Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed NextLight Renewable Power, LLC, Silver State North Solar Project and Silver State South Solar Project, Primm, NV, 31306-31307 [E9-15470]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 30, 2009 / Notices
will serve as a comprehensive
‘‘blueprint’’ sufficient to guide future
management of the Merced River
corridor in Yosemite National Park.
Background: In 1987, Congress
designated 122 miles of the Merced
River and its South Fork as Wild and
Scenic, including the 81 miles within
Yosemite National Park and the El
Portal Administrative Site. The National
Park Service (NPS) completed the
Merced Wild and Scenic River
Comprehensive Management Plan/Final
Environmental Impact Statement in
August 2000. Soon after, two citizens’
groups filed suit in the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of
California, resulting in the production of
the Merced Wild and Scenic River
Revised Comprehensive Management
Plan/Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement (MCMP/SEIS) in
2005. Subsequent court proceedings
culminated in a 2006 U.S. District Court
decision that invalidated the park’s
MCMP/SEIS and ordered the NPS to
prepare a new comprehensive
management plan. On January 9, 2007,
the NPS proposed a 33-month timeline
to the court for the preparation of the
NMRP/EIS, which would result in a
Record of Decision on September 30,
2009. The NPS initiated public scoping
for the NMRP on March 28, 2007; a
Notice of Intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement was
published on April 11, 2007 in the
Federal Register (public scoping lasted
74 days, closing on June 10, 2007).
Concurrently, the NPS appealed U.S.
District Court’s decision that the 2005
MCMP/SEIS was invalid. On March 27,
2008 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit) issued an
opinion affirming the judgment of the
District Court and expanding the scope
of what the NPS had previously
understood must be included in a
legally valid Merced Wild and Scenic
River Comprehensive Management Plan.
Consequently the NPS is reopening
public scoping for the NMRP/EIS so as
to provide additional opportunity for
public involvement in developing a new
plan.
The NMRP/EIS will address: resource
protection; existing and potential
development of lands and facilities; user
capacities; and the kinds and amounts
of use which the river area can sustain
without impacting values for which it
was designated. It will identify specific
management measures that will be used
to protect and enhance the
outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs)
for each of the river segments, including
the scenic, recreational, geological, fish
and wildlife, historic, cultural or other
similar values. In addition, the NMRP/
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19:55 Jun 29, 2009
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EIS will address the quantity and
mixture of recreation and other public
uses that may be permitted without
adverse impact to the ORVs, including
a discussion of the maximum number of
people that may be received at the river
while protecting and enhancing the
values for which the Merced and South
Fork Merced were included in the Wild
and Scenic Rivers system.
Scoping and Public Meetings: The
purpose of re-opening scoping is to
receive any new public comments about
issues and concerns that should be
addressed in the New MRP/EIS,
including a suitable range of
alternatives, appropriate mitigation
measures, and the nature and extent of
potential environmental impacts. Given
that all prior scoping comments remain
under consideration, at this time only
pertinent information or concerns not
previously provided need to be
submitted. Broad participation of
interested individuals and organizations
is important to the planning and
analysis process. During this concluding
phase, the public is invited to share new
concerns that should be considered in
the development of the draft NMRP/EIS.
Yosemite National Park will also further
consult tribal, federal, state, and local
governments. The renewed opportunity
for scoping will be posted on the park
Web site, and press releases will be
distributed to local and regional media.
Dates, times, specific locations, and
additional information will be released
through regional and local news
sources, and updates will be posted at
www.nps.gov/yose/planning/mrp. In
addition, updates regarding future
public involvement opportunities,
including workshops for alternatives
formulation and later release of the draft
NRMP/EIS for public review, will be
similarly announced in regional news
media and on the park’s Web site, and
through direct mailings.
Written comments should be
addressed to the Superintendent, Attn:
Merced River Plan, Yosemite National
Park, PO Box 577, Yosemite National
Park, CA 95389, or faxed to (209) 379–
1294, and must be postmarked or
transmitted not later than 60 days from
the publication date of this NOI in the
Federal Register (immediately upon
confirmation of this date it will be
posted on the park’s Web site and
announced via local and regional press).
Before including your address, phone
number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, be advised 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
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withhold from public review your
personal identifying information, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Decision Process: At this time it is
expected that following due
consideration of all comments on the
draft NRMP/EIS as may be received, the
final NMRP/EIS would be made
available during spring-summer 2012,
with preparation of a Record of Decision
anticipated during September, 2012. As
a delegated EIS the official responsible
for final approval of the NMRP/EIS is
the Regional Director, Pacific West
Region. Subsequently the official
responsible for implementing the
approved new Merced Wild and Scenic
River Comprehensive Management Plan
would be the Superintendent, Yosemite
National Park.
Dated: March 10, 2009.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. E9–15429 Filed 6–29–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–FY–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVS0100.L51010000.ER0000.
LVRWF09F8770; NVN–085077 and NVN–
085801; 09–08807; TAS: 14X5017]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed NextLight Renewable
Power, LLC, Silver State North Solar
Project and Silver State South Solar
Project, Primm, NV
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM), Las Vegas
Field Office, will prepare one
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for two proposed solar energy projects
located on public lands in Clark County,
Nevada. Publication of this notice
initiates the beginning of the scoping
process to solicit public comments and
identify issues.
DATES: This notice initiates the public
scoping process. Comments on issues
may be submitted in writing until July
30, 2009. The date(s) and location(s) of
any scoping meetings will be
announced at least 15 days in advance
through local news media and the BLM
Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/
en/fo/lvfo.html.
E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 30, 2009 / Notices
Submit comments related to
the project by any of the following
methods:
• E-mail:
Nextlight_Primm_NV_SEP@blm.gov
• Fax: (702) 515–5010, attention
Gregory Helseth.
• Mail: BLM, Las Vegas Field Office,
Attn: Gregory Helseth, 4701 North
Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV
89130–2301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information and/or to have your
name added to the mailing list, contact
Gregory Helseth, Renewable Energy
Project Manager, at (702) 515–5173; or
e-mail at
Nextlight_Primm_NV_SEP@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NextLight
Renewable Power, LLC, has submitted
two applications for rights-of-way for
the construction, operation,
maintenance, and termination of two
solar energy generation sites. The two
applications are identified as NVN–
085077 Silver State South Solar Project,
and NVN–085801 Silver State North
Solar Project. The proposed projects
would consist of photovoltaic panels
and related right-of-way appurtenances,
including a substation and switchyard
facilities. The proposed projects,
combined, would produce
approximately 400 megawatts of
electricity, and would be located on
approximately 7,840 acres of public
lands east of Primm, Nevada.
Issues that are anticipated to be
addressed in this EIS include threatened
and endangered species impacts, visual
impacts, socioeconomic impacts, and
cumulative impacts. The EIS will
analyze the site-specific impacts on air
quality, biological resources, cultural
resources, water resources, geological
resources and hazards, hazardous
materials handling, land and airspace
use, noise, paleontological resources,
public health, socioeconomics, soils,
traffic and transportation, visual
resources, waste management, worker
safety, and fire protection, as well as
facility design engineering, efficiency,
reliability, transmission system
engineering, transmission line safety,
and nuisance. Native American Tribal
consultations will be conducted in
accordance with policy, and Tribal
concerns will be given due
consideration, including impacts on
Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and
local agencies, as well as individuals or
organizations that may be interested in
or affected by the BLM’s decision on
this project are invited to participate in
the scoping process and, if eligible, may
request or be requested by the BLM to
participate as a cooperating agency.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES6
ADDRESSES:
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19:55 Jun 29, 2009
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Documents pertinent to this project
may be examined at the Las Vegas Field
Office. Additional opportunities for
public participation will be provided
upon publication of the draft EIS.
Before including your address, phone
number, e-mail 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.
(Authority: 43 CFR Part 2800)
Robert B. Ross Jr.,
Las Vegas Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E9–15470 Filed 6–29–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLWO350000.L14300000]
Notice of Availability of Maps and
Additional Public Scoping for
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement To Develop and Implement
Agency-Specific Programs for Solar
Energy Development; Bureau of Land
Management Approach for Processing
Existing and Future Solar Applications
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy
(DOE) and the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) (the Agencies) are
announcing the availability of maps
depicting solar energy study areas to be
analyzed in their joint Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement to
Develop and Implement AgencySpecific Programs for Solar Energy
Development (Solar PEIS) and the
opportunity for additional public
scoping. The BLM is issuing this Notice
to inform the public of the availability
of the solar energy study area maps; to
solicit public comments for
consideration in identifying
environmental issues, existing resource
data, and industry interest with respect
to the solar energy study areas in
particular; and to explain how the BLM
will address existing and future solar
energy development applications on
BLM-administered lands.
DATES: The time period for public
comments starts with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register and
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31307
will continue through July 30, 2009.
Comments received or postmarked after
that date will be considered to the
extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by the following methods:
• Electronically, using the online
comment form available on the project
Web site: https://solareis.anl.gov. This is
the preferred method of commenting.
• In writing, addressed to: Solar
Energy PEIS, Argonne National
Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue—EVS/
900, Argonne, IL 60439.
Availability of Maps: Maps of the
solar energy study areas are available
electronically from the project Web site:
https://solareis.anl.gov. The maps may
also be obtained from the following
BLM offices:
Arizona State Office, One North Central
Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ
85004.
California State Office, 2800 Cottage
Way, Suite W–1623, Sacramento, CA
95825.
Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield
Street, Lakewood, CO 80215.
Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial
Blvd., Reno, NV 89520.
New Mexico State Office, 1474 Rodeo
Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South,
Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information contact: Linda
Resseguie, BLM Washington Office,
linda_resseguie@blm.gov, 202–452–
7774; or Lisa Jorgensen, Department of
Energy, Golden Field Office,
lisa.jorgensen@go.doe.gov, 303–275–
4906. You may also visit the Solar PEIS
Web site at https://solareis.anl.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May
29, 2008, the Agencies published a
Notice of Intent to Prepare a
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement to Evaluate Solar Energy
Development (73 FR 30908).
Subsequently, the Agencies held a series
of public scoping meetings, received
public comments, and published a
scoping summary report, available at
https://solareis.anl.gov.
On March 11, 2009, the Secretary of
the Interior issued Secretarial Order No.
3285, which announced a policy goal of
identifying and prioritizing specific
locations best suited for large-scale
production of solar energy. Also, the
BLM received funding from the
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act to accelerate permitting of
renewable energy projects on public
lands. A portion of that funding is being
used to enhance the Solar PEIS by
enabling in-depth environmental
analysis of 24 specific tracts of public
E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM
30JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31306-31307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15470]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVS0100.L51010000.ER0000.LVRWF09F8770; NVN-085077 and NVN-085801;
09-08807; TAS: 14X5017]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed NextLight Renewable Power, LLC, Silver State North Solar
Project and Silver State South Solar Project, Primm, NV
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Vegas
Field Office, will prepare one environmental impact statement (EIS) for
two proposed solar energy projects located on public lands in Clark
County, Nevada. Publication of this notice initiates the beginning of
the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process. Comments on
issues may be submitted in writing until July 30, 2009. The date(s) and
location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days
in advance through local news media and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html.
[[Page 31307]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments related to the project by any of the
following methods:
E-mail: Nextlight_Primm_NV_SEP@blm.gov
Fax: (702) 515-5010, attention Gregory Helseth.
Mail: BLM, Las Vegas Field Office, Attn: Gregory Helseth,
4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have
your name added to the mailing list, contact Gregory Helseth, Renewable
Energy Project Manager, at (702) 515-5173; or e-mail at Nextlight_Primm_NV_SEP@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NextLight Renewable Power, LLC, has
submitted two applications for rights-of-way for the construction,
operation, maintenance, and termination of two solar energy generation
sites. The two applications are identified as NVN-085077 Silver State
South Solar Project, and NVN-085801 Silver State North Solar Project.
The proposed projects would consist of photovoltaic panels and related
right-of-way appurtenances, including a substation and switchyard
facilities. The proposed projects, combined, would produce
approximately 400 megawatts of electricity, and would be located on
approximately 7,840 acres of public lands east of Primm, Nevada.
Issues that are anticipated to be addressed in this EIS include
threatened and endangered species impacts, visual impacts,
socioeconomic impacts, and cumulative impacts. The EIS will analyze the
site-specific impacts on air quality, biological resources, cultural
resources, water resources, geological resources and hazards, hazardous
materials handling, land and airspace use, noise, paleontological
resources, public health, socioeconomics, soils, traffic and
transportation, visual resources, waste management, worker safety, and
fire protection, as well as facility design engineering, efficiency,
reliability, transmission system engineering, transmission line safety,
and nuisance. Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted in
accordance with policy, and Tribal concerns will be given due
consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal,
State, and local agencies, as well as individuals or organizations that
may be interested in or affected by the BLM's decision on this project
are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may
request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating
agency.
Documents pertinent to this project may be examined at the Las
Vegas Field Office. Additional opportunities for public participation
will be provided upon publication of the draft EIS.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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.
(Authority: 43 CFR Part 2800)
Robert B. Ross Jr.,
Las Vegas Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E9-15470 Filed 6-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
