83 FR 12808 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 57 (March 23, 2018)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 57 (March 23, 2018)
| Page Range | 12808-12810 | |
| FR Document | 2018-05931 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 12808-12810] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-05931] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-HQ-ES-2018-N019; FXHC11220900000-167-FF09E33000; OMB Control Number 1018-0148] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to revise an existing information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before April 23, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041- 3803 (mail); or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1018-0148 in the subject line of your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by telephone at (703) 358-2503. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on October 10, 2017 (82 FR 47021). The following comment was received: Comment #1: Received from Michael Speerschneider, Senior Director, Permitting Policy and Environmental Affairs, and Gene Grace, Senior Counsel, American Wind Energy Association, on December 11, 2017, via email. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) comments were limited to the accuracy of the estimate of the burden for the collection of information detailed therein. They provided the Service with an estimate of the paperwork and respondent burden required for the wind industry to collect the data associated with the voluntary Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (``Guidelines'') on a per project basis. Based on a survey of their member companies involved in the development of wind energy facilities, they believe the updated estimates are a more accurate reflection of the work necessary to adhere to the Guidelines, and respectfully requested that the Service utilize this estimate, combined with other assumed costs (e.g., government agency costs) in this and any other analysis of the Guidelines going forward. Rather than have individual companies submit their respective data with respect to the estimate burden hours related to the Guidelines, AWEA submitted aggregated data and, therefore, chose not to include identifying information for any of their members that supplied the data. FWS Response to Comment #1: The Service thanks AWEA for the useful comments that they provided on this information collection, and specifically on the estimate of the burden hours and expenditures necessary to adhere to the voluntary Guidelines. We used this information to update the estimated burden, noting that there are significant differences between the Service's burden estimate developed several years ago, and AWEA's current estimate. We assume that these differences are a reflection of the wide range and variability in the size and degree of complexity of commercial-scale wind energy projects, and that changes in cost reflect that variability. We attempted to obtain further clarification and feedback from AWEA on that presumption but received no response. We are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of the Service; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Service enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Service minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. 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. Abstract: As wind energy production increased, both developers and wildlife agencies recognized the need for a system to evaluate and address the potential negative impacts of wind energy projects on species of concern. As a result, the Service worked with the wind energy industry, conservation nongovernmental organizations, Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and academia to develop the voluntary Land- Based Wind Energy Guidelines (Guidelines; http://www.fws.gov/windenergy) to provide a structured, scientific process for addressing wildlife conservation concerns at all stages of land-based wind energy development. Released in 2012, the Guidelines promote effective communication among wind energy developers and Federal, State, Tribal, and local conservation agencies. When used in concert with appropriate regulatory tools, the Guidelines are the best practical approach for conserving species of concern. The Guidelines discuss various risks to species of concern from wind energy projects, including collisions with wind turbines and associated infrastructure; loss and degradation of habitat from turbines and infrastructure; fragmentation of large habitat blocks into smaller segments that may not support sensitive species; displacement and behavioral changes; and indirect [[Page 12809]] effects such as increased predator populations or introduction of invasive plants. The Guidelines assist developers in identifying species of concern that may potentially be affected by proposed projects, including but not limited to:Migratory birds; Bats; Bald and golden eagles, and other birds of prey; Prairie chickens and sage grouse; and Species that have been identified as candidates, or proposed or listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The Guidelines follow a tiered approach. The wind energy developer begins at Tier 1 or Tier 2, which entails gathering of existing data to help identify any potential risks to wildlife and their habitats at proposed wind energy project sites. The developer then proceeds through subsequent tiers, as appropriate, to collect information in increasing detail until the level of risk is adequately ascertained and a decision on whether or not to develop the site can be made. Many projects may not proceed beyond Tier 1 or 2, when developers become aware of potential barriers, including high risks to wildlife. Developers would only have an interest in adhering to the Guidelines for those projects that proceed beyond Tier 1 or 2. At each tier, wind energy developers and operators should retain documentation to provide to the Service. Such documentation may include copies of correspondence with the Service, results of pre- and post- construction studies conducted at project sites, bird and bat conservation strategies, or any other record that supports a developer's adherence to the Guidelines. The extent of the documentation will depend on the conditions of the site being developed. Sites with greater risk of impacts to wildlife and habitats will likely involve more extensive communication with the Service and longer durations of pre- and post-construction studies than sites with little risk. Distributed or community-scale wind energy projects are unlikely to have significant adverse impacts to wildlife and their habitats. The Guidelines recommend that developers of these small-scale projects conduct the desktop analysis described in Tier 1 or Tier 2 using publicly available information to determine whether they should communicate with the Service. Since such project designs usually include a single turbine associated with existing development, conducting a Tier 1 or Tier 2 analysis for distributed or community- scale wind energy projects should incur limited non-hour burden costs. For such projects, if there is no potential risk identified, a developer will have no need to communicate with the Service regarding the project or to conduct studies described in Tiers 3, 4, and 5. Adherence to the Guidelines is voluntary. Following the Guidelines does not relieve any individual, company, or agency of the responsibility to comply with applicable laws and regulations (i.e., species protected by the Endangered Species Act and/or Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c)). Title of Collection: Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines. OMB Control Number: 1018-0148. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Developers and operators of wind energy facilities. Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 160. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 160. Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 1 hour to 3,600 hours, depending on activity. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 282,995. Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $36,870,000. Costs will depend on the size and complexity of issues associated with each project. These expenses may include, but are not limited to: Travel expenses for site visits, studies conducted, and meetings with the Service and other Federal and State agencies; training in survey methodologies; data management; special transportation, such as all- terrain vehicles or helicopters; equipment needed for acoustic, telemetry, or radar monitoring; and carcass storage. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Completion Annual number Number of Total annual time per Total annual Requirement of respondents responses each responses response burden hours (hours) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 1 (Desktop Analysis) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 40 1 40 25 1,000 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 1 40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 2 (Site Characterization) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 35 1 35 155 5,425 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 3 105 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 3 (Pre-construction studies) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 30 1 30 3,100 93,000 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 5 150 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 4 (Post-construction fatality monitoring and habitat studies) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 45 1 45 3,600 162,000 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 5 225 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 5 (Other post-construction studies) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 10 1 10 2,100 21,000 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 5 50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals...................... 160 .............. 160 .............. 282,995 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 12810]] An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Dated: March 20, 2018. Madonna L. Baucum, Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2018-05931 Filed 3-22-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![12808 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 57 / Friday, March 23, 2018 / Notices
Dated: March 12, 2018. requirements and minimize the public’s from AWEA on that presumption but
Todd M. Richardson, reporting burden. It also helps the received no response.
Acting General Deputy Assistant Secretary public understand our information We are again soliciting comments on
for Policy Development and Research. collection requirements and provide the the proposed ICR that is described
[FR Doc. 2018–05946 Filed 3–22–18; 8:45 am] requested data in the desired format. below. We are especially interested in
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P A Federal Register notice with a 60- public comment addressing the
day public comment period soliciting following issues: (1) Is the collection
comments on this collection of necessary to the proper functions of the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR information was published on October Service; (2) will this information be
10, 2017 (82 FR 47021). The following processed and used in a timely manner;
Fish and Wildlife Service comment was received: (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
Comment #1: Received from Michael (4) how might the Service enhance the
[FWS–HQ–ES–2018–N019; quality, utility, and clarity of the
FXHC11220900000–167–FF09E33000; OMB Speerschneider, Senior Director,
Permitting Policy and Environmental information to be collected; and (5) how
Control Number 1018–0148]
Affairs, and Gene Grace, Senior might the Service minimize the burden
Agency Information Collection Counsel, American Wind Energy of this collection on the respondents,
Activities; Submission to the Office of Association, on December 11, 2017, via including through the use of
Management and Budget for Review email. information technology.
Comments that you submit in
and Approval; Land-Based Wind The American Wind Energy
response to this notice are a matter of
Energy Guidelines Association (AWEA) comments were
public record. Before including your
limited to the accuracy of the estimate
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, address, phone number, email address,
of the burden for the collection of
Interior. or other personal identifying
information detailed therein. They
ACTION: Notice of information collection; information in your comment, you
provided the Service with an estimate of
request for comment. should be aware that your entire
the paperwork and respondent burden
comment—including your personal
SUMMARY: In accordance with the required for the wind industry to collect identifying information—may be made
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the data associated with the voluntary publicly available at any time. While
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines you can ask us in your comment to
proposing to revise an existing (‘‘Guidelines’’) on a per project basis. withhold your personal identifying
information collection. Based on a survey of their member information from public review, we
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
companies involved in the development cannot guarantee that we will be able to
submit comments on or before April 23, of wind energy facilities, they believe do so.
2018. the updated estimates are a more Abstract: As wind energy production
accurate reflection of the work increased, both developers and wildlife
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on
necessary to adhere to the Guidelines, agencies recognized the need for a
this information collection request (ICR) and respectfully requested that the
to the Office of Management and system to evaluate and address the
Service utilize this estimate, combined potential negative impacts of wind
Budget’s Desk Officer for the with other assumed costs (e.g.,
Department of the Interior by email at energy projects on species of concern.
government agency costs) in this and As a result, the Service worked with the
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov; or via any other analysis of the Guidelines
facsimile to (202) 395–5806. Please wind energy industry, conservation
going forward. Rather than have nongovernmental organizations, Federal
provide a copy of your comments to the individual companies submit their
Service Information Collection and State agencies, Tribes, and
respective data with respect to the academia to develop the voluntary
Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and estimate burden hours related to the
Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines
Guidelines, AWEA submitted (Guidelines; http://www.fws.gov/
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041– aggregated data and, therefore, chose not
3803 (mail); or by email to Info_Coll@ windenergy) to provide a structured,
to include identifying information for scientific process for addressing wildlife
fws.gov. Please reference OMB Control any of their members that supplied the
Number 1018–0148 in the subject line of conservation concerns at all stages of
data. land-based wind energy development.
your comments.
FWS Response to Comment #1: The Released in 2012, the Guidelines
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To Service thanks AWEA for the useful promote effective communication
request additional information about comments that they provided on this among wind energy developers and
this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, information collection, and specifically Federal, State, Tribal, and local
Service Information Collection on the estimate of the burden hours and conservation agencies. When used in
Clearance Officer, by email at Info_ expenditures necessary to adhere to the concert with appropriate regulatory
Coll@fws.gov, or by telephone at (703) voluntary Guidelines. We used this tools, the Guidelines are the best
358–2503. You may also view the ICR information to update the estimated practical approach for conserving
at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ burden, noting that there are significant species of concern.
PRAMain. differences between the Service’s The Guidelines discuss various risks
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In burden estimate developed several years to species of concern from wind energy
accordance with the Paperwork ago, and AWEA’s current estimate. We projects, including collisions with wind
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the assume that these differences are a turbines and associated infrastructure;
general public and other Federal reflection of the wide range and loss and degradation of habitat from
agencies with an opportunity to variability in the size and degree of turbines and infrastructure;
comment on new, proposed, revised, complexity of commercial-scale wind fragmentation of large habitat blocks
and continuing collections of energy projects, and that changes in cost into smaller segments that may not
information. This helps us assess the reflect that variability. We attempted to support sensitive species; displacement
impact of our information collection obtain further clarification and feedback and behavioral changes; and indirect
VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:54 Mar 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_12865/page/1.svg)
![12810 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 57 / Friday, March 23, 2018 / Notices
An agency may not conduct or Written comments may be submitted Denbury’s Proposed Action were
sponsor and a person is not required to by any of the following methods: submitted to the BLM on February 19,
respond to a collection of information • Email: BLM_WY_RRNP@blm.gov. 2013 (Denbury), and January 25, 2016
unless it displays a currently valid OMB • Fax: 307–352–0329. (PacifiCorp); the proposal for the
control number. • Mail or Delivery: BLM High Desert injection wells was submitted to the
The authority for this action is the District, Attn: Mark Mackiewicz, BLM BLM on September 12, 2013.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 National Project Manager, Riley Ridge to Collectively, the Project consists of the
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Natrona Project, 280 Highway 191 following components (as proposed):
Dated: March 20, 2018. North, Rock Springs, WY 82901. • An underground non-gaseous
Copies of the Draft EIS may be H2S/carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline from
Madonna L. Baucum,
examined at the following BLM offices the existing Riley Ridge Treating Plant
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. (a methane and helium recovery facility)
from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT,
Fish and Wildlife Service.
Monday through Friday, except Federal to the proposed Riley Ridge Sweetening
[FR Doc. 2018–05931 Filed 3–22–18; 8:45 am] Plant, consisting of 31 miles of 16-inch-
holidays:
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
• BLM Rock Springs Field Office, 280 diameter pipe within Sublette County;
Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, • A CO2 underground pipeline from
Wyoming. the proposed Riley Ridge Sweetening
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• BLM Pinedale Field Office, 1625 Plant to the Bairoil Interconnect,
West Pine Street, Pinedale, Wyoming. consisting of 129 miles of 24-inch-
Bureau of Land Management
• BLM Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. diameter pipe, and continuing from the
[LLWYD04000–LL51010000–ER0000– Third Street, Rawlins, Wyoming. interconnect another 84 miles to the
LVRWK14K1600.17X] • BLM Lander Field Office, 1335 terminus at the Natrona Hub within
Main Street, Lander, Wyoming. Natrona County;
Notice of Availability of the Draft
• BLM Casper Field Office, 2987 • The 4.3-acre proposed Riley Ridge
Environmental Impact Statement for Sweetening Plant, located on BLM-
Prospector Drive, Casper, Wyoming.
the Riley Ridge to Natrona Project, administered lands, constructed and
Wyoming FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
operated to separate the CO2 from the
Mark Mackiewicz, BLM National Project
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, H2S; the H2S would be reinjected into
Manager, at:
deep geologic formations via two
Interior. • Telephone: 435–636–3616.
proposed injection wells;
ACTION: Notice of availability. • Email: mmackiew@blm.gov. • An approximately 1-mile-long 230
Persons who use a kV overhead transmission line that
SUMMARY: In compliance with the telecommunications device for the deaf
National Environmental Policy Act of would bring power to the Riley Ridge
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay Sweetening Plant from an existing 230
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (MLA), as kV transmission line; and
speak with Mr. Mackiewicz during • Ancillary facilities, such as roads,
amended, the Bureau of Land normal business hours. The FRS is valves, flowlines, etc.
Management (BLM) Rock Springs Field available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, After reviewing the scope of the
Office has prepared a Draft to leave a message or question for the Project, the BLM, as the lead Federal
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) above individual. You will receive a agency, determined that the Proposed
for the Riley Ridge to Natrona Project reply during normal business hours. Action is a major federal action and
(RRNP or Project) and by this Notice SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM would require preparation of an EIS in
announces the beginning of public is responding to three applications for compliance with requirements of NEPA,
review to solicit public comments. right-of-way (ROW) grants submitted by as amended by the Council on
DATES: The Draft EIS is now available Denbury Green Pipeline-Riley Ridge, Environmental Quality regulations for
for public review. To be considered in LLC (Denbury) and PacifiCorp, doing implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500–
the Final EIS, written comments on the business as Rocky Mountain Power 1508).
Draft EIS must be received within 45 (collectively referred to as the On June 9, 2014, the BLM published
days after the Environmental Protection Applicant), to the BLM for the Project. in the Federal Register a Notice of
Agency’s publication in the Federal Denbury submitted an ‘‘Application for Intent to prepare the EIS. Thirteen
Register of a Notice of Availability Transportation and Utility Systems and agencies are participating as cooperating
(NOA) of this Draft EIS. Facilities on Federal Lands’’ (Standard agencies in preparation of the EIS,
Four public open houses for the Form 299) to the BLM for two including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
proposed Project will be held in Big underground pipeline projects: (1) The Service (USFWS), the National Park
Piney, Rock Springs, Lander, and Riley Ridge Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Service and the U.S. Army Corps of
Casper, Wyoming. Meeting times and Pipeline Project (WYW–167867) and (2) Engineers (USACE); the State of
locations will be announced through the Bairoil to Natrona CO2 Pipeline Wyoming (and associated departments);
local media and the BLM Project Project (WYW–168290). In addition, Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater,
website at http://bit.ly/2aW727l at least Denbury has proposed two hydrogen and Natrona counties, Wyoming; and
15 days prior to the event. To be sulfide (H2S) injection wells (WYW– four conservation districts, Natrona
considered in the analysis, all 181373) to be sited near the proposed County, Popo Agie, Sublette County,
comments must be received prior to the Riley Ridge Sweetening Plant, which is and Sweetwater County, in Wyoming.
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
close of the public comment period or included in the Riley Ridge CO2 To allow the public an opportunity to
15 days after the last public meeting, Pipeline Project application. PacifiCorp review the Project information, the BLM
whichever is later. submitted an application for ROW for a held public meetings from July 14 to
ADDRESSES: The Draft EIS and 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line July 17, 2014, in Casper, Lander, Big
supporting documents will be available (WYW–185369) to supply energy to the Piney, and Rock Springs, Wyoming.
electronically on the following BLM Riley Ridge Sweetening Plant. The Issues and potential impacts on specific
website: http://bit.ly/2aW727l. applications for ROW grants for resources were identified during the
VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:54 Mar 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_12865/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-11-01 08:53:36
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 08:53:36
| 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 information collection; request for comment. | |
| Dates | Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before April 23, 2018. | |
| Contact | To request additional information about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by telephone at (703) 358-2503. You may also view the ICR at http:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 12808 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR