Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in the 11 Western States, Including Proposed Amendments to Selected Land Use Plans LLW0350000.L14300000.PN0000, 72521-72525 [E8-28279]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices submit a completed nomination form with a letter of reference that describes the nominee’s qualifications to serve on the Science Technical Advisory Panel. The professional discipline the nominee would like to represent should be identified in the letter of nomination and in the nomination form. Nominees may be scientists and technical experts from diverse professions and interests, including the oil and gas industry, subsistence users, Alaska Native entities, conservation organizations, and academia. Nominees selected to serve on the Science Technical Advisory Panel will serve only in their professional capacity and will not serve to represent any group, agency or entity with whom they may be affiliated. The Executive Director shall collect the nomination forms and letters of reference and distribute them to the Oversight Group of the North Slope Science Initiative. The Oversight Group will submit their recommendations through the Bureau of Land Management to the Secretary of the Interior who has the responsibility for making the appointments. Members of the Science Technical Advisory Panel will serve without monetary compensation. Members will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses at the current rate for Government employees. Certification I hereby certify that the establishment of the Science Technical Advisory Panel for the North Slope Science Initiative is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the Secretary of the Interior, and in compliance with Section 348, Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–58). Thomas P. Lonnie, State Director. [FR Doc. E8–28366 Filed 11–26–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Bureau of Land Management Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in the 11 Western States, Including Proposed Amendments to Selected Land Use Plans LLW0350000.L14300000.PN0000 AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:16 Nov 26, 2008 Jkt 217001 SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Department of Energy (DOE) as co-lead agencies, and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) of the Department of the Interior (DOI) as cooperating Federal Agencies (the Agencies) announce the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in the 11 Western States (Final PEIS) (DOE/ EIS–0386) that also proposes to amend 138 land use plans. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the State of Wyoming, and the Lincoln, Sweetwater, and Uinta counties and conservation districts in Wyoming are also cooperating agencies. The Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are consulting agencies. The Agencies prepared the Final PEIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations, 40 CFR Parts 1500–1508; the DOE NEPA regulations, 10 CFR Part 1021; Compliance with Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review Requirements, 10 CFR Part 1022; the BLM planning regulations, 43 CFR subpart 1610; and applicable FS planning regulations. Section 368 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), Public Law 109– 58, directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, and the Interior, in consultation with FERC, states, tribal or local units of governments, as appropriate; affected utility industries; and other interested persons to designate, under their respective authorities, corridors on Federal land in the 11 Western States for oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines as well as electricity transmission and distribution facilities; perform any environmental reviews that may be required to complete the designation of such corridors; and incorporate the designated corridors into relevant agency land use and resource management plans or equivalent plans. The 11 Western States are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. DATES: Copies of the Final PEIS were distributed beginning November 20, 2008 to Members of Congress, American Indian Tribal governments, state and PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72521 local governments, other Federal agencies, and organizations and individuals who are known to have an interest in the Final PEIS. The DOI, USDA and DOD would issue separate Records of Decision (ROD) to amend selected land use plans for the purpose of designating EPAct 2005 Section 368 corridors no sooner than 30 days after the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the Notice of Availability of the Final PEIS. BLM’s ROD must also await a 60-day Governors’ Consistency Review in accordance with 43 CFR 1610.3–2. ADDRESSES: Send written requests for compact discs (CD) or printed copies of the Final PEIS to: West-wide Energy Corridor Final PEIS, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Bldg. 900, Mailstop 4, Argonne, IL 60439; by toll-free fax: 1–866–542–5904; or order online at https://corridoreis.anl.gov. The Final PEIS consists of a stand alone Summary, the PEIS Chapters (Volume 1–648 pages), the Appendices (Volume 2–564 pages), Maps (Volume 3–148 pages), and Comments and Responses (Volume 4–174 pages). The Final PEIS Volume 3 map atlas is printed on 11x17-inch paper. The CD version of the Final PEIS includes the map atlas in PDF format. The most powerful and flexible version of the map data is available on the project Web site (https://corridoreis.anl.gov). The Web site maps are available within a geographic information system (GIS) database that allows users to merge, enlarge, and view multiple map-data layers. Software and instructions to use the GIS data are user-friendly and available for free download on the Web site. The Final PEIS is available on the project Web site at https:// corridoreis.anl.gov, on the DOE NEPA Web site at https://www.gc.energy.gov/ nepa, and at the following reading room locations: • The BLM state and field offices and FS regional offices in the 11 Western States, and • The DOE Freedom of Information Act Office and Reading Room, Room 1E–190, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585; phone 202–586– 3142. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Final PEIS, please contact Kate Winthrop, BLM, WO–350, MS 1000 LS, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240; by phone: 202– 452–5051; or by e-mail: kate_winthrop@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agencies prepared the Final PEIS to implement Section 368 of EPAct to designate preferred locations for future E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1 72522 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines as well as electricity transmission and distribution facilities and to incorporate the designated corridors into the relevant agencies’ land use and resource management plans or equivalent plans. Section 368 directs the Agencies to take into account the need for upgraded and new infrastructure and to take actions to improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the capability of the national grid to deliver energy. This action only pertains to the designation of corridors for potential facilities on Federal lands located within the 11 Western States. In addition, Section 368 is intended to improve coordination among the Agencies to increase the efficiency of using designated corridors. In many areas of the United States, including the West, the infrastructure required to deliver energy has not always kept pace with growth in energy demand. The Agencies hope to improve the delivery of energy, while enhancing the electric transmission grid for the future, by establishing a coordinated network of Federal energy corridors on Federal lands in the West. The Final PEIS analyzes the environmental impacts of designating Federal energy corridors in 11 Western States and incorporating those designations into relevant agency land use and resource management plans or equivalent plans. The Agencies are preparing this PEIS at the designation stage because they believe it is an appropriate time to examine environmental concerns at the programmatic level. Impacts that affect the quality of the environment will only occur after specific proposals are submitted, analyzed through the NEPA process, and approved by the land management agency. The Agencies expect that the PEIS will greatly assist subsequent site-specific analyses for individual project proposals by allowing the Agencies to incorporate this PEIS into those later analyses. The Final PEIS analyzes a No Action Alternative and a Proposed Action. Under the No Action Alternative, Federal energy corridors would not be designated on Federal lands in the 11 Western States. The siting and development of future energy transport projects would continue under current agency procedures for granting rights-ofway (ROW). Under the Proposed Action, the Agencies would designate and incorporate identified Federal energy corridors that would consist of existing, locally designated Federal energy corridors together with additional, newly designated energy corridors located on Federal land into relevant land use and resource management plans. The Proposed Action is the Agencies’ preferred alternative. These energy corridors would comprise a comprehensive, coordinated network of preferred locations for future energy projects that could be developed to satisfy demand for energy. Under the Proposed Action, approximately 6,120 miles of Federal energy corridors would be designated on Federal lands within the 11 Western States as the preferred location for oil, natural gas, and hydrogen pipelines as well as electricity transmission and distribution lines. Environmental, engineering, and land use screening criteria were applied during the development of the Proposed Action to reduce potential environmental and land use conflicts. The energy corridors would typically be 3,500 feet wide, although the width may vary in certain areas due to environmental, topographic, or management constraints. The DOI, USDA and DOD would amend their respective land use or equivalent plans to incorporate the designated energy corridors; the amendments would be effective upon signing of the relevant agency’s ROD. The policies and Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs) developed under the Proposed Action would establish minimum requirements for the management of future individual energy transport projects. The proposed policies identify management objectives and address the administration of energy transport development activities. The proposed IOPs identify required management procedures that would need to be incorporated into future project-specific energy transport development proposals. The Proposed Action would amend a total of 138 (93 BLM, 38 FS, 4 DOD, and 3 NPS) land use and equivalent plans in the 11 Western States. The proposed land use plan amendments would incorporate the programmatic energy transport development policies and IOPs set forth in the Final PEIS. The proposed land use plan amendments would facilitate preparation and consideration of future energy transport development ROW applications on DOI-, USDA-, and DODadministered lands in these states, but would not eliminate the need for sitespecific NEPA analysis of individual development proposals. The Agencies propose to amend the following land use management plans, itemized in appendix A of the Final PEIS: LAND USE OR EQUIVALENT PLANS PROPOSED FOR AMENDMENT TO INCORPORATE EPACT SECTION 368 ENERGY CORRIDORS ON FEDERAL LANDS IN THE 11 WESTERN STATES State land use plan mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Arizona ................................ California ............................. VerDate Aug<31>2005 Agency office(s) Apache-Sitgreaves NS LRMP ................................................................ Arizona Strip RMP .................................................................................. Coronado NF LRMP ............................................................................... Glen Canyon NRA GMP ......................................................................... Kaibab NF LRMP .................................................................................... Kingman RMP ......................................................................................... Lake Havasu RMP .................................................................................. Lower Gila North MFP ............................................................................ Lower Gila South RMP ........................................................................... Lower Sonoran RMP .............................................................................. Phoenix RMP .......................................................................................... Prescott NF LRMP .................................................................................. Safford RMP ........................................................................................... Tonto NF LRMP ...................................................................................... Yuma Proving Ground INRMP ............................................................... Yuma RMP ............................................................................................. Alturas RMP ............................................................................................ Angeles NF LRMP .................................................................................. Bishop RMP ............................................................................................ 17:16 Nov 26, 2008 Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FS, Apache-Sitgreaves NF BLM, Arizona Strip FO FS, Coronado NF NPS, Glen Canyon NRA FS, Kaibab NF BLM, Kingman FO BLM, Lake Havasu FO BLM, Hassayampa FO BLM, Hassayampa FO BLM, Lower Sonoran FO BLM, Hassayampa FO FS, Prescott NF BLM, Safford FO FS, Tonto NF DOD, U.S. Army, Yuma Proving Ground BLM, Yuma FO BLM, Alturas FO FS, Angeles NF BLM, Bishop FO E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices 72523 LAND USE OR EQUIVALENT PLANS PROPOSED FOR AMENDMENT TO INCORPORATE EPACT SECTION 368 ENERGY CORRIDORS ON FEDERAL LANDS IN THE 11 WESTERN STATES—Continued State land use plan Agency office(s) California Desert Conservation Area Plan ............................................. BLM, Barstow FO, El Centro FO, Lake Havasu FO, Needles FO, Ridgecrest FO, Palm Springs-South Coast FO DOD, U.S. Navy, China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station FS, Cleveland NF BLM, Eagle Lake FO FS, Inyo NF FS, Klamath NF FS, Lassen NF FS, Modoc NF BLM, Redding FO FS, San Bernadino NF FS, Shasta-Trinity NF BLM, Folsom FO FS, Six Rivers NF BLM, Palm Springs-South Coast FO BLM, Surprise FO FS, Tahoe NF FS,Toiyabe NF FS, Arapaho-Roosevelt NF and Pawnee NG NPS, Curecanti NRA BLM, Glenwood Springs FO BLM, Grand Junction FO FS, Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison NF BLM, Gunnison FO BLM, Kremmling FO BLM, Little Snake FO FS, Routt-Medicine Bow NF, Thunder Basin NG BLM, Royal Gorge FO FS, Pike-San Isabel NF FS, San Juan NF BLM, Dolores FO, Uncompahgre FO BLM, Uncompahgre FO BLM, White River FO BLM, Upper Snake FO BLM, Bruneau FO FS, Caribou-Targhee NF BLM, Burley FO BLM, Coeur d’Alene FO FS, Idaho Panhandle NF BLM, Bruneau FO, Four Rivers FO, Jarbridge FO BLM, Four Rivers FO BLM, Upper Snake FO BLM, Burley FO, Shoshone FO BLM, Pocatello FO BLM, Four Rivers FO, Owyhee FO BLM, Burley FO FS, Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF BLM, Billings FO BLM, Dillon FO BLM, Missoula FO BLM, Butte FO FS, Lolo NF BLM, Winnemucca FO BLM, Carson City FO BLM, Elko FO BLM, Ely FO DOD, U.S. Army, Hawthorne AD FS, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF NPS, Lake Mead NRA BLM, Las Vegas FO DOD, U.S. Air Force, Nellis AFB BLM, Winnemucca FO BLM, Winnemucca FO BLM, Surprise FO FS, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station INRMP .................................... Colorado ............................. Cleveland NF LRMP ............................................................................... Eagle Lake RMP ..................................................................................... Inyo NF LRMP ........................................................................................ Klamath NF LRMP .................................................................................. Lassen NF LRMP ................................................................................... Modoc NF LRMP .................................................................................... Redding RMP ......................................................................................... San Bernadino NF LRMP ....................................................................... Shasta-Trinity NF LRMP ......................................................................... Sierra RMP ............................................................................................. Six Rivers NF LRMP .............................................................................. South Coast RMP ................................................................................... Surprise RMP ......................................................................................... Tahoe NF LRMP ..................................................................................... Toiyabe NF LRMP .................................................................................. Arapaho-Roosevelt NF and Pawnee NG LRMP .................................... Curecanti NCA GMP .............................................................................. Glenwood Springs RMP ......................................................................... Grand Junction RMP .............................................................................. Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison NF LRMP .................................. Gunnison RMP ....................................................................................... Kremmling RMP ...................................................................................... Little Snake RMP .................................................................................... Routt NF LRMP ...................................................................................... Idaho ................................... Montana .............................. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Nevada ................................ VerDate Aug<31>2005 Royal Gorge RMP .................................................................................. Pike-San Isabel NF LRMP ..................................................................... San Juan NF LRMP ............................................................................... San Juan/San Miguel RMP .................................................................... Uncompahgre Basin RMP ...................................................................... White River RMP .................................................................................... Big Desert MFP ...................................................................................... Bruneau MFP .......................................................................................... Caribou-Targhee NF LRMP .................................................................... Cassia RMP ............................................................................................ Coeur d’Alene RMP ................................................................................ Idaho Panhandle NF LRMP ................................................................... Jarbidge RMP ......................................................................................... Kuna MFP ............................................................................................... Medicine Lodge RMP ............................................................................. Monument RMP ...................................................................................... Pocatello RMP ........................................................................................ Owyhee RMP .......................................................................................... Twin Falls MFP ....................................................................................... Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF LRMP .......................................................... Billings RMP ........................................................................................... Dillon RMP .............................................................................................. Garnet RMP ............................................................................................ Headwaters RMP .................................................................................... Lolo NF LRMP ........................................................................................ Black Rock-High Rock Emigrant Trail NCA RMP .................................. Carson City FO Consolidated RMP ....................................................... Elko RMP ................................................................................................ Ely RMP .................................................................................................. Hawthorne Army Depot INRMP ............................................................. Humboldt NF LRMP ............................................................................... Lake Mead NRA GMP ............................................................................ Las Vegas RMP ...................................................................................... Nellis AFB Plan 126–4 INRMP ............................................................... Paradise-Denio MFP .............................................................................. Sonoma Gerlach MFP ............................................................................ Surprise RMP ......................................................................................... Toiyabe NF LRMP .................................................................................. 17:16 Nov 26, 2008 Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1 72524 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices LAND USE OR EQUIVALENT PLANS PROPOSED FOR AMENDMENT TO INCORPORATE EPACT SECTION 368 ENERGY CORRIDORS ON FEDERAL LANDS IN THE 11 WESTERN STATES—Continued State land use plan New Mexico ........................ Oregon ................................ Agency office(s) Tonopah RMP ......................................................................................... Wells RMP .............................................................................................. Carlsbad RMP ........................................................................................ Farmington RMP ..................................................................................... Mimbres RMP ......................................................................................... Rio Puerco RMP ..................................................................................... Roswell RMP .......................................................................................... Socorro RMP .......................................................................................... White Sands RMP .................................................................................. Andrews-Steens RMP ............................................................................ Baker RMP ............................................................................................. Brothers-Lapine RMP ............................................................................. Deschutes NF LRMP .............................................................................. Eugene RMP .......................................................................................... Fremont NF LRMP ................................................................................. Klamath Falls RMP ................................................................................. Lakeview RMP ........................................................................................ Medford RMP .......................................................................................... BLM, Battle Mountain FO BLM, Elko FO BLM, Carlsbad FO BLM, Farmington FO BLM, Las Cruces DO BLM, Rio Puerco FO BLM, Roswell FO BLM, Socorro FO BLM, Las Cruces DO BLM, Andrews FO BLM, Baker FO BLM, Central Oregon FO, Deschutes FO FS, Deschutes NF BLM, Upper Willamette FO FS, Fremont-Winema NFs BLM, Klamath Falls FO BLM, Lakeview FO BLM, Ashland FO, Butte Falls FO, Glendale FO FS, Mt. Hood NF BLM, South River FO, Swiftwater FO, Upper Willamette FO BLM, Cascades FO, Tillamook FO BLM, Jordan FO, Malheur FO BLM, Three Rivers FO BLM, Deschutes FO BLM, Deschutes FO FS, Fremont-Winema NF BLM, Cedar City FO FS, Dixie NF FS, Fishlake NF BLM, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM FO BLM, Fillmore FO BLM, Kanab FO BLM, Moab FO BLM, Cedar City FO BLM, Salt Lake FO BLM, Price FO BLM, Richfield FO BLM, St. George FO BLM, Monticello FO FS, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF BLM, Vernal FO BLM, Fillmore FO FS, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF FS, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF BLM, Wenatchee FO FS, Wenatchee NF FS, Ashley NF BLM, Casper FO BLM, Cody FO BLM, Worland FO BLM, Rawlins FO BLM, Rock Springs FO BLM, Kemmerer FO BLM, Lander FO. FS, Routt-Medicine Bow NF, Thunder Basin NG BLM, Worland FO Mt. Hood NF LRMP ................................................................................ Roseburg RMP ....................................................................................... Utah .................................... Washington ......................... Wyoming ............................. Salem RMP ............................................................................................. Southeastern Oregon RMP .................................................................... Three Rivers RMP .................................................................................. Two Rivers RMP ..................................................................................... Upper Deschutes RMP ........................................................................... Winema NF LRMP .................................................................................. Cedar-Beaver-Garfield-Antimony RMP .................................................. Dixie NF LRMP ....................................................................................... Fishlake NF LRMP ................................................................................. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Management Plan ...... House Range RMP ................................................................................. Kanab RMP ............................................................................................ Moab RMP .............................................................................................. Pinyon MFP ............................................................................................ Pony Express RMP ................................................................................ Price RMP ............................................................................................... Richfield RMP ......................................................................................... St. George (Dixie) RMP .......................................................................... San Juan RMP ....................................................................................... Uinta NF LRMP ...................................................................................... Vernal RMP ............................................................................................ Warm Springs RMP ................................................................................ Wasatch-Cache NF LRMP ..................................................................... Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF LRMP ...................................................... Spokane RMP ......................................................................................... Wenatchee NF LRMP ............................................................................. Ashley NF LRMP .................................................................................... Casper RMP ........................................................................................... Cody RMP .............................................................................................. Grass Creek RMP .................................................................................. Great Divide RMP ................................................................................... Green River RMP ................................................................................... Kemmerer RMP ...................................................................................... Lander RMP ............................................................................................ Medicine Bow NF LRMP ........................................................................ mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Washakie RMP ....................................................................................... AFB = Air Force Base; BLM = Bureau of Land Management; CBGA = Cedar-Beaver-Garfield-Antimony; CCCP = Complex Comprehensive Conservation Plan; DO = district office; DOD = Department of Defense; FO = field office; FS = Forest Service; GMP = General Management Plan; INRMP = Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan; LMP = Land Management Plan; LRMP = Land and Resource Management Plan; MFP = Management Framework Plan; NCA = National Conservation Area; NF = National Forest; NM = National Monument; NG = National Grassland; NPS = National Park Service; NRA = National Recreation Area; RAMP= Recreation Area Management Plan; RFP= Revised Forest Plan, RMP = Resource Management Plan. This list represents the most current plans. This list differs in some particulars from the list in the Draft PEIS, Vol. 2. Since planning is dynamic and there may also be further changes in the locations of specific corridors, the individual agency Records of Decision may also include changes in this list. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:16 Nov 26, 2008 Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices The Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in the 11 Western States (Draft PEIS) was made available for public review and comment from November 16, 2007, to February 14, 2008. The Draft PEIS was posted on the project Web site at https:// corridoreis.anl.gov, the DOE NEPA Web site at https://www.gc.energy.gov/nepa, and provided, on request, as a CD or printed document. Notice was provided to more than 2,200 individuals and organizations who registered on the project Web site to receive information about the PEIS. Approximately 14,000 individuals and organizations commented on the Draft PEIS, providing more than 3,500 substantive comments. About 57 percent of the comment documents were received via the project Web site, 21 percent were submitted by regular mail, and 22 percent were submitted at the public hearings, as oral statements, written submissions, or both. Volume IV of the Final PEIS contains the public comments on the Draft PEIS and the agencies’ responses. Public comments addressed a broad range of issues. Nearly 35 percent of the comments addressed various topics related to the alternatives presented in the PEIS, 20 percent commented on the purpose and need, and 17 percent commented on corridor location. Nearly 5 percent of the comments were concerned with ecological issues, approximately 4 percent raised concerns about multiple impact areas, 4 percent addressed cumulative impacts, and slightly more than 2 percent dealt with tribal issues. The remaining comments were divided among a number of topics, each comprising less than 2 percent of the total. The topics (listed in decreasing order) include general impacts, land use, water resources, health and safety, cultural resources, maps, visual resources, socioeconomics, regulations, air quality, environmental justice, and noise. Public and internal agency review comments on the Draft PEIS were incorporated into the Final PEIS. Public comments resulted in changes to the text and modifications to corridor segments. These changes have improved the analysis and clarified the discussion of important issues but did not significantly modify the Proposed Action or proposed land use plan amendments. The Final PEIS contains a number of modifications to corridor segments in response to public and agency comments. These changes are VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:16 Nov 26, 2008 Jkt 217001 detailed in appendix K of the Final PEIS. Government-to-government consultation regarding potential energy transport development and land use plan amendments on DOI–, USDA–, and DOD-administered lands was conducted with federally recognized Tribes whose interests might be directly and substantially affected. The Tribes contacted are listed in appendix C of the Final PEIS. In addition, the Agencies have initiated activities to coordinate and consult with the governors of each of the 11 Western States addressed in the PEIS and with State agencies. Prior to the Agencies’ issuance of their respective RODs, the governor of each state has the opportunity to identify any inconsistencies between the proposed land use plan amendments and State or local plans and to provide recommendations, in writing, during the 60-day consistency review period required by the BLM land use planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.3–2). The DOI Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management (AS/LM) is the responsible official for publishing the proposed plan amendments affecting public lands. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and its implementing regulations provide land use planning authority to the Secretary, which has been delegated to this Assistant Secretary. Because any decision regarding these plan amendments is being made by the AS/ LM, it is the final decision for the DOI. This decision is not subject to administrative review (protest) under the BLM (DOI) land use planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.5–2). The USDA Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment is the responsible official for publishing the proposed plan amendments on National Forest System lands. The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and their implementing regulations provide land use planning authority to the Secretary, as delegated to this Under Secretary. Because any decision regarding these plan amendments is being made by the Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, it is the final decision for the Department of Agriculture. This decision is not subject to administrative review (objection) under the FS or Departmental regulations (36 CFR 219.13(a)(2)). Copies of the Final PEIS have been sent to the Environmental Protection Agency, DOI Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, DOI Library, PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72525 and the governors’ offices in each of the 11 Western States covered by this PEIS. Copies of the Final PEIS are available at the BLM state offices and FS regional offices in the 11 Western States, DOE Headquarters Reading Room, the BLM Washington, DC, Public Affairs office and the FS Washington, DC, offices. Those interested may also review the Final PEIS and proposed land use plan amendments online at https:// corridoreis.anl.gov. Michael D. Nedd, Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management, Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior. [FR Doc. E8–28279 Filed 11–26–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Water Management Plans Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The following Water Management Plans are available for review: • Glide Irrigation District • Kanawha Water District • Panoche Water District • Clear Creek Community Services District • Arvin Edison Irrigation District To meet the requirements of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA) and the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) developed and published the Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans (Criteria). For the purpose of this announcement, Water Management Plans (Plans) are considered the same as Water Conservation Plans. The above entities have developed a Plan, which Reclamation has evaluated and preliminarily determined to meet the requirements of these Criteria. Reclamation is publishing this notice in order to allow the public to review the plans and comment on the preliminary determinations. Public comment on Reclamation’s preliminary (i.e., draft) determination is invited at this time. DATES: All public comments must be received by December 29, 2008. ADDRESSES: Please mail comments to Ms. Laurie Sharp, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825, or contact at 916–978–5232 (TDD 978–5608), or email at lsharp@mp.usbr.gov. E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 230 (Friday, November 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72521-72525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28279]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

Notice of Availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal
Land in the 11 Western States, Including Proposed Amendments to
Selected Land Use Plans LLW0350000.L14300000.PN0000

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Department of
Energy (DOE) as co-lead agencies, and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) of
the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Defense (DOD),
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) of the Department of the
Interior (DOI) as cooperating Federal Agencies (the Agencies) announce
the availability of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in
the 11 Western States (Final PEIS) (DOE/EIS-0386) that also proposes to
amend 138 land use plans.
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the California Energy Commission (CEC),
the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the State of
Wyoming, and the Lincoln, Sweetwater, and Uinta counties and
conservation districts in Wyoming are also cooperating agencies. The
Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) are consulting agencies.
The Agencies prepared the Final PEIS pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.; the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations, 40 CFR
Parts 1500-1508; the DOE NEPA regulations, 10 CFR Part 1021; Compliance
with Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review Requirements, 10 CFR
Part 1022; the BLM planning regulations, 43 CFR subpart 1610; and
applicable FS planning regulations.
Section 368 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), Public
Law 109-58, directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense,
Energy, and the Interior, in consultation with FERC, states, tribal or
local units of governments, as appropriate; affected utility
industries; and other interested persons to designate, under their
respective authorities, corridors on Federal land in the 11 Western
States for oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines as well as electricity
transmission and distribution facilities; perform any environmental
reviews that may be required to complete the designation of such
corridors; and incorporate the designated corridors into relevant
agency land use and resource management plans or equivalent plans.
The 11 Western States are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

DATES: Copies of the Final PEIS were distributed beginning November 20,
2008 to Members of Congress, American Indian Tribal governments, state
and local governments, other Federal agencies, and organizations and
individuals who are known to have an interest in the Final PEIS.
The DOI, USDA and DOD would issue separate Records of Decision
(ROD) to amend selected land use plans for the purpose of designating
EPAct 2005 Section 368 corridors no sooner than 30 days after the
Environmental Protection Agency publishes the Notice of Availability of
the Final PEIS. BLM's ROD must also await a 60-day Governors'
Consistency Review in accordance with 43 CFR 1610.3-2.

ADDRESSES: Send written requests for compact discs (CD) or printed
copies of the Final PEIS to: West-wide Energy Corridor Final PEIS,
Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Bldg. 900, Mailstop
4, Argonne, IL 60439; by toll-free fax: 1-866-542-5904; or order online
at https://corridoreis.anl.gov.
The Final PEIS consists of a stand alone Summary, the PEIS Chapters
(Volume 1-648 pages), the Appendices (Volume 2-564 pages), Maps (Volume
3-148 pages), and Comments and Responses (Volume 4-174 pages). The
Final PEIS Volume 3 map atlas is printed on 11x17-inch paper. The CD
version of the Final PEIS includes the map atlas in PDF format. The
most powerful and flexible version of the map data is available on the
project Web site (https://corridoreis.anl.gov). The Web site maps are
available within a geographic information system (GIS) database that
allows users to merge, enlarge, and view multiple map-data layers.
Software and instructions to use the GIS data are user-friendly and
available for free download on the Web site. The Final PEIS is
available on the project Web site at https://corridoreis.anl.gov, on the
DOE NEPA Web site at https://www.gc.energy.gov/nepa, and at the
following reading room locations:
The BLM state and field offices and FS regional offices in
the 11 Western States, and
The DOE Freedom of Information Act Office and Reading
Room, Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585;
phone 202-586-3142.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Final PEIS,
please contact Kate Winthrop, BLM, WO-350, MS 1000 LS, 1849 C Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20240; by phone: 202-452-5051; or by e-mail: kate_
winthrop@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agencies prepared the Final PEIS to
implement Section 368 of EPAct to designate preferred locations for
future

[[Page 72522]]

oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines as well as electricity transmission
and distribution facilities and to incorporate the designated corridors
into the relevant agencies' land use and resource management plans or
equivalent plans. Section 368 directs the Agencies to take into account
the need for upgraded and new infrastructure and to take actions to
improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the capability of
the national grid to deliver energy. This action only pertains to the
designation of corridors for potential facilities on Federal lands
located within the 11 Western States.
In addition, Section 368 is intended to improve coordination among
the Agencies to increase the efficiency of using designated corridors.
In many areas of the United States, including the West, the
infrastructure required to deliver energy has not always kept pace with
growth in energy demand. The Agencies hope to improve the delivery of
energy, while enhancing the electric transmission grid for the future,
by establishing a coordinated network of Federal energy corridors on
Federal lands in the West. The Final PEIS analyzes the environmental
impacts of designating Federal energy corridors in 11 Western States
and incorporating those designations into relevant agency land use and
resource management plans or equivalent plans.
The Agencies are preparing this PEIS at the designation stage
because they believe it is an appropriate time to examine environmental
concerns at the programmatic level. Impacts that affect the quality of
the environment will only occur after specific proposals are submitted,
analyzed through the NEPA process, and approved by the land management
agency. The Agencies expect that the PEIS will greatly assist
subsequent site-specific analyses for individual project proposals by
allowing the Agencies to incorporate this PEIS into those later
analyses.
The Final PEIS analyzes a No Action Alternative and a Proposed
Action. Under the No Action Alternative, Federal energy corridors would
not be designated on Federal lands in the 11 Western States. The siting
and development of future energy transport projects would continue
under current agency procedures for granting rights-of-way (ROW). Under
the Proposed Action, the Agencies would designate and incorporate
identified Federal energy corridors that would consist of existing,
locally designated Federal energy corridors together with additional,
newly designated energy corridors located on Federal land into relevant
land use and resource management plans. The Proposed Action is the
Agencies' preferred alternative.
These energy corridors would comprise a comprehensive, coordinated
network of preferred locations for future energy projects that could be
developed to satisfy demand for energy. Under the Proposed Action,
approximately 6,120 miles of Federal energy corridors would be
designated on Federal lands within the 11 Western States as the
preferred location for oil, natural gas, and hydrogen pipelines as well
as electricity transmission and distribution lines. Environmental,
engineering, and land use screening criteria were applied during the
development of the Proposed Action to reduce potential environmental
and land use conflicts. The energy corridors would typically be 3,500
feet wide, although the width may vary in certain areas due to
environmental, topographic, or management constraints. The DOI, USDA
and DOD would amend their respective land use or equivalent plans to
incorporate the designated energy corridors; the amendments would be
effective upon signing of the relevant agency's ROD.
The policies and Interagency Operating Procedures (IOPs) developed
under the Proposed Action would establish minimum requirements for the
management of future individual energy transport projects. The proposed
policies identify management objectives and address the administration
of energy transport development activities. The proposed IOPs identify
required management procedures that would need to be incorporated into
future project-specific energy transport development proposals. The
Proposed Action would amend a total of 138 (93 BLM, 38 FS, 4 DOD, and 3
NPS) land use and equivalent plans in the 11 Western States. The
proposed land use plan amendments would incorporate the programmatic
energy transport development policies and IOPs set forth in the Final
PEIS. The proposed land use plan amendments would facilitate
preparation and consideration of future energy transport development
ROW applications on DOI-, USDA-, and DOD-administered lands in these
states, but would not eliminate the need for site-specific NEPA
analysis of individual development proposals.
The Agencies propose to amend the following land use management
plans, itemized in appendix A of the Final PEIS:

Land Use or Equivalent Plans Proposed for Amendment to Incorporate Epact Section 368 Energy Corridors on Federal
Lands in the 11 Western States
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State land use plan Agency office(s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona....................... Apache-Sitgreaves NS LRMP.. FS, Apache-Sitgreaves NF
Arizona Strip RMP.......... BLM, Arizona Strip FO
Coronado NF LRMP........... FS, Coronado NF
Glen Canyon NRA GMP........ NPS, Glen Canyon NRA
Kaibab NF LRMP............. FS, Kaibab NF
Kingman RMP................ BLM, Kingman FO
Lake Havasu RMP............ BLM, Lake Havasu FO
Lower Gila North MFP....... BLM, Hassayampa FO
Lower Gila South RMP....... BLM, Hassayampa FO
Lower Sonoran RMP.......... BLM, Lower Sonoran FO
Phoenix RMP................ BLM, Hassayampa FO
Prescott NF LRMP........... FS, Prescott NF
Safford RMP................ BLM, Safford FO
Tonto NF LRMP.............. FS, Tonto NF
Yuma Proving Ground INRMP.. DOD, U.S. Army, Yuma Proving Ground
Yuma RMP................... BLM, Yuma FO
California.................... Alturas RMP................ BLM, Alturas FO
Angeles NF LRMP............ FS, Angeles NF
Bishop RMP................. BLM, Bishop FO

[[Page 72523]]

California Desert BLM, Barstow FO, El Centro FO, Lake Havasu FO,
Conservation Area Plan. Needles FO, Ridgecrest FO, Palm Springs-South
Coast FO
China Lake Naval Air DOD, U.S. Navy, China Lake Naval Air Weapons
Weapons Station INRMP. Station
Cleveland NF LRMP.......... FS, Cleveland NF
Eagle Lake RMP............. BLM, Eagle Lake FO
Inyo NF LRMP............... FS, Inyo NF
Klamath NF LRMP............ FS, Klamath NF
Lassen NF LRMP............. FS, Lassen NF
Modoc NF LRMP.............. FS, Modoc NF
Redding RMP................ BLM, Redding FO
San Bernadino NF LRMP...... FS, San Bernadino NF
Shasta-Trinity NF LRMP..... FS, Shasta-Trinity NF
Sierra RMP................. BLM, Folsom FO
Six Rivers NF LRMP......... FS, Six Rivers NF
South Coast RMP............ BLM, Palm Springs-South Coast FO
Surprise RMP............... BLM, Surprise FO
Tahoe NF LRMP.............. FS, Tahoe NF
Toiyabe NF LRMP............ FS,Toiyabe NF
Colorado...................... Arapaho-Roosevelt NF and FS, Arapaho-Roosevelt NF and Pawnee NG
Pawnee NG LRMP.
Curecanti NCA GMP.......... NPS, Curecanti NRA
Glenwood Springs RMP....... BLM, Glenwood Springs FO
Grand Junction RMP......... BLM, Grand Junction FO
Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre- FS, Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison NF
Gunnison NF LRMP.
Gunnison RMP............... BLM, Gunnison FO
Kremmling RMP.............. BLM, Kremmling FO
Little Snake RMP........... BLM, Little Snake FO
Routt NF LRMP.............. FS, Routt-Medicine Bow NF, Thunder Basin NG
Royal Gorge RMP............ BLM, Royal Gorge FO
Pike-San Isabel NF LRMP.... FS, Pike-San Isabel NF
San Juan NF LRMP........... FS, San Juan NF
San Juan/San Miguel RMP.... BLM, Dolores FO, Uncompahgre FO
Uncompahgre Basin RMP...... BLM, Uncompahgre FO
White River RMP............ BLM, White River FO
Idaho......................... Big Desert MFP............. BLM, Upper Snake FO
Bruneau MFP................ BLM, Bruneau FO
Caribou-Targhee NF LRMP.... FS, Caribou-Targhee NF
Cassia RMP................. BLM, Burley FO
Coeur d'Alene RMP.......... BLM, Coeur d'Alene FO
Idaho Panhandle NF LRMP.... FS, Idaho Panhandle NF
Jarbidge RMP............... BLM, Bruneau FO, Four Rivers FO, Jarbridge FO
Kuna MFP................... BLM, Four Rivers FO
Medicine Lodge RMP......... BLM, Upper Snake FO
Monument RMP............... BLM, Burley FO, Shoshone FO
Pocatello RMP.............. BLM, Pocatello FO
Owyhee RMP................. BLM, Four Rivers FO, Owyhee FO
Twin Falls MFP............. BLM, Burley FO
Montana....................... Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF FS, Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF
LRMP.
Billings RMP............... BLM, Billings FO
Dillon RMP................. BLM, Dillon FO
Garnet RMP................. BLM, Missoula FO
Headwaters RMP............. BLM, Butte FO
Lolo NF LRMP............... FS, Lolo NF
Nevada........................ Black Rock-High Rock BLM, Winnemucca FO
Emigrant Trail NCA RMP.
Carson City FO Consolidated BLM, Carson City FO
RMP.
Elko RMP................... BLM, Elko FO
Ely RMP.................... BLM, Ely FO
Hawthorne Army Depot INRMP. DOD, U.S. Army, Hawthorne AD
Humboldt NF LRMP........... FS, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF
Lake Mead NRA GMP.......... NPS, Lake Mead NRA
Las Vegas RMP.............. BLM, Las Vegas FO
Nellis AFB Plan 126-4 INRMP DOD, U.S. Air Force, Nellis AFB
Paradise-Denio MFP......... BLM, Winnemucca FO
Sonoma Gerlach MFP......... BLM, Winnemucca FO
Surprise RMP............... BLM, Surprise FO
Toiyabe NF LRMP............ FS, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF

[[Page 72524]]

Tonopah RMP................ BLM, Battle Mountain FO
Wells RMP.................. BLM, Elko FO
New Mexico.................... Carlsbad RMP............... BLM, Carlsbad FO
Farmington RMP............. BLM, Farmington FO
Mimbres RMP................ BLM, Las Cruces DO
Rio Puerco RMP............. BLM, Rio Puerco FO
Roswell RMP................ BLM, Roswell FO
Socorro RMP................ BLM, Socorro FO
White Sands RMP............ BLM, Las Cruces DO
Oregon........................ Andrews-Steens RMP......... BLM, Andrews FO
Baker RMP.................. BLM, Baker FO
Brothers-Lapine RMP........ BLM, Central Oregon FO, Deschutes FO
Deschutes NF LRMP.......... FS, Deschutes NF
Eugene RMP................. BLM, Upper Willamette FO
Fremont NF LRMP............ FS, Fremont-Winema NFs
Klamath Falls RMP.......... BLM, Klamath Falls FO
Lakeview RMP............... BLM, Lakeview FO
Medford RMP................ BLM, Ashland FO, Butte Falls FO, Glendale FO
Mt. Hood NF LRMP........... FS, Mt. Hood NF
Roseburg RMP............... BLM, South River FO, Swiftwater FO, Upper
Willamette FO
Salem RMP.................. BLM, Cascades FO, Tillamook FO
Southeastern Oregon RMP.... BLM, Jordan FO, Malheur FO
Three Rivers RMP........... BLM, Three Rivers FO
Two Rivers RMP............. BLM, Deschutes FO
Upper Deschutes RMP........ BLM, Deschutes FO
Winema NF LRMP............. FS, Fremont-Winema NF
Utah.......................... Cedar-Beaver-Garfield- BLM, Cedar City FO
Antimony RMP.
Dixie NF LRMP.............. FS, Dixie NF
Fishlake NF LRMP........... FS, Fishlake NF
Grand Staircase-Escalante BLM, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM FO
National Monument
Management Plan.
House Range RMP............ BLM, Fillmore FO
Kanab RMP.................. BLM, Kanab FO
Moab RMP................... BLM, Moab FO
Pinyon MFP................. BLM, Cedar City FO
Pony Express RMP........... BLM, Salt Lake FO
Price RMP.................. BLM, Price FO
Richfield RMP.............. BLM, Richfield FO
St. George (Dixie) RMP..... BLM, St. George FO
San Juan RMP............... BLM, Monticello FO
Uinta NF LRMP.............. FS, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF
Vernal RMP................. BLM, Vernal FO
Warm Springs RMP........... BLM, Fillmore FO
Wasatch-Cache NF LRMP...... FS, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF
Washington.................... Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF FS, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie NF
LRMP.
Spokane RMP................ BLM, Wenatchee FO
Wenatchee NF LRMP.......... FS, Wenatchee NF
Wyoming....................... Ashley NF LRMP............. FS, Ashley NF
Casper RMP................. BLM, Casper FO
Cody RMP................... BLM, Cody FO
Grass Creek RMP............ BLM, Worland FO
Great Divide RMP........... BLM, Rawlins FO
Green River RMP............ BLM, Rock Springs FO
Kemmerer RMP............... BLM, Kemmerer FO
Lander RMP................. BLM, Lander FO.
Medicine Bow NF LRMP....... FS, Routt-Medicine Bow NF, Thunder Basin NG
Washakie RMP............... BLM, Worland FO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFB = Air Force Base; BLM = Bureau of Land Management; CBGA = Cedar-Beaver-Garfield-Antimony; CCCP = Complex
Comprehensive Conservation Plan; DO = district office; DOD = Department of Defense; FO = field office; FS =
Forest Service; GMP = General Management Plan; INRMP = Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan; LMP =
Land Management Plan; LRMP = Land and Resource Management Plan; MFP = Management Framework Plan; NCA =
National Conservation Area; NF = National Forest; NM = National Monument; NG = National Grassland; NPS =
National Park Service; NRA = National Recreation Area; RAMP= Recreation Area Management Plan; RFP= Revised
Forest Plan, RMP = Resource Management Plan.
This list represents the most current plans. This list differs in some particulars from the list in the Draft
PEIS, Vol. 2. Since planning is dynamic and there may also be further changes in the locations of specific
corridors, the individual agency Records of Decision may also include changes in this list.

[[Page 72525]]

The Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the
Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in the 11 Western
States (Draft PEIS) was made available for public review and comment
from November 16, 2007, to February 14, 2008. The Draft PEIS was posted
on the project Web site at https://corridoreis.anl.gov, the DOE NEPA Web
site at https://www.gc.energy.gov/nepa, and provided, on request, as a
CD or printed document. Notice was provided to more than 2,200
individuals and organizations who registered on the project Web site to
receive information about the PEIS. Approximately 14,000 individuals
and organizations commented on the Draft PEIS, providing more than
3,500 substantive comments. About 57 percent of the comment documents
were received via the project Web site, 21 percent were submitted by
regular mail, and 22 percent were submitted at the public hearings, as
oral statements, written submissions, or both.
Volume IV of the Final PEIS contains the public comments on the
Draft PEIS and the agencies' responses. Public comments addressed a
broad range of issues. Nearly 35 percent of the comments addressed
various topics related to the alternatives presented in the PEIS, 20
percent commented on the purpose and need, and 17 percent commented on
corridor location. Nearly 5 percent of the comments were concerned with
ecological issues, approximately 4 percent raised concerns about
multiple impact areas, 4 percent addressed cumulative impacts, and
slightly more than 2 percent dealt with tribal issues.
The remaining comments were divided among a number of topics, each
comprising less than 2 percent of the total. The topics (listed in
decreasing order) include general impacts, land use, water resources,
health and safety, cultural resources, maps, visual resources,
socioeconomics, regulations, air quality, environmental justice, and
noise.
Public and internal agency review comments on the Draft PEIS were
incorporated into the Final PEIS. Public comments resulted in changes
to the text and modifications to corridor segments. These changes have
improved the analysis and clarified the discussion of important issues
but did not significantly modify the Proposed Action or proposed land
use plan amendments. The Final PEIS contains a number of modifications
to corridor segments in response to public and agency comments. These
changes are detailed in appendix K of the Final PEIS.
Government-to-government consultation regarding potential energy
transport development and land use plan amendments on DOI-, USDA-, and
DOD-administered lands was conducted with federally recognized Tribes
whose interests might be directly and substantially affected. The
Tribes contacted are listed in appendix C of the Final PEIS.
In addition, the Agencies have initiated activities to coordinate
and consult with the governors of each of the 11 Western States
addressed in the PEIS and with State agencies. Prior to the Agencies'
issuance of their respective RODs, the governor of each state has the
opportunity to identify any inconsistencies between the proposed land
use plan amendments and State or local plans and to provide
recommendations, in writing, during the 60-day consistency review
period required by the BLM land use planning regulations (43 CFR
1610.3-2).
The DOI Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management (AS/LM)
is the responsible official for publishing the proposed plan amendments
affecting public lands. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 and its implementing regulations provide land use planning
authority to the Secretary, which has been delegated to this Assistant
Secretary. Because any decision regarding these plan amendments is
being made by the AS/LM, it is the final decision for the DOI. This
decision is not subject to administrative review (protest) under the
BLM (DOI) land use planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.5-2).
The USDA Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment is
the responsible official for publishing the proposed plan amendments on
National Forest System lands. The Forest and Rangeland Renewable
Resources Planning Act of 1974 as amended by the National Forest
Management Act of 1976, and their implementing regulations provide land
use planning authority to the Secretary, as delegated to this Under
Secretary. Because any decision regarding these plan amendments is
being made by the Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment,
it is the final decision for the Department of Agriculture. This
decision is not subject to administrative review (objection) under the
FS or Departmental regulations (36 CFR 219.13(a)(2)).
Copies of the Final PEIS have been sent to the Environmental
Protection Agency, DOI Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance,
DOI Library, and the governors' offices in each of the 11 Western
States covered by this PEIS. Copies of the Final PEIS are available at
the BLM state offices and FS regional offices in the 11 Western States,
DOE Headquarters Reading Room, the BLM Washington, DC, Public Affairs
office and the FS Washington, DC, offices. Those interested may also
review the Final PEIS and proposed land use plan amendments online at
https://corridoreis.anl.gov.

Michael D. Nedd,
Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management, Bureau of Land
Management, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. E8-28279 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P

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