83 FR 4921 - Notice of Intent To Amend the California Desert Conservation Area, Bakersfield, and Bishop Resource Management Plans and Prepare Associated Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 23 (February 2, 2018)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 23 (February 2, 2018)
| Page Range | 4921-4922 | |
| FR Document | 2018-02098 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 4921-4922] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-02098] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCA930000 L13400000.XM0000.18XL1109AF] Notice of Intent To Amend the California Desert Conservation Area, Bakersfield, and Bishop Resource Management Plans and Prepare Associated Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On September 14, 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment (DRECP), which amended the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan, Bishop Resource Management Plan (RMP), and the Bakersfield RMP in the Mojave and Colorado/Sonoran Desert regions of southern California. On March 28, 2017, the President issued Executive Order 13783, ``Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth,'' which directs all Federal agencies to review all actions that could ``potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources.'' To facilitate the BLM's review of the DRECP, including potential burdens on domestic renewable energy production in California, the BLM, 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 potential plan amendments and associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until March 19, 2018. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and the BLM website at www.blm.gov/california/drecp. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 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 Plan Amendment and NEPA document. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria to the BLM-California State Director, 2800 Cottage Way, Rm W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825 or electronically to [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremiah Karuzas, Renewable Energy Lead, 916-978-4644, 2800 Cottage Way, Rm W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825; email: [email protected]. Documents relevant to this planning process can be found at the above address. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to reach the BLM contact person. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 29, 2011, the BLM and the Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a process to jointly prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the NEPA for the DRECP. After the BLM prepared an EIS, on September 14, 2016, it issued a DRECP ROD that amended the CDCA Plan, Bishop RMP, and Bakersfield RMP in the Mojave and Colorado/Sonoran Desert regions of southern California. The DRECP Planning Area covered approximately 22,587,000 acres of both Federal and non-Federal land--including portions of seven counties (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego). The BLM manages approximately 10.8 million acres of the DRECP planning area. The BLM's DRECP makes available just over 800,000 acres (7%) of the 10.8 million acres of land potentially available for renewable energy development, of which 388,000 acres (4%) were designated as Development Focus Areas, considered to be areas with substantial renewable energy potential and low resource conflict. The ROD allocated a total of 6.5 million acres (60%) as conservation areas, to include California Desert National Conservation Lands, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, wildlife allocations, and National Scenic and Historic Trail corridors--which limit or are closed to renewable energy. The ROD also designated a little over 3.5 million acres (33%) as Special Recreation Management Areas and Extensive Recreation Management Areas--which the ROD states are also generally closed to renewable energy. As a result of concerns voiced by multiple parties throughout the public comment periods of the DRECP planning process, the BLM seeks additional comment on the DRECP ROD, including the renewable energy and conservation designations made through that decision. In 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order that required that 33 percent of California's energy production be via renewable energy in 2020. In October 2015, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed into law a measure which requires retail sellers and publicly owned utilities to procure 50 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2030. And, on March 28, 2017, the President issued Executive Order 13783, ``Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth,'' which directs all Federal agencies to review all actions that could ``potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources.'' In recognition of these goals and direction, BLM seeks comment on the potential impacts that land use [[Page 4922]] designations contained in the amended RMPs will have on commercial- scale renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and geothermal. In particular, the BLM seeks comment on the Areas of Critical Environmental Concern that were designated, including where private lands lie within the external boundaries of such designations, as well as comments on increasing opportunities for increased renewable energy development, recreational and off-highway vehicle (OHV) access, mining access, and grazing. Finally, on January 8, 2018, the President signed an Executive Order on Streamlining and Expediting Requests to Locate Broadband Facilities in Rural America, which directs Federal agencies: ``. . . to reduce barriers to capital investment, remove obstacles to broadband services, and more efficiently employ Government resources'' in order to foster rural broadband infrastructure projects. Therefore, the BLM also seeks comment on the impact that land use designations, land disturbance limits (or ``caps''), and visual management classifications contained in the amended RMPs may have on the deployment of future communications infrastructure. You may submit comments in writing to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the BLM using the method listed in the ADDRESSES section. To be most helpful, you should submit comments by the close of the 45-day scoping period or within 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic Preservation Act (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. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be addressed in the plan, 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 Plan Amendment and NEPA document 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 plan. 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 plan amendment in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Jerome E. Perez, California State Director. [FR Doc. 2018-02098 Filed 2-1-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2018 / Notices 4921
Nominations for membership may be the Desert Renewable Energy Wildlife Service initiated a process to
submitted by any source. Nominations Conservation Plan Land Use Plan jointly prepare an Environmental
should include a resume providing an Amendment (DRECP), which amended Impact Statement (EIS) under the NEPA
adequate description of the nominee’s the California Desert Conservation Area for the DRECP. After the BLM prepared
qualifications, including information (CDCA) Plan, Bishop Resource an EIS, on September 14, 2016, it issued
that would enable the Department of the Management Plan (RMP), and the a DRECP ROD that amended the CDCA
Interior to make an informed decision Bakersfield RMP in the Mojave and Plan, Bishop RMP, and Bakersfield RMP
regarding meeting the membership Colorado/Sonoran Desert regions of in the Mojave and Colorado/Sonoran
requirements of the Public Advisory southern California. On March 28, 2017, Desert regions of southern California.
Committee and permit the Department the President issued Executive Order The DRECP Planning Area covered
of the Interior to contact a potential 13783, ‘‘Promoting Energy approximately 22,587,000 acres of both
member. Independence and Economic Growth,’’ Federal and non-Federal land—
Individuals who are federally which directs all Federal agencies to including portions of seven counties
registered lobbyists are ineligible to review all actions that could (Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles,
serve on all FACA and non-FACA ‘‘potentially burden the development or Riverside, San Bernardino, and San
boards, committees, or councils in an use of domestically produced energy Diego). The BLM manages
individual capacity. The term resources.’’ To facilitate the BLM’s approximately 10.8 million acres of the
‘‘individual capacity’’ refers to review of the DRECP, including DRECP planning area.
individuals who are appointed to potential burdens on domestic The BLM’s DRECP makes available
exercise their own individual best renewable energy production in just over 800,000 acres (7%) of the 10.8
judgment on behalf of the government, California, the BLM, by this notice, is million acres of land potentially
such as when they are designated announcing the beginning of the available for renewable energy
Special Government Employees, rather scoping process to solicit public development, of which 388,000 acres
than being appointed to represent a comments and identify issues. (4%) were designated as Development
particular interest. DATES: This notice initiates the public Focus Areas, considered to be areas
Public availability of comments. scoping process for the potential plan with substantial renewable energy
Before including your address, phone amendments and associated National potential and low resource conflict. The
number, email address, or other Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ROD allocated a total of 6.5 million
personal identifying information in your documents. Comments on issues may be acres (60%) as conservation areas, to
nomination/comment, you should be submitted in writing until March 19, include California Desert National
aware that your entire nomination/ 2018. The dates and locations of any Conservation Lands, Areas of Critical
comment—including your personal scoping meetings will be announced at Environmental Concern, wildlife
identifying information—may be made least 15 days in advance through local allocations, and National Scenic and
publicly available at any time. While news media, newspapers and the BLM Historic Trail corridors—which limit or
you can ask us in your nomination/ website at www.blm.gov/california/ are closed to renewable energy. The
comment to withhold your personal drecp. In order to be included in the ROD also designated a little over 3.5
identifying information from public analysis, all comments must be received million acres (33%) as Special
review, we cannot guarantee that we prior to the close of the scoping period Recreation Management Areas and
will be able to do so. or 15 days after the last public meeting, Extensive Recreation Management
whichever is later. We will provide Areas—which the ROD states are also
Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2 generally closed to renewable energy.
additional opportunities for public
Michaela E. Noble, participation upon publication of the As a result of concerns voiced by
Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Draft Plan Amendment and NEPA multiple parties throughout the public
Compliance. document. comment periods of the DRECP
[FR Doc. 2018–02138 Filed 2–1–18; 8:45 am]
planning process, the BLM seeks
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
additional comment on the DRECP
BILLING CODE 4334–63–P on issues and planning criteria to the ROD, including the renewable energy
BLM-California State Director, 2800 and conservation designations made
Cottage Way, Rm W–1623, Sacramento, through that decision. In 2008, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CA 95825 or electronically to BLM_CA_ Schwarzenegger signed an executive
DRECP@blm.gov. order that required that 33 percent of
Bureau of Land Management
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: California’s energy production be via
[LLCA930000 Jeremiah Karuzas, Renewable Energy renewable energy in 2020. In October
L13400000.XM0000.18XL1109AF] Lead, 916–978–4644, 2800 Cottage Way, 2015, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Rm W–1623, Sacramento, CA 95825; signed into law a measure which
Notice of Intent To Amend the email: jkaruzas@blm.gov. Documents
California Desert Conservation Area, requires retail sellers and publicly
relevant to this planning process can be owned utilities to procure 50 percent of
Bakersfield, and Bishop Resource found at the above address. Persons who
Management Plans and Prepare their electricity from renewable energy
use a telecommunications device for the resources by 2030. And, on March 28,
Associated Environmental Impact deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 2017, the President issued Executive
Statements or Environmental Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to Order 13783, ‘‘Promoting Energy
Assessments reach the BLM contact person. The FRS
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Independence and Economic Growth,’’
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a which directs all Federal agencies to
Interior. week, to leave a message or question review all actions that could
ACTION: Notice of intent.
with the above individual. You will ‘‘potentially burden the development or
receive a reply during normal business use of domestically produced energy
SUMMARY: On September 14, 2016, the hours. resources.’’ In recognition of these goals
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July and direction, BLM seeks comment on
issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for 29, 2011, the BLM and the Fish and the potential impacts that land use
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![4922 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 23 / Friday, February 2, 2018 / Notices
designations contained in the amended development of the environmental SUMMARY: The Commission hereby gives
RMPs will have on commercial-scale analysis as a cooperating agency. notice of the scheduling of the final
renewable energy projects, including Before including your address, phone phase of antidumping and
wind, solar and geothermal. In number, email address, or other countervailing duty investigation Nos.
particular, the BLM seeks comment on personal identifying information in your 701–TA–581 and 731–TA–1374–1376
the Areas of Critical Environmental comment, you should be aware that (Final) pursuant to the Tariff Act of
Concern that were designated, including your entire comment—including your 1930 (‘‘the Act’’) to determine whether
where private lands lie within the personal identifying information—may an industry in the United States is
external boundaries of such be made publicly available at any time. materially injured or threatened with
designations, as well as comments on While you can ask us in your comment material injury, or the establishment of
increasing opportunities for increased to withhold your personal identifying an industry in the United States is
renewable energy development, information from public review, we materially retarded, by reason of
recreational and off-highway vehicle cannot guarantee that we will be able to imports of citric acid and certain citrate
(OHV) access, mining access, and do so. salts from Belgium, Colombia, and
grazing. The minutes and list of attendees for Thailand, provided for in subheadings
Finally, on January 8, 2018, the each scoping meeting will be available 2918.14.00, 2918.15.10, 2918.15.50,
President signed an Executive Order on to the public and open for 30 days after 3824.99.92, and 3824.99.92 of the
Streamlining and Expediting Requests the meeting to any participant who Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
to Locate Broadband Facilities in Rural wishes to clarify the views he or she United States, preliminarily determined
America, which directs Federal expressed. The BLM will evaluate by the Department of Commerce to be
agencies: ‘‘. . . to reduce barriers to identified issues to be addressed in the subsidized and sold at less-than-fair-
capital investment, remove obstacles to plan, and will place them into one of value.
broadband services, and more efficiently three categories:
1. Issues to be resolved in the plan DATES: January 8, 2018.
employ Government resources’’ in order
to foster rural broadband infrastructure amendment; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
projects. Therefore, the BLM also seeks 2. Issues to be resolved through policy Amelia Shister (202–205–2047), Office
comment on the impact that land use or administrative action; or of Investigations, U.S. International
designations, land disturbance limits (or 3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW,
‘‘caps’’), and visual management amendment. Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-
classifications contained in the The BLM will provide an explanation impaired persons can obtain
amended RMPs may have on the in the Draft Plan Amendment and NEPA information on this matter by contacting
deployment of future communications document as to why an issue was placed the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202–
infrastructure. in category two or three. The public is 205–1810. Persons with mobility
You may submit comments in writing also encouraged to help identify any impairments who will need special
to the BLM at any public scoping management questions and concerns assistance in gaining access to the
meeting, or you may submit them to the that should be addressed in the plan. Commission should contact the Office
BLM using the method listed in the The BLM will work collaboratively with of the Secretary at 202–205–2000.
ADDRESSES section. To be most helpful,
interested parties to identify the General information concerning the
you should submit comments by the management decisions that are best Commission may also be obtained by
close of the 45-day scoping period or suited to local, regional, and national accessing its internet server (https://
within 15 days after the last public needs and concerns. The BLM will use www.usitc.gov). The public record for
meeting, whichever is later. an interdisciplinary approach to these investigations may be viewed on
The BLM will utilize and coordinate develop the plan amendment in order to the Commission’s electronic docket
the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill consider the variety of resource issues (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov.
the public involvement process under and concerns identified. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
the National Historic Preservation Act Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR Scope.—For purposes of these
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 1610.2. investigations, the Department of
CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about Jerome E. Perez, Commerce has defined the subject
historic and cultural resources within California State Director.
merchandise as ‘‘all grades and
the area potentially affected by the granulation sizes of citric acid, sodium
[FR Doc. 2018–02098 Filed 2–1–18; 8:45 am]
proposed action will assist the BLM in citrate, and potassium citrate in their
BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
identifying and evaluating impacts to unblended forms, whether dry or in
such resources. solution, and regardless of packaging
The BLM will consult with Indian type. The scope also includes blends of
tribes on a government-to-government INTERNATIONAL TRADE citric acid, sodium citrate, and
basis in accordance with Executive COMMISSION potassium citrate; as well as blends with
Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal [Investigation Nos. 701–TA–581 and 731– other ingredients, such as sugar, where
concerns, including impacts on Indian TA–1374–1376 (Final)] the unblended form(s) of citric acid,
trust assets and potential impacts to sodium citrate, and potassium citrate
cultural resources, will be given due Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts constitute 40 percent or more, by
consideration. Federal, State, and local From Belgium, Colombia, and weight, of the blend.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
agencies, along with tribes and other Thailand; Scheduling of the Final The scope also includes all forms of
stakeholders that may be interested in or Phase of Countervailing Duty and crude calcium citrate, including
affected by the proposed action that the Antidumping Duty Investigations dicalcium citrate monohydrate, and
BLM is evaluating, are invited to AGENCY: United States International tricalcium citrate tetrahydrate, which
participate in the scoping process and, Trade Commission. are intermediate products in the
if eligible, may request or be requested production of citric acid, sodium citrate,
ACTION: Notice.
by the BLM to participate in the and potassium citrate.
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Document Created: 2018-02-03 14:27:43
Document Modified: 2018-02-03 14:27:43
| 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 potential plan amendments and associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until March 19, 2018. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and the BLM website at www.blm.gov/california/drecp. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 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 Plan Amendment and NEPA document. | |
| Contact | Jeremiah Karuzas, Renewable Energy Lead, 916-978-4644, 2800 Cottage Way, Rm W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825; email: [email protected] Documents relevant to this planning process | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 4921 |
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