Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Desert Sunlight Holdings, LLC, Desert Sunlight Solar Farm (DSSF) and California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment, California, 50493-50494 [2011-20671]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2011 / Notices for the appraised fair market value of $16,000. Written comments regarding the proposed sale must be received by the BLM on or before September 29, 2011. ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the proposed sale should be sent to the Field Manager, BLM Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, California 95023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Sloand, Realty Specialist, BLM Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, California 95023, phone (831) 630–5022 or visit the Web site at https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ hollister/realty.html. 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: The public land described below is proposed for direct sale to Windfield Ranch, LLC, the adjoining landowner, in accordance with Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719): DATES: srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Mount Diablo Meridian T. 14S., R. 6E., Sec. 4, lot 7; Sec. 9, lot 2. The area described contains approximately 15.61 acres, more or less, in San Benito County. The public land was first identified as suitable for disposal in the 1984 BLM Hollister Resource Management Plan (RMP) and remains available for sale under the 2007 Hollister RMP revision. The land is not needed for any other Federal purpose and its disposal would be in the public interest. The purpose of the sale is to dispose of public land which is difficult and uneconomic to manage as part of the public lands. The land proposed for sale is difficult and uneconomic for the BLM to manage because it is a small, isolated parcel which lacks legal access. The BLM is proposing a direct sale to Windfield Ranch, LLC, the owner of the adjoining land on three sides of the public land proposed for sale. A competitive sale is not considered appropriate because the public land lacks legal access and has no practical utility except to be incorporated into the adjacent ranch land. The only other adjoining landowner has informed the BLM that they have no interest in purchasing the VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:05 Aug 12, 2011 Jkt 223001 land and do not object to the sale of the land to Windfield Ranch, LLC. The BLM has completed a mineral potential report which concluded there are no known mineral values in the land proposed for sale. The BLM proposes that conveyance of the Federal mineral interests would occur simultaneously with the sale of the land. On August 15, 2011, the above described land will be segregated from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws, except for the sale provisions of the FLPMA. Until completion of the sale, the BLM will no longer accept land use applications affecting the identified public land, except applications for the amendment of previously filed right-ofway applications or existing authorizations to increase the term of the grants in accordance with 43 CFR 2802.15 and 2886.15. The temporary segregation will terminate upon issuance of a patent, publication in the Federal Register of a termination of the segregation, or on August 15, 2013, unless extended by the BLM State Director in accordance with 43 CFR 2711.1–2(d) prior to the termination date. The land would not be sold until at least October 14, 2011. Windfield Ranch, LLC, would be required to pay a $50 nonrefundable filing fee for processing the conveyance of the mineral interests. Any conveyance document issued would contain the following terms, conditions, and reservations: 1. A reservation of a right-of-way to the United States for ditches and canals constructed by authority of the United States under the Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C. 945); 2. A condition that the conveyance be subject to all valid existing rights of record; 3. An appropriate indemnification clause protecting the United States from claims arising out of the patentee’s use, occupancy, or operations on the patented land; and 4. 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 Hollister Field Office at the address above, by calling (831) 630–5022 or visiting our Web site at https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/hollister/realty.html. Public comments regarding the proposed sale may be submitted in writing to the attention of the BLM Hollister Field Manager (see ADDRESSES PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50493 above) on or before September 29, 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 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, be advised 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 from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 43 CFR 2711.1–2(a) and (c) Tom Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, Natural Resources. [FR Doc. 2011–20658 Filed 8–12–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CACA–48649, LLCAD06000 L51010000 ER0000 LVRWB09B2490] Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Desert Sunlight Holdings, LLC, Desert Sunlight Solar Farm (DSSF) and California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment, California 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)/Approved Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan, the applicable Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the project site and the surrounding areas, located in the California Desert District. The Secretary of the Interior approved the ROD on August 9, 2011, which constitutes the final decision of the Department. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/ Approved Amendment to the CDCA Plan are available upon request from the Field Manager, Palm Springs—South Coast Field Office, Bureau of Land SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM 15AUN1 srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 50494 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2011 / Notices Management, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262, or via the Internet at the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ palmsprings.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Shaffer, BLM Project Manager; telephone (760) 833–7100; through mail at the address above; or e-mail Allison_Shaffer@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Desert Sunlight Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Solar, Inc., filed right-of-way (ROW) application CACA–48649 for the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm Project (DSSF). The DSSF is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, capable of producing 550 MW of electrical output. Southern California Edison (SCE) filed a ROW application to construct the 500-to-220 kiloVolt (kV) RedBluff substation (CACA–052682) where the project would interconnect with the SCE regional transmission system. The DSSF, along with the RedBluff Substation and other facilities, will be on 4,144 acres of BLM-managed lands approximately 6 miles north of Interstate-10 and the rural community of Desert Center in Riverside County, California. The project area is within 2 miles of Joshua Tree National Park. In addition to the project site, the project includes a distribution line, a 220-kV electrical gen-tie transmission line, fiber optic lines, and an access road. The RedBluff substation includes an access road and two offsite microwave telecommunication facilities. The gentie line will feed power into SCE’s existing Devers-Palo Verde 1 500-kV transmission line. The project site is in the California Desert District within the planning boundary of the CDCA Plan, which is the applicable RMP for the project site and the surrounding areas. The CDCA Plan, while recognizing the potential compatibility of solar generation facilities on public lands, requires that all sites associated with power generation or transmission not already identified in the Plan be considered through the BLM’s land use plan amendment process. As a result, prior to approval of a ROW grant to the DSSF, the BLM must amend the CDCA Plan to allow the solar generating project on that site The approved Amendment to the CDCA Plan specifically revises the CDCA Plan to allow for the development of the DSSF and ancillary facilities on land managed by the BLM. The BLM preferred Alternative would result in construction of the solar farm, capable of generating approximately 550 MW of electricity, the RedBluff Substation, and associated ancillary VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:05 Aug 12, 2011 Jkt 223001 facilities. This 550-MW alternative and substation were evaluated in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Notice of Availability of the Final EIS for the DSSF, RedBluff Substation, and the proposed CDCA Plan amendment was published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2011 (76 FR 21402). Publication of the Notice of Availability for the Final EIS initiated a 30-day protest period for the proposed amendment to the CDCA Plan. At the close of the 30-day period on May 16, 2011, seven timely and complete written protests were received and resolved. Their resolution is summarized in the Director’s Protest Summary Report attached to the ROD. The proposed amendment to the CDCA Plan was not modified as a result of the protest resolution. Simultaneously with the protest period, the Governor of California conducted a 30-day consistency review of the proposed CDCA Plan amendment to identify any inconsistencies with State or local plan, policies or programs; no inconsistencies were identified. Because this decision is approved by the Secretary of the Interior, it is not subject to administrative appeal (43 CFR, 4.410(a)(3)). Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6. Robert V. Abbey, Director, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 2011–20671 Filed 8–12–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P Federal Register on May 11, 2011) announced a 60-day public comment period. In recognition of the complexity and scope of the forthcoming EIS, and with deference to interest from the public and interested organizations, the comment period has been extended. DATES: Comments must be received by August 12, 2011. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It will not be necessary for individuals, orgnaizations, and agencies that have already commented to do so again. All comments must now be postmarked or transmitted not later than August 12, 2011. Those respondents who prefer to comment electronically may do so via the project Web site, https://park planning.nps.gov/mojave_water, or letters may be submitted via regular mail to: Stephanie Dubois, Superintendent, Mojave National Preserve, Attn: Mojave WRMP, 2701 Barstow Road, Barstow, California 92311. Up-to-date information may be obtained by contacting Mojave National Preserve at (760) 252–6100. 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. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Dated: July 8, 2011. Patricia L. Neubacher, Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. National Park Service [FR Doc. 2011–20620 Filed 8–12–11; 8:45 am] [NPS–PWR–PWRO–0714–7930; 8381–1001– NZW] BILLING CODE 4310–6E–P Water Resources Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement, Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, CA DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Extension of Scoping Period for Water Resources Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Mojave National Preserve. AGENCY: ACTION: Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service is preparing a Water Resources Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (WRMP/EIS). This plan is intended to guide future management of ground and surface water sources within Mojave National Preserve. The original Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS (published in the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–0711–8064; 2280– 665] National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions Nominations for the following properties being considered for listing or related actions in the National Register were received by the National Park Service before July 23, 2011. Pursuant to section 60.13 of 36 CFR part 60, written comments are being accepted concerning the significance of the nominated properties under the National Register criteria for evaluation. Comments may be forwarded by United States Postal Service, to the National E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM 15AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 157 (Monday, August 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50493-50494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20671]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CACA-48649, LLCAD06000 L51010000 ER0000 LVRWB09B2490]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Desert 
Sunlight Holdings, LLC, Desert Sunlight Solar Farm (DSSF) and 
California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment, California

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)/Approved Amendment to the California 
Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan, the applicable Resource 
Management Plan (RMP) for the project site and the surrounding areas, 
located in the California Desert District. The Secretary of the 
Interior approved the ROD on August 9, 2011, which constitutes the 
final decision of the Department.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/Approved Amendment to the CDCA Plan are 
available upon request from the Field Manager, Palm Springs--South 
Coast Field Office, Bureau of Land

[[Page 50494]]

Management, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262, or 
via the Internet at the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Shaffer, BLM Project Manager; 
telephone (760) 833-7100; through mail at the address above; or e-mail 
Allison_Shaffer@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Desert Sunlight Holdings, LLC, a wholly 
owned subsidiary of First Solar, Inc., filed right-of-way (ROW) 
application CACA-48649 for the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm Project 
(DSSF). The DSSF is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility, capable of 
producing 550 MW of electrical output. Southern California Edison (SCE) 
filed a ROW application to construct the 500-to-220 kiloVolt (kV) 
RedBluff substation (CACA-052682) where the project would interconnect 
with the SCE regional transmission system. The DSSF, along with the 
RedBluff Substation and other facilities, will be on 4,144 acres of 
BLM-managed lands approximately 6 miles north of Interstate-10 and the 
rural community of Desert Center in Riverside County, California. The 
project area is within 2 miles of Joshua Tree National Park. In 
addition to the project site, the project includes a distribution line, 
a 220-kV electrical gen-tie transmission line, fiber optic lines, and 
an access road. The RedBluff substation includes an access road and two 
offsite microwave telecommunication facilities. The gen-tie line will 
feed power into SCE's existing Devers-Palo Verde 1 500-kV transmission 
line.
    The project site is in the California Desert District within the 
planning boundary of the CDCA Plan, which is the applicable RMP for the 
project site and the surrounding areas. The CDCA Plan, while 
recognizing the potential compatibility of solar generation facilities 
on public lands, requires that all sites associated with power 
generation or transmission not already identified in the Plan be 
considered through the BLM's land use plan amendment process. As a 
result, prior to approval of a ROW grant to the DSSF, the BLM must 
amend the CDCA Plan to allow the solar generating project on that site 
The approved Amendment to the CDCA Plan specifically revises the CDCA 
Plan to allow for the development of the DSSF and ancillary facilities 
on land managed by the BLM.
    The BLM preferred Alternative would result in construction of the 
solar farm, capable of generating approximately 550 MW of electricity, 
the RedBluff Substation, and associated ancillary facilities. This 550-
MW alternative and substation were evaluated in the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS). The Notice of Availability of the Final EIS for 
the DSSF, RedBluff Substation, and the proposed CDCA Plan amendment was 
published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2011 (76 FR 21402).
    Publication of the Notice of Availability for the Final EIS 
initiated a 30-day protest period for the proposed amendment to the 
CDCA Plan. At the close of the 30-day period on May 16, 2011, seven 
timely and complete written protests were received and resolved. Their 
resolution is summarized in the Director's Protest Summary Report 
attached to the ROD. The proposed amendment to the CDCA Plan was not 
modified as a result of the protest resolution. Simultaneously with the 
protest period, the Governor of California conducted a 30-day 
consistency review of the proposed CDCA Plan amendment to identify any 
inconsistencies with State or local plan, policies or programs; no 
inconsistencies were identified.
    Because this decision is approved by the Secretary of the Interior, 
it is not subject to administrative appeal (43 CFR, 4.410(a)(3)).

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6.

Robert V. Abbey,
Director, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 2011-20671 Filed 8-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
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