83 FR 10516 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment for the Proposed RE Crimson Solar Project, Riverside County, CA
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 47 (March 9, 2018)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 47 (March 9, 2018)
| Page Range | 10516-10518 | |
| FR Document | 2018-04691 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 10516-10518] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-04691] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCAD06000 L51010000.ER0000 17XL5017AP LVRWB17B5120 CACA 051967] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment for the Proposed RE Crimson Solar Project, Riverside County, CA AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) [[Page 10517]] Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, Palm Springs, CA, intends to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR), including a potential amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan, and by this Notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS/EIR and possible plan amendments. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until April 9, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/. To be included in the Draft EIS/EIR, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS/EIR. ADDRESSES: The public may submit comments related to the RE Crimson Solar Project by any of the following methods:Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/ gov/. Email: [email protected]. Fax: (541) 618-2400, ATTN: Miriam Liberatore, project manager, RE Crimson Solar. Mail: ATTN: Miriam Liberatore, project manager, RE Crimson Solar, Bureau of Land Management, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office located at 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miriam Liberatore, project manager, telephone (541) 618-2412; address Bureau of Land Management, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504; email: [email protected]. Contact Ms. Liberatore to be added to the mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339, to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. Telephone replies will be returned during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sonoran West Solar Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Recurrent Energy LLC, has requested a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a maximum 350 megawatt solar photovoltaic facility and necessary ancillary facilities, including battery storage, project substations, access roads, operations and maintenance buildings, and lay down areas. The Project site consists of about 2,700-acres of BLM-administered land within the Riverside East Solar Energy Zone (SEZ). The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) Land Use Plan Amendment also designated the area as a Development Focus Area (DFA). This document provides notice that the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife intend to jointly prepare an EIS/EIR, which may include a CDCA Plan Amendment, for the Project. It also announces the beginning of the scoping process for this effort and seeks public input on environmental issues and potential planning criteria relevant to the Project and any potential plan amendments. The public scoping process guides the planning process and determines the relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives and environmental consequences. Preliminary issues for the project have been identified by BLM personnel; Federal, State, and local agencies; and other stakeholders. The issues include: Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions; biological resources, including special status wildlife and vegetation species; cultural resources; geology and soils; hazards and hazardous materials; hydrology and water quality; lands and realty; mineral resources; noise; paleontological resources; recreation; socioeconomics and environmental justice; special designations; transportation and travel management; visual resources; wildland fire ecology; and areas with high potential for renewable energy development. Written comments may be submitted to the BLM at a scoping meeting, or via one of the methods listed in the addresses section above. Input must be received by the close of the 30-day scoping period or within 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. By this Notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to the CDCA Plan, as amended, predicated on the findings in the EIS/EIR. If one or more land use plan amendments are necessary, the BLM will integrate the land use planning process with the NEPA process for the Project. A preliminary list of the potential planning criteria that will be used to help guide and define the scope of the plan amendment includes: 1. The plan amendments will be completed in compliance with FLPMA, NEPA, and all other relevant Federal laws, executive orders, and BLM policies; 2. Existing valid plan decisions will not be changed and any new plan decisions will not conflict with existing plan decisions; and 3. The plan amendment(s) will recognize valid existing rights. The public may submit comments to the BLM on issues and planning criteria in writing at any public scoping meeting, or by using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108 as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3)). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources. The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to- government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed action that the BLM is evaluating are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. 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. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. The minutes and list of attendees for each scoping meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days after the meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he or she expressed. With respect to the [[Page 10518]] potential land use plan amendment, the BLM will evaluate identified issues to be addressed in the plan amendment, and will place them into one of three categories: 1. Issues to be resolved in the plan amendment; 2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; or 3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan amendment. The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft EIS/EIR as to why an issue was placed in category two or three. The public is also encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns that should be addressed in the EIS/EIR and potential land use plan amendments. The BLM will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management decisions that are best suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns. The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the EIS and potential land use plan amendments in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be involved in the planning process: Air, minerals and geology, outdoor recreation, archaeology, paleontology, wildlife and botany, lands and realty, hydrology, soils, sociology, and economics. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Danielle Chi, BLM California Deputy State Director. [FR Doc. 2018-04691 Filed 3-8-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
![10516 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2018 / Notices
governance funding agreement may plants, animals, energy, and mineral If a Tribe/consortium decides to
include, but are not limited to: resources, land surface, underlying assume the operation of an OST
Construction, farming, concessions, geologic structure, and dynamic program, the new funding for
maintenance, biological program efforts, processes of the earth. The USGS does performing that program will come from
habitat management, fire management, not manage lands or resources. Self- OST program dollars. A Tribe’s newly-
and implementation of comprehensive governance Tribes may potentially assist assumed operation of the OST
conservation planning. the USGS in the data acquisition and program(s) will be reflected in the
analysis components of its activities. Tribe’s OSG funding agreement.
Locations of Refuges and Hatcheries For questions regarding self- For questions regarding self-
With Close Proximity to Self- governance, contact Monique Fordham, governance, contact Lee Frazier,
Governance Tribes Esq., National Tribal Liaison, U.S. Program Analyst, Office of External
The Service developed the list below Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Affairs, Office of the Special Trustee for
based on the proximity of identified Drive, Reston, Virginia 20192, telephone American Indians (MS 5140—MIB),
self-governance Tribes to Service (703) 648–4437 or fax (703) 648–6683. 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC
facilities that have components that may G. Eligible Office of the Special Trustee 20240–0001, phone: (202) 208–7587,
be suitable for administering through a for American Indians (OST) Programs fax: (202) 208–7545.
self-governance funding agreement.
The Department has responsibility for IV. Programmatic Targets
1. Alaska National Wildlife Refuges—Alaska
what may be the largest land trust in the The programmatic target for Fiscal
2. Alchesay National Fish Hatchery—Arizona
3. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge— world, approximately 56 million acres. Year 2018 provides that, upon request of
California OST oversees the management of Indian a self-governance Tribe, each non-BIA
4. Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge—Idaho trust assets, including income generated bureau will negotiate funding
5. Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge— from leasing and other commercial agreements for its eligible programs
Minnesota activities on Indian trust lands, by beyond those already negotiated.
6. Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge— maintaining, investing and disbursing
Minnesota Indian trust financial assets, and V. Public Disclosure
7. Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge— reporting on these transactions. The Before including your address, phone
Minnesota mission of the OST is to serve Indian number, email address, or other
8. National Bison Range—Montana
9. Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge—
communities by fulfilling Indian personal identifying information in your
Montana fiduciary trust responsibilities. This is comment, you should be aware that
10. Pablo National Wildlife Refuge—Montana to be accomplished through the your entire comment—including your
11. Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge— implementation of a Comprehensive personal identifying information—may
Oklahoma Trust Management Plan (CTM) that is be made publicly available at any time.
12. Tishomingo National Wildlife Refute— designed to improve trust beneficiary While you can ask us in your comment
Oklahoma services, ownership information, to withhold your personal identifying
13. Bandon Marsh National Wildlife management of trust fund assets, and information from public review, we
Refuge—Washington self-governance activities. cannot guarantee that we will be able to
14. Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge— A Tribe operating under self-
Washington
do so.
15. Makah National Fish Hatchery—
governance may include the following Dated: February 15, 2018.
Washington programs, services, functions, and
Ryan K. Zinke,
16. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge— activities or portions thereof in a
funding agreement: Secretary.
Washington
17. Quinault National Fish Hatchery— 1. Beneficiary Processes Program [FR Doc. 2018–04743 Filed 3–8–18; 8:45 am]
Washington (Individual Indian Money Accounting BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
18. San Juan Islands National Wildlife Technical Functions).
Refuge—Washington 2. Appraisal Services Program. Tribes/
19. Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge— consortia that currently perform these DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Wisconsin programs under a self-governance
funding agreement with the Office of Bureau of Land Management
For questions regarding self-
governance, contact Scott Aikin, Fish Self-Governance (OSG) may negotiate a [LLCAD06000 L51010000.ER0000
and Wildlife Service, National Native separate memorandum of understanding 17XL5017AP LVRWB17B5120 CACA
American Programs Coordinator, 1211 (MOU) with OST that outlines the roles 051967]
SE Cardinal Court, Suite 100, and responsibilities for management of
Vancouver, Washington 98683, these programs. Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint
telephone (360) 604–2531 or fax (360) The MOU between the Tribe/ Environmental Impact Statement/
604–2505. consortium and OST outlines the roles Environmental Impact Report and
and responsibilities for the performance Possible Land Use Plan Amendment
F. Eligible U.S. Geological Survey of the OST program by the Tribe/ for the Proposed RE Crimson Solar
(USGS) Programs consortium. If those roles and Project, Riverside County, CA
The mission of the USGS is to collect, responsibilities are already fully AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
analyze, and provide information on articulated in the existing funding Interior.
biology, geology, hydrology, and agreement with the OSG, an MOU is not ACTION: Notice of intent.
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
geography that contributes to the wise necessary. To the extent that the parties
management of the Nation’s natural desire specific program standards, an SUMMARY: In compliance with the
resources and to the health, safety, and MOU will be negotiated between the National Environmental Policy Act of
well-being of the American people. This Tribe/consortium and OST, which will 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
information is usually publicly available be binding on both parties and attached Federal Land Policy and Management
and includes maps, data bases, and and incorporated into the OSG funding Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the
descriptions and analyses of the water, agreement. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
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![10518 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2018 / Notices
potential land use plan amendment, the written comments on the Greater acres, with approximately 1,000 acres
BLM will evaluate identified issues to Chapita Wells Draft EIS within 45 days under interim reclamation.
be addressed in the plan amendment, following the date the Environmental The Draft EIS analyzes a proposal by
and will place them into one of three Protection Agency publishes its NOA in EOG Resources Inc (EOG) to further
categories: the Federal Register. The BLM will develop natural gas resources on their
1. Issues to be resolved in the plan announce future meetings or hearings Federal leases in the project area. EOG’s
amendment; and any other public involvement proposal includes drilling up to 2,808
2. Issues to be resolved through policy activities at least 15 days in advance new wells and constructing associated
or administrative action; or through public notices, media releases, ancillary transportation, transmission,
3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan and/or mailings. and water disposal facilities within the
amendment. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments project area. The proposed life of the
The BLM will provide an explanation project is 55 years, with drilling and
related to the Greater Chapita Wells
in the Draft EIS/EIR as to why an issue development activities to occur within
project by any of the following methods:
was placed in category two or three. The the first 15 years. The new gas wells
• Website: http://go.usa.gov/csKAz.
public is also encouraged to help • Email: UT_Vernal_Comments@ would be drilled to the Green River,
identify any management questions and blm.gov. Wasatch, Mesaverde Group (including
concerns that should be addressed in • Fax: 435–781–4410. the Blackhawk), Mancos, and Dakota
the EIS/EIR and potential land use plan • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, formations at depths of 6,000 to 15,000
amendments. The BLM will work Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, feet.
collaboratively with interested parties to Vernal, Utah 84078. The Draft EIS describes and analyzes
identify the management decisions that Copies of the Greater Chapita Wells in detail the impacts of the No Action
are best suited to local, regional, and Draft EIS are available in the Vernal Alternative, and three action
national needs and concerns. Field Office at the above address and alternatives, including EOG’s Proposed
The BLM will use an interdisciplinary website. Action. Seven additional alternatives
approach to develop the EIS and were considered, but eliminated from
potential land use plan amendments in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
detailed analysis. The alternatives
order to consider the variety of resource Stephanie Howard, Project Manager,
considered in detail include a
issues and concerns identified. 435–781–4400; BLM Vernal Field
landscape-scale mitigation plan that
Specialists with expertise in the Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, UT
incorporates applicant-committed
following disciplines will be involved 84078; showard@blm.gov. Persons who measures, design features (including
in the planning process: Air, minerals use a telecommunications device for the best management practices), and the
and geology, outdoor recreation, deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay mitigation hierarchy, including
archaeology, paleontology, wildlife and Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to compensatory mitigation as applicable
botany, lands and realty, hydrology, contact the above individual during to minimize or eliminate impacts to the
soils, sociology, and economics. normal business hours. FRS is available resources of concern. In particular, the
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave Draft EIS action alternatives contain an
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR
1610.2. a message or question with the above applicant-committed ozone
individual. You will receive a reply management strategy designed to
Danielle Chi, during normal business hours. provide a reasonable assurance that
BLM California Deputy State Director. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM project implementation would not
[FR Doc. 2018–04691 Filed 3–8–18; 8:45 am] published in the September 9, 2009, contribute to the ongoing ozone
BILLING CODE 4310–40–P Federal Register a Notice of Intent to situation in the Uinta Basin. This
prepare an EIS (74 FR 46458). The strategy contains five approaches to
Greater Chapita EIS Project Area managing project emissions, including:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR encompasses approximately 43,109 Applicant-committed emission
acres located in Township 8 South, reduction measures; audio, visual,
Bureau of Land Management
Ranges 22 through 24 East; Township 9 olfactory and infrared monitoring; a
[17XL1109AF LLUTG01100 South, Ranges 22 and 23 East; and commitment to no-net increase of
L13100000.EJ0000] Township 10 South, Range 23 East, Salt volatile organic compound emissions to
Lake Base and Meridian, about 25 miles be tracked via an emissions balance
Notice of Availability of a Draft south of Vernal, Utah. Of the 43,109 sheet; ozone training for personnel; and
Environmental Impact Statement for acres within the project area, about 76 an ozone event action plan. The
the Greater Chapita Wells Natural Gas percent is Federal surface administered following is a summary of the main
Infill Project, Uintah County, Utah by the BLM; 15 percent is tribal trust components of the various alternatives:
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, surface; 5 percent is State of Utah 1. No Action Alternative—The
Interior. surface administered by the Utah Trust proposed natural gas development on
ACTION: Notice of availability. Lands Administration; and 4 percent is BLM lands and leases as described in
private surface. The entire project is the Proposed Action would not be
SUMMARY: In accordance with the within the exterior boundary of the implemented. However, under this
National Environmental Policy Act of Uintah and Ouray Reservation alternative, natural gas exploration and
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land (Uncompahgre Indian Country). development is assumed to continue on
Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Oil and gas drilling has been ongoing Federal, State, and private lands under
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Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) within the Chapita project area since previous authorizations. Up to 462 new
for the Greater Chapita Wells Natural 1952. As of March 2014, the project area gas wells would be drilled from 425
Gas Infill Project and by this notice is contained 1,247 active gas wells on 960 new well pads and 37 expanded well
announcing the opening of the comment well pads, approximately 257 miles of pads. This alternative also includes
period. roads, and approximately 268 miles of expansion of an existing compressor
DATES: To ensure comments will be pipelines. Total existing disturbance in station, construction of 18 liquids
considered, the BLM must receive the project area is approximately 3,975 gathering system (LGS) facilities,
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Document Created: 2018-03-09 03:48:12
Document Modified: 2018-03-09 03:48:12
| 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 | This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS/EIR and possible plan amendments. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until April 9, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/. | |
| Contact | Miriam Liberatore, project manager, | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 10516 |
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