81 FR 58496 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Legislative Environmental Impact Statement for the Nevada Test and Training Range Military Land Withdrawal at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Air Force Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 165 (August 25, 2016)
Air Force
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 165 (August 25, 2016)
| Page Range | 58496-58497 | |
| FR Document | 2016-20401 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 165 (Thursday, August 25, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 58496-58497] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-20401] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Air Force Notice of Intent To Prepare a Legislative Environmental Impact Statement for the Nevada Test and Training Range Military Land Withdrawal at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada AGENCY: United States Air Force (lead agency) and Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of Energy, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and Nevada Department of Wildlife (cooperating agencies) ACTION: Notice of Intent ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The United States Air Force (Air Force) is issuing this notice to notify the public of its intent to prepare a Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (LEIS) for the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) military land withdrawal at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The LEIS is being prepared in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969; 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 1500-1508, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA; and the Air Force Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) [32 CFR part 989]. This notice also serves to invite early public and agency participation in determining the scope of environmental issues and alternatives to be analyzed in the LEIS and to identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues which are not significant. To effectively define the full range of issues and concerns to be evaluated in the LEIS, the Air Force is soliciting scoping comments from interested local, state and federal agencies, interested American Indian tribes, and interested members of the public. This NOI also serves to provide early notice of compliance with Executive Order (EO) 11990, ``Protection of Wetlands'' and EO 11988, ``Floodplain Management.'' State and federal regulatory agencies with special expertise in wetlands and floodplains have been contacted to request comment. Scoping comments may be submitted to the Air Force at the planned public scoping meetings and/or in writing. DATES: The Air Force plans to hold five public scoping meetings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., on the dates and at the locations listed below.Wednesday, October 12, 2016: Beatty Community Center, 100 A Avenue South, Beatty, NV 89003 Thursday, October 13, 2016: Tonopah Convention Center, 301 Brougher Avenue, Tonopah, NV 89049 Tuesday, October 18, 2016: Caliente Elementary School, 289 Lincoln Street, Caliente, NV 89008 Wednesday, October 19, 2016: Pahranagat Valley High School, 151 S. Main Street, Alamo, NV 89001 Thursday, October 20, 2016: Aliante Hotel, 7300 Aliante Parkway, North Las Vegas, NV 89084 The agenda for each scoping meeting is as follows: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.--Open House and comment submission 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.--Air Force Presentation 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.--Open House and comment submission resumes Local notices announcing scheduled dates, locations, and addresses for each meeting will be published in the Bullseye, Pahrump Valley Times, Lincoln County Record, Tonopah Times-Bonanza, and Las Vegas Review- Journal newspapers a minimum of fifteen (15) days prior to each meeting. Comments will be accepted at any time during the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP). However, to ensure the Air Force has sufficient time to consider public input in the preparation of the Draft LEIS, scoping comments must be submitted no later than December 10, 2016. ADDRESSES: Information on the NTTR Military Land Withdrawal and LEIS process can be accessed at the project Web site at www.nttrleis.com. The project Web site can be used to submit scoping comments to the Air Force, or comments and inquiries may also be submitted by mail or email to the 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, 4430 Grissom Ave., Ste. 107, Nellis AFB, NV 89191 or by email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current NTTR land withdrawal expires in November, 2021. In accordance with the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999, the Air Force has notified Congress of a continuing military need for the NTTR withdrawal. Military land withdrawal applications have been prepared and submitted to Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The segregation of lands proposed for military withdrawal are addressed in a separate BLM Federal Register notice. The Air Force LEIS supports Congressional decision-making for the proposed military land withdrawal and will be programmatic in nature, adding value by setting out a broad view of environmental impacts and alternatives for Congress to consider. Following Congressional action on the NTTR land withdrawal proposals, site specific proposals based on particular DoD or Air Force defined needs for the range would be evaluated with the appropriate level of tiered or supplemental NEPA. In particular, the LEIS will analyze alternatives for military land withdrawal of the NTTR to improve the range capacity and capability to support military test and training requirements now and into the future. The LEIS will assess the potential environmental consequences of the proposal to extend the existing NTTR military land [[Page 58497]] withdrawal beyond the current withdrawal expiration date. As part of the withdrawal extension, the Air Force proposes to continue military operations on the NTTR's existing 2,949,603 acres of land. In addition to extending the existing land withdrawal, the Air Force is also proposing to withdraw up to an additional 301,507 acres to improve the range's capacity to support military testing and training. The alternatives being evaluated in the LEIS include: (1) Extending the existing land withdrawal and management of the NTTR (Status Quo); (2) extending the existing land withdrawal and providing the Air Force with increased access for military activities in the South Range of the NTTR; (3) Alternative 1 or 2 and expanding the existing withdrawal by including up to 301,507 additional acres, via three sub-alternatives; (4) establishing the time period of the withdrawal as either 20 years, 50 years, or as an indefinite military withdrawal; and (5) the No Action alternative which includes returning NTTR lands to the public domain, through the Department of the Interior. The alternatives structure allows for combining elements of alternatives in an additive fashion. For example, Alternative 2, could be selected along with sub- alternatives of Alternatives 3 (an option for expansion) and 4 (option for duration) as part of the Air Force's recommendation to Congress for the future military withdrawal. Within the framework of these alternatives, the LEIS will support Congressional action by identifying and evaluating potential impacts to land use, airspace, safety, noise, hazardous materials and solid waste, earth resources, water resources, air quality, transportation, wilderness and wilderness study areas, cultural resources, biological resources, socioeconomics, and environmental justice. Henry Williams, Acting Air Force Federal Register Officer. [FR Doc. 2016-20401 Filed 8-24-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-10-P
![58496 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 165 / Thursday, August 25, 2016 / Notices
Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Department of Wildlife (cooperating • 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.—Air Force
Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6901 et agencies) Presentation
seq.), the Permanent Advisory ACTION: Notice of Intent • 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.—Open House
Committee, or PAC, has been formed to and comment submission resumes
advise the U.S. Commissioners to the SUMMARY: The United States Air Force Local notices announcing scheduled
WCPFC. Members of the PAC have been (Air Force) is issuing this notice to dates, locations, and addresses for each
appointed by the Secretary of Commerce notify the public of its intent to prepare meeting will be published in the
in consultation with the U.S. a Legislative Environmental Impact Bullseye, Pahrump Valley Times,
Commissioners to the WCPFC. The PAC Statement (LEIS) for the Nevada Test Lincoln County Record, Tonopah
supports the work of the U.S. National and Training Range (NTTR) military Times-Bonanza, and Las Vegas Review-
Section to the WCPFC in an advisory land withdrawal at Nellis Air Force Journal newspapers a minimum of
capacity. The U.S. National Section is Base, Nevada. The LEIS is being fifteen (15) days prior to each meeting.
made up of the U.S. Commissioners and prepared in accordance with National Comments will be accepted at any
the Department of State. NMFS Pacific Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of time during the Environmental Impact
Islands Regional Office provides 1969; 40 Code of Federal Regulations Analysis Process (EIAP). However, to
administrative and technical support to (CFR), Parts 1500–1508, the Council on ensure the Air Force has sufficient time
the PAC in cooperation with the Environmental Quality (CEQ) to consider public input in the
Department of State. More information regulations for implementing NEPA; preparation of the Draft LEIS, scoping
on the WCPFC, established under the and the Air Force Environmental Impact comments must be submitted no later
Convention on the Conservation and Analysis Process (EIAP) [32 CFR part than December 10, 2016.
Management of Highly Migratory Fish 989].
This notice also serves to invite early ADDRESSES: Information on the NTTR
Stocks in the Western and Central Military Land Withdrawal and LEIS
Pacific Ocean, can be found on the public and agency participation in
determining the scope of environmental process can be accessed at the project
WCPFC Web site: http://wcpfc.int/. Web site at www.nttrleis.com. The
issues and alternatives to be analyzed in
Meeting Topics the LEIS and to identify and eliminate project Web site can be used to submit
The purpose of the September 14, from detailed study the issues which are scoping comments to the Air Force, or
2016, conference call is to discuss not significant. To effectively define the comments and inquiries may also be
outcomes of the 2016 regular session of full range of issues and concerns to be submitted by mail or email to the 99th
the WCPFC Scientific Committee (SC12) evaluated in the LEIS, the Air Force is Air Base Wing Public Affairs, 4430
and to begin soliciting comments on the soliciting scoping comments from Grissom Ave., Ste. 107, Nellis AFB, NV
recently distributed Chair’s paper on interested local, state and federal 89191 or by email at
Harvest Strategy Management agencies, interested American Indian 99ABW.PAOutreach@us.af.mil.
Objectives and a Consultative Draft of a tribes, and interested members of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Bridging CMM on Tropical Tunas to public. This NOI also serves to provide current NTTR land withdrawal expires
succeed CMM 2015–01. early notice of compliance with in November, 2021. In accordance with
Executive Order (EO) 11990, ‘‘Protection the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of
Special Accommodations of Wetlands’’ and EO 11988, 1999, the Air Force has notified
The conference call is accessible to ‘‘Floodplain Management.’’ State and Congress of a continuing military need
people with disabilities. Requests for federal regulatory agencies with special for the NTTR withdrawal. Military land
sign language interpretation or other expertise in wetlands and floodplains withdrawal applications have been
auxiliary aids should be directed to have been contacted to request prepared and submitted to Bureau of
Emily Crigler at 808–725–5036 at least comment. Land Management (BLM). The
ten working days prior to the meeting. Scoping comments may be submitted segregation of lands proposed for
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6902 et seq. to the Air Force at the planned public military withdrawal are addressed in a
scoping meetings and/or in writing. separate BLM Federal Register notice.
Dated: August 22, 2016.
DATES: The Air Force plans to hold five The Air Force LEIS supports
Emily H. Menashes, Congressional decision-making for the
public scoping meetings from 5 p.m. to
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 9 p.m., on the dates and at the locations proposed military land withdrawal and
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. will be programmatic in nature, adding
listed below.
[FR Doc. 2016–20405 Filed 8–24–16; 8:45 am] • Wednesday, October 12, 2016: Beatty value by setting out a broad view of
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Community Center, 100 A Avenue environmental impacts and alternatives
South, Beatty, NV 89003 for Congress to consider. Following
• Thursday, October 13, 2016: Tonopah Congressional action on the NTTR land
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Convention Center, 301 Brougher withdrawal proposals, site specific
Avenue, Tonopah, NV 89049 proposals based on particular DoD or
Air Force • Tuesday, October 18, 2016: Caliente Air Force defined needs for the range
Elementary School, 289 Lincoln would be evaluated with the
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Street, Caliente, NV 89008
Legislative Environmental Impact appropriate level of tiered or
• Wednesday, October 19, 2016: supplemental NEPA.
Statement for the Nevada Test and Pahranagat Valley High School, 151 S. In particular, the LEIS will analyze
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Training Range Military Land Main Street, Alamo, NV 89001 alternatives for military land
Withdrawal at Nellis Air Force Base, • Thursday, October 20, 2016: Aliante withdrawal of the NTTR to improve the
Nevada Hotel, 7300 Aliante Parkway, North range capacity and capability to support
AGENCY: United States Air Force (lead Las Vegas, NV 89084 military test and training requirements
agency) and Bureau of Land The agenda for each scoping meeting is now and into the future. The LEIS will
Management, United States Department as follows: assess the potential environmental
of Energy, United States Fish and • 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.—Open House consequences of the proposal to extend
Wildlife Service, and Nevada and comment submission the existing NTTR military land
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 165 / Thursday, August 25, 2016 / Notices 58497
withdrawal beyond the current DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION information collection request (ICR) that
withdrawal expiration date. As part of is described below. The Department of
[Docket No. ED–2016–ICCD–0068]
the withdrawal extension, the Air Force Education is especially interested in
proposes to continue military operations Agency Information Collection public comment addressing the
on the NTTR’s existing 2,949,603 acres Activities; Submission to the Office of following issues: (1) Is this collection
of land. In addition to extending the Management and Budget for Review necessary to the proper functions of the
existing land withdrawal, the Air Force and Approval; Comment Request; Carl Department; (2) will this information be
is also proposing to withdraw up to an D. Perkins Career and Technical processed and used in a timely manner;
additional 301,507 acres to improve the Education Improvement Act of 2006 (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
range’s capacity to support military (Pub. L. 109–270) State Plan Guide
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
testing and training.
AGENCY: Office of Career, Technical, and information to be collected; and (5) how
The alternatives being evaluated in Adult Education (OCTAE), Department might the Department minimize the
the LEIS include: (1) Extending the of Education (ED). burden of this collection on the
existing land withdrawal and ACTION: Notice. respondents, including through the use
management of the NTTR (Status Quo); of information technology. Please note
(2) extending the existing land SUMMARY: In accordance with the that written comments received in
withdrawal and providing the Air Force Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 response to this notice will be
with increased access for military U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is considered public records.
activities in the South Range of the proposing an extension of an existing Title of Collection: Carl D. Perkins
NTTR; (3) Alternative 1 or 2 and information collection. Career and Technical Education
expanding the existing withdrawal by DATES: Interested persons are invited to Improvement Act of 2006 (P.L. 109–270)
including up to 301,507 additional submit comments on or before State Plan Guide.
September 26, 2016. OMB Control Number: 1830–0029.
acres, via three sub-alternatives; (4) Type of Review: An extension of an
establishing the time period of the ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
documents related to the information existing information collection.
withdrawal as either 20 years, 50 years, Respondents/Affected Public: State,
or as an indefinite military withdrawal; collection listed in this notice, please
Local, and Tribal Governments.
and (5) the No Action alternative which use http://www.regulations.gov by Total Estimated Number of Annual
includes returning NTTR lands to the searching the Docket ID number ED– Responses: 56.
2016–ICCD–0068. Comments submitted Total Estimated Number of Annual
public domain, through the Department
in response to this notice should be Burden Hours: 2,240.
of the Interior. The alternatives structure
submitted electronically through the Abstract: This information collection
allows for combining elements of Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
alternatives in an additive fashion. For solicits from all eligible States and
www.regulations.gov by selecting the outlying areas the State plans required
example, Alternative 2, could be Docket ID number or via postal mail,
selected along with sub-alternatives of under Title I of the Carl D. Perkins
commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Career and Technical Education Act of
Alternatives 3 (an option for expansion) Please note that comments submitted by 2006 (Perkins IV) (P.L. 109–270), as well
and 4 (option for duration) as part of the fax or email and those submitted after as, for those States and outlying areas
Air Force’s recommendation to Congress the comment period will not be that fail to meet 90 percent of their
for the future military withdrawal. accepted. Written requests for performance levels for an indicator for
Within the framework of these information or comments submitted by three consecutive years, periodic reports
alternatives, the LEIS will support postal mail or delivery should be on their progress in implementing the
Congressional action by identifying and addressed to the Director of the improvement plans required by section
evaluating potential impacts to land use, Information Collection Clearance 123(a)(1) of Perkins IV.
airspace, safety, noise, hazardous Division, U.S. Department of Education, Dated: August 22, 2016.
materials and solid waste, earth 400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room
Tomakie Washington,
resources, water resources, air quality, 2E–349, Washington, DC 20202–4537.
Acting Director, Information Collection
transportation, wilderness and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy
wilderness study areas, cultural specific questions related to collection Officer, Office of Management.
resources, biological resources, activities, please contact Braden Goetz, [FR Doc. 2016–20370 Filed 8–24–16; 8:45 am]
socioeconomics, and environmental 202–245–7405. BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
justice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department of Education (ED), in
Henry Williams, accordance with the Paperwork DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Acting Air Force Federal Register Officer. Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
[FR Doc. 2016–20401 Filed 8–24–16; 8:45 am] 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general Western Area Power Administration
BILLING CODE 5001–10–P public and Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on proposed, Desert Southwest Region
revised, and continuing collections of Transmission, Transmission Losses,
information. This helps the Department Unreserved Use Penalties, and
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
assess the impact of its information Ancillary Services—Rate Order No.
collection requirements and minimize WAPA–175
the public’s reporting burden. It also AGENCY: Western Area Power
helps the public understand the Administration, DOE.
Department’s information collection
ACTION: Notice of Final Formula Rates
requirements and provide the requested
for Transmission and Ancillary
data in the desired format. ED is
Services.
soliciting comments on the proposed
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Document Created: 2016-08-25 00:35:16
Document Modified: 2016-08-25 00:35:16
| 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 | |
| Dates | The Air Force plans to hold five public scoping meetings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., on the dates and at the locations listed below. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 58496 |
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