Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Nevada; Environmental Impact Statement for Geothermal Leasing on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, 21329-21330 [2011-9160]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2011 / Notices promoted by the applicant for the year 2010, as specified in the 2007 Cooperator program application. The Commodity Branches’ recommended funding levels for each applicant are converted to percentages of the total Cooperator program funds available and then multiplied by each weight factor to determine the amount of funds allocated to each applicant. 2. Anticipated Announcement Date: Announcements of funding decisions for the Cooperator program are anticipated during October 2011. VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices: The FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the final disposition of its application. The FAS will send an approval letter and project agreement to each approved applicant. The approval letter and project agreement will specify the terms and conditions applicable to the project, including the levels of Cooperator program funding, and cost-share contribution requirements. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Interested parties should review the Cooperator program regulations, which are available at the following URL address: https:// www.fas.usda.gov/mos/programs/ fmdprogram.asp. Hard copies may be obtained by contacting the Program Operations Division. 3. Reporting: The FAS requires various reports and evaluations from Cooperators. Reporting requirements are detailed in the Cooperator program regulations in sections 1484.53, 1484.70, and 1484.72. VII. Agency Contact(s) srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES For additional information and assistance, contact the Program Operations Division, Office of Trade Programs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Courier address: Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024, or by phone: (202) 720–4327, or by fax: (202) 720–9361, or by e-mail: podadmin@fas.usda.gov. Signed at Washington, DC, on the 25th of March, 2011. John D. Brewer, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation. [FR Doc. 2011–9214 Filed 4–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–10–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:58 Apr 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Nevada; Environmental Impact Statement for Geothermal Leasing on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Forest Service, USDA. Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate certain National Forest System (NFS) lands for geothermal leasing availability. The project area includes NFS lands on the HTNF in Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Lander, Nye and White Pine County, NV. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by May 16, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in October 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is expected in March 2012. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Keith Whaley, Project Manager, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Ranger District, HC 62 Box 1000, Bridgeport, CA 93517. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to comments-intermtn-humboldt-toiyabe @fs.fed.us or via facsimile to (760) 932– 5899. Comments can be hand-delivered to: Bridgeport Ranger Station, Highway 395 South, Bridgeport, CA, Attn. Keith Whaley. Comments received in response to this Notice of Intent (NOI), including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record for this project and will be available for public inspection and will be released, if requested, under the Freedom of Information Act. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Whaley, Project Manager, Bridgeport Ranger District, HC 62 Box 1000, Bridgeport, CA 93517; Telephone: (760) 932–5821; E-mail: kwhaley@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the proposed action is to determine if certain lands within the HTNF may be made available for geothermal leasing, and if so, to identify reasonable and necessary conditions to protect surface resources. The need for PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21329 the proposed action is to allow the FS to satisfy their respective statutory and policy mandates in responding to requests for the environmentally responsible development of energy resources; to address provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Sections 211 and 222[d][1]); respond to other policy directives calling for clean and renewable energy; and to meet the increasing energy demands of the nation while reducing reliance on foreign energy imports, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving national security. Proposed Action The HTNF would make approximately 662,700 acres of NFS lands administratively available for geothermal leasing. The lands to be made available encompass the Nevada portion of the Bridgeport Ranger District (approximately 659,000 acres), one area on the Austin Ranger District (approximately 3,200 acres), one area (approximately 160 acres) on the Tonopah District and one area on the Ely Ranger District (approximately 3,574 acres). Leasing would include stipulations from Chapter 2 of the Geothermal Leasing Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (BLM, October 2008) and other stipulations determined to be reasonable and necessary to protect surface resources. The Decision resulting from this analysis would not affect any prior decisions on: (1) Geothermal leases in effect (2) Regional Forester Consent Decisions for specific geothermal leases or (3) lands made available under previous Forest-Level Availability Determination Decisions at the time said Decision is made. In addition, this analysis does not make any leasing determination decisions on any lands being analyzed under a separate environmental analysis at the time of this EIS. Possible Alternatives The No-Action Alternative: The USFS would not make an availability determination on these lands identified under this analysis. Processing of geothermal lease applications and nominations would continue, however, they would be evaluated on a case-bycase basis under separate NEPA analyses. The No Leasing Alternative: The No Leasing Alternative would not allow leasing of geothermal resources on the subject NFS lands. Under this alternative, lands within the project area analyzed would not be available for leasing. E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM 15APN1 21330 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2011 / Notices Lead and Cooperating Agencies DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The Bureau of Land Management Nevada State office, located at 1340 Financial Blvd, Reno, NV 89502, is a cooperating agency for this NEPA analysis. Forest Service Responsible Official ACTION: Jeanne M. Higgins, Forest Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431. SUMMARY: Lynn Canal/Icy Straits Resource Advisory Committee Nature of Decision To Be Made Based on the environmental analysis and disclosure in the EIS, the Forest Supervisor will decide whether or not to make available for geothermal leasing the lands analyzed in this EIS. Preliminary Issues Preliminary issues identified based on our experience with similar projects includes, but is not limited to, cultural resources, wildlife, vegetation, air, water, Native American concerns, visuals, land use, hazardous materials, inventoried roadless areas, social, and economic conditions. Other issues may be identified during the scoping period. Scoping Process srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES This NOI initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. The scoping period for this EIS will run 30 days from the published date of this NOI. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency’s preparation of the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered, however. Dated: April 5, 2011. Chad Vanormer, Admiralty National Monument Ranger. [FR Doc. 2011–9043 Filed 4–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Glenn/Colusa Resource Advisory Committee ACTION: Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. The Glenn/Colusa Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Willows, California. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L 110–343) (the SUMMARY: [FR Doc. 2011–9160 Filed 4–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 16:58 Apr 14, 2011 The Lynn Canal/Icy Straits Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Juneau, Alaska, April 25, 2011. The purpose of this meeting is to orient the new appointees as to the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2008, provide operational guidelines, discuss and adopt specific bylaws for the RAC, and elect a RAC Chairperson. DATES: The meeting will be held April 25, 2011 from 8:30–3:30. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Juneau Ranger District/Admiralty National Monument Office, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road, Juneau, Alaska. Send written comments to Lynn Canal/ Icy Straits Resource Advisory Committee, c/o Admiralty National Monument Ranger, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Road, Juneau, Alaska 99801, or electronically to Debra Robinson, RAC Coordinator at drobinson03@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Robinson, RAC Coordinator Juneau Ranger District/Admiralty National Monument, Tongass National Forest, (907) 789–0209. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting is open to the public. Committee discussion is limited to Forest Service staff and Committee members. However, public input opportunity will be provided and individuals will have the opportunity to address the Committee at that time. AGENCY: Dated: 17, 2011. Jeanne M. Higgins, Forest Supervisor. VerDate Mar<15>2010 Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss existing projects, and review new proposals for additional projects. DATES: The meeting will be held May 16, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Mendocino National Forest, Grindstone Ranger District Office, Black Butte and Snow Mountain Conference Rooms, located at 825 N. Humboldt, Willows, CA 95988. Written comments may be submitted as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at Grindstone Ranger District, Stonyford Work Center, 5171 Stonyford-Elk Creek Rd., Stonyford, CA 95979. Please call ahead to 530–963–3128 to facilitate entry into the building to view comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie L. Pearson, Visitor Information Assistant, and Glenn/Colusa R.A.C. Coordinator, Grindstone Ranger District, 530–963–3128, LLPearson@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Requests for reasonable accomodation for access to the facility or procedings may be made by contacting the person listed FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following business will be conducted: 1. Introductions, 2. Approval of Minutes, 3. RAC Admin. Updates, 4. Public Comment, 5. New Project Proposals, 6. Presenters, 7. Project Reviews FY 08/09/ 10, 8. Schedule Monitoring Field Trip, 9. General Discussion, 10. Meeting Schedule, 11. Adjourn. Anyone who would like to bring related matters to the attention of the committee may file written statements with the committee staff before or after the meeting. The agenda will include time for people to make oral statements of three minutes or less. Individuals wishing to make an oral statement should request in writing by May 3, 2011 to be scheduled on the agenda. Written comments and requests for time for oral comments must be sent E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM 15APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21329-21330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9160]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest; Nevada; Environmental Impact 
Statement for Geothermal Leasing on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National 
Forest

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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

SUMMARY: The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF) will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate certain National 
Forest System (NFS) lands for geothermal leasing availability. The 
project area includes NFS lands on the HTNF in Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, 
Lander, Nye and White Pine County, NV.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by May 16, 2011. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
in October 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected in March 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Keith Whaley, Project Manager, 
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Ranger District, HC 62 Box 
1000, Bridgeport, CA 93517. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to 
comments-intermtn-humboldt-toiyabe @fs.fed.us or via facsimile to (760) 
932-5899. Comments can be hand-delivered to: Bridgeport Ranger Station, 
Highway 395 South, Bridgeport, CA, Attn. Keith Whaley. Comments 
received in response to this Notice of Intent (NOI), including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the 
public record for this project and will be available for public 
inspection and will be released, if requested, under the Freedom of 
Information Act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Whaley, Project Manager, 
Bridgeport Ranger District, HC 62 Box 1000, Bridgeport, CA 93517; 
Telephone: (760) 932-5821; E-mail: kwhaley@fs.fed.us.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the proposed action is to determine if certain lands 
within the HTNF may be made available for geothermal leasing, and if 
so, to identify reasonable and necessary conditions to protect surface 
resources. The need for the proposed action is to allow the FS to 
satisfy their respective statutory and policy mandates in responding to 
requests for the environmentally responsible development of energy 
resources; to address provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(Sections 211 and 222[d][1]); respond to other policy directives 
calling for clean and renewable energy; and to meet the increasing 
energy demands of the nation while reducing reliance on foreign energy 
imports, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving national 
security.

Proposed Action

    The HTNF would make approximately 662,700 acres of NFS lands 
administratively available for geothermal leasing. The lands to be made 
available encompass the Nevada portion of the Bridgeport Ranger 
District (approximately 659,000 acres), one area on the Austin Ranger 
District (approximately 3,200 acres), one area (approximately 160 
acres) on the Tonopah District and one area on the Ely Ranger District 
(approximately 3,574 acres). Leasing would include stipulations from 
Chapter 2 of the Geothermal Leasing Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement (BLM, October 2008) and other stipulations determined to be 
reasonable and necessary to protect surface resources.
    The Decision resulting from this analysis would not affect any 
prior decisions on: (1) Geothermal leases in effect (2) Regional 
Forester Consent Decisions for specific geothermal leases or (3) lands 
made available under previous Forest-Level Availability Determination 
Decisions at the time said Decision is made. In addition, this analysis 
does not make any leasing determination decisions on any lands being 
analyzed under a separate environmental analysis at the time of this 
EIS.

Possible Alternatives

    The No-Action Alternative: The USFS would not make an availability 
determination on these lands identified under this analysis. Processing 
of geothermal lease applications and nominations would continue, 
however, they would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under separate 
NEPA analyses.
    The No Leasing Alternative: The No Leasing Alternative would not 
allow leasing of geothermal resources on the subject NFS lands. Under 
this alternative, lands within the project area analyzed would not be 
available for leasing.

[[Page 21330]]

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The Bureau of Land Management Nevada State office, located at 1340 
Financial Blvd, Reno, NV 89502, is a cooperating agency for this NEPA 
analysis.

Responsible Official

    Jeanne M. Higgins, Forest Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National 
Forest, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks, Nevada 89431.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Based on the environmental analysis and disclosure in the EIS, the 
Forest Supervisor will decide whether or not to make available for 
geothermal leasing the lands analyzed in this EIS.

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues identified based on our experience with similar 
projects includes, but is not limited to, cultural resources, wildlife, 
vegetation, air, water, Native American concerns, visuals, land use, 
hazardous materials, inventoried roadless areas, social, and economic 
conditions. Other issues may be identified during the scoping period.

Scoping Process

    This NOI initiates the scoping process, which guides the 
development of the environmental impact statement. The scoping period 
for this EIS will run 30 days from the published date of this NOI.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however.

    Dated: 17, 2011.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-9160 Filed 4-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P

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