Notice of Availability of a Draft Land Use Plan Amendment, Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the Pattern Energy Group Ocotillo Express Wind Energy Project, Imperial County, CA, 40390-40391 [2011-17159]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 40390 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 131 / Friday, July 8, 2011 / Notices recovered status. The Monitoring Plan for the American Peregrine Falcon is available on our Web site at https:// library.fws.gov/pubs1/peregrine03.pdf. Formal collection of monitoring data commenced in 2003. Rangewide population monitoring of American peregrine falcons under the Monitoring Plan will take place every 3 years through 2015. We will use the information supplied on FWS Forms 3–2307, 3–2308, and 3–2309 to review the status of the American peregrine falcon in the United States and determine if it remains recovered and, therefore, does not require the protections of the ESA: (1) FWS Form 3–2307 (Peregrine Falcon Monitoring Form) addresses the reporting requirements to record observations on the nesting pair, and the numbers of eggs and young during each nest visit. Each territory will be visited at least two times. (2) FWS Form 3–2308 (Peregrine Falcon Egg Contaminants Data Sheet) addresses the reporting requirements to record data on eggs collected opportunistically during a nest visit. (3) FWS Form 3–2309 (Peregrine Falcon Feather Contaminants Data Sheet) addresses the reporting requirements to record data on feathers collected opportunistically during a nest visit. Once collected, the eggs and feathers are archived in a deep freeze for analysis at a later time. Comments: On March 28, 2011, we published in the Federal Register (76 FR 17147) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew approval for this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on May 27, 2011. We received one comment. The commenter stated that the peregrine falcon should not have been removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, but did not address the information collection requirements or the burden estimates. We have not made any changes to our information collection requirements. We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: • Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; • The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:52 Jul 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. 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 OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: July 1, 2011. Tina A. Campbell, Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2011–17126 Filed 7–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CACA–051552, LLCAD0700 L51010000 FX0000 LVRWB10B3980] Notice of Availability of a Draft Land Use Plan Amendment, Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the Pattern Energy Group Ocotillo Express Wind Energy Project, Imperial County, CA Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan Amendment (PA)/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Ocotillo Express Wind Energy Project (OWEF) and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period on the Draft CDCA PA and EIS/ EIR. DATES: To ensure that your comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft PA/EIS/EIR within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 You may submit comments related to OWEF by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/elcentro.html. • E-mail: caocotillo@blm.gov. • Fax: (760) 337–4490. • Mail: Cedric Perry, Project Manager, California Desert District (CDD), BLM, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California 92553. Copies of the Draft PA/EIS/EIR are available on the BLM Web site at: https://www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro and at the CDD at the above address and in the BLM El Centro Field Office, 1661 S. 4th Street, El Centro, California 92243. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Cedric Perry, BLM Project Manager, telephone (951) 697–5388; address 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553; e-mail Cedric_Perry@ca.blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pattern Energy, Inc. through Ocotillo Express, LLC (OE LLC) has submitted a right-ofway (ROW) application to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission an approximate 12,436-acre, 474 megawatt (MW) wind energy project including 158 wind turbine generators, a substation, administration, operations and maintenance facilities, transmission lines, access roads, and temporary construction lay down areas. The proposed wind energy project would be located on BLM-administered lands and a small portion of land under the jurisdiction of Imperial County, approximately 5 miles west of Ocotillo, Imperial County, California. The proposed OWEF would be constructed in 2 phases. Phase I is anticipated to total approximately 315 MW, with the installation of up to 137 turbines ranging from 1.6 to 3 MW in generating capacity. Phase II would include the construction of 21 turbines (also ranging 1.6 to 3 MW in capacity) generating up to 159 MW. The BLM has invited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to be a cooperating Federal agency in the preparation of the Draft PA/EIR/EIS because the Corps has jurisdiction by law under its delegated authority in ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 131 / Friday, July 8, 2011 / Notices section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended (33 U.S.C. Section 1344), as well as special expertise in aquatic ecosystems that could be affected by the Ocotillo Project. The BLM and Corps agree that it will be beneficial to create a more streamlined, coordinated approach in developing the OWEF Draft PA/EIS/EIR. The two Federal agencies will be developing a Memorandum of Understanding for this purpose. The BLM’s purpose and need for the Draft PA/EIS/EIR is to respond to OE LLC’s application for a ROW grant to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a wind energy facility on public lands in compliance with FLPMA, BLM ROW regulations, and other applicable Federal laws. The BLM will decide whether to grant, grant with modification, or deny the ROW application for the proposed OWEF. Concurrently with its action on the ROW request, the BLM is also proposing to amend the CDCA Plan by designating the project area as either available or unavailable for wind energy projects. The CDCA Plan, while recognizing the potential compatibility of wind energy generation facilities with other uses on public lands, requires that all sites proposed for power generation or transmission not already identified in the CDCA Plan be considered through the plan amendment process. If the BLM decides to amend the CDCA Plan, a ROW for this project could be granted. If not, the ROW could not be granted. In addition to the proposed action and a no action alternative, the BLM is analyzing a 137-turbine alternative and a 105-turbine alternative. The Draft PA/ EIS/EIR also analyzes two ‘‘no project’’ alternatives that reject the project but amend the CDCA Plan to make the project area either (1) available to future wind energy generation projects; or (2) unavailable to future wind energy generation projects. The Draft PA/EIS/EIR evaluates the potential impacts of the proposed OWEF on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, water resources, geological resources and hazards, land use, noise, paleontological resources, public health, socioeconomics, soils, traffic and transportation, visual resources, wilderness characteristics, and other resources. A Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS/ EIR for the OWEF project was published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2010 (75 FR 77654). The BLM held 2 public scoping meetings in El Centro and Ocotillo, California, on January 5th and 6th, 2011, respectively. The formal VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:52 Jul 07, 2011 Jkt 223001 scoping period ended on February 4, 2011. Please note that public comments and information submitted including names, street addresses, and e-mail addresses of persons who submit comments will be available for public review at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, 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 1506.6, 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, and 1610.5. Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, California. [FR Doc. 2011–17159 Filed 7–7–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLID9900000.L1210000.NU0000; G0–00] Final Supplementary Rules on Public Lands in Idaho Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of final supplementary rules. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho State Office is establishing supplementary rules relating to the illegal use and possession of alcohol, drugs, and drug paraphernalia on public lands. The BLM State Office is also establishing final supplementary rules prohibiting the possession of an open alcoholic beverage container by operators or passengers in or on either a vehicle or off-highway vehicle, on public lands administered by the BLM in Idaho. These supplementary rules are necessary to protect natural resources and the health and safety of public land users. These supplementary rules will allow BLM Law Enforcement personnel to continue enforcing existing public land regulations pertaining to alcohol and drug use in a manner consistent with current State of Idaho statutes. DATES: These rules are effective August 8, 2011. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 40391 You may direct inquiries to Keith McGrath, State Staff Law Enforcement Ranger, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, Idaho 83709; or by e-mail to Keith_McGrath@blm.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith McGrath, Bureau of Land Management, (208) 373–4046, Keith_McGrath@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may contact this individual by calling the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: I. Background II. Discussion of Public Comments III. Discussion of Final Supplementary Rules IV. Procedural Matters I. Background Although two BLM Districts in the State of Idaho have issued rules mirroring the State of Idaho statutes pertaining to underage possession and consumption of alcohol, the BLM has no statewide supplementary rules regarding the illegal possession or use of alcohol on public lands. In the absence of specific regulations, law enforcement officers have regulated this illegal behavior under broader regulations, creating a lack of consistency with surrounding governing entities. These final supplementary rules will bring consistency to all BLM-administered land throughout the State and promote consistency between the BLM and other agencies, including the State of Idaho, County Sheriff’s Offices, Idaho State Police, and various Federal agencies where working relationships and partnerships exist in public land management. In keeping with the BLM’s goal to reduce threats to public health, safety, and property, these final supplementary rules are necessary to protect natural resources, allow for safe public recreation, reduce the potential for damage to the environment, and enhance the safety of visitors and neighboring residents. Alcohol-related offenses are a growing problem on the public lands. Unlawful consumption of alcohol and drugs has the potential to pose a significant health and safety hazard to all users. Operation of motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs has been demonstrated to result in the destruction of natural resources and property, and/or serious physical injury or death. Vandalism to public land resources resulting from illegal alcohol and drug use and the E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM 08JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40390-40391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17159]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CACA-051552, LLCAD0700 L51010000 FX0000 LVRWB10B3980]


Notice of Availability of a Draft Land Use Plan Amendment, 
Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the 
Pattern Energy Group Ocotillo Express Wind Energy Project, Imperial 
County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 
prepared a Draft California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan 
Amendment (PA)/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft 
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Ocotillo Express Wind Energy 
Project (OWEF) and by this notice is announcing the opening of the 
comment period on the Draft CDCA PA and EIS/EIR.

DATES: To ensure that your comments will be considered, the BLM must 
receive written comments on the Draft PA/EIS/EIR within 90 days 
following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce 
future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities 
at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, 
and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to OWEF by any of the 
following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro.html.
     E-mail: caocotillo@blm.gov.
     Fax: (760) 337-4490.
     Mail: Cedric Perry, Project Manager, California Desert 
District (CDD), BLM, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, 
California 92553.
    Copies of the Draft PA/EIS/EIR are available on the BLM Web site 
at: https://www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro and at the CDD at the above address 
and in the BLM El Centro Field Office, 1661 S. 4th Street, El Centro, 
California 92243.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Cedric Perry, BLM Project 
Manager, telephone (951) 697-5388; address 22835 Calle San Juan De Los 
Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553; e-mail Cedric_Perry@ca.blm.gov. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to 
contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is 
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question 
with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal 
business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pattern Energy, Inc. through Ocotillo 
Express, LLC (OE LLC) has submitted a right-of-way (ROW) application to 
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission an approximate 12,436-
acre, 474 megawatt (MW) wind energy project including 158 wind turbine 
generators, a substation, administration, operations and maintenance 
facilities, transmission lines, access roads, and temporary 
construction lay down areas.
    The proposed wind energy project would be located on BLM-
administered lands and a small portion of land under the jurisdiction 
of Imperial County, approximately 5 miles west of Ocotillo, Imperial 
County, California. The proposed OWEF would be constructed in 2 phases. 
Phase I is anticipated to total approximately 315 MW, with the 
installation of up to 137 turbines ranging from 1.6 to 3 MW in 
generating capacity. Phase II would include the construction of 21 
turbines (also ranging 1.6 to 3 MW in capacity) generating up to 159 
MW.
    The BLM has invited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to be 
a cooperating Federal agency in the preparation of the Draft PA/EIR/EIS 
because the Corps has jurisdiction by law under its delegated authority 
in

[[Page 40391]]

section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended (33 U.S.C. 
Section 1344), as well as special expertise in aquatic ecosystems that 
could be affected by the Ocotillo Project. The BLM and Corps agree that 
it will be beneficial to create a more streamlined, coordinated 
approach in developing the OWEF Draft PA/EIS/EIR. The two Federal 
agencies will be developing a Memorandum of Understanding for this 
purpose.
    The BLM's purpose and need for the Draft PA/EIS/EIR is to respond 
to OE LLC's application for a ROW grant to construct, operate, 
maintain, and decommission a wind energy facility on public lands in 
compliance with FLPMA, BLM ROW regulations, and other applicable 
Federal laws. The BLM will decide whether to grant, grant with 
modification, or deny the ROW application for the proposed OWEF. 
Concurrently with its action on the ROW request, the BLM is also 
proposing to amend the CDCA Plan by designating the project area as 
either available or unavailable for wind energy projects. The CDCA 
Plan, while recognizing the potential compatibility of wind energy 
generation facilities with other uses on public lands, requires that 
all sites proposed for power generation or transmission not already 
identified in the CDCA Plan be considered through the plan amendment 
process. If the BLM decides to amend the CDCA Plan, a ROW for this 
project could be granted. If not, the ROW could not be granted.
    In addition to the proposed action and a no action alternative, the 
BLM is analyzing a 137-turbine alternative and a 105-turbine 
alternative. The Draft PA/EIS/EIR also analyzes two ``no project'' 
alternatives that reject the project but amend the CDCA Plan to make 
the project area either (1) available to future wind energy generation 
projects; or (2) unavailable to future wind energy generation projects.
    The Draft PA/EIS/EIR evaluates the potential impacts of the 
proposed OWEF on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, 
water resources, geological resources and hazards, land use, noise, 
paleontological resources, public health, socioeconomics, soils, 
traffic and transportation, visual resources, wilderness 
characteristics, and other resources.
    A Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS/EIR for the OWEF project was 
published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2010 (75 FR 77654). 
The BLM held 2 public scoping meetings in El Centro and Ocotillo, 
California, on January 5th and 6th, 2011, respectively. The formal 
scoping period ended on February 4, 2011.
    Please note that public comments and information submitted 
including names, street addresses, and e-mail addresses of persons who 
submit comments will be available for public review at the above 
address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday 
through Friday, except holidays.
    Before including your phone number, e-mail address, or other 
personal identifying information in your comments, 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 1506.6, 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, and 1610.5.

Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director, California.
[FR Doc. 2011-17159 Filed 7-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
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