		2016-18992

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West of Devers Upgrade Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52900-52901]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18992]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCAD06000.L51010000. ER0000.15X LVRWB15B5410]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the West of Devers Upgrade Project, Riverside and San 
Bernardino Counties, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West of Devers 
Upgrade Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a 
minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS for the Project are available for 
public inspection at the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 
1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, and to the BLM 
California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, 
Moreno Valley, CA 92553. Interested persons may also review the Final 
EIS on the Internet at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings/transmission/WestOfDeversProject.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank McMenimen, Project Manager, 
telephone 760-833-7150; address 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, 
CA 92262; email [email protected] or [email protected]. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to 
contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is 
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question 
with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal 
business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southern California Edison (SCE) proposes to 
upgrade and adjust the routes of the following existing 220 kV 
transmission lines within SCE's existing West of Devers right-of-way 
corridor in incorporated and unincorporated areas of Riverside and San 
Bernardino counties: Devers-El Casco, El Casco-San Bernardino, Devers-
San Bernardino, Devers-Vista No. 1 and No. 2, Etiwanda-San Bernardino, 
and San Bernardino-Vista.
    Of the overall 48-mile length of the transmission corridor, about 6 
miles would cross Trust Lands (Reservation) of the Morongo Band of 
Mission Indians, and about 1 mile is on BLM-administered public lands. 
The BLM lands are located east of the City of Banning and west of the 
City of Desert Hot Springs in Riverside County, California. In addition 
to the transmission line improvements, substation equipment at Devers, 
El Casco, Etiwanda, San Bernardino, Timoteo and Tennessee and Vista 
Substations would be upgraded to accommodate the project changes to 
transmission and subtransmission systems. Construction of the Project 
would facilitate the full deliverability of new renewable energy 
generation resources now being developed in eastern Riverside County, 
including the BLM's Riverside East Solar Energy Zone, into the Los 
Angeles area.
    As a result, the Project would facilitate progress towards meeting 
California's Renewable Portfolio Standard goals, which now require 
utilities to produce 50 percent of their electricity sales from 
renewable energy sources by 2030, as well as President Obama's Climate 
Action Plan, which directs the Department of the Interior to approve at 
least 20,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity on public lands by 
2020. Utility-scale solar energy development in eastern Riverside 
County plays an important role in meeting California's renewable energy 
goals, allowing for immediate and sizeable deployment, driving costs 
down and taking advantage of the State's best renewable energy 
resources. Additionally, these upgrades are required to comply with 
transmission reliability standards and will support integration of 
small scale electricity generation.
    In addition to the Proposed Action, the Final EIS considers three 
project alternatives and a No Action Alternative, as well as connected 
actions enabled by the project. The first alternative, the Tower 
Relocation Alternative, moves some proposed towers away from 
residences. The

[[Page 52901]]

second alternative, the Iowa Street 66 kV Underground Alternative, 
would place a small portion of the subtransmission line underground. 
The third alternative, the Phased Build Alternative, would retain some 
of the existing towers, use a different conductor type, and have 
smaller capacity than the proposed Project.
    The Final EIS evaluates the potential impacts of the project and 
alternatives on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, 
water resources, geological resources and hazards, land use, noise, 
paleontological resources, public health, socioeconomics, soils, 
traffic and transportation, visual resources, wilderness 
characteristics, and other resources. Mitigation measures are included 
to conserve priority habitat in the region, including requirements to 
restore, compensate, and minimize native vegetation and habitat loss; 
not allow for a net loss for jurisdictional waters and wetlands; and 
ensure compliance with two regional Multiple Species Habitat 
Conservation Plans.
    In accordance with Department of the Interior regulations (43 CFR 
46.425), the BLM identified a preferred alternative in the Final EIS 
based on feedback on the Draft Joint Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/
EIS from the public and cooperating agencies. The BLM preferred 
alternative is the Proposed Action with incorporation of the Tower 
Relocation Alternative and the Iowa Street 66 kV Underground 
Alternative.
    The BLM will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD) for the proposed 
project after a 30-day period following publication of the NOA.
    Comments on the Draft Joint EIR/EIS received from the public and 
internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate 
into the Final EIS. Public comments resulted in the addition of 
clarifying text, but did not significantly change the analysis or 
conclusions presented in the Draft EIR/EIS.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-18992 Filed 8-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-40-P

52900 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices

will take an additional 10 minutes to Legal Authority: Migratory Bird Treaty SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southern
complete the survey for a second Act of 1918 (MBTA), codified at 16 U.S.C. California Edison (SCE) proposes to
species. 703–712. upgrade and adjust the routes of the
Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 106 John Thompson, following existing 220 kV transmission
hours. Deputy Chief, U.S. Geological Survey, lines within SCE’s existing West of
Estimated Reporting and Cooperative Research Units. Devers right-of-way corridor in
Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’ incorporated and unincorporated areas
[FR Doc. 2016–18928 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
Burden: There are no ‘‘non-hour cost’’ of Riverside and San Bernardino
BILLING CODE 4338–11–P
burdens associated with this collection counties: Devers-El Casco, El Casco-San
of information. Bernardino, Devers-San Bernardino,
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA Devers-Vista No. 1 and No. 2, Etiwanda-
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
San Bernardino, and San Bernardino-
agency may not conduct or sponsor and Bureau of Land Management Vista.
you are not required to respond to a Of the overall 48-mile length of the
collection of information unless it [LLCAD06000.L51010000. ER0000.15X transmission corridor, about 6 miles
displays a currently valid OMB control LVRWB15B5410]
would cross Trust Lands (Reservation)
number. Until the OMB approves a of the Morongo Band of Mission
collection of information, you are not Notice of Availability of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for Indians, and about 1 mile is on BLM-
obliged to respond. administered public lands. The BLM
Comments: On 10/30/2015, we the West of Devers Upgrade Project,
Riverside and San Bernardino lands are located east of the City of
published a Federal Register notice (80 Banning and west of the City of Desert
FR 66931) announcing that we would Counties, CA
Hot Springs in Riverside County,
submit this ICR to OMB for approval AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, California. In addition to the
and soliciting comments. The comment Interior. transmission line improvements,
period closed on 12/29/2015. USGS substation equipment at Devers, El
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
received one public comment regarding Casco, Etiwanda, San Bernardino,
the general hardship of birdlife and a SUMMARY: In accordance with the Timoteo and Tennessee and Vista
statement that no information needed to National Environmental Policy Act of Substations would be upgraded to
be collected because the information 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land accommodate the project changes to
was already collected by every state. Management (BLM) has prepared a transmission and subtransmission
This latter statement was not correct as Final Environmental Impact Statement systems. Construction of the Project
we found when we queried five (EIS) for the West of Devers Upgrade would facilitate the full deliverability of
professional waterfowl biologists asking Project and by this notice is announcing new renewable energy generation
whether any similar surveys to ours its availability. resources now being developed in
were being, or had been, conducted and DATES: The BLM will not issue a final eastern Riverside County, including the
all said they knew of none and that our decision on the proposal for a minimum BLM’s Riverside East Solar Energy
survey work would be useful. of 30 days after the date that the Zone, into the Los Angeles area.
Environmental Protection Agency As a result, the Project would
III. Request for Comments
publishes its Notice of Availability in facilitate progress towards meeting
We again invite comments concerning California’s Renewable Portfolio
the Federal Register.
this ICR as to: (a) Whether the proposed Standard goals, which now require
collection of information is necessary ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS for
utilities to produce 50 percent of their
for the agency to perform its duties, the Project are available for public electricity sales from renewable energy
including whether the information is inspection at the BLM Palm Springs- sources by 2030, as well as President
useful; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which
estimate of the burden of the proposed Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, directs the Department of the Interior to
collection of information; (c) how to and to the BLM California Desert approve at least 20,000 megawatts of
enhance the quality, usefulness, and District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan De renewable energy capacity on public
clarity of the information to be Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553. lands by 2020. Utility-scale solar energy
collected; and (d) how to minimize the Interested persons may also review the development in eastern Riverside
burden on the respondents, including Final EIS on the Internet at http:// County plays an important role in
the use of automated collection www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings/ meeting California’s renewable energy
techniques or other forms of information transmission/WestOfDeversProject.html. goals, allowing for immediate and
technology. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: sizeable deployment, driving costs
Please note that comments submitted Frank McMenimen, Project Manager, down and taking advantage of the
in response to this notice are a matter telephone 760–833–7150; address 1201 State’s best renewable energy resources.
of public record. Before including your Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA Additionally, these upgrades are
personal mailing address, phone 92262; email fmcmenimen@blm.gov or required to comply with transmission
number, email address, or other blm_ca_west_of_devers@blm.gov. reliability standards and will support
personally identifiable information in Persons who use a telecommunications integration of small scale electricity
your comment, you should be aware device for the deaf (TDD) may call the generation.
that your entire comment, including Federal Information Relay Service In addition to the Proposed Action,
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

your personally identifiable (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the the Final EIS considers three project
information, may be made publicly above individual during normal alternatives and a No Action
available at any time. While you can ask business hours. The FIRS is available 24 Alternative, as well as connected
us and the OMB in your comment to hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a actions enabled by the project. The first
withhold your personal identifying message or question with the above alternative, the Tower Relocation
information from public review, we individual. You will receive a reply Alternative, moves some proposed
cannot guarantee that it will be done. during normal business hours. towers away from residences. The

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 154 / Wednesday, August 10, 2016 / Notices 52901

second alternative, the Iowa Street 66 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Pike County
kV Underground Alternative, would Paupack School, 545 PA 507, Palmyra
place a small portion of the National Park Service Township, 16000573
subtransmission line underground. The [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–21559; TEXAS
third alternative, the Phased Build PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000]
Harris County
Alternative, would retain some of the
existing towers, use a different National Register of Historic Places; Southwestern Bell Capitol Main Office, 1121
conductor type, and have smaller Notification of Pending Nominations Capitol St. & 1114 Texas Ave., Houston,
and Related Actions 16000574
capacity than the proposed Project.
WISCONSIN
The Final EIS evaluates the potential AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
impacts of the project and alternatives ACTION: Notice. Rock County
on air quality, biological resources, Haven—Crandall House, 220 S. Janesville St.,
cultural resources, water resources, SUMMARY: The National Park Service is Milton, 16000575
geological resources and hazards, land soliciting comments on the significance
Authority: 60.13 of 36 CFR part 60.
use, noise, paleontological resources, of properties nominated before July 16,
2016, for listing or related actions in the Dated: July 18, 2016.
public health, socioeconomics, soils,
National Register of Historic Places. J. Paul Loether,
traffic and transportation, visual
DATES: Comments should be submitted Chief, National Register of Historic Places/
resources, wilderness characteristics, National Historic Landmarks Program.
and other resources. Mitigation by August 25, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via [FR Doc. 2016–18930 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am]
measures are included to conserve
priority habitat in the region, including U.S. Postal Service to the National BILLING CODE 4312–51–P

requirements to restore, compensate, Register of Historic Places, National
and minimize native vegetation and Park Service, 1849 C St. NW., MS 2280,
Washington, DC 20240; by all other DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
habitat loss; not allow for a net loss for
jurisdictional waters and wetlands; and carriers, National Register of Historic National Park Service
ensure compliance with two regional Places, National Park Service, 1201 Eye
St. NW., 8th floor, Washington, DC [NPS–WASO–PPFL–LRD–21603;
Multiple Species Habitat Conservation PS.SPPFL0070.00.1.]
20005; or by fax, 202–371–6447.
Plans.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Information Collection;
In accordance with Department of the properties listed in this notice are being
Interior regulations (43 CFR 46.425), the National Park Service Relocation
considered for listing or related actions Assistance and Real Property
BLM identified a preferred alternative in in the National Register of Historic
the Final EIS based on feedback on the Acquisition Program
Places. Nominations for their
Draft Joint Environmental Impact Report consideration were received by the AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
(EIR)/EIS from the public and National Park Service before July 16, ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
cooperating agencies. The BLM 2016. Pursuant to section 60.13 of 36
preferred alternative is the Proposed CFR part 60, written comments are SUMMARY: We (National Park Service,
Action with incorporation of the Tower being accepted concerning the NPS) will ask the Office of Management
Relocation Alternative and the Iowa significance of the nominated properties and Budget (OMB) to approve the
Street 66 kV Underground Alternative. under the National Register criteria for information collection (IC) described
evaluation. below. To comply with the Paperwork
The BLM will prepare a Record of Reduction Act of 1995 and as a part of
Decision (ROD) for the proposed project Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other our continuing efforts to reduce
after a 30-day period following paperwork and respondent burden, we
personal identifying information in your
publication of the NOA. invite the general public and other
comment, you should be aware that
Comments on the Draft Joint EIR/EIS your entire comment—including your Federal agencies to comment on this IC.
received from the public and internal personal identifying information—may We may not conduct or sponsor and a
BLM review were considered and be made publicly available at any time. person is not required to respond to a
incorporated as appropriate into the While you can ask us in your comment collection unless it displays a currently
Final EIS. Public comments resulted in to withhold your personal identifying valid OMB control number.
the addition of clarifying text, but did information from public review, we DATES: Please submit your comment on
not significantly change the analysis or cannot guarantee that we will be able to or before October 11, 2016.
conclusions presented in the Draft EIR/ do so. ADDRESSES: Please send your comments
EIS. MASSACHUSETTS on the ICR to Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10. Bristol County Officer, National Park Service, 12201
Thomas Pogacnik, Rhodes, M.M. and Sons Co., 12 Porter St., Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 242,
Deputy State Director. Taunton, 16000570 Reston, VA 20192 (mail); or madonna_
[FR Doc. 2016–18992 Filed 8–9–16; 8:45 am] PENNSYLVANIA baucum@nps.gov (email). Please
reference ‘‘1024–New LRD’’ in the
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

BILLING CODE 4310–40–P Bucks County subject line.
Perkasie Park Camp Meeting, 200 S. 9th St., FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe
Perkasie, 16000571 Cook, Realty Specialist, National Park
Philadelphia County Service, Land Resources Division, 1201
Progress Lighting Manufacturing Company, I Street NW., Washington, DC 20005;
1401–1409 Germantown Ave., joe_cook@nps.gov (email); or (202) 513–
Philadelphia, 16000572 7029 (phone).

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Document Created: 2016-08-10 01:59:39
Document Modified: 2016-08-10 01:59:39

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 BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
Contact		Frank McMenimen, Project Manager,
FR Citation		81 FR 52900

81 FR 52900 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the West of Devers Upgrade Project, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 154 (August 10, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management