Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area, Imperial County, CA, and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment, 6698-6699 [2010-2841]

Download as PDF sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES 6698 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 10, 2010 / Notices species, and estimating time and costs for implementing the measures needed for recovery. A recovery plan was originally completed for Yuma clapper rail in 1983, but the recommendations contained in that plan are outdated given the species’ current status. Section 4(f) of the Act requires that we provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. The Service will consider all information presented during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other Federal agencies will also take these comments into account in the course of implementing recovery actions. In fulfillment of this requirement, we are making this draft first revision of the recovery plan for Yuma clapper rail available for a 60-day public comment period. The document submitted for review is the first revision of the recovery plan for the Yuma clapper rail. It was listed as an endangered species in the United States on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). It was not included on the list of foreign species established under the Endangered Species Conservation Act, so is not listed throughout its historical range in Mexico. Critical habitat has not been designated. The primary threats to the Yuma clapper rail are habitat loss and degradation due to changes in historical hydrographs, channelization, and diversion of river flows for agricultural and municipal purposes. The draft revised recovery plan includes scientific information about the species and provides criteria and actions needed to downlist or delist the species. Downlisting of the species may be considered when annual surveys document a stable or increasing population trend over five consecutive years, habitat management plans are in place for all important Federal and state-owned habitat areas, and long-term contracts for water supplies at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge and Imperial State Wildlife Area in California are in place. Delisting of the species may be considered when annual surveys document an additional five consecutive years of a stable or increasing population trend; the amount of habitat needed to support the desired minimum population size in the United States is established and protected, and management plans are in place for that habitat; an assessment of the risks of selenium to the species is completed and protective measures implemented if needed; and a secure water supply for the Cienega de Santa Clara in Mexico is established. Recovery actions designed VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:21 Feb 09, 2010 Jkt 220001 to achieve these criteria are included in the draft revised recovery plan and include population and habitat monitoring and evaluation, directed research on habitat and threats, efforts to obtain secure water supplies for important habitats, and cooperation between interested parties in the United States and Mexico. The draft Yuma Clapper Rail Recovery Plan, First Revision, is being submitted for review to all interested parties. After consideration of comments received during the public comment period, the revised recovery plan will be submitted for final approval. Request for Public Comments We are accepting written comments and information during this comment period on the revised draft recovery plan. All comments received by the date specified above will be considered prior to approval of the final recovery plan. Comments and materials we receive will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office in Phoenix (see ADDRESSES). 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 publically 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: The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f). Dated: November 20, 2009. Brian Millsap, Acting Regional Director, Region 2. [FR Doc. 2010–2921 Filed 2–9–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCAD070000, L91310000.EI0000] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area, Imperial County, CA, and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (NEPA) of 1969, as amended and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) El Centro Field Office, El Centro, California, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider an amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan to identify whether lands within the West Chocolate Mountains area should be made available for geothermal, solar, or wind energy development. By this notice the BLM 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 and possible plan amendment. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until March 12, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings 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/cdd.html. 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 on issues and planning criteria related to the West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/cdd.html. • E-mail: cawestchocolate@ca.blm.gov. • Fax: (951) 697–5299. • Mail: ATTN: John Dalton, BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California 92553–9046. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the California Desert District Office or the BLM’s California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact John Dalton, telephone (951) 697–5311; address BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553–9046; e-mail cawestchocloate@ca.blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The focus of the EIS is to assess whether the 21,300 acres of BLM-managed lands within the West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area should be made available for renewable energy development, including E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM 10FEN1 sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 27 / Wednesday, February 10, 2010 / Notices geothermal leasing, solar energy rightsof-way (ROWs), and wind energy ROWs. Through the analysis contained within the EIS, the BLM will consider whether all, a portion of, or no lands within the area should be leased for geothermal exploration and development, solar energy development through ROWs, or wind energy development through ROWs. The approximately 21,300 acres of Federal lands that are the subject of this analysis are located in an area bordered by the Imperial/Riverside County line on the north, the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Bombing and Gunnery Range on the east, the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area on the south, and the Imperial Valley agricultural belt on the west. The area is also east of the community of Niland and northeast of El Centro, 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. The BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Threatened and endangered species, special status species, vegetation communities, special area designations, visual resources, water quality and quantity, and areas of high potential for renewable energy development. 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. 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 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 VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:21 Feb 09, 2010 Jkt 220001 cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. 6699 National Park Service Director of National Park Service pursuant to Public Law 104–333. The 28 members represent business, educational/cultural, community and environmental entities; municipalities surrounding Boston Harbor; Boston Harbor advocates; and Native American interests. The purpose of the Council is to advise and make recommendations to the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership with respect to the development and implementation of a management plan and the operations of the Boston Harbor Islands NRA. Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council; Notice of Public Meeting Dated: January 15, 2010. Bruce Jacobson, Superintendent, Boston Harbor Islands NRA. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, California. [FR Doc. 2010–2841 Filed 2–9–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council will be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. This will be the annual meeting of the Council. The agenda will include a presentation on citizen science activities on the islands, an update on the messaging project, elections of officers and other council business, a park update, and public comment. The meeting will be open to the public. Any person may file with the Superintendent a written statement concerning the matters to be discussed. Persons who wish to file a written statement at the meeting or who want further information concerning the meeting may contact Superintendent Bruce Jacobson at Boston Harbor Islands, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 228, Boston, MA 02110 or (617) 223–8667. 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. DATES: March 3, 2010 at 6 p.m. ADDRESSES: Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Bruce Jacobson, (617) 223–8667. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Council was appointed by the PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2010–2879 Filed 2–9–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Meeting for the Denali National Park and Preserve Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council Within the Alaska Region National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces a meeting of the Denali National Park and Preserve Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss mitigation of impacts from aircraft overflights at Denali National Park and Preserve. This meeting is open to the public and will have time allocated for public testimony. The public is welcome to present written or oral comments. The meeting will be recorded and a summary will be available upon request from the Superintendent for public inspection approximately six weeks after each meeting. The Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council is authorized to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. DATES: The Denali National Park and Preserve Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council meeting will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Alaska Standard Time. The meeting may end early if all business is completed. Location: Best Western Lake Lucille Inn, Iditarod Room, 1300 West Lake Lucille Drive, Wasilla, Alaska 99654. Telephone: (907) 373–1776. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miriam Valentine, Denali Planning. Email: Miriam_Valentine@nps.gov. Telephone: (907) 733–9102 at Denali E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM 10FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6698-6699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2841]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCAD070000, L91310000.EI0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area, 
Imperial County, CA, and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
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) El Centro 
Field Office, El Centro, California, intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider an amendment to the 
California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan to identify whether 
lands within the West Chocolate Mountains area should be made available 
for geothermal, solar, or wind energy development. By this notice the 
BLM 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 and 
possible plan amendment. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing 
until March 12, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping 
meetings 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/cdd.html. 
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 on issues and planning criteria 
related to the West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation by 
any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd.html.
     E-mail: cawestchocolate@ca.blm.gov.
     Fax: (951) 697-5299.
     Mail: ATTN: John Dalton, BLM California Desert District 
Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California 
92553-9046.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the 
California Desert District Office or the BLM's California State Office, 
2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact John Dalton, telephone 
(951) 697-5311; address BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 
Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553-9046; e-mail 
cawestchocloate@ca.blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The focus of the EIS is to assess whether 
the 21,300 acres of BLM-managed lands within the West Chocolate 
Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area should be made available for 
renewable energy development, including

[[Page 6699]]

geothermal leasing, solar energy rights-of-way (ROWs), and wind energy 
ROWs. Through the analysis contained within the EIS, the BLM will 
consider whether all, a portion of, or no lands within the area should 
be leased for geothermal exploration and development, solar energy 
development through ROWs, or wind energy development through ROWs.
    The approximately 21,300 acres of Federal lands that are the 
subject of this analysis are located in an area bordered by the 
Imperial/Riverside County line on the north, the Chocolate Mountains 
Aerial Bombing and Gunnery Range on the east, the Imperial Sand Dunes 
Recreation Area on the south, and the Imperial Valley agricultural belt 
on the west. The area is also east of the community of Niland and 
northeast of El Centro, 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. 
The BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Threatened and 
endangered species, special status species, vegetation communities, 
special area designations, visual resources, water quality and 
quantity, and areas of high potential for renewable energy development. 
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.
    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 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, California.
[FR Doc. 2010-2841 Filed 2-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.