Notice of Intent To Prepare Two Environmental Impact Statements/Staff Assessments for the Proposed Chevron Energy Solutions/Solar Millennium Palen and Blythe Solar Power Plants, Riverside County, CA and Possible Land Use Plan Amendments, 61169-61171 [E9-27961]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 224 / Monday, November 23, 2009 / Notices jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES the city of Ridgecrest in Kern County, California. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence 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: special area designations; social and economic impacts, including impacts to the public from traffic; ground and surface water quantity and quality; special status species management; cultural resources; and visual resources. Authorization of this proposal may require amendment of the CDCA Plan (1980, as amended). By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land use plans, predicated on the findings of the EIS. If a land use plan amendment is necessary, the BLM will integrate the land use planning process with the NEPA process for this project. The BLM will use the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with BLM policy, and Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, tribes, and stakeholders that may be interested 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. 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: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, Natural Resources, California State Office. [FR Doc. E9–27981 Filed 11–20–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:37 Nov 20, 2009 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLES002000.L16100000.DO0000.L.X.SS. 015M0000] Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Alabama and Mississippi Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the states of Alabama and Mississippi. The Eastern State Director signed the ROD on January 30, 2009, which constitutes the final decision of the BLM and makes the approved RMP effective immediately. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/ approved RMP are available upon request from the Field Manager, Jackson Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 411 Briarwood Drive Suite 404, Jackson, Mississippi 39206 or via the Internet at https://wwwblm.gov/es/st/ en/fo/Jackson_Home_Page.html, e-mail Gary_Taylor@blm.gov, or telephone Gary Taylor at (601) 977–5400. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Taylor. • E-mail: Gary_Taylor@blm.gov. • Mail: Jackson Field Office, BLM, Attn: Gary Taylor, 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404, Jackson, Mississippi 39206. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The planning area is located in the states of Alabama and Mississippi. This planning activity encompasses approximately 1.67 million acres of public lands and resources. The State of Mississippi participated in development of the plan as a cooperating agency. The RMP addresses the following major questions: (1) How will human activities and uses be managed? (2) What facilities, uses, and infrastructure are appropriate to provide resource exploration while managing the protection of the biological, historical, cultural, and visual values of Federal resources in Alabama and Mississippi? (3) How will the RMP be integrated with other Federal and state agency community plans? (4) How will transportation and access be managed? (5) How will the RMP affect economic and social conditions in the area? The Approved RMP was prepared under the authorities of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and the National PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61169 Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Additionally, this plan is consistent with all local plans and policies. The approved RMP is identical to the proposed plan (Alternative 3) presented in the 2008 Proposed RMP/ Final EIS. All decisions covered by the ROD are either land-use planning decisions that were protestable under BLM’s planning regulations (43 CFR 1610), or are implementation decisions that are appealable under 43 CFR part 4, as more fully discussed below. The BLM will develop a plan evaluation methodology to ensure that the RMP is being followed. There was one protest that was denied. The decisions regarding oil and gas leasing and disposal of Federal surface lands are implementation decisions and are appealable under 43 CFR part 4. Any party adversely affected by these decisions may appeal within 30 days of publication of this Notice of Availability pursuant to 43 CFR part 4, subpart E. The appeal must be filed with the Jackson Field Manager at the above listed address. Please consult the appropriate regulations (43 CFR part 4, subpart E) for further appeal requirements. Juan Palma, Director. [FR Doc. E9–27785 Filed 11–20–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GJ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CACA 048810 and CACA 048811, LLCAD06000 L5101 ER0000 LVRBW09B26000] Notice of Intent To Prepare Two Environmental Impact Statements/Staff Assessments for the Proposed Chevron Energy Solutions/Solar Millennium Palen and Blythe Solar Power Plants, Riverside County, CA and Possible Land Use Plan Amendments AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, Palm Springs, California, together with the California Energy Commission (CEC), intend to prepare two Environmental Impact E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 61170 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 224 / Monday, November 23, 2009 / Notices Statements (EIS)/Staff Assessments (SAs), which may include an amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan (1980, as amended) and by this notice are announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the Draft EIS/SAs and possible plan amendment. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until December 23, 2009. The dates and locations of scoping meetings, information hearings, and site visits will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings.html and the CEC Web sites at https://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/ solar_millennium_palen/ and https://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/ solar_millennium_blythe/. To be considered in the Draft EIS/SAs, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS/SAs. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria related to the Proposed Chevron Energy Solutions/Solar Millennium Palen and Blythe Solar Power Plants EIS/SAs and CDCA Plan amendment by any of the following methods: • E-mail: asolomon@energy.state.ca.us, CAPSSolarPalen@blm.gov, or CAPSSolarBlythe@blm.gov. • Fax: (760) 833–7199. • Mail or hand delivery: Alan Solomon, Project Manager, Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection Division, CEC, 1516 Ninth Street, MS–15, Sacramento, California 95814 or Holly L. Roberts, Project Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, BLM, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262. The administrative record of this proposal may be examined at the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office during normal business hours. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Alan Solomon, CEC project manager at telephone (916) 653–8236, or address 1516 Ninth Street, MS–15, Sacramento, CA 95814, or e-mail asolomon@energy.state.ca.us; or Allison Shaffer, BLM project manager at telephone (760) 833–7100, or address Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, BLM, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:37 Nov 20, 2009 Jkt 220001 Springs, California 92262, or e-mail CAPSSolarPalen@blm.gov or CAPSSolarBlythe@blm.gov. Information on participating in the CEC’s review of the project may also be obtained through the CEC’s Public Advisor’s Office at (916) 654–8236 or toll free in California, (800) 822–6228, or by e-mail: publicadviser@energy.state.ca.us. News media inquiries should be directed to the CEC’s media office at (916) 654– 4989, or mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us. You can also subscribe to an email notification list of all notices at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/listservers. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chevron Energy Solutions/Solar Millennium (CESSM) has applied for two separate right-of-way (ROW) authorizations to construct and operate the Palen and Blythe solar thermal power plants in eastern Riverside County, California with an expected combined capacity of 1,452 megawatts (MW) using solar parabolic trough generating stations. Approximately 10,100 acres of BLM-administered public land are needed to develop the two projects. Pursuant to the BLM’s CDCA Plan, sites associated with power generation or transmission not identified in the CDCA Plan will be considered through the plan amendment process. Under Federal law, the BLM is responsible for processing requests for ROWs to authorize solar projects and associated transmission lines and other associated facilities on the land it manages. Under California law, the CEC is responsible for reviewing applications for certification (AFC) filed for thermal power plants over 50 MW. The CEC also serves as lead agency for the environmental review of such projects under CEQA. On August 24, 2009, CESSM submitted to the CEC AFCs for the Palen and Blythe projects. The Palen site is 10 miles east of Desert Center, California and a half mile north of Interstate 10; the Blythe site is eight miles west of Blythe, California and three miles north of Interstate 10. The Palen facility will be constructed in two phases, while the Blythe facility will be constructed in four phases. The proposed Palen Solar Power Project would consist of two parabolic trough solar thermal power plants, each of which would have a solar field comprised of rows of parabolic mirrors focusing solar energy on collector tubes. The tubes would carry heated oil to a boiler, which would then send steam to a turbine. The two phases would generate approximately 484 MW of electricity. The two power plants would share administrative buildings, parking areas, maintenance buildings, switch PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 yards, bioremediation areas, wastewater treatment facilities, access and maintenance roads, and perimeter fencing. The project would also include a natural gas pipeline, communication lines, and a 230 kV transmission line. The total expected project footprint would be approximately 3,800 acres. During construction, the project would require approximately 1,100 acre-feet of water for dust control and soil compaction. During operation, the project would require approximately 300 acre-feet of water per year. CESSM proposes to use water from new wells. The proposed Blythe Solar Power Project would consist of four parabolic trough solar thermal power plants similar to the Palen project. The four power plants would generate approximately 968 MW of electricity. All four plants would share administrative buildings, parking areas, maintenance buildings, switch yards, bioremediation areas, wastewater treatment facilities, access and maintenance roads, and perimeter fencing. The project would also include a natural gas pipeline, communication lines, and a 500 kV transmission line. The total expected project footprint would be approximately 6,300 acres. During construction, the project would require approximately 3, 100 acre feet of water for dust control and soil compaction. During operation, the project would require approximately 600 acre-feet of water per year. CESSM proposes to use water from new wells. If approved, both projects would begin construction in late 2010. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EISs. The BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: special area designations, air quality, biological resources, hazardous materials, recreation, cultural resources, water resources, geological resources, land use, noise, paleontological resources, public health, socioeconomics, soils, traffic and transportation, and visual resources. Authorization of these proposals may require amendment of the CDCA Plan. By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land use plans, subject to the findings of the EISs. If a land use plan amendment is necessary, the BLM will integrate the land use planning process with the NEPA process for these projects. The BLM will use the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 224 / Monday, November 23, 2009 / Notices public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted and Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with Tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested 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. 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: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Tom Pogacnik, Deputy State Director for Natural Resources, BLM California State Office. [FR Doc. E9–27961 Filed 11–20–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–FHC–2009–N248; 81331–1334– 8TWG–W4] Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group AGENCY: jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Interior. ACTION: Notice of meeting. Under section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), this notice announces a meeting of the TAMWG. The meeting will include discussion of the following topics: • TAMWG role and effectiveness in Trinity River Restoration Program; • TRRP staff organization; • TRRP science program; • TRRP budget process and budget update; • Trinity River channel rehabilitation projects; • Trinity reservoir operations; • Proposed Klamath River dam removal; and • Tribal harvest management and allocation. Completion of the agenda is dependent on the amount of time each item takes. The meeting could end early if the agenda has been completed. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: November 17, 2009. Randy A. Brown, Designated Federal Officer, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, Arcata, CA. [FR Doc. E9–28070 Filed 11–20–09; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SUMMARY: The Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG) affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River (California) restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council (TMC). The TMC interprets and recommends policy, coordinates and reviews management actions, and provides organizational budget oversight. This notice announces a TAMWG meeting, which is open to the public. DATES: TAMWG will meet from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2009, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. 16:37 Nov 20, 2009 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meeting information: Randy A. Brown, TAMWG Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1655 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521; telephone: (707) 822–7201. Trinity River Restoration Program (TRRP) information: Mike Hamman, Executive Director, Trinity River Restoration Program, P.O. Box 1300, 1313 South Main Street, Weaverville, CA 96093; telephone: (530) 623–1800; e-mail: mhamman@mp.usbr.gov. BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Fish and Wildlife Service, VerDate Nov<24>2008 The meeting will be held at the Weaverville Victorian Inn, 1709 Main St., 299 West Weaverville, CA 96093. ADDRESSES: Jkt 220001 Minerals Management Service Notice on Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior. ACTION: List of Restricted Joint Bidders. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authority vested in the Director of the Minerals Management Service by the joint bidding provisions of 30 CFR 256.41, each entity within one of the following groups shall be restricted from bidding with any entity in any other of the following groups at Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas lease sales to be held PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61171 during the bidding period November 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. The List of Restricted Joint Bidders published in the Federal Register on April 20, 2009, covered the period May 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009. Group I Exxon Mobil Corporation ExxonMobil Exploration Company Group II Shell Oil Company Shell Offshore Inc. SWEPI LP Shell Frontier Oil & Gas Inc. Shell Consolidated Energy Resources Inc. Shell Land & Energy Company Shell Onshore Ventures Inc. Shell Offshore Properties and Capital II, Inc. SOI Finance Inc. Shell Rocky Mountain Production LLC Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. Group III BP America Production Company BP Exploration & Production Inc. BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. Group IV TOTAL E&P USA, Inc. Group V Chevron Corporation Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Chevron Midcontinent, L.P. Unocal Corporation Union Oil Company of California Pure Partners, L.P. Group VI ConocoPhillips Company ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. ConocoPhillips Petroleum Company Phillips Pt. Arguello Production Company Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP Burlington Resources Offshore Inc. The Louisiana Land and Exploration Company Inexeco Oil Company Group VII Eni Petroleum Co. Inc. Eni Petroleum US LLC Eni Oil US LLC Eni Marketing Inc. Eni BB Petroleum Inc. Eni US Operating Co. Inc. Eni BB Pipeline LLC Group VIII Petrobras America Inc. Group IX StatoilHydro ASA Statoil Gulf of Mexico LLC E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 224 (Monday, November 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61169-61171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27961]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CACA 048810 and CACA 048811, LLCAD06000 L5101 ER0000 LVRBW09B26000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare Two Environmental Impact Statements/
Staff Assessments for the Proposed Chevron Energy Solutions/Solar 
Millennium Palen and Blythe Solar Power Plants, Riverside County, CA 
and Possible Land Use Plan Amendments

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, and the California Environmental Quality Act 
(CEQA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Palm Springs South Coast 
Field Office, Palm Springs, California, together with the California 
Energy Commission (CEC), intend to prepare two Environmental Impact

[[Page 61170]]

Statements (EIS)/Staff Assessments (SAs), which may include an 
amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan (1980, 
as amended) and by this notice are announcing the beginning of the 
scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the Draft 
EIS/SAs and possible plan amendment. Comments on issues may be 
submitted in writing until December 23, 2009. The dates and locations 
of scoping meetings, information hearings, and site visits will be 
announced at least 15 days in advance through local media and the BLM 
Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings.html and the 
CEC Web sites at https://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/solar_millennium_palen/ and https://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/solar_millennium_blythe/. To be considered in the Draft 
EIS/SAs, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 
scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is 
later. We will provide additional opportunities for public 
participation upon publication of the Draft EIS/SAs.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to the Proposed Chevron Energy Solutions/Solar Millennium Palen 
and Blythe Solar Power Plants EIS/SAs and CDCA Plan amendment by any of 
the following methods:
     E-mail: asolomon@energy.state.ca.us, 
CAPSSolarPalen@blm.gov, or CAPSSolarBlythe@blm.gov.
     Fax: (760) 833-7199.
     Mail or hand delivery: Alan Solomon, Project Manager, 
Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection Division, CEC, 1516 
Ninth Street, MS-15, Sacramento, California 95814 or Holly L. Roberts, 
Project Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, BLM, 1201 Bird 
Center Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262.
    The administrative record of this proposal may be examined at the 
Palm Springs South Coast Field Office during normal business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Alan Solomon, CEC project 
manager at telephone (916) 653-8236, or address 1516 Ninth Street, MS-
15, Sacramento, CA 95814, or e-mail asolomon@energy.state.ca.us; or 
Allison Shaffer, BLM project manager at telephone (760) 833-7100, or 
address Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, BLM, 1201 Bird Center 
Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262, or e-mail CAPSSolarPalen@blm.gov 
or CAPSSolarBlythe@blm.gov. Information on participating in the CEC's 
review of the project may also be obtained through the CEC's Public 
Advisor's Office at (916) 654-8236 or toll free in California, (800) 
822-6228, or by e-mail: publicadviser@energy.state.ca.us. News media 
inquiries should be directed to the CEC's media office at (916) 654-
4989, or mediaoffice@energy.state.ca.us. You can also subscribe to an 
email notification list of all notices at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/listservers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chevron Energy Solutions/Solar Millennium 
(CESSM) has applied for two separate right-of-way (ROW) authorizations 
to construct and operate the Palen and Blythe solar thermal power 
plants in eastern Riverside County, California with an expected 
combined capacity of 1,452 megawatts (MW) using solar parabolic trough 
generating stations. Approximately 10,100 acres of BLM-administered 
public land are needed to develop the two projects.
    Pursuant to the BLM's CDCA Plan, sites associated with power 
generation or transmission not identified in the CDCA Plan will be 
considered through the plan amendment process. Under Federal law, the 
BLM is responsible for processing requests for ROWs to authorize solar 
projects and associated transmission lines and other associated 
facilities on the land it manages. Under California law, the CEC is 
responsible for reviewing applications for certification (AFC) filed 
for thermal power plants over 50 MW. The CEC also serves as lead agency 
for the environmental review of such projects under CEQA. On August 24, 
2009, CESSM submitted to the CEC AFCs for the Palen and Blythe 
projects.
    The Palen site is 10 miles east of Desert Center, California and a 
half mile north of Interstate 10; the Blythe site is eight miles west 
of Blythe, California and three miles north of Interstate 10. The Palen 
facility will be constructed in two phases, while the Blythe facility 
will be constructed in four phases.
    The proposed Palen Solar Power Project would consist of two 
parabolic trough solar thermal power plants, each of which would have a 
solar field comprised of rows of parabolic mirrors focusing solar 
energy on collector tubes. The tubes would carry heated oil to a 
boiler, which would then send steam to a turbine. The two phases would 
generate approximately 484 MW of electricity. The two power plants 
would share administrative buildings, parking areas, maintenance 
buildings, switch yards, bioremediation areas, wastewater treatment 
facilities, access and maintenance roads, and perimeter fencing. The 
project would also include a natural gas pipeline, communication lines, 
and a 230 kV transmission line. The total expected project footprint 
would be approximately 3,800 acres. During construction, the project 
would require approximately 1,100 acre-feet of water for dust control 
and soil compaction. During operation, the project would require 
approximately 300 acre-feet of water per year. CESSM proposes to use 
water from new wells.
    The proposed Blythe Solar Power Project would consist of four 
parabolic trough solar thermal power plants similar to the Palen 
project. The four power plants would generate approximately 968 MW of 
electricity. All four plants would share administrative buildings, 
parking areas, maintenance buildings, switch yards, bioremediation 
areas, wastewater treatment facilities, access and maintenance roads, 
and perimeter fencing. The project would also include a natural gas 
pipeline, communication lines, and a 500 kV transmission line. The 
total expected project footprint would be approximately 6,300 acres. 
During construction, the project would require approximately 3, 100 
acre feet of water for dust control and soil compaction. During 
operation, the project would require approximately 600 acre-feet of 
water per year. CESSM proposes to use water from new wells. If 
approved, both projects would begin construction in late 2010. The 
purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues 
that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including 
alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EISs. The BLM 
has identified the following preliminary issues: special area 
designations, air quality, biological resources, hazardous materials, 
recreation, cultural resources, water resources, geological resources, 
land use, noise, paleontological resources, public health, 
socioeconomics, soils, traffic and transportation, and visual 
resources.
    Authorization of these proposals may require amendment of the CDCA 
Plan. By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 
1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land use 
plans, subject to the findings of the EISs. If a land use plan 
amendment is necessary, the BLM will integrate the land use planning 
process with the NEPA process for these projects.
    The BLM will use the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the

[[Page 61171]]

public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted and 
Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on 
Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with 
Tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested 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.
    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: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Tom Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director for Natural Resources, BLM California State 
Office.
[FR Doc. E9-27961 Filed 11-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
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