Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed West Butte Wind Power Right-of-Way, Crook and Deschutes Counties, OR, 2886-2887 [2010-838]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management
• Land Management Bureau

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2886-2887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-838]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLOPRP0600 L51010000.EROOOO LVRWH09H0600; HAG 10-0091]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed West Butte Wind Power Right-of-Way, Crook and Deschutes 
Counties, OR

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Deschutes 
Field Office, Prineville, Oregon, intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed West Butte Wind Power Right-of-
Way (ROW) in Crook and Deschutes Counties, Oregon, and by this notice 
is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public 
comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until February 3, 2010. 
The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced 
at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the 
BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville. In order 
to be considered 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. We will provide additional opportunities 
for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the West Butte Wind Power 
ROW by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.or.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville/plans/wbw_power_row/request.
     E-mail: sstoro@or.blm.gov.
     Fax: (541) 416-6798.
     Mail: West Butte Wind Power Right-of-Way Lead, BLM 
Prineville District Office, 3050 N.E. 3rd Street, Prineville, Oregon 
97754.

[[Page 2887]]

    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the 
Prineville District Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact the West Butte Wind Power 
Right-of-Way Project Lead, telephone (541) 416-6885; address 3050 N.E. 
3rd Street, Prineville, Oregon 97754; e-mail sstoro@or.blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, West Butte Wind Power, LLC, 
has requested a ROW authorization to construct 3.9 miles of road and an 
adjacent power transmission line on public land. The ROW request is 
associated with a proposed wind farm development on adjacent private 
lands which would include up to 52 wind turbines and ancillary 
facilities. The project is 25 miles southeast of Bend, Oregon, located 
on the north side of U.S. Highway 20. 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. The BLM has identified the following 
preliminary issues: Vegetation, wildlife and wildlife habitat, visual 
resources, cultural and tribal resources, noise, socioeconomic impacts, 
and public safety impacts.
    The BLM will use and coordinate 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 and 
tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets, will be 
given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with 
other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM's 
decision on this project, are invited to participate in the scoping 
process. Federal, State, local agencies, or Tribes, 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.

    December 31, 2009.
Deborah Henderson-Norton,
Prineville District Manager.
[FR Doc. 2010-838 Filed 1-15-10; 8:45 am]
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