Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement and Final Environmental Impact Report for the Southern California Edison, Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Project; California, Nevada, 37053-37054 [E9-17784]

Download as PDF jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 142 / Monday, July 27, 2009 / Notices The Echanis Wind Energy Project is to be located entirely within private lands. A conditional use permit for the wind project was issued to Columbia Energy Partners by Harney County in April 2007. Although wind testing and project feasibility studies are currently ongoing on private, State, and Federal lands in several areas throughout Harney County, the Echanis project is the only wind energy project approved for development, to date, by Harney County or any other jurisdiction. Currently there are no transmission facilities available in the Diamond/North Steens area to transport electrical power produced from the Echanis Wind Energy Project to the existing transmission grid. Public scoping will aid in determining relevant issues influencing the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: sagegrouse, migratory birds, recreation, local and regional social/economic conditions, visual resource management, and special management areas including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area. An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop the EIS in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified through the scoping process. Resources addressed in the EIS process will include (but are not limited to) air quality, American Indian traditional practices, biological soil crusts, cultural heritage, fire management, fisheries, grazing management, migratory birds, minerals, noxious weeds, recreation, soils, social/ economic values, special status species, transportation/roads, vegetation, visual resources, water quality, riparian zones, wildlife, and wilderness values. The BLM will analyze the proposed action and no action alternatives, as well as other reasonable alternatives to the proposed transmission line location, access routes, and construction/design methods. Authorization of this proposal may require amendments to one or more Resource Management Plans (RMP). By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential RMP amendments, predicated on the findings of the EIS. If RMP amendments are necessary, the BLM will integrate the RMP process with the NEPA process for this project. VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Jul 24, 2009 Jkt 217001 Any authorization of the project on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge lands would require a formal determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the proposal is compatible with Refuge purposes. This compatibility determination would be incorporated into the NEPA process for this project. The BLM is the lead Federal agency for the NEPA analysis process and preparation of the EIS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Harney County have agreed to be cooperating agencies in the EIS. Other potential cooperating agencies identified at this time include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Bend Field Office, Burns Paiute Tribe, and State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Other cooperating agencies having specific expertise or interests in the project could also be invited to participate based on the outcome of scoping. You may submit comments on issues in writing to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. Comments, including the names and addresses of respondents will be available for public review at the BLM Burns District Office during regular business hours 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, and may be published as part of the 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. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety. (Authority: 43 CFR part 2800) Joan Suther, Acting Burns District Manager. [FR Doc. E9–17780 Filed 7–24–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–33–P PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37053 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CACA 49834; L51010000.ER0000 LLCAD09000 LVRWB09B3160] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement and Final Environmental Impact Report for the Southern California Edison, Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Project; California, Nevada Agency: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent. SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), together with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the impacts of the Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Project (EITP). DATES: This notice initiates the public participation and scoping processes for the EIS. A public scoping period of at least 30 days is hereby announced, and at least one public meeting has been announced through the local news media, newspapers, and BLM’s Web page (https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ needles.html). During the public scoping period, the BLM solicits public comment on issues, concerns, and opportunities that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed action. Comments on issues, potential impacts, or suggestions for additional alternatives may be submitted in writing to the address listed below. In order to be included in the Draft EIS all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public participation and formal comment will occur when the Draft EIS/Draft EIR is issued. ADDRESSES: Comments and other correspondence should be sent to the BLM Needles Office, attention George R. Meckfessel, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, Needles Field Office, 1303 South U.S. Highway 95, Needles, California, 92363–4228, or by fax at (760) 326–7099 or by e-mail at mailto:ca690@ca.blm.gov attention EITP. Documents pertinent to this proposal, including comments of respondents, will be available for public review at the BLM Needles Field Office E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 37054 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 142 / Monday, July 27, 2009 / Notices during regular business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Tom Hurshman, Project Manager, 2465 South Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401, Phone (970) 240–5345, fax (970) 240–5368, or e-mail Tom_Hurshman@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Southern California Edison, has requested a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct a proposed electric transmission line and associated facilities on public lands located in San Bernardino County, California, and Clark County, Nevada. The EIS/EIR will analyze the site-specific impacts to the environment resulting from the proposed project. The CPUC is the lead State of California agency for the licensing of electric transmission facilities and, in the present case, for compliance with the requirements of CEQA. BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Southern California Edison has applied for a ROW authorization to upgrade and replace an existing 115 kV electric transmission line on public lands with a new double circuit 220 kV electric transmission line. The proposed transmission line would handle projected electricity produced from several renewable energy project proposals in and around the Ivanpah Valley, including the Ivanpah Solar Energy Generation System planned by Solar Partners, LLC. The proposed electric transmission line and a new substation would be constructed within an existing designated utility corridor. The public lands are managed by BLM in accordance with the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan and the Las Vegas Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP). The segment of electric transmission line to be replaced is approximately 36 miles long and originates at the existing Eldorado Substation in T. 25 S., R. 62 E., Sec. 1, Mount Diablo PM, and terminates at the proposed Ivanpah Substation in T. 16 N., R. 14 E., Sec. 4, San Bernardino PM. In addition to the electric transmission line, the applicant requires telecommunications facilities to operate the substation. Primary telecommunications would be provided with an optical overhead ground wire constructed on the proposed electric VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Jul 24, 2009 Jkt 217001 transmission line, and redundant telecommunications would be established by construction of an independent fiber optics cable that will be located on other existing electric transmission towers owned by the applicant. BLM will consider approval of the proposed Project in a manner that avoids or reduces impacts to public lands. This action is consistent with Federal law and BLM’s policy allowing the use of public lands for the generation and transmission of electrical energy from renewable energy projects pursuant to Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and Section 211 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (119 Stat. 594, 660). BLM has an established process to respond to applications for ROW’s for major utilities while protecting the environment. The CDCA Plan, the Las Vegas Field Office RMP, and the FLPMA recognize that public lands will be managed for multiple uses and emphasize the use of ROW corridors. The EIS/EIR will describe and analyze the project as proposed and will include: (1) Measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts on the environment; (2) alternative routes and locations for facilities; and (3) the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative (no upgrades to the existing electric transmission line). Through public scoping, BLM expects to identify various issues, potential impacts, and mitigation measures. As proposed, the electric transmission line has been sited to take advantage of existing designated ROW corridors, which are areas identified by BLM land use plans as suitable for ROW development. BLM has identified a potential list of issues that will need to be addressed in this analysis including but not limited to: Social and economic impacts, including impacts to the public from traffic; ground and surface water quantity and quality impacts; plant and animal species including special status species; cultural resources; and visual resource impacts. If approved, the electric transmission line project on public lands would be authorized in accordance with the FLPMA and federal regulations at Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations Part 2800. You may submit comments in writing at the public scoping meeting, by mail, or via e-mail (see ADDRESSES section above). Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. Tom Zale, Deputy State Director, Natural Resources (acting), California State Office. [FR Doc. E9–17784 Filed 7–24–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [LLCAD00000 L19900000.AL 0000] Meeting of the California Desert District Advisory Council AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Public Laws 92–463 and 94–579, that the California Desert District Advisory Council to the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, will meet in formal session on Friday, August 28, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturday, August 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Riverside Marriott, 3400 Market St., Riverside, CA 92501. Agenda topics will include updates by Council members and reports from the BLM District Manager and five field office managers. Additional agenda topics may include updates on legislation, renewable energy, the wild horse and burro program, DesertXpress, and grazing. Final agenda items will be posted on the BLM California State Web site at https://www.blm.gov/ca/news/ rac.html. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All California Desert District Advisory Council meetings are open to the public. Public comment for items not on the agenda will be scheduled at the beginning of the meeting Friday afternoon, as well as Saturday morning. Time for public comment may be made available by the Council Chairman during the presentation of various agenda items, and is scheduled at the end of the meeting for topics not on the agenda. While the meetings are tentatively scheduled to conclude at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday, they could conclude earlier should the Council conclude its presentations and discussions. Therefore, members of the public interested in a particular agenda item or discussion should schedule their arrival accordingly. Written comments may be filed in advance of the meeting for the E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 142 (Monday, July 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37053-37054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17784]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CACA 49834; L51010000.ER0000 LLCAD09000 LVRWB09B3160]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact 
Statement and Final Environmental Impact Report for the Southern 
California Edison, Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Project; California, 
Nevada

    Agency: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the California Environmental Quality Act 
of 1970 (CEQA), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM), together with the California Public Utilities 
Commission (CPUC), intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the impacts of the Eldorado-
Ivanpah Transmission Project (EITP).

DATES: This notice initiates the public participation and scoping 
processes for the EIS. A public scoping period of at least 30 days is 
hereby announced, and at least one public meeting has been announced 
through the local news media, newspapers, and BLM's Web page (https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/needles.html). During the public scoping 
period, the BLM solicits public comment on issues, concerns, and 
opportunities that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed 
action. Comments on issues, potential impacts, or suggestions for 
additional alternatives may be submitted in writing to the address 
listed below. In order to be included in the Draft EIS all comments 
must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days 
after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Additional 
opportunities for public participation and formal comment will occur 
when the Draft EIS/Draft EIR is issued.

ADDRESSES: Comments and other correspondence should be sent to the BLM 
Needles Office, attention George R. Meckfessel, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, Needles Field Office, 1303 South U.S. 
Highway 95, Needles, California, 92363-4228, or by fax at (760) 326-
7099 or by e-mail at mailto:ca690@ca.blm.gov attention EITP. Documents 
pertinent to this proposal, including comments of respondents, will be 
available for public review at the BLM Needles Field Office

[[Page 37054]]

during regular business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Tom Hurshman, Project 
Manager, 2465 South Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401, Phone (970) 240-
5345, fax (970) 240-5368, or e-mail Tom_Hurshman@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Southern California Edison, 
has requested a right-of-way (ROW) authorization to construct a 
proposed electric transmission line and associated facilities on public 
lands located in San Bernardino County, California, and Clark County, 
Nevada. The EIS/EIR will analyze the site-specific impacts to the 
environment resulting from the proposed project. The CPUC is the lead 
State of California agency for the licensing of electric transmission 
facilities and, in the present case, for compliance with the 
requirements of CEQA. BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA 
commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for 
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 
470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3).
    Southern California Edison has applied for a ROW authorization to 
upgrade and replace an existing 115 kV electric transmission line on 
public lands with a new double circuit 220 kV electric transmission 
line. The proposed transmission line would handle projected electricity 
produced from several renewable energy project proposals in and around 
the Ivanpah Valley, including the Ivanpah Solar Energy Generation 
System planned by Solar Partners, LLC. The proposed electric 
transmission line and a new substation would be constructed within an 
existing designated utility corridor. The public lands are managed by 
BLM in accordance with the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) 
Plan and the Las Vegas Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP). The 
segment of electric transmission line to be replaced is approximately 
36 miles long and originates at the existing Eldorado Substation in T. 
25 S., R. 62 E., Sec. 1, Mount Diablo PM, and terminates at the 
proposed Ivanpah Substation in T. 16 N., R. 14 E., Sec. 4, San 
Bernardino PM.
    In addition to the electric transmission line, the applicant 
requires telecommunications facilities to operate the substation. 
Primary telecommunications would be provided with an optical overhead 
ground wire constructed on the proposed electric transmission line, and 
redundant telecommunications would be established by construction of an 
independent fiber optics cable that will be located on other existing 
electric transmission towers owned by the applicant.
    BLM will consider approval of the proposed Project in a manner that 
avoids or reduces impacts to public lands. This action is consistent 
with Federal law and BLM's policy allowing the use of public lands for 
the generation and transmission of electrical energy from renewable 
energy projects pursuant to Title V of the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act (FLPMA) and Section 211 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(119 Stat. 594, 660). BLM has an established process to respond to 
applications for ROW's for major utilities while protecting the 
environment. The CDCA Plan, the Las Vegas Field Office RMP, and the 
FLPMA recognize that public lands will be managed for multiple uses and 
emphasize the use of ROW corridors.
    The EIS/EIR will describe and analyze the project as proposed and 
will include: (1) Measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts on 
the environment; (2) alternative routes and locations for facilities; 
and (3) the ``No Action'' alternative (no upgrades to the existing 
electric transmission line). Through public scoping, BLM expects to 
identify various issues, potential impacts, and mitigation measures. As 
proposed, the electric transmission line has been sited to take 
advantage of existing designated ROW corridors, which are areas 
identified by BLM land use plans as suitable for ROW development.
    BLM has identified a potential list of issues that will need to be 
addressed in this analysis including but not limited to: Social and 
economic impacts, including impacts to the public from traffic; ground 
and surface water quantity and quality impacts; plant and animal 
species including special status species; cultural resources; and 
visual resource impacts. If approved, the electric transmission line 
project on public lands would be authorized in accordance with the 
FLPMA and federal regulations at Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations 
Part 2800.
    You may submit comments in writing at the public scoping meeting, 
by mail, or via e-mail (see ADDRESSES section above). Before including 
your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Tom Zale,
Deputy State Director, Natural Resources (acting), California State 
Office.
[FR Doc. E9-17784 Filed 7-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.