Madera Irrigation District Water Supply Enhancement Project, 37051-37052 [E9-17793]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 142 / Monday, July 27, 2009 / Notices reduction action to not less than 10 deer per square mile through sharpshooting and through capture and euthanasia. These actions would be taken for the purposes of assessing disease presence, prevalence, and distribution. These actions may also minimize the likelihood of CWD becoming established, minimize the likelihood of amplification and spread if the disease is introduced, and promote elimination of CWD, if possible. Alternative D, the NPS Preferred Alternative, would combine actions of Alternative C to directly reduce the deer population with reproductive control of does as under Alternative B to maintain population levels. CWD response actions would be the same as described for Alternative C. Changes to the FEIS as a result of public comment on the DEIS consist of factual updates to baseline data and clarifications added to the text. No changes were made to the preferred alternative or other alternatives evaluated nor was the outcome of the impact analysis changed. Agency and public comments received on the DEIS with NPS responses are provided as Appendix F of the FEIS. Dennis R. Reidenbach, Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service. [FR Doc. E9–17807 Filed 7–24–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DJ–P comment period ending on July 30, 2009. DATES: Several individuals and organizations have requested an extension of the comment period. The Agencies have decided to act in accordance with these requests; therefore, comments on the solar energy study areas will now be accepted through September 14, 2009. Comments received or postmarked after September 14, 2009 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. 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. Mike Pool, Acting Director, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. E9–17782 Filed 7–24–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation [LLWO350000.L14300000] Madera Irrigation District Water Supply Enhancement Project Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period for Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement To Develop and Implement AgencySpecific Programs for Solar Energy Development jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of extension. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (the Agencies) are extending the public comment period for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to Develop and Implement Agency-Specific Programs for Solar Energy Development (Solar PEIS). The Solar PEIS includes BLM-administered lands in the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. A notice published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2009 [74 FR 31307] provided for a public VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Jul 24, 2009 Jkt 217001 AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public meeting for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS). SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for public review and comment the Draft EIS for the Madera Irrigation District Water Supply Enhancement Project (MID WSEP). Reclamation proposes to approve the banking of up to 55,000 acre-feet per year of Central Valley Project (CVP) water outside the MID service area and the alteration of Reclamation-owned facilities. The total banking capacity of the MID WSEP is 250,000 acre-feet. The draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of the proposed MID WSEP on the property known as PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37051 Madera Ranch (west of the City of Madera, Madera County, CA), and the improvements to associated facilities needed to operate the MID WSEP. Portions of the 24.2 Canal, Section 8 Canal, Main Number 1 Canal, Cottonwood Creek, and Gravelly Ford Canal would be enlarged, extended, or improved. The MID WSEP would be completed in two phases. Phase 1 would involve recharge-related facilities only. Phase 2 would involve supplemental recharge facilities and facilities for recovery of banked water. The draft EIS addresses both phases. DATES: Submit written comments on the draft environmental document on or before September 25, 2009. A public meeting will be held on August 27, 2009 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Madera, CA to discuss the purpose and content of the draft environmental document and to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the draft environmental document. Written comments will also be accepted at the public meeting. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at Madera Irrigation District Office, 2152 Road 281⁄4, Madera, CA 93637. Written comments on the Draft EIS should be addressed to Ms. Patricia Clinton, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721–1831. Copies of the draft document may be requested from Ms. Patricia Clinton at the above address, by calling 559–487– 5127, TDD 559–487–5933, or at pclinton@usbr.gov. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where copies of the Draft EIS are available. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Patricia Clinton, Bureau of Reclamation at the phone numbers or e-mail address above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Groundwater levels in the Madera subbasin have experienced steep declines. These conditions have made it increasingly expensive for farmers to pump groundwater. In addition, in many years, MID has been unable to deliver sufficient surface water to farmers either because surface water is available primarily during the early months of the year when irrigation demand is low, or surface water is available only for short periods of time during the growing season. To increase water storage, enhance water supply reliability and flexibility for current and future water demand and reduce local overdraft, MID proposes to implement the WSEP. MID would bank CVP water and other imported water in the aquifer underlying Madera Ranch. In wet years, E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 37052 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 142 / Monday, July 27, 2009 / Notices water would be banked in the overdrafted aquifer for use in dry years. To help alleviate the overdraft condition, 10 percent of the water banked would remain in the aquifer. The Draft EIS considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on the physical, natural, and human environment that may result from the construction and operation of a water bank on Madera Ranch. The Draft EIS addresses potentially significant environmental issues and recommends adequate and feasible mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate significant environmental impacts, where possible. Three banking alternatives as well as the no action alternative are addressed. Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the following locations: • Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, CO 80225. • Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 20240–0001. • Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Office Library, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1825, Sacramento, CA 95825– 1898. • Bureau of Reclamation, SouthCentral California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721–1831. • Madera Library, 121 North G Street, Madera, CA 93637. • Chowchilla Library, 300 Kings Avenue, Chowchilla, CA 93610. • Madera Ranchos Library, 37167 Ave 12 Suite 4C, Madera, CA 93636. • Fresno County Public Library, 2420 Mariposa, Fresno, CA 93721. • Clovis Regional Library, 1155 Fifth Street, Clovis, CA 93612. If special assistance is required at the public meeting, please contact Ms. Patricia Clinton at 559–487–5127, TDD 559–487–5933, or at pclinton@usbr.gov no less than five working days before the meeting to allow Reclamation to secure the needed services. If a request cannot be honored, the requestor will be notified. Before including your name, 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. VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Jul 24, 2009 Jkt 217001 Dated: March 23, 2009. Richard M. Johnson, Acting Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on July 22, 2009. [FR Doc. E9–17793 Filed 7–24–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLORB06000 L14300000.ER0000.241A000; HAG 9–0188] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Possible Resource Management Plan Amendments for the North Steens Transmission Line Project in Harney County, OR AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Burns District Office, Oregon, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and to solicit public comments pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 in response to a right-of-way application filed by Echanis, LLC, for the proposed North Steens Transmission Line Project. The project will involve BLM-administered public lands, private lands, and lands administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County, Oregon. DATES: This notice initiates public scoping. Scoping comments shall be submitted on or before August 26, 2009. The BLM will announce public scoping meetings to identify relevant issues through local news media, newsletters, and the BLM Web site (https://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns) at least 15 days prior to each meeting. Public meetings will tentatively be held in Burns, Bend, Diamond, and Frenchglen, Oregon, and other communities if the interest warrants. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS, including a public comment period. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to the North Steens Transmission Line Project Lead, BLM Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738; Fax (541) 573–4411; or e-mail: OR_Burns_NS_Transmission_Line_EIS@ blm.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact the North Steens Transmission Line Project Lead, BLM Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738; (541) 573–4400; Fax (541) 573– 4411; or e-mail: OR_Burns_NS_ Transmission_Line_EIS@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In December 2008, Harney Electric Cooperative filed a preliminary application for a right-of-way with the BLM for construction, operation, maintenance, and termination of a 29mile long 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line that would connect the Echanis Wind Energy Project with Harney Electric Cooperative’s existing transmission system near Diamond Junction, Oregon. The application was subsequently assigned to Echanis, LLC, a subsidiary of Columbia Energy Partners, LLC, who proposes to fund, construct, and oversee the initial development and commissioning of the project. Upon commission, the transmission line would be deeded to Harney Electric Cooperative for longterm operation and maintenance as part of their electric transmission and distribution system in southeast Oregon and northern Nevada. The purpose of the project would be to transmit up to approximately 103.5 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from the Echanis Wind Energy Project to target service areas in the Pacific Northwest. The proposed transmission project would also be designed with additional capacity to conduct power generated from other possible renewable energy generation facilities that may be planned in the future. The proposed transmission line would begin at the Echanis Wind Energy Project southeast of Diamond, Oregon, on private lands, and end at Harney Electric Cooperative’s existing 115 kilovolt (kV) line near Diamond Junction. The proposed line would cross approximately 19 miles of private land, 9 miles of public land administered by the BLM, and 1.3 miles of land on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including a span over the Blitzen Valley of approximately 1,800 feet. Echanis, LLC, proposes to utilize steel structures approximately 90 to 140 feet in height with average spans between towers of 700 feet. The proposed right-of-way would be 150 feet wide. Additional temporary work space would also be required during construction for material storage, line tensioning sites, and construction access. E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 142 (Monday, July 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37051-37052]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17793]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Reclamation


Madera Irrigation District Water Supply Enhancement Project

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of public meeting for the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has made available for 
public review and comment the Draft EIS for the Madera Irrigation 
District Water Supply Enhancement Project (MID WSEP). Reclamation 
proposes to approve the banking of up to 55,000 acre-feet per year of 
Central Valley Project (CVP) water outside the MID service area and the 
alteration of Reclamation-owned facilities. The total banking capacity 
of the MID WSEP is 250,000 acre-feet.
    The draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of the 
proposed MID WSEP on the property known as Madera Ranch (west of the 
City of Madera, Madera County, CA), and the improvements to associated 
facilities needed to operate the MID WSEP. Portions of the 24.2 Canal, 
Section 8 Canal, Main Number 1 Canal, Cottonwood Creek, and Gravelly 
Ford Canal would be enlarged, extended, or improved.
    The MID WSEP would be completed in two phases. Phase 1 would 
involve recharge-related facilities only. Phase 2 would involve 
supplemental recharge facilities and facilities for recovery of banked 
water. The draft EIS addresses both phases.

DATES: Submit written comments on the draft environmental document on 
or before September 25, 2009.
    A public meeting will be held on August 27, 2009 from 5 to 6:30 
p.m. in Madera, CA to discuss the purpose and content of the draft 
environmental document and to provide the public an opportunity to 
comment on the draft environmental document. Written comments will also 
be accepted at the public meeting.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at Madera Irrigation 
District Office, 2152 Road 28\1/4\, Madera, CA 93637.
    Written comments on the Draft EIS should be addressed to Ms. 
Patricia Clinton, Bureau of Reclamation, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 
93721-1831.
    Copies of the draft document may be requested from Ms. Patricia 
Clinton at the above address, by calling 559-487-5127, TDD 559-487-
5933, or at pclinton@usbr.gov. See Supplementary Information section 
for locations where copies of the Draft EIS are available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Patricia Clinton, Bureau of 
Reclamation at the phone numbers or e-mail address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Groundwater levels in the Madera subbasin 
have experienced steep declines. These conditions have made it 
increasingly expensive for farmers to pump groundwater. In addition, in 
many years, MID has been unable to deliver sufficient surface water to 
farmers either because surface water is available primarily during the 
early months of the year when irrigation demand is low, or surface 
water is available only for short periods of time during the growing 
season.
    To increase water storage, enhance water supply reliability and 
flexibility for current and future water demand and reduce local 
overdraft, MID proposes to implement the WSEP. MID would bank CVP water 
and other imported water in the aquifer underlying Madera Ranch. In wet 
years,

[[Page 37052]]

water would be banked in the overdrafted aquifer for use in dry years. 
To help alleviate the overdraft condition, 10 percent of the water 
banked would remain in the aquifer.
    The Draft EIS considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative 
effects on the physical, natural, and human environment that may result 
from the construction and operation of a water bank on Madera Ranch. 
The Draft EIS addresses potentially significant environmental issues 
and recommends adequate and feasible mitigation measures to reduce or 
eliminate significant environmental impacts, where possible. Three 
banking alternatives as well as the no action alternative are 
addressed.
    Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the 
following locations:
     Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67, 
Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver, CO 80225.
     Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the 
Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Main Interior Building, Washington, DC 
20240-0001.
     Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Regional Office 
Library, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1825, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898.
     Bureau of Reclamation, South-Central California Area 
Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721-1831.
     Madera Library, 121 North G Street, Madera, CA 93637.
     Chowchilla Library, 300 Kings Avenue, Chowchilla, CA 
93610.
     Madera Ranchos Library, 37167 Ave 12 Suite 4C, Madera, CA 
93636.
     Fresno County Public Library, 2420 Mariposa, Fresno, CA 
93721.
     Clovis Regional Library, 1155 Fifth Street, Clovis, CA 
93612.
    If special assistance is required at the public meeting, please 
contact Ms. Patricia Clinton at 559-487-5127, TDD 559-487-5933, or at 
pclinton@usbr.gov no less than five working days before the meeting to 
allow Reclamation to secure the needed services. If a request cannot be 
honored, the requestor will be notified.
    Before including your name, 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.

    Dated: March 23, 2009.
 Richard M. Johnson,
Acting Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on July 22, 2009.
[FR Doc. E9-17793 Filed 7-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P

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