San Bernardino National Forest, California, Proposed North-South Project EIR/EIS, 59728-59729 [2015-25095]
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59728
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
San Bernardino National Forest,
California, Proposed North-South
Project EIR/EIS
Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
joint Environmental Impact Report/
Environmental Impact Statement for the
North-South Project.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, notice
is hereby given that the San Bernardino
National Forest (Forest Service),
together with the California Public
Utilities Commission (CPUC), intend to
prepare a joint Environmental Impact
Report and Environmental Impact
Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Southern
California Gas Company (SoCal Gas)
and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E)
proposed North-South Project.
DATES: All scoping comments must be
received by November 23, 2015. The
draft environmental impact statement is
expected June 2016 and the final
environmental impact statement is
expected December 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
to Eric Chiang, California Public
Utilities Commission, and Jody Noiron,
Forest Supervisor, San Bernardino
National by any of the following
methods:
Email: North-South@ene.com.
Mail: Public Scoping Comments, RE:
North-South Project, 505 Sansome
Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA
94111.
Fax: (415) 398–5326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Information can be requested by leaving
a voice message at (844) 277–2475, or by
checking the project Web site at https://
www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/
ene/n-s/northsouth.html.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
primary components of the Proposed
Project include the construction of a 36inch-diameter natural gas transmission
pipeline and the rebuilding of the
Adelanto Compressor Station. The
pipeline would be primarily constructed
within existing public and private
rights-of-way. The Adelanto to Moreno
pipeline would be approximately 65
miles in length and would begin at the
Adelanto Compressor Station in the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:43 Oct 01, 2015
Jkt 238001
high desert city of Adelanto and would
proceed in a southerly direction through
the Cajon Pass and the San Bernardino
National Forest, terminating at the
Moreno Pressure Limiting Station in the
City of Moreno Valley. Approximately
eight miles of the proposed pipeline and
associated temporary construction areas
cross lands subject to Forest Service
jurisdiction. The balance of the
alignment crosses through non-federal
land in San Bernardino and Riverside
Counties along public roads.
The Adelanto Compressor Station
would be rebuilt with approximately
30,000 horsepower (HP) of compression
in order to accommodate the design
throughput. Additional Proposed
Project components include: (i)
Installation of additional pressure
limiting equipment at Moreno Pressure
Limiting Station and Whitewater
Pressure Limiting Station, (ii)
installation of pressure limiting
equipment at the proposed Shaver
Summit Pressure Limiting Station near
the City of Indio and at the Desert
Center Compressor Station near the
community of Desert Center, and (iii)
installation of 16 main line block valves.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service must respond to
SoCalGas and SDG&E’s application for a
new natural gas transmission pipeline
in the Cajon Pass designated utility
corridor in a manner that is consistent
with the Forest Service special use
regulations (36 CFR part 251 Subpart B),
the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as
amended, and the Land Management
Plan (LMP). The Forest Service purpose
and need will guide the development of
alternatives considered on National
Forest System lands.
The Cajon Pass corridor has a long
history of serving as a major utility and
transportation corridor into southern
California. It was designated as a utility
corridor when the LMP was revised in
2006, and was included as a ‘‘Section
368’’ corridor by the LMP amendment
signed by the Natural Resources and
Environment Under Secretary of
Agriculture in 2009. Designated
corridors are the primary agency
alternative for siting energy
transmission projects.
Permits issued by the Forest Service
are required by law to be consistent
with the LMP. The LMP identifies
suitable uses within various land use
zones, describes desired conditions
based on the LMP goals and objectives,
and sets resource management
standards. The joint EIR/EIS will
evaluate the consistency of the proposed
project and any alternatives with the
LMP. Based on an initial review of the
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
proposed project, project specific LMP
amendments may be required to resolve
potential conflicts with the plan Land
Use Zones and the plan standards
associated with riparian areas, scenery
management, and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposed action
would authorize the construction,
operation, and maintenance of a 36inch-diameter natural gas transmission
line, associated valve stations, and
access roads on National Forest System
lands within the San Bernardino
National Forest. Temporary work areas
or areas needed for pre-construction
surveys, including geological
explorations, would also be authorized.
The pipeline Right-of-Way would be
authorized by a 50 year permit or
easement under the authority of the
Mineral Leasing Act.
Possible Alternatives
The EIR/EIS will describe and
evaluate the comparative merits of a
reasonable range of alternatives to the
proposed action. Alternatives to be
analyzed in the EIR/EIS will be
developed during the environmental
review process and will consider input
received during scoping, and will
include the no action alternative as
required by law.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for the
Forest Service decision is Randy Moore,
Regional Forester, Pacific Southwest
Region. Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor,
San Bernardino National Forest, will be
the Forest Service official responsible
for conducting the environmental
review.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The CPUC has independent
jurisdiction over the entire project, and
will determine if SoCalGas’ and
SDG&E’s application for authority to
recover North-South Project revenue
requirements in customer rates, and for
approval of related cost allocation and
rate design proposals, is in the public
interest, and if so, under what
conditions the authority would be
granted. If the CPUC approves the
proposed project, the Forest Service will
decide whether or not to authorize the
portions of the project on National
Forest System lands, and if so, under
what conditions.
Preliminary Issues
The Forest Service and CPUC have
identified potential issues and impacts
to the existing environment that require
a detailed analysis in the EIR/EIS. Those
E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM
02OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 191 / Friday, October 2, 2015 / Notices
issues and impacts include aesthetics,
air quality, biological resources, heritage
resources, paleontological resources,
greenhouse gas emissions, fire, water
quality, land use, noise, public services,
recreation, socioeconomics and
environmental justice, roadless areas
(Cajon Roadless Area), and
transportation. No determinations have
yet been made as to the significance of
these potential impacts; such
determinations will be made in the
environmental analysis conducted in
the EIR/EIS after the issues are
considered thoroughly. This overview is
presented to assist the public and
agencies in preparing written scoping
comments.
Permits or Licenses Required
SoCalGas and SDG&E would be
required to obtain any applicable
discretionary and ministerial permits
from federal, state, and local agencies
prior to construction of the project.
Those permits could include, but are
not limited to, permits or certificates
required by the Clean Water Act and
administered by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers and the State and
Regional Water Resource Control
Boards, permits related to the Clean Air
Act administered by the State or
Regional Air Quality Control Boards,
and wildlife and habitat related permits
administered by the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service and California
Department of Fish and Wildlife.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Invitation to Cooperating Agencies
The Forest Service invites federal,
state, or local agencies and tribes to join
as cooperating agencies. Requests for
cooperating agency status may be
submitted to Forest Supervisor Jody
Noiron, San Bernardino National Forest,
602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San
Bernardino, CA 92408.
Scoping Process
The CPUC and Forest Service are
initiating the joint CEQA/NEPA scoping
process with this Notice of Intent and
associated Joint Notice of Preparation/
Scoping Notice. The comments received
during scoping will help guide the
development of the EIR/EIS. Three
public meetings will be held during the
scoping process to answer questions
about the proposed project and to accept
comments on the scope of the analysis.
Meetings will be held at the following
dates and locations:
1. October 27, 2015 from 6 to 8:30
p.m. at San Gorgonio High School, 2299
Pacific Street, San Bernardino, CA
2. October 28, 2015 from 6 to 8:30
p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, 9619
Mariposa Road, Hesperia, CA
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:43 Oct 01, 2015
Jkt 238001
59729
3. October 29, 2015 from 6 to 8:30
p.m. at the Moreno Valley Conference
and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick
Street, Moreno Valley, CA
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such a way that they are useful to the
CPUC and Forest Service preparation of
the EIR/EIS. Therefore, comments
should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
Comments received during scoping,
including names and addresses of those
who comment, will be part of the public
record for this proposed project.
Comments submitted anonymously will
be accepted and considered; however,
anonymous comments will not provide
the Forest Service with the ability to
provide the respondent with subsequent
environmental documents and will not
provide the respondent standing to
participate in subsequent administrative
or judicial review of the Forest Service
decision. This project will follow the
predecisional administrative review
process pursuant to 36 CFR 218,
Subparts A and B.
techniques or other forms of information
technology should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget, New
Executive Office Building, 725 17th
Street NW., Washington, DC 20502.
Commenters are encouraged to submit
their comments to OMB via email to:
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax
(202) 395–5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received
within 30 days of this notification.
Copies of the submission(s) may be
obtained by calling (202) 720–8681.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Dated: September 28, 2015.
Jody Noiron,
Forest Supervisor, San Bernardino National
Forest, USDA Forest Service.
Rural Utilities Service
Title: 7 CFR 1744–E, Borrower
Investments—Telecommunications
Loan Program.
OMB Control Number: 0572–0098.
Summary of Collection: The Rural
Economic Development Act of 1990,
Title XXIII of the Farm Bill, Public Law
101–624, authorized qualified Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to
make investments in rural development
projects without the prior approval of
the RUS Administrator, provided,
however that such investments do not
cause the borrower to exceed its
allowable qualified investment level as
determined in accordance with the
procedures set forth in 7 CFR part 1744,
subpart E. RUS requests that the
borrower submit (1) a description of the
rural development project and type of
investment; (2) a reasonable estimate of
the amount the borrower is committed
to provide to the project including
future expenditures; and (3) a pro forma
balance sheet and cash flow statement
for the period covering the borrower’s
future commitments to determine that
the ‘‘excess’’ or proposed ‘‘excess’’
investments will not impair the
borrower’s ability to repay the loan or
cause financial hardship.
Need and Use of the Information:
RUS will collect information to consider
whether or not to approve a borrower’s
request to make an investment in a rural
development project when such an
investment would cause the borrower to
[FR Doc. 2015–25095 Filed 10–1–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utility Service
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
September 28, 2015.
The Department of Agriculture has
submitted the following information
collection requirement(s) to Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13. Comments
regarding (a) whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59728-59729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25095]
[[Page 59728]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
San Bernardino National Forest, California, Proposed North-South
Project EIR/EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the North-South Project.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, notice is hereby given that the
San Bernardino National Forest (Forest Service), together with the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), intend to prepare a
joint Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement
(EIR/EIS) for the Southern California Gas Company (SoCal Gas) and San
Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) proposed North-South Project.
DATES: All scoping comments must be received by November 23, 2015. The
draft environmental impact statement is expected June 2016 and the
final environmental impact statement is expected December 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to Eric Chiang, California Public
Utilities Commission, and Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, San
Bernardino National by any of the following methods:
Email: North-South@ene.com.
Mail: Public Scoping Comments, RE: North-South Project, 505 Sansome
Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94111.
Fax: (415) 398-5326.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information can be requested by
leaving a voice message at (844) 277-2475, or by checking the project
Web site at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/ene/n-s/northsouth.html.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary components of the Proposed
Project include the construction of a 36-inch-diameter natural gas
transmission pipeline and the rebuilding of the Adelanto Compressor
Station. The pipeline would be primarily constructed within existing
public and private rights-of-way. The Adelanto to Moreno pipeline would
be approximately 65 miles in length and would begin at the Adelanto
Compressor Station in the high desert city of Adelanto and would
proceed in a southerly direction through the Cajon Pass and the San
Bernardino National Forest, terminating at the Moreno Pressure Limiting
Station in the City of Moreno Valley. Approximately eight miles of the
proposed pipeline and associated temporary construction areas cross
lands subject to Forest Service jurisdiction. The balance of the
alignment crosses through non-federal land in San Bernardino and
Riverside Counties along public roads.
The Adelanto Compressor Station would be rebuilt with approximately
30,000 horsepower (HP) of compression in order to accommodate the
design throughput. Additional Proposed Project components include: (i)
Installation of additional pressure limiting equipment at Moreno
Pressure Limiting Station and Whitewater Pressure Limiting Station,
(ii) installation of pressure limiting equipment at the proposed Shaver
Summit Pressure Limiting Station near the City of Indio and at the
Desert Center Compressor Station near the community of Desert Center,
and (iii) installation of 16 main line block valves.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service must respond to SoCalGas and SDG&E's application
for a new natural gas transmission pipeline in the Cajon Pass
designated utility corridor in a manner that is consistent with the
Forest Service special use regulations (36 CFR part 251 Subpart B), the
Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, and the Land Management Plan
(LMP). The Forest Service purpose and need will guide the development
of alternatives considered on National Forest System lands.
The Cajon Pass corridor has a long history of serving as a major
utility and transportation corridor into southern California. It was
designated as a utility corridor when the LMP was revised in 2006, and
was included as a ``Section 368'' corridor by the LMP amendment signed
by the Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary of Agriculture
in 2009. Designated corridors are the primary agency alternative for
siting energy transmission projects.
Permits issued by the Forest Service are required by law to be
consistent with the LMP. The LMP identifies suitable uses within
various land use zones, describes desired conditions based on the LMP
goals and objectives, and sets resource management standards. The joint
EIR/EIS will evaluate the consistency of the proposed project and any
alternatives with the LMP. Based on an initial review of the proposed
project, project specific LMP amendments may be required to resolve
potential conflicts with the plan Land Use Zones and the plan standards
associated with riparian areas, scenery management, and the Pacific
Crest Trail.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposed action would authorize the
construction, operation, and maintenance of a 36-inch-diameter natural
gas transmission line, associated valve stations, and access roads on
National Forest System lands within the San Bernardino National Forest.
Temporary work areas or areas needed for pre-construction surveys,
including geological explorations, would also be authorized. The
pipeline Right-of-Way would be authorized by a 50 year permit or
easement under the authority of the Mineral Leasing Act.
Possible Alternatives
The EIR/EIS will describe and evaluate the comparative merits of a
reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed action. Alternatives
to be analyzed in the EIR/EIS will be developed during the
environmental review process and will consider input received during
scoping, and will include the no action alternative as required by law.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for the Forest Service decision is Randy
Moore, Regional Forester, Pacific Southwest Region. Jody Noiron, Forest
Supervisor, San Bernardino National Forest, will be the Forest Service
official responsible for conducting the environmental review.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The CPUC has independent jurisdiction over the entire project, and
will determine if SoCalGas' and SDG&E's application for authority to
recover North-South Project revenue requirements in customer rates, and
for approval of related cost allocation and rate design proposals, is
in the public interest, and if so, under what conditions the authority
would be granted. If the CPUC approves the proposed project, the Forest
Service will decide whether or not to authorize the portions of the
project on National Forest System lands, and if so, under what
conditions.
Preliminary Issues
The Forest Service and CPUC have identified potential issues and
impacts to the existing environment that require a detailed analysis in
the EIR/EIS. Those
[[Page 59729]]
issues and impacts include aesthetics, air quality, biological
resources, heritage resources, paleontological resources, greenhouse
gas emissions, fire, water quality, land use, noise, public services,
recreation, socioeconomics and environmental justice, roadless areas
(Cajon Roadless Area), and transportation. No determinations have yet
been made as to the significance of these potential impacts; such
determinations will be made in the environmental analysis conducted in
the EIR/EIS after the issues are considered thoroughly. This overview
is presented to assist the public and agencies in preparing written
scoping comments.
Permits or Licenses Required
SoCalGas and SDG&E would be required to obtain any applicable
discretionary and ministerial permits from federal, state, and local
agencies prior to construction of the project. Those permits could
include, but are not limited to, permits or certificates required by
the Clean Water Act and administered by the United States Army Corps of
Engineers and the State and Regional Water Resource Control Boards,
permits related to the Clean Air Act administered by the State or
Regional Air Quality Control Boards, and wildlife and habitat related
permits administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and
California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Invitation to Cooperating Agencies
The Forest Service invites federal, state, or local agencies and
tribes to join as cooperating agencies. Requests for cooperating agency
status may be submitted to Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron, San
Bernardino National Forest, 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino, CA
92408.
Scoping Process
The CPUC and Forest Service are initiating the joint CEQA/NEPA
scoping process with this Notice of Intent and associated Joint Notice
of Preparation/Scoping Notice. The comments received during scoping
will help guide the development of the EIR/EIS. Three public meetings
will be held during the scoping process to answer questions about the
proposed project and to accept comments on the scope of the analysis.
Meetings will be held at the following dates and locations:
1. October 27, 2015 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at San Gorgonio High
School, 2299 Pacific Street, San Bernardino, CA
2. October 28, 2015 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott,
9619 Mariposa Road, Hesperia, CA
3. October 29, 2015 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Moreno Valley
Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick Street, Moreno
Valley, CA
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such a way that they are useful to the CPUC and Forest Service
preparation of the EIR/EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided
prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate
the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received during scoping, including names and addresses of
those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed
project. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and
considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the Forest
Service with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent
environmental documents and will not provide the respondent standing to
participate in subsequent administrative or judicial review of the
Forest Service decision. This project will follow the predecisional
administrative review process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B.
Dated: September 28, 2015.
Jody Noiron,
Forest Supervisor, San Bernardino National Forest, USDA Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25095 Filed 10-1-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
