Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Off Delaware, Determination of No Competitive Interest, 20367-20368 [2011-8341]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2011 / Notices Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC submitted the only valid expression of commercial interest in response to the April 26, 2010, RFI and BOEMRE received no additional expressions of interest in response to the January 26, II. Correction 2011, RFCI. BOEMRE will proceed with In the Federal Register of February the noncompetitive lease process for the 23, 2011, in FR Doc. 2011–2658, on page proposed lease area offshore Delaware 10051, in the third column, the second as described in the RFCI. full paragraph (beginning ‘‘A PHA will This DNCI is published pursuant to receive 5 points if * * * ’’) and the subsequent chart should be corrected to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act, which was added by section 388 of the add the word ‘‘percent’’ after the figures Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) (43 ‘‘1.5’’ and ‘‘2.5’’ wherever those figures U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)), and the occur, to read as follows: A PHA will receive 5 points if it has implementing regulations at 30 CFR part a tenant accounts receivable ratio of less 285. Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS than 1.5 percent. It will receive 2 points Lands Act requires that OCS renewable if it has a tenant accounts receivable energy leases, easements, and rights-ofratio of equal to or greater than 1.5 way be issued ‘‘on a competitive basis percent and less than 2.5 percent. It will unless the Secretary determines after receive zero points if it has a tenant public notice of a proposed lease, accounts receivable ratio of equal to or easement, or right-of-way that there is greater than 2.5 percent. no competitive interest.’’ The authority to make such determinations has been Tenant accounts receivable value Points delegated to BOEMRE. This DNCI <1.5 percent ................................. 5 provides notice to the public that ≥1.5 percent but <2.5 percent ...... 2 BOEMRE has determined that there is ≥2.5 percent .................................. 0 no competitive interest in leasing the proposed area. Dated: April 5, 2011. BOEMRE received public comment Sandra B. Henriquez, submissions from four parties in response to the January 26, 2011, RFCI. Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. A discussion of these comments is [FR Doc. 2011–8597 Filed 4–11–11; 8:45 am] found below. percent to receive the highest score, a reasonable adjustment from the proposal. This correction properly conforms the language to the clearly intended meaning. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DATES: Effective April 12, 2011. Erin C. Trager, Projects and Coordination Branch, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Office of Offshore Alternative Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4090, Herndon, Virginia 20170–4817; telephone (703) 787–1713. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement [Docket No. BOEM–2011–0008] Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Off Delaware, Determination of No Competitive Interest SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Purpose of This DNCI This notice provides BOEMRE’s determination that no competitive interest exists in acquiring a commercial wind lease in the area offshore Delaware proposed in the January 26, 2011, Notice of Proposed Lease Area and Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI) (76 FR 4716). The location of a proposed lease area was identified through the issuance of a Request for Interest (RFI) in the Federal Register on April 26, 2010 (75 FR 21653). This DNCI provides public notice that BOEMRE has determined that there is no competitive interest in acquiring a lease in the area described in the January 26, 2011, RFCI. Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC submitted the only valid expression of commercial interest in response to the RFI and BOEMRE received no additional expressions of interest in response to the RFCI. As a result, no competitive interest exists in the proposed leasing area. Subsequent to the publication of this determination, BOEMRE may proceed with the noncompetitive lease process outlined at 30 CFR 285.231(d) through (i). Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), Interior. ACTION: Notice. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:00 Apr 11, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20367 Summary of Public Comments Received in Response to the January 26, 2011, RFCI On February 10, 2011, the comment period closed for the Delaware RFCI. BOEMRE received four responses during the public comment period, including comments from two groups representing waterway users, one marine waterway operator, and one company associated with the surf clam/ ocean quahog fishing industry. Comments received in response to the RFCI are available at the following URL: https://www.boemre.gov/offshore/ RenewableEnergy/ stateactivities.htm#Delaware Some of the comments received requested a change to the area of interest considered for leasing, and included suggestions such as identifying areas for exclusion, mitigation, or further study. Other comments suggested that BOEMRE undertake a more coordinated outreach effort with public stakeholders, to complement existing coordination efforts with government stakeholders in the BOEMRE/Delaware Renewable Energy Task Force. In addition, other comments expressed concern with navigational safety and socioeconomic impacts to the surf clam/ocean quahog fishery in the proposed lease area as a result of wind facility development. In identifying a lease area for analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, BOEMRE will consider excluding the area designated as a potential U.S. Coast Guard vessel anchorage area, first identified by the U.S. Coast Guard in its response to the Delaware RFI. Comments received from waterways operators in response to the Delaware RFCI indicate support for excluding a designated anchorage area from a proposed lease area to replace unofficial anchorage areas currently in use throughout the area of interest, which may be displaced by future development. In response to concerns regarding the proposed 500-meter buffer between the proposed lease area and the adjacent Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), BOEMRE has decided that additional information is needed to evaluate whether this proposed buffer should be widened. BOEMRE will collaborate with the U.S. Coast Guard to better quantify the amount and location of vessel activity and research ways to analyze the effects of wind energy facility infrastructure on marine vessel traffic in the area to better inform any future mitigation in a proposed lease area. If data suggest that heavy traffic transits within 0.5 nautical mile of the edge of the TSS, BOEMRE has the discretion to E:\FR\FM\12APN1.SGM 12APN1 20368 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2011 / Notices require a larger buffer either as a stipulation in the lease or as a condition of Construction and Operations Plan approval. In response to concerns regarding potential impacts to the surf clam/ quahog fishery in the area of interest, BOEMRE intends to consider potential impacts to the fishery in a proposed lease area as well as the industry associated with this fishery as part of our compliance process. In response to requests that BOEMRE conduct outreach to the mariner and fishing communities, BOEMRE will continue its ongoing outreach efforts, including but not limited to, participation in meetings with the Mariners Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware and outreach to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and regulators of associated activities offshore Delaware. Dated: March 29, 2011. Michael R. Bromwich, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. [FR Doc. 2011–8341 Filed 4–11–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–R–2011–N042; 1261–0000–80230– W2] Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit Restoration and Pumping Plant/Fish Screen Facility Protection Project, California; Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent; request for public comment. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), are preparing a joint environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the proposed Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit Restoration and Pumping Plant/Fish Screen Facility Protection Project, in Glenn and Butte Counties, California. The proposed project includes riparian restoration and protection of the Princeton-Cordora-Glenn and Provident Irrigation Districts (PCGID–PID) pumping plant and fish screen facility. This notice advises the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We encourage the public and srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:00 Apr 11, 2011 Jkt 223001 other agencies to participate in the NEPA scoping process by sending written suggestions and information on the issues and concerns that should be addressed in the draft EIS/EIR, including the range of alternatives, appropriate mitigation measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts. DATES: To ensure that we have adequate time to evaluate and incorporate suggestions and other input, we must receive your comments on or before May 27, 2011. A public scoping meeting will be held on May 10, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Ord Bend Community Hall, 3241 Highway 45, Ord Bend, California 95943–9654. ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to our project mailing list to: Daniel W. Frisk, Project Leader, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988. Alternatively, you may send written comments or requests by fax to (530) 934–7814, or by e-mail to dan_frisk@fws.gov. Please indicate that your comments refer to the Riparian Sanctuary Restoration and Pumping Plant/Fish Screen Facility Protection Project. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Moroney, Refuge Manager, (530) 934–2801. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit was acquired by the Service in 1991 and added to the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. The Service acquired the Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit as part of the Joint Management Agreement between Parrot Investment Co., The Nature Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Game, and the Service to cooperatively manage lands on the Llano Seco Ranch. The Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit is one piece of the larger Llano Seco Ranch, and was cleared of riparian vegetation for agricultural production by the previous landowner during the 1970s. Although the property has been out of agricultural production for close to 15 years, the habitat remains dominated by nonnative and invasive noxious weeds. Currently, just over 200 acres is farmed to dryland row crops to help control nonnative weeds. Prior to acquisition by the Service, rock revetment was placed on the north end of the Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit by the Department of Water Resources in 1985 and 1986. The rock was placed in order to lock the PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Sacramento River in place ensuring that flood flows would continue to be diverted from the Sacramento River through the Goose Lake overflow structure and into the Butte Basin. When the Service acquired the ranch property in 1991, we did so with the understanding that our management activities would not impact the Goose Lake overflow structure that diverts flood water into the Butte Basin. Since the placement of rock revetment in 1986, the natural riverbank that is south of the revetment has eroded approximately 600 feet. The erosion on refuge property is directly across from the PCGID–PID pumping plant and fish screening facility. In 1999, the PCGID– PID consolidated three pumping plants into one new facility equipped with state-of-the-art fish screens. The fishscreening efficiency of the new PCGID– PID pumping plant is now endangered by the bank erosion on the refuge property and the migration of the Sacramento River. Although the rock revetment on the north edge of refuge property is decades old and eroding, it plays a key role in protecting the PCGID–PID pumping plant. As the bank erodes, the angle of flow and velocity of the water passing the screens will change, trapping fish against the screen rather than sweeping them past. Without some type of protection, it is likely the bank will continue to erode and the pumping plant facility will fail to meet guidelines for operation of the pumping-plant fish screens that were published by the National Marine Fisheries Service of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce). To address these issues we are proposing the restoration of approximately 500 acres of the Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit to improve habitat for wildlife with an emphasis on endangered and threatened species and the protection of the PCGID–PID pumping plant and fish screen facility. Previous Planning Studies In 2001, River Partners submitted a planning proposal to the CALFED BayDelta Program for grant funding to investigate the following problems: • River meander may threaten the operation of the PCGID–PID fish screen and pumping plant located across the river from the Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary (part of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge). • Current site conditions on much of the 950-acre Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary have contributed little to endangered species recovery and overall riparian health. E:\FR\FM\12APN1.SGM 12APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20367-20368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8341]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement

[Docket No. BOEM-2011-0008]


Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) Off Delaware, Determination of No Competitive Interest

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement 
(BOEMRE), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice provides BOEMRE's determination that no 
competitive interest exists in acquiring a commercial wind lease in the 
area offshore Delaware proposed in the January 26, 2011, Notice of 
Proposed Lease Area and Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI) (76 FR 
4716). The location of a proposed lease area was identified through the 
issuance of a Request for Interest (RFI) in the Federal Register on 
April 26, 2010 (75 FR 21653).
    Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC submitted the only valid expression of 
commercial interest in response to the April 26, 2010, RFI and BOEMRE 
received no additional expressions of interest in response to the 
January 26, 2011, RFCI. BOEMRE will proceed with the noncompetitive 
lease process for the proposed lease area offshore Delaware as 
described in the RFCI.
    This DNCI is published pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS 
Lands Act, which was added by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (EPAct) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)), and the implementing regulations 
at 30 CFR part 285. Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act requires 
that OCS renewable energy leases, easements, and rights-of-way be 
issued ``on a competitive basis unless the Secretary determines after 
public notice of a proposed lease, easement, or right-of-way that there 
is no competitive interest.'' The authority to make such determinations 
has been delegated to BOEMRE. This DNCI provides notice to the public 
that BOEMRE has determined that there is no competitive interest in 
leasing the proposed area.
    BOEMRE received public comment submissions from four parties in 
response to the January 26, 2011, RFCI. A discussion of these comments 
is found below.

DATES: Effective April 12, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin C. Trager, Projects and 
Coordination Branch, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement, Office of Offshore Alternative Energy Programs, 381 Elden 
Street, Mail Stop 4090, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817; telephone (703) 
787-1713.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose of This DNCI

    This DNCI provides public notice that BOEMRE has determined that 
there is no competitive interest in acquiring a lease in the area 
described in the January 26, 2011, RFCI. Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC 
submitted the only valid expression of commercial interest in response 
to the RFI and BOEMRE received no additional expressions of interest in 
response to the RFCI. As a result, no competitive interest exists in 
the proposed leasing area. Subsequent to the publication of this 
determination, BOEMRE may proceed with the noncompetitive lease process 
outlined at 30 CFR 285.231(d) through (i).

Summary of Public Comments Received in Response to the January 26, 
2011, RFCI

    On February 10, 2011, the comment period closed for the Delaware 
RFCI. BOEMRE received four responses during the public comment period, 
including comments from two groups representing waterway users, one 
marine waterway operator, and one company associated with the surf 
clam/ocean quahog fishing industry. Comments received in response to 
the RFCI are available at the following URL: https://www.boemre.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/stateactivities.htm#Delaware
    Some of the comments received requested a change to the area of 
interest considered for leasing, and included suggestions such as 
identifying areas for exclusion, mitigation, or further study. Other 
comments suggested that BOEMRE undertake a more coordinated outreach 
effort with public stakeholders, to complement existing coordination 
efforts with government stakeholders in the BOEMRE/Delaware Renewable 
Energy Task Force. In addition, other comments expressed concern with 
navigational safety and socioeconomic impacts to the surf clam/ocean 
quahog fishery in the proposed lease area as a result of wind facility 
development.
    In identifying a lease area for analysis under the National 
Environmental Policy Act, BOEMRE will consider excluding the area 
designated as a potential U.S. Coast Guard vessel anchorage area, first 
identified by the U.S. Coast Guard in its response to the Delaware RFI. 
Comments received from waterways operators in response to the Delaware 
RFCI indicate support for excluding a designated anchorage area from a 
proposed lease area to replace unofficial anchorage areas currently in 
use throughout the area of interest, which may be displaced by future 
development.
    In response to concerns regarding the proposed 500-meter buffer 
between the proposed lease area and the adjacent Traffic Separation 
Scheme (TSS), BOEMRE has decided that additional information is needed 
to evaluate whether this proposed buffer should be widened. BOEMRE will 
collaborate with the U.S. Coast Guard to better quantify the amount and 
location of vessel activity and research ways to analyze the effects of 
wind energy facility infrastructure on marine vessel traffic in the 
area to better inform any future mitigation in a proposed lease area. 
If data suggest that heavy traffic transits within 0.5 nautical mile of 
the edge of the TSS, BOEMRE has the discretion to

[[Page 20368]]

require a larger buffer either as a stipulation in the lease or as a 
condition of Construction and Operations Plan approval.
    In response to concerns regarding potential impacts to the surf 
clam/quahog fishery in the area of interest, BOEMRE intends to consider 
potential impacts to the fishery in a proposed lease area as well as 
the industry associated with this fishery as part of our compliance 
process.
    In response to requests that BOEMRE conduct outreach to the mariner 
and fishing communities, BOEMRE will continue its ongoing outreach 
efforts, including but not limited to, participation in meetings with 
the Mariners Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware and 
outreach to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and regulators 
of associated activities offshore Delaware.

    Dated: March 29, 2011.
Michael R. Bromwich,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2011-8341 Filed 4-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P

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