Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Westside Land Conveyance Project, Washakie and Big Horn Counties, WY, 7878-7879 [2011-3005]

Download as PDF 7878 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 29 / Friday, February 11, 2011 / Notices Recovery Project by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/wy/ st/en/info/NEPA/rfodocs/lostcreek.html; • E-mail: Lost_Crk_Mine_WY@blm.gov; • Fax: (307) 328–4224; or • Mail: Rawlins Field Office, Attention: Eldon Allison, 1300 North Third Street, P.O. Box 2407, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301–2407. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Rawlins Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Eldon Allison, Team Leader, telephone (307) 328–4267; address 1300 North Third Street, P.O. Box 2407, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301–2407; e-mail Eldon_Allison@blm.gov. The applicant Lost Creek ISR LLC (Lost Creek) has filed a plan of operations pursuant to the 43 CFR subpart 3809 regulations to construct an ore recovery plant, an access road to the site, and a pipeline system for the flow of oxidizing leach solution to injection wells and return of fluids from recovery wells to the recovery plant site; to drill injection, recovery and monitoring wells; and to construct associated facilities such as parking lots, power lines, etc. Development and recovery of the uranium consists of dissolving underground uranium-bearing minerals into solution and then bringing it to the surface facility for concentration. The Lost Creek ISR project is located about 40 miles northwest of Rawlins, Wyoming, in Sweetwater County. More specifically, the project is located in sections 16–20, 29–31, T. 25 N., R. 92 W., and sections 13, 24, and 25, T. 25 N., R. 93 W. The project area boundary includes approximately 4,250 acres, but no more than 324 acres would be subjected to actual surface disturbance and would be approved by the BLM. Most of the surface disturbance would be related to construction of the well pads used to extract the uranium in solution from the site. Construction would occur year round. The plant site would comprise approximately 10 acres, including parking space for about 50–60 employees. Multiple subsurface ore bodies range in depth from about 300– 700 feet below the surface. Each of the six separate cells containing uranium would be established and mined one at a time. It is expected that mining operations would last about 8 years. An estimated additional 3 years would be required for startup and closure of the site for a total project length of 11 years. jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:55 Feb 10, 2011 Jkt 223001 A proposed final reclamation plan for the project area has been submitted. All surface facilities would be removed when the project is completed and the land re-contoured to near predisturbance condition and re-vegetated. In conjunction with this proposal, Lost Creek has also applied for a material source license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NRC is in the process of conducting its own environmental review and has released a draft Supplemental EIS. BLM may decide it is appropriate to incorporate by reference into its own EIS all or part of the NRC’s Supplemental EIS once it is complete. In 2009, the BLM and the NRC entered into a memorandum of understanding to foster greater cooperation between the agencies with regard to the development of uranium resources on public lands. 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: 1. What standard operating procedures, best management practices or mitigation measures are necessary to reduce impacts from mineral resource exploration and development? 2. How will access to and transportation across the BLM lands be influenced by project facilities? 3. Will changes to recreation and offhighway vehicle management be necessary to protect the safety of public land users? 4. How will project activities affect wildlife or wildlife habitat including threatened, endangered, candidate, and sensitive species? 5. What effects to vegetation (including noxious and invasive species) might be expected from project development? 6. Will special project considerations be necessary to protect cultural resources? 7. Will the project facilities change wildland fire management response? 8. Will the project affect livestock grazing? 9. What project facilities will influence visual resource management? 10. Will project development affect air and water quality? 11. Will project development affect groundwater quality and quantity? The BLM will utilize 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). PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Native American Tribes in the project area were consulted regarding the proposed project in conjunction with the NRC environmental review process, which resulted in an agreement among certain Tribes, BLM, NRC, and the State Historical Preservation Office. The BLM has invited three Tribes to be cooperating agencies in its EIS process. Any additional Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with policy, and Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, and Native American Tribes, along with other stakeholders that may be interested in 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 may 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. Donald A. Simpson, State Director. [FR Doc. 2011–3073 Filed 2–10–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWYR01000 L54400000.EQ0000; LVCLK09K0760] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Westside Land Conveyance Project, Washakie and Big Horn Counties, WY Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance 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) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Westside Land Conveyance Project and by this notice is announcing its availability. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11FEN1.SGM 11FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 29 / Friday, February 11, 2011 / Notices The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes this notice in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Westside Land Conveyance Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are available for public inspection at the Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009, and Bureau of Land Management, Worland Field Office, 101 S. 23rd, Worland, Wyoming 82401. Interested persons may also review the FEIS on the Internet at https:// www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/ wfodocs/westside.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Tkach, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, telephone: (307) 347–5251; address: Bureau of Land Management, Worland Field Office, 101 S. 23rd, Worland, Wyoming 82401; e-mail: Andrew_Tkach@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of a legislated land conveyance to the Westside Irrigation District (WID), Worland, Wyoming. Public Law 106–485 (Nov. 9, 2000; 114 Stat. 2199) directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the BLM, to convey to WID all right, title and interest, excluding mineral interest, in certain Federal land in Washakie and Big Horn Counties, Wyoming, upon completion of an environmental analysis under the NEPA and mitigation of identified adverse effects of the land transfer. The project area comprises approximately 16,500 acres, in Townships 48 N. and 49 N.; Ranges 92 W., 921⁄2; W., and 93 W. The southern end of the project area is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Worland, Wyoming. The law specifies that acreage may be added to or subtracted from the project area to satisfy mitigation as required in the FEIS and its Record of Decision (ROD). The FEIS analyzes and discloses environmental consequences of four alternatives: • The No Action Alternative— analyzed for a baseline comparison although it is not an option under public law. • Alternative 1—the legislated proposed action conveying approximately 16,500 acres. • Alternative 2—under which only lands suitable for irrigation and needed for infrastructure would be conveyed; approximately 11,500 acres. • Alternative 3—under which only lands suitable for irrigation and needed jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:55 Feb 10, 2011 Jkt 223001 for infrastructure, and which exclude certain known eligible cultural sites, would be conveyed; approximately 9,740 acres. This alternative would also widen a wildlife migration corridor to the Bighorn River and reduce impacts to winter habitat. Alternative 3 is the BLM’s preferred alternative. The law places no restrictions on the eventual uses or disposal of the land, and the BLM would exercise no regulatory control after the transfer. The WID has stated it will offer the land for sale for agricultural purposes. The law further specifies that proceeds from the conveyance shall be deposited in a special account in the Treasury of the United States and shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior, without a further act of appropriation, for the acquisition of land, and interests in land, in the Worland District (now Worland Field Office), in Wyoming, such that the acquired lands will benefit public recreation, public access, fish and wildlife habitat, or cultural resources. On February 22, 2005, the BLM published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS under the NEPA. On January 11, 2008, the BLM published in the Federal Register a Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS (DEIS) for the Westside Land Conveyance Project. The State of Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) is a co-lead agency as provided in 40 Code of Federal Regulations 1500–1580. The WWDC will use the FEIS and ROD in support of subsequent funding decisions should the irrigation district apply for water supply development assistance. Cooperating agencies in the preparation of the FEIS include Washakie and Big Horn Counties. A ROD will be prepared after the close of the 30-day review period for the FEIS. Comments on the DEIS received from the public and internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the FEIS. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 1506.10. Donald A. Simpson, State Director. [FR Doc. 2011–3005 Filed 2–10–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION Fee Rate National Indian Gaming Commission. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 ACTION: 7879 Notice. Notice is hereby given, pursuant to 25 CFR 514.1(a)(3), that the National Indian Gaming Commission has adopted preliminary annual fee rates of 0.00% for tier 1 and 0.074% (.00074) for tier 2 for calendar year 2011. These rates shall apply to all assessable gross revenues from each gaming operation under the jurisdiction of the Commission. If a Tribe has a certificate of self-regulation under 25 CFR part 518, the preliminary fee rate on class II revenues for calendar year 2011 shall be one-half of the annual fee rate, which is 0.037% (.00037). SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris White, National Indian Gaming Commission, 1441 L Street, NW., Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005; telephone (202) 632–7003; fax (202) 632–7066 (these are not toll-free numbers). The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) established the National Indian Gaming Commission which is charged with, among other things, regulating gaming on Indian lands. The regulations of the Commission (25 CFR part 514), as amended, provide for a system of fee assessment and payment that is self-administered by gaming operations. Pursuant to those regulations, the Commission is required to adopt and communicate assessment rates; the gaming operations are required to apply those rates to their revenues, compute the fees to be paid, report the revenues, and remit the fees to the Commission on a semi-annual basis. The regulations of the Commission and the preliminary rate being adopted today are effective for calendar year 2011. Therefore, all gaming operations within the jurisdiction of the Commission are required to self administer the provisions of these regulations, and report and pay any fees that are due to the Commission by June 30, 2011. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: January 31, 2011. Tracie Stevens, Chairwoman. Dated: January 31, 2011. Steffani A. Cochran, Vice-Chairwoman. Dated: January 31, 2011. Daniel Little, Associate Commissioner. [FR Doc. 2011–3126 Filed 2–10–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7565–01–P E:\FR\FM\11FEN1.SGM 11FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 29 (Friday, February 11, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7878-7879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3005]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWYR01000 L54400000.EQ0000; LVCLK09K0760]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Westside Land Conveyance Project, Washakie and Big 
Horn Counties, WY

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance 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) has 
prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Westside 
Land Conveyance Project and by this notice is announcing its 
availability.

[[Page 7879]]


DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a 
minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes this notice in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Westside Land Conveyance Project Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) are available for public inspection at the 
Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, 
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009, and Bureau of Land Management, Worland Field 
Office, 101 S. 23rd, Worland, Wyoming 82401. Interested persons may 
also review the FEIS on the Internet at https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/wfodocs/westside.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Tkach, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, telephone: (307) 347-5251; address: Bureau 
of Land Management, Worland Field Office, 101 S. 23rd, Worland, Wyoming 
82401; e-mail: Andrew_Tkach@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS analyzes the environmental 
consequences of a legislated land conveyance to the Westside Irrigation 
District (WID), Worland, Wyoming. Public Law 106-485 (Nov. 9, 2000; 114 
Stat. 2199) directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
BLM, to convey to WID all right, title and interest, excluding mineral 
interest, in certain Federal land in Washakie and Big Horn Counties, 
Wyoming, upon completion of an environmental analysis under the NEPA 
and mitigation of identified adverse effects of the land transfer. The 
project area comprises approximately 16,500 acres, in Townships 48 N. 
and 49 N.; Ranges 92 W., 92\1/2\; W., and 93 W. The southern end of the 
project area is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Worland, 
Wyoming. The law specifies that acreage may be added to or subtracted 
from the project area to satisfy mitigation as required in the FEIS and 
its Record of Decision (ROD).
    The FEIS analyzes and discloses environmental consequences of four 
alternatives:
     The No Action Alternative--analyzed for a baseline 
comparison although it is not an option under public law.
     Alternative 1--the legislated proposed action conveying 
approximately 16,500 acres.
     Alternative 2--under which only lands suitable for 
irrigation and needed for infrastructure would be conveyed; 
approximately 11,500 acres.
     Alternative 3--under which only lands suitable for 
irrigation and needed for infrastructure, and which exclude certain 
known eligible cultural sites, would be conveyed; approximately 9,740 
acres. This alternative would also widen a wildlife migration corridor 
to the Bighorn River and reduce impacts to winter habitat.
    Alternative 3 is the BLM's preferred alternative.
    The law places no restrictions on the eventual uses or disposal of 
the land, and the BLM would exercise no regulatory control after the 
transfer. The WID has stated it will offer the land for sale for 
agricultural purposes.
    The law further specifies that proceeds from the conveyance shall 
be deposited in a special account in the Treasury of the United States 
and shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior, without a 
further act of appropriation, for the acquisition of land, and 
interests in land, in the Worland District (now Worland Field Office), 
in Wyoming, such that the acquired lands will benefit public 
recreation, public access, fish and wildlife habitat, or cultural 
resources.
    On February 22, 2005, the BLM published in the Federal Register a 
Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS under the NEPA. On January 11, 2008, 
the BLM published in the Federal Register a Notice of Availability 
(NOA) of the Draft EIS (DEIS) for the Westside Land Conveyance Project.
    The State of Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) is a co-
lead agency as provided in 40 Code of Federal Regulations 1500-1580. 
The WWDC will use the FEIS and ROD in support of subsequent funding 
decisions should the irrigation district apply for water supply 
development assistance. Cooperating agencies in the preparation of the 
FEIS include Washakie and Big Horn Counties.
    A ROD will be prepared after the close of the 30-day review period 
for the FEIS. Comments on the DEIS received from the public and 
internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate 
into the FEIS.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 1506.10.

Donald A. Simpson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2011-3005 Filed 2-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.