83 FR 28656 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Burning Man Event 10-Year Special Recreation Permit, Pershing County, Nevada
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 119 (June 20, 2018)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 119 (June 20, 2018)
| Page Range | 28656-28657 | |
| FR Document | 2018-13244 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 28656-28657] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-13244] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVW03500.L51050000.EA0000.LVRCF1705210.17XMO#4500108946] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Burning Man Event 10-Year Special Recreation Permit, Pershing County, Nevada 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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Black Rock Field Office, Winnemucca, Nevada intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential impacts of approving a 10-year Special Recreation Permit (SRP) for the Burning Man Event in Pershing County, Nevada. This Notice initiates public scoping period for the EIS. The public scoping process will assist the BLM with determining the issues to be addressed in the EIS, and serves to initiate public consultation, as required under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). DATES: Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until August 6, 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://go.usa.gov/xnBTu. In order to ensure comments are considered in the development of the EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 45-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: Comments related to the Burning Man SRP EIS should be submitted to following addresses:Email: BLM_NV_BurningManEIS@blm.gov. Include ``Burning Man SRP EIS Comments'' in the subject line. Mail: BLM--Winnemucca District Office--Black Rock Field Office, Attn: Mark E. Hall, Black Rock Field Manager, 5100 East Winnemucca Boulevard, Winnemucca, NV 89445. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Hall at 775-623-1500 or mehall@blm.gov. Contact Mr. Hall to be added to our mailing list. Persons using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to leave a message with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Black Rock City LLC (BRC), has applied for a 10-year SRP under 43 CFR 2930 and has submitted a proposal to conduct the Burning Man event on public lands administered by the BLM Black Rock Field Office. BRC's proposal includes the following: Population increase to permit up to 100,000 total persons at the event; Expansion of the BLM Closure Order boundary by 561 acres, to a total of 14,714 acres; Creation of an infrastructure staging area on or near the Playa (60 x 300 ft); Expansion of alternative transportation (Burner Express Bus/Burner Express Air); Expansion of the perimeter fence to 10.4 miles total length; Arrival of as many as 30,000 staff and builders one week prior to opening; Expansion of Black Rock City to 1,250 acres; Installation of additional interactive camps; Installation of additional large scale art pieces; BRC licensing of art cars and ADA compliant vehicles to drive on the playa during event week; Use of approximately 16.5 million gallons of water per year would be obtained from private groundwater wells, located at Fly Ranch owned by BRC, for dust abatement and in support of event activities; and BRC management of vendor and compliance monitoring. [[Page 28657]] A reasonable range of alternatives will be formulated. In addition to the proposed action, two alternatives have been identified for analysis. The No Action alternative will analyze continuation of the existing event with paid population of 70,000 and up to 10,000 volunteers and paid staff. The No Event alternative will analyze not having the event in the Black Rock-High Rock National Conservation Area. Additional alternatives may be determined. The EIS will assess the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of BRC's proposal as well as any recommended mitigation. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary key issues: With the increase in participants, both the Pershing and Washoe County Sheriff offices may express concerns over public health and safety, and deputy staffing. Associated with this is the question of how the BLM will enforce applicable federal, state and local laws; With the increase in participants, increased amounts of airborne dust may be created, with associated air quality impacts; Surrounding communities and the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation may express concerns on the amount of solid waste (trash and refuse) generated by participants and how it will be disposed as participants depart the event; A variety of groups may want to know how BLM will monitor the event to insure that there is no unnecessary or undue degradation of federal land, and that the BLM receives appropriate financial compensation and cost recovery under the law; and With the increase in participants, both the Nevada Department of Transportation and County of Washoe may raise concerns with traffic and load capacity issues on public roads that access the event. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the public involvement process under the NHPA 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 in the context of both NEPA and the NHPA. The BLM will consult with Native American tribes on a government- to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, Secretarial Order 3317 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including but not limited to impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State and local agencies and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by BRC's proposal 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 personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personally identifiable information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask the BLM in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7. Mark E. Hall, Field Manager, Black Rock Field Office. [FR Doc. 2018-13244 Filed 6-19-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
![28656 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 20, 2018 / Notices
subject matter expertise, regional nominations and/or comments, you prior to the close of the 45-day scoping
knowledge, and representation of should be aware that your entire period or 15 days after the last public
communities of interest. CAG member comment—including your personal meeting, whichever is later. We will
terms are limited to three (3) years from identifying information—may be made provide additional opportunities for
their date of appointment. Following publicly available at any time. While public participation upon publication of
completion of their first term, a CAG you can ask us in your nomination/ the Draft EIS.
member may request consideration for comment to withhold your personal ADDRESSES: Comments related to the
reappointment to an additional term. identifying information from public Burning Man SRP EIS should be
Reappointment is not guaranteed. review, we cannot guarantee that we submitted to following addresses:
Typically, the CAG will hold one in- will be able to do so. • Email: BLM_NV_BurningManEIS@
person meeting per fiscal year. Between blm.gov. Include ‘‘Burning Man SRP EIS
Authority: This notice is published in
meetings, CAG members are expected to accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of 5 U.S.C. Comments’’ in the subject line.
participate in committee work via Appendix 2 (Public Law 92–463, as • Mail: BLM—Winnemucca District
conference calls and email exchanges. amended), Federal Advisory Committee Act Office—Black Rock Field Office, Attn:
Members of the CAG and its of 1972. Mark E. Hall, Black Rock Field Manager,
subcommittees serve without pay. Dated: June 4, 2018. 5100 East Winnemucca Boulevard,
However, while away from their homes Winnemucca, NV 89445.
Ryan K. Zinke,
or regular places of business in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
performance of services of the CAG, Secretary of the Interior.
Mark Hall at 775–623–1500 or mehall@
members may be reimbursed for travel [FR Doc. 2018–13268 Filed 6–19–18; 8:45 am]
blm.gov. Contact Mr. Hall to be added
expenses, including per diem in lieu of BILLING CODE 4332–90–P
to our mailing list. Persons using a
subsistence, in the same manner as telecommunications device for the deaf
persons employed intermittently in the (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
government service, as authorized by DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
section 5703 of title 5, United States contact the above individual during
Code. Bureau of Land Management
normal business hours. The FRS is
Individuals who are federally [LLNVW03500.L51050000.EA0000.LVRCF available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
registered lobbyists are ineligible to 1705210.17XMO#4500108946] to leave a message with the above
serve on all Federal Advisory
Notice of Intent To Prepare an individual. You will receive a reply
Committee Act (FACA) and non-FACA
Environmental Impact Statement for during normal business hours.
boards, committees, or councils in an
the Proposed Burning Man Event 10- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
individual capacity. The term
‘‘individual capacity’’ refers to Year Special Recreation Permit, applicant, Black Rock City LLC (BRC),
individuals who are appointed to Pershing County, Nevada has applied for a 10-year SRP under 43
exercise their own individual best CFR 2930 and has submitted a proposal
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, to conduct the Burning Man event on
judgment on behalf of the government,
Interior. public lands administered by the BLM
such as when they are designated
Special Government Employees, rather ACTION: Notice of Intent. Black Rock Field Office. BRC’s proposal
than being appointed to represent a includes the following:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the • Population increase to permit up to
particular interest. National Environmental Policy Act of
Nominations should include a resume 100,000 total persons at the event;
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the • Expansion of the BLM Closure
that provides an adequate description of
Federal Land Policy and Management Order boundary by 561 acres, to a total
the nominee’s qualifications,
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of of 14,714 acres;
particularly information that will enable • Creation of an infrastructure staging
Land Management (BLM) Black Rock
the Department of the Interior to area on or near the Playa (60 x 300 ft);
Field Office, Winnemucca, Nevada
evaluate the nominee’s potential to meet • Expansion of alternative
intends to prepare an Environmental
the membership requirements of the transportation (Burner Express Bus/
Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the
Committee and permit the Department Burner Express Air);
potential impacts of approving a 10-year
of the Interior to contact a potential • Expansion of the perimeter fence to
Special Recreation Permit (SRP) for the
member. Please refer to the membership 10.4 miles total length;
Burning Man Event in Pershing County,
criteria stated in this notice.
Nevada. This Notice initiates public • Arrival of as many as 30,000 staff
Any interested person or entity may and builders one week prior to opening;
scoping period for the EIS. The public
nominate one or more qualified
scoping process will assist the BLM • Expansion of Black Rock City to
individuals for membership on the 1,250 acres;
with determining the issues to be
CAG. Persons or entities submitting • Installation of additional interactive
nomination packages on the behalf of addressed in the EIS, and serves to
camps;
others must confirm that the initiate public consultation, as required • Installation of additional large scale
individual(s) is/are aware of their under the National Historic Preservation art pieces;
nomination. Nominations must be Act (NHPA). • BRC licensing of art cars and ADA
postmarked on or before July 20, 2018 DATES: Comments on issues may be compliant vehicles to drive on the playa
and sent to Gwendolyn Christensen, submitted in writing until August 6, during event week;
2018. The date(s) and location(s) of any • Use of approximately 16.5 million
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Designated Federal Officer, Bureau of
Reclamation, 1917 Marsh Rd., Yakima, scoping meetings will be announced at gallons of water per year would be
WA 98901–2058. least 15 days in advance through local obtained from private groundwater
media, newspapers and the BLM wells, located at Fly Ranch owned by
Public Disclosure of Comments website at: https://go.usa.gov/xnBTu. BRC, for dust abatement and in support
Before including your address, phone In order to ensure comments are of event activities; and
number, email address, or other considered in the development of the • BRC management of vendor and
personal identifying information in your EIS, all comments must be received compliance monitoring.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 20, 2018 / Notices 28657
A reasonable range of alternatives will Executive Order 13175, Secretarial (AK–942), Division of Lands and
be formulated. In addition to the Order 3317 and other policies. Tribal Cadastral, BLM Alaska State Office, 222
proposed action, two alternatives have concerns, including but not limited to West 7th Avenue, #13, Anchorage, AK
been identified for analysis. The No impacts on Indian trust assets and 99513. To submit comments by email,
Action alternative will analyze potential impacts to cultural resources, send to anichols@blm.gov.
continuation of the existing event with will be given due consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
paid population of 70,000 and up to Federal, State and local agencies and Angie Nichols, RDI Program Manager,
10,000 volunteers and paid staff. The No other stakeholders that may be 222 West 7th Avenue, #13, Anchorage,
Event alternative will analyze not interested in or affected by BRC’s AK 99513; 907–271–3359; anichols@
having the event in the Black Rock-High proposal are invited to participate in the blm.gov; or visit the BLM Recordable
Rock National Conservation Area. scoping process and, if eligible, may Disclaimer of Interest website at https://
Additional alternatives may be request or be requested by the BLM to www.blm.gov/programs/lands-and-
determined. The EIS will assess the participate in the development of the realty/regional-information/alaska/RDI/
direct, indirect and cumulative effects of environmental analysis as a cooperating southeast.
BRC’s proposal as well as any agency.
recommended mitigation. Before including your address, phone People who use a telecommunications
The purpose of the public scoping number, email address or other device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
process is to determine relevant issues personally identifiable information in Federal Relay System (FRS) at 1–800–
that will influence the scope of the your comment, you should be aware 877–8339 to contact the above
environmental analysis, including that your entire comment—including individual during normal business
alternatives and guide the process for your personally identifiable hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a
developing the EIS. At present, the BLM information—may be made publicly day, 7 days a week, to leave a message
has identified the following preliminary available at any time. While you can ask or a question with the above individual.
key issues: the BLM in your comment to withhold You will receive a reply during normal
• With the increase in participants, your personally identifiable information business hours.
both the Pershing and Washoe County from public review, we cannot SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
Sheriff offices may express concerns guarantee that we will be able to do so. 14, 2017, the State of Alaska filed an
over public health and safety, and application (AA–94268) for an RDI
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.
deputy staffing. Associated with this is pursuant to Section 315 of the Federal
the question of how the BLM will Mark E. Hall, Land Policy and Management Act of
enforce applicable federal, state and Field Manager, Black Rock Field Office. 1976 (FLPMA) and the regulations
local laws; [FR Doc. 2018–13244 Filed 6–19–18; 8:45 am] contained in 43 CFR 1864 for the lands
• With the increase in participants, BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P underlying the Taku River in Alaska.
increased amounts of airborne dust may The State asserts that this river was
be created, with associated air quality navigable at the time of Alaska
impacts; DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Statehood. As such, the State contends
• Surrounding communities and the that ownership of the lands underlying
Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation may Bureau of Land Management the Taku River automatically passed
express concerns on the amount of solid from the United States to the State of
[12X.LLAK942000.L54200000.FR0000.LVDIL
waste (trash and refuse) generated by 12L0550; AA094268] Alaska in 1959 at the time of Statehood
participants and how it will be disposed under the Equal Footing Doctrine, the
as participants depart the event; Notice of Application for a Recordable Submerged Lands Act of 1953, the
• A variety of groups may want to Disclaimer of Interest for Lands Alaska Statehood Act, and other title
know how BLM will monitor the event Underlying the Taku River in Alaska navigability law.
to insure that there is no unnecessary or
undue degradation of federal land, and AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Section 315 of FLPMA authorizes the
that the BLM receives appropriate Interior. BLM to issue an RDI when it determines
financial compensation and cost ACTION: Notice. that a record interest of the United
recovery under the law; and States in lands has terminated by law or
• With the increase in participants, SUMMARY: The State of Alaska has filed is otherwise invalid, and a disclaimer
both the Nevada Department of an application with the Bureau of Land would help remove a cloud on title to
Transportation and County of Washoe Management (BLM) for a Recordable such lands.
may raise concerns with traffic and load Disclaimer of Interest (RDI) from the The State’s application is for an RDI
capacity issues on public roads that United States in those lands underlying for all submerged lands between the
access the event. the Taku River located in southeast ordinary high water mark of the left and
The BLM will utilize and coordinate Alaska. The State of Alaska asserts that right banks of the Taku River, beginning
the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the Taku River was navigable and at the 60-foot boundary reserve within
the public involvement process under unreserved at the time of Alaska sections 10, 11, and 14; township 38
the NHPA as provided in 36 CFR Statehood in 1959. south; range 71 east; Copper River
800.2(d)(3). The information about DATES: The BLM must receive all Meridian, Alaska; to the extent of tidal
historic and cultural resources within comments to this action on or before influence, regardless of location. The
September 18, 2018. State listed the Taku River’s coverage on
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
the area potentially affected by the
proposed action will assist the BLM in ADDRESSES: You may submit comments the USGS 1:63,360 series topographic
identifying and evaluating impacts to by mail or email on the State of Alaska’s map Taku River B–6, (1951, minor
such resources in the context of both application for an RDI or on the BLM revisions 1971); Taku River C–6 (1995);
NEPA and the NHPA. draft ‘‘Summary Report on Federal Taku River C–5, (1960) and Juneau B–
The BLM will consult with Native Interest in Lands underlying the Taku 1 quadrangles. The precise location may
American tribes on a government-to- River in Alaska.’’ To file comments by be within other townships due to the
government basis in accordance with mail, send to RDI Program Manager ambulatory nature of these water bodies.
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Document Created: 2018-06-20 00:20:22
Document Modified: 2018-06-20 00:20:22
| 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 | Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until August 6, 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://go.usa.gov/xnBTu. | |
| Contact | Mark Hall at 775-623-1500 or [email protected] Contact Mr. Hall to be added to our mailing list. Persons using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to leave a message with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 28656 |
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