Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Solar Millennium, LLC, Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project, 71144-71145 [2010-29370]

Download as PDF 71144 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 224 / Monday, November 22, 2010 / Notices indemnifying and holding the United States harmless from any release of hazardous materials that may have occurred; 4. An appropriate indemnification clause protecting the United States from claims arising out of the lessee’s/ patentee’s use, occupancy or operations on the leased/patented lands; and 5. Additional terms and conditions that the authorized officer deems appropriate. Detailed information concerning the proposed land sale including the appraisal, planning and environmental documents, and a mineral report are available for review at the BLM Shoshone Field Office at the location identified in the ADDRESSES section above. Normal business hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. Public Comments: Public comments regarding the proposed sale may be submitted in writing to the BLM Shoshone Field Manager (see ADDRESSES section) on or before January 6, 2011. Comments received in electronic form, such as e-mail or facsimile, will not be considered. Any adverse comments regarding the proposed sale will be reviewed by the BLM Idaho State Director or other authorized official of the Department of the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify this realty action in whole or in part. In the absence of timely filed objections, this realty action will become the final determination of the Department of the Interior. 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: 43 U.S.C. 1713 and1719; 43 CFR 2711.1–2(a) and (c) and 2711.3–3. jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Ruth A. Miller, Shoshone Field Manager. [FR Doc. 2010–29372 Filed 11–19–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:49 Nov 19, 2010 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVS03000 L51010000.ER0000 LVRWF09F8590 241A; 11–08807; TAS:14X5017] Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Solar Millennium, LLC, Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Solar Millennium, LLC, Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Secretary of the Interior approved the ROD on November 15, 2010, which constitutes the final decision of the Department. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are available upon request from the BLM Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 or via the internet at the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html. Copies of the ROD are also available for public inspection at the BLM Southern Nevada District Office and the BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, Nevada. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Helseth, Renewable Energy Project Manager; telephone: (702) 515– 5173; mailing address: BLM Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130; or e-mail: Gregory_Helseth@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Solar Millennium, LLC, is authorized to construct the Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project on approximately 6,320 acres of public land in 2 separate phases with a total generating capacity of approximately 500 megawatts (MW) of power. The Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project is a solar facility utilizing parabolic trough solar thermal technology. Phase 1 of the project will generate 250–MW and Phase 2 will generate 250–MW, with an average net output of approximately 232–MW for each phase. Each phase will consist of power blocks, a solar field, a heat transfer fluid and steam generation system, a nitrate salt thermal storage system, conventional water treatment, electrical switchgear, administration, warehouse, and maintenance facilities. The project facility will disturb approximately 4,350 acres of the 6,320 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 acre project area and will include solar fields, power blocks, office buildings, maintenance building, parking area, lay down area, storm water detention basin, evaporation ponds, switch yard, and a realignment of Amargosa Farm Road. The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft EIS analyzing impacts of the proposed project was published in the Federal Register on March 19, 2010 (75 FR 13301) for public review and comment. A total of 37 comment letters were received on the Draft EIS. The comments were incorporated, where appropriate, to clarify the analysis presented in the Final EIS. The NOA for the Final EIS was published in the Federal Register on October 15, 2010 (75 FR 63503). The Final EIS analyzes 3 alternatives; a No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action, and a Wet-Cooled Alternative. These alternatives were shaped in part by comments received from the public and internal BLM review. Alternative 1: No Action. The No Action Alternative assumes the right-ofway application for the Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project would be denied and the proposed project would not be built. Alternative 2: Proposed Action (DryCooled). This is the Environmentally Preferable Alternative that analyzes the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of 2 dry-cooled solar power plants, each with a nameplate capacity of 250–MW and a net output of approximately 232–MW. Alternative 3: Wet-Cooled Alternative. Under the wet-cooled alternative, the proponent would construct and operate 2 wet-cooled solar power plants, each with a nameplate capacity of 250–MW and a net output of approximately 242– MW. Each solar plant would be equipped with thermal storage capability and associated linear facilities. Construction and operation of a wet-cooled project would be similar to a dry-cooled plant, however, the net power output from a wet-cooled solar power plant facility is greater than the net power output from a dry-cooled solar power plant facility. Plant components and layout are similar under both the wet- and dry-cooled alternatives; the primary differences are the amount of water used for plant operations, the need for cooling towers for heat rejection from the steam cycle for the wet-cooled alternative, and the area needed for evaporation ponds. Because this decision is approved by the Secretary of the Interior, it is not subject to administrative appeal (43 CFR 4.410(a)(3)). E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM 22NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 224 / Monday, November 22, 2010 / Notices Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 1506.10. Robert V. Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 2010–29370 Filed 11–19–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation San Joaquin River Restoration Program: Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass, and Mariposa Bypass Channel and Structural Improvements Project, Merced County, CA Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Revised notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Report (EIS/ EIR) and Notice of Scoping Meeting. AGENCY: The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources are revising our proposal to prepare a joint EIS/EIR on the effects of the proposed Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass, and Mariposa Bypass Channel and Structural Improvements Project under the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. The original notice of intent was published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2009 (74 FR 46453). This revised proposal would include measures for the conveyance of Interim and Restoration flows and incorporation of fish habitat through Reach 4B and/or the bypasses. When evaluating comments on this proposal, we will also consider comments that we received on the previous proposal. DATES: Submit written comments on the scope of the EIS/EIR by December 22, 2010. We will hold a scoping meeting on Monday, December 6, 2010, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Los Banos, California. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Ms. Michelle Banonis, Natural Resources Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP– 170, Sacramento, CA 95825 or via email at reach4b@restoresjr.net. We will hold a public scoping meeting at the Miller and Lux Building, 830 6th Street, Los Banos, California. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Margaret Gidding, Outreach Coordinator, 2800 Cottage Way, MP– 170, Sacramento, CA 95825, or via email at mgidding@usbr.gov, by telephone at 916–978–5461, TDD 916– 978–5608 or via fax at 916–978–5469. Additional information is available online at https://www.restoresjr.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action includes improving jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:49 Nov 19, 2010 Jkt 223001 conveyance capacity in the San Joaquin River from the Reach 4B headgates near Washington Road to the confluence of the Mariposa Bypass with the San Joaquin River (generally referred to as Reach 4B1). The improvements will incorporate modifications to Reach 4B and the Eastside and Mariposa bypass channels to allow for conveyance of Interim and Restoration flows. Improvements will also include the incorporation of fish habitat in Reach 4B and/or the bypasses and maintain the current flood operations and conveyance capacity of the system. Additionally, the Proposed Action may result in an opportunity for improvements to the existing flood system. These improvements are intended to support paragraph 11 Settlement actions related to Reach 4B, the Eastside Bypass, and the Mariposa Bypass. The planning and environmental review for the Proposed Action is authorized under Section 3406(c)(1) of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement (SJRRS) Act. Construction of the Proposed Action is authorized under Section 10004 of the SJRRS Act. The Proposed Action would be implemented consistent with the Settlement and the SJRRS Act. San Joaquin River Restoration Program In 1988, a coalition of environmental groups led by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a lawsuit challenging the renewal of the long-term water service contracts between the United States and the Central Valley Project Friant Division Contractors. After more than 18 years of litigation known as NRDC, et al., v. Kirk Rodgers, et al., the NRDC, Friant Water Users Authority, and the Departments of the Interior and Commerce (Settling Parties) reached agreement on the terms and conditions of the San Joaquin River Stipulation of Settlement (Settlement) that was subsequently approved by the Court on October 23, 2006. The Settlement can be found online at https://www.restoresjr.net. The Settlement is based on two parallel Goals: • The Restoration Goal—To restore and maintain fish populations in ‘‘good condition’’ in the main stem of the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River, including naturally reproducing and self-sustaining populations of salmon and other fish; and • The Water Management Goal—To reduce or avoid adverse water supply impacts to all of the Friant Division long-term Contractors that may result PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 71145 from the Interim Flows and Restoration Flows provided for in the Settlement. The Settling Parties acknowledge that accomplishing the Goals requires planning, implementation, and funding of certain activities, such as environmental review, design, and construction. With regard to the Restoration Goal, the Settlement calls for a combination of channel and structural improvements along the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam, releases of additional water from Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River, and the reintroduction of spring and/or fall-run Chinook salmon. The Settlement states that the Secretary of the Interior shall diligently pursue completion of the improvements listed in Paragraph 11 in coordination with the Restoration Administrator and with other federal, state, and local agencies. Additionally, the Settling Parties agreed that implementation of the Settlement shall also require participation of the State of California. Therefore, concurrent with the execution of the Settlement, the Settling Parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of California, by and through the California Resources Agency, DWR, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), and the California Environmental Protection Agency, regarding the State’s role in the implementation of the Settlement. The program established to implement the Settlement is the SJRRP, and the ‘‘Implementing Agencies’’ responsible for the management of the SJRRP include Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), DWR, and DFG. The Federal Implementing Agencies (Reclamation, USFWS, and NMFS) are authorized to implement the Settlement under the SJRRS Act included in Public Law 111– 11. A Program Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (PEIS/EIR) is currently being developed for implementation of the SJRRP. If applicable, the EIS/EIR for the Proposed Action will supplement, tier from, incorporate by reference, or adopt relevant NEPA analyses from the PEIS/ EIR once a Record of Decision is signed. Special Assistance for Public Meetings If special assistance is required to participate in the scoping meeting, please contact Ms. Margaret Gidding at 916–978–5461, by TDD 916–978–5608, or via e-mail at mgidding@usbr.gov. Please contact Ms. Gidding at least ten working days prior to the meeting. E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM 22NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 224 (Monday, November 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71144-71145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29370]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVS03000 L51010000.ER0000 LVRWF09F8590 241A; 11-08807; TAS:14X5017]


Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Solar 
Millennium, LLC, Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project

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) for the Solar Millennium, LLC, Amargosa 
Farm Road Solar Energy Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 
The Secretary of the Interior approved the ROD on November 15, 2010, 
which constitutes the final decision of the Department.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are available upon request from the BLM 
Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, 
Nevada 89130 or via the internet at the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html. Copies of the ROD are also available 
for public inspection at the BLM Southern Nevada District Office and 
the BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, Nevada.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Helseth, Renewable Energy 
Project Manager; telephone: (702) 515-5173; mailing address: BLM 
Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, 
Nevada 89130; or e-mail: Gregory_Helseth@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Solar Millennium, LLC, is 
authorized to construct the Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project on 
approximately 6,320 acres of public land in 2 separate phases with a 
total generating capacity of approximately 500 megawatts (MW) of power. 
The Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy Project is a solar facility 
utilizing parabolic trough solar thermal technology. Phase 1 of the 
project will generate 250-MW and Phase 2 will generate 250-MW, with an 
average net output of approximately 232-MW for each phase. Each phase 
will consist of power blocks, a solar field, a heat transfer fluid and 
steam generation system, a nitrate salt thermal storage system, 
conventional water treatment, electrical switchgear, administration, 
warehouse, and maintenance facilities.
    The project facility will disturb approximately 4,350 acres of the 
6,320 acre project area and will include solar fields, power blocks, 
office buildings, maintenance building, parking area, lay down area, 
storm water detention basin, evaporation ponds, switch yard, and a 
realignment of Amargosa Farm Road. The Notice of Availability (NOA) for 
the Draft EIS analyzing impacts of the proposed project was published 
in the Federal Register on March 19, 2010 (75 FR 13301) for public 
review and comment. A total of 37 comment letters were received on the 
Draft EIS. The comments were incorporated, where appropriate, to 
clarify the analysis presented in the Final EIS. The NOA for the Final 
EIS was published in the Federal Register on October 15, 2010 (75 FR 
63503). The Final EIS analyzes 3 alternatives; a No Action Alternative, 
the Proposed Action, and a Wet-Cooled Alternative. These alternatives 
were shaped in part by comments received from the public and internal 
BLM review.
    Alternative 1: No Action. The No Action Alternative assumes the 
right-of-way application for the Amargosa Farm Road Solar Energy 
Project would be denied and the proposed project would not be built.
    Alternative 2: Proposed Action (Dry-Cooled). This is the 
Environmentally Preferable Alternative that analyzes the construction, 
operation, maintenance and decommissioning of 2 dry-cooled solar power 
plants, each with a nameplate capacity of 250-MW and a net output of 
approximately 232-MW.
    Alternative 3: Wet-Cooled Alternative. Under the wet-cooled 
alternative, the proponent would construct and operate 2 wet-cooled 
solar power plants, each with a nameplate capacity of 250-MW and a net 
output of approximately 242-MW. Each solar plant would be equipped with 
thermal storage capability and associated linear facilities. 
Construction and operation of a wet-cooled project would be similar to 
a dry-cooled plant, however, the net power output from a wet-cooled 
solar power plant facility is greater than the net power output from a 
dry-cooled solar power plant facility. Plant components and layout are 
similar under both the wet- and dry-cooled alternatives; the primary 
differences are the amount of water used for plant operations, the need 
for cooling towers for heat rejection from the steam cycle for the wet-
cooled alternative, and the area needed for evaporation ponds.
    Because this decision is approved by the Secretary of the Interior, 
it is not subject to administrative appeal (43 CFR 4.410(a)(3)).


[[Page 71145]]


     Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 1506.10.

Robert V. Abbey,
Director, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 2010-29370 Filed 11-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
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