Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Restoration Design Energy Project and Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendments, AZ, 65401-65403 [2012-26350]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2012 / Notices alternative does not assume continuation of the Ranchwide Agreement except for the permanent protection of the already-recorded conservation easements on the existing conservation easement lands. Under the Kern County General Plan buildout alternative, development is assumed to proceed in accordance with the Kern County General Plan, including implementation of the TMV project (per the TMV project approvals). Development of the covered lands would require additional Kern County approval, and the EIS analysis assumes that development would proceed on a project-by-project basis and that the Service would issue incidental take authorization as appropriate through either section 7 of the Act or the section 10 process under the Act. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Public Involvement We published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for a California Condor Habitat Conservation Plan (Condor HCP) in the Federal Register on June 25, 2004 (69 FR 35663). The NOI announced a 30-day public scoping period that ended on July 26, 2004. On March 26, 2008, a NOI to prepare an EIS for the TU MSHCP was published in the Federal Register (73 FR 16052). The NOI announced a 30-day public scoping period that ended on April 25, 2008. We published a revised notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for this project in the Federal Register on June 4, 2008 (73 FR 31876); this NOI clarified the proposed action and corrected a posting error in the March 2008 NOI. On February 4, 2009, we published a notice of availability of the Draft Plan, EIS, and IA in the Federal Register (74 FR 6050). The Draft documents were initially available for a 90-day public comment period, which was extended, with a Notice of a 60-day Extension issued on May 5, 2009. On February 3, 2012, we published a notice of availability of the Supplemental Draft EIS, Plan and IA in the Federal Register (77 FR 5564). The Supplemental Draft documents were available for a 90-day public comment period, which concluded on May 3, 2012. Public Review Copies of the Final EIS, TU MSHCP, and IA are available for review (see ADDRESSES). Any comments we receive will become part of the administrative record and will be available to the public. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Oct 25, 2012 Jkt 229001 be made publicly available at any time. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. 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. Decision We will evaluate the application, associated documents, and comments submitted to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act. A permit decision will be made no sooner than 30 days after the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s notice of the EIS in the Federal Register and completion of a Record of Decision. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Act and pursuant to implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: October 16, 2012. Alexandra Pitts, Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2012–26169 Filed 10–25–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAZ910000.L13400000.DT0000. LXSS058A0000] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Restoration Design Energy Project and Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendments, AZ Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality and the Department of the Interior (DOI) regulations implementing NEPA, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona State Office has prepared Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendments and a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Restoration Design Energy Project (RDEP) and by this notice is announcing its availability. SUMMARY: The BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65401 conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM’s Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions and wishes to file a protest must file the protest within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the RDEP Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies; tribes; and other stakeholders. Copies of the Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS are available for public inspection at the BLM Arizona State Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004. The Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS can also be downloaded from the project’s Web site at https://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/ energy/arra_solar.htm. All protests must be in writing and mailed to one of the following addresses: Regular Mail: BLM Director (WO210), Attention: Brenda Williams, P.O. Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024– 1383 Overnight Mail: BLM Director (WO210), Attention: Brenda Williams, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134 LM, Washington, DC 20003 Publication of the Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS NOA does not trigger a formal public comment period. The BLM, however, may choose to review any comments submitted following the publication of the Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS NOA and use the comments to inform the records of decision (RODs). Individuals should note that the BLM will consider such comments only to the extent practicable and will not respond to comments individually. Comments may be submitted by the following methods: Email: az_arra_rdep@blm.gov, Fax: Attn: Lane Cowger, 602–417– 9452; Mail or other delivery service: BLM Arizona State Office, Attention: Restoration Design Energy Project, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004–4427. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Pedrick, BLM Project Manager; telephone: 602–417–9235; mail: One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004–4427; or email: az_arra_rdep@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 E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES 65402 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2012 / Notices 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 RDEP supports the Secretary of the Interior’s goals to build America’s new energy future and to protect and restore treasured landscapes. The purpose of the RDEP is to conduct statewide planning that fosters environmentally responsible production of renewable energy and allows the permitting of future renewable energy development projects to proceed in a more efficient and standardized manner. The RDEP would amend BLM land use plans to identify lands across Arizona that are most suitable for renewable energy development, including solar and wind energy technologies, and to establish a baseline set of environmental protection measures for such projects. The BLM is proposing to identify Renewable Energy Development Areas (REDAs), which are BLM-administered lands that are suitable for the development of solar and wind energy facilities. It is also proposing to establish one new Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) with a priority for utility-scale (greater than 20 megawatts) solar energy development. This new proposed SEZ is in addition to two existing SEZs identified in the October 12, 2012, ROD for the Solar Energy Programmatic Final EIS. The proposed REDAs and proposed new SEZ for Arizona include disturbed sites and lands with low resource sensitivity and few environmental conflicts. Additionally, the BLM proposes to establish unified management actions, design features, and best management practices applicable to renewable energy development on BLM-administered lands in Arizona. The REDAs would identify where renewable energy development is likely to be compatible with resource objectives and would be suitable for the development of utility- or distributedscale solar and wind energy facilities. The SEZ would be prioritized for utilityscale solar energy development. The Final EIS evaluates six action alternatives and the No Action Alternative. Alternative 1 identifies approximately 298,400 acres of potential REDAs on BLM-administered land that are disturbed sites or lands with low resource sensitivity. Alternative 1 seeks to provide maximum flexibility for locating small- to largescale projects without consideration of other physical constraints, such as distance to transmission or load. Alternative 2 seeks to reduce VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Oct 25, 2012 Jkt 229001 environmental impacts by only including the potential REDAs identified in Alternative 1 that are within 5 miles of designated utility corridors and existing or approved transmission lines. Under Alternative 2, approximately 213,500 acres of BLMadministered lands would be identified as REDAs. Alternative 3 seeks to reduce disturbance and environmental impacts by identifying approximately 106,800 acres of potential REDAs that are near the point of demand, such as cities, towns, or industrial centers. Alternative 4 seeks to address potential water issues by instituting specific design features for 298,400 acres of potential REDAs to avoid impacts on sensitive watersheds, groundwater supply, and water quality. Alternative 5 focuses on opportunities to facilitate renewable energy development through land tenure adjustments by identifying about 25,500 acres of potential REDAs on BLMadministered lands identified as suitable for disposal through prior planning processes. Alternative 6 was developed through a collaborative process among the BLM, cooperating agencies, tribes, collaborating partners, stakeholders, and the public. Alternative 6 identifies about 222,800 acres of potential REDAs within 5 miles of designated utility corridors and existing transmission lines or near a point of demand, includes design features to protect water resources, and provides for land tenure adjustment of lands previously identified for disposal. The BLM is also proposing to identify the Agua Caliente SEZ to facilitate the development of utility-scale solar energy projects. The proposed SEZ was developed based on a screening process that included the following criteria: Available large contiguous parcels of BLM land (greater than 2,500 acres); proximity to transmission; limited known environmental or cultural constraints; proximity to roads and infrastructure; and proximity to existing solar energy developments. Based on input from cooperating agencies, tribes, and the public, the Final EIS analyzes four footprints for the proposed Agua Caliente SEZ: 2,550 acres, 2,760 acres, 6,770 acres, and 20,600 acres. The agency’s preferred alternative is Alternative 6, with 222,800 acres of REDA and a 2,550-acre SEZ. The BLM proposes to amend the following BLM RMPs: BradshawHarquahala RMP (2010); Arizona Strip Field Office RMP (2008); Kingman Resource Area RMP (1995); Lake Havasu Field Office RMP (2007); Lower Sonoran RMP (2012); Phoenix RMP (1988); Safford District RMP (1991); and Yuma Field Office RMP (2010). Additionally, PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the BLM would amend the Yuma Field Office RMP through a separate ROD to identify the Agua Caliente SEZ, identify SEZ-specific design features, change the Visual Resource Management (VRM) class from VRM Class III to VRM Class IV for lands within the 2,550-acre proposed SEZ, and remove the Special Recreation Management Area designation and Wildlife Habitat Management Area allocations from within the SEZ. This EIS provides the necessary analysis to support the amendment of land use plans. This EIS will not eliminate the need for site-specific environmental review for future renewable energy development proposals. The BLM will make decisions on a case-by-case basis whether to authorize specific renewable energy development projects. Applications for proposed solar and wind energy development projects are processed as right-of-way (ROW) authorizations under Title V of FLPMA and 43 CFR part 2800. The processing of solar and wind energy development ROW applications must comply with the BLM’s planning, environmental, and ROW regulatory requirements. When the BLM considers an application, the BLM decision-maker must determine if the proposal would conform to the applicable land use plan (43 CFR, 1610.5–3, 516 DM 11.5) and what level or type of environmental documentation is required. Analysis of proposed solar and wind energy development projects must comply with NEPA and Council on Environmental Quality and DOI NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500– 1508; 43 CFR part 46). The public would have opportunities to participate and comment during the NEPA process. The BLM would retain the discretion to deny solar and wind energy ROW applications based on site-specific issues and concerns, even in an area identified as a REDA, a SEZ, or otherwise available for application in the existing land use plan. The BLM would still consider renewable energy development proposals outside of a REDA or SEZ on a case-by-case basis using applicable state and national policy direction and guidance from existing land use plan decisions. The Final EIS analyzes impacts of the alternatives on land use authorizations; military airspace; air quality; minerals/ geology and soils; farm lands (prime or unique); water quality and quantity; floodplains, wetlands, and riparian zones; vegetation (including invasive, nonnative species); wildlife; migratory birds; BLM-designated sensitive animal and plant species; cultural resources; Native American religious concerns; E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2012 / Notices paleontological resources; visual resources; livestock grazing; recreation; special designations (including areas of critical environmental concern and wilderness); lands with wilderness characteristics; national scenic and historic trails; noise; public health and safety and fire management; hazardous or solid waste; social and economic values; and environmental justice. Throughout development of the RDEP, the BLM has engaged 10 cooperating agencies, State and local governments, tribes, the Arizona Resource Advisory Council, and other stakeholders in order to obtain input on defining the REDAs and general information on the desired renewable energy footprint in Arizona. On February 17, 2012, the BLM published a Draft EIS for the Restoration Design Energy Project and Draft RMP Amendments (77 FR 9694). Public comments were accepted through May 16, 2012. More than 3,300 comments were received. The public, as well as some cooperating agencies, offered suggestions on how the BLM could improve the proposed footprint of the Agua Caliente SEZ, refine the screening process for the REDAs, and conduct additional analysis on the conditions of the disturbed sites. All comments were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Proposed RMP Amendments and Final EIS. Public comments resulted in the addition of a new Agua Caliente SEZ footprint and refined boundaries for proposed REDAs. Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM regarding the Final EIS may be found in the ‘‘Dear Reader’’ letter of the Final EIS for the Restoration Design Energy Project and at 43 CFR 1610.5–2. Email and faxed protests will not be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider the email or faxed protest as an advance copy, and the protest will receive full consideration. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please direct faxed protests to the attention of the BLM protest coordinator at 202–245–0028 and emails to bhudgens@blm.gov. All protests, including the follow-up letter to emails or faxes, must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES section above. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:01 Oct 25, 2012 Jkt 229001 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 1503.1, 1506.6, 1506.10, and 43 CFR 1610.2. Deborah Stevens, Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2012–26350 Filed 10–25–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–32–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [IDI–14985] Public Land Order No. 7804; Partial Revocation of a Secretarial Order Dated December 4, 1909; ID AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Public Land Order. This order partially revokes a withdrawal created by a Secretarial Order insofar as it affects 78.69 acres of National Forest System land withdrawn on behalf of the Bureau of Reclamation for the Payette Boise Reclamation Project within the Boise National Forest. This order also opens the land to disposition under the Small Tracts Act. DATES: Effective Date: November 26, 2012. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Underhill, BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, Idaho 83709, 208–373–3866, or Mike Coffey, USDA Forest Service, Region 4, 1918 W. Commerce Ave., Boise, Idaho 83709, 208–384–3288. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to reach either the Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service contacts during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with either of the above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Reclamation has determined that a portion of the withdrawal created by a Secretarial Order dated December 4, 1909, for the Payette Boise Reclamation Project within the Boise National Forest is no longer used for the purpose for which the land was withdrawn, and the partial revocation of the withdrawal is needed to facilitate a PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65403 land conveyance under the Small Tracts Act to resolve an unintentional encroachent. Order By virtue of the authority vested in the Secretary of the Interior by Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714, it is ordered as follows: 1. The withdrawal created by a Secretarial Order dated December 4, 1909, which withdrew National Forest System lands from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, and reserved the land for use by the Bureau of Reclamation for the Payette Boise Reclamation Project, is hereby partially revoked insofar as it affects the following described land: Boise National Forest Boise Meridian T. 5 N., R. 8 E., Sec. 9, lots 1 and 2. The area described contains 78.69 acres in Elmore County. 2. At 9:00 a.m. on November 26, 2012, the land described in Paragraph 1 shall be opened to disposition under the Small Tracts Act (16 U.S.C. 521c–521i), subject to valid existing rights, the provisions of existing withdrawals, other segregations of record, and the requirements of applicable law. Dated: October 4, 2012. Rhea S. Suh, Assistant Secretary—Policy, Management and Budget. [FR Doc. 2012–26352 Filed 10–25–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–11477; 2200–1100– 665] Notice of Inventory Completion: Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Maxwell Museum’s Laboratory of Human Osteology has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribe, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and a present-day Indian tribe. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65401-65403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26350]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAZ910000.L13400000.DT0000.LXSS058A0000]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Restoration Design Energy Project and Proposed 
Resource Management Plan Amendments, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality and the 
Department of the Interior (DOI) regulations implementing NEPA, and the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona State Office has prepared 
Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendments and a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Restoration Design Energy 
Project (RDEP) and by this notice is announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the 
conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's 
Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions 
and wishes to file a protest must file the protest within 30 days of 
the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice 
of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the RDEP Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS have 
been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies; 
tribes; and other stakeholders. Copies of the Proposed RMP Amendments/
Final EIS are available for public inspection at the BLM Arizona State 
Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004. The 
Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS can also be downloaded from the 
project's Web site at https://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/energy/arra_solar.htm. All protests must be in writing and mailed to one of the 
following addresses:

Regular Mail: BLM Director (WO210), Attention: Brenda Williams, P.O. 
Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383
Overnight Mail: BLM Director (WO210), Attention: Brenda Williams, 20 M 
Street SE., Room 2134 LM, Washington, DC 20003
    Publication of the Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS NOA does not 
trigger a formal public comment period. The BLM, however, may choose to 
review any comments submitted following the publication of the Proposed 
RMP Amendments/Final EIS NOA and use the comments to inform the records 
of decision (RODs). Individuals should note that the BLM will consider 
such comments only to the extent practicable and will not respond to 
comments individually. Comments may be submitted by the following 
methods:
    Email: az_arra_rdep@blm.gov,
    Fax: Attn: Lane Cowger, 602-417-9452;
    Mail or other delivery service: BLM Arizona State Office, 
Attention: Restoration Design Energy Project, One North Central Avenue, 
Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Pedrick, BLM Project Manager; 
telephone: 602-417-9235; mail: One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, 
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427; or email: az_arra_rdep@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

[[Page 65402]]

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 RDEP supports the Secretary of the 
Interior's goals to build America's new energy future and to protect 
and restore treasured landscapes. The purpose of the RDEP is to conduct 
statewide planning that fosters environmentally responsible production 
of renewable energy and allows the permitting of future renewable 
energy development projects to proceed in a more efficient and 
standardized manner. The RDEP would amend BLM land use plans to 
identify lands across Arizona that are most suitable for renewable 
energy development, including solar and wind energy technologies, and 
to establish a baseline set of environmental protection measures for 
such projects. The BLM is proposing to identify Renewable Energy 
Development Areas (REDAs), which are BLM-administered lands that are 
suitable for the development of solar and wind energy facilities. It is 
also proposing to establish one new Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) with a 
priority for utility-scale (greater than 20 megawatts) solar energy 
development. This new proposed SEZ is in addition to two existing SEZs 
identified in the October 12, 2012, ROD for the Solar Energy 
Programmatic Final EIS.
    The proposed REDAs and proposed new SEZ for Arizona include 
disturbed sites and lands with low resource sensitivity and few 
environmental conflicts. Additionally, the BLM proposes to establish 
unified management actions, design features, and best management 
practices applicable to renewable energy development on BLM-
administered lands in Arizona.
    The REDAs would identify where renewable energy development is 
likely to be compatible with resource objectives and would be suitable 
for the development of utility- or distributed-scale solar and wind 
energy facilities. The SEZ would be prioritized for utility-scale solar 
energy development.
    The Final EIS evaluates six action alternatives and the No Action 
Alternative. Alternative 1 identifies approximately 298,400 acres of 
potential REDAs on BLM-administered land that are disturbed sites or 
lands with low resource sensitivity. Alternative 1 seeks to provide 
maximum flexibility for locating small- to large-scale projects without 
consideration of other physical constraints, such as distance to 
transmission or load. Alternative 2 seeks to reduce environmental 
impacts by only including the potential REDAs identified in Alternative 
1 that are within 5 miles of designated utility corridors and existing 
or approved transmission lines. Under Alternative 2, approximately 
213,500 acres of BLM-administered lands would be identified as REDAs. 
Alternative 3 seeks to reduce disturbance and environmental impacts by 
identifying approximately 106,800 acres of potential REDAs that are 
near the point of demand, such as cities, towns, or industrial centers. 
Alternative 4 seeks to address potential water issues by instituting 
specific design features for 298,400 acres of potential REDAs to avoid 
impacts on sensitive watersheds, groundwater supply, and water quality. 
Alternative 5 focuses on opportunities to facilitate renewable energy 
development through land tenure adjustments by identifying about 25,500 
acres of potential REDAs on BLM-administered lands identified as 
suitable for disposal through prior planning processes. Alternative 6 
was developed through a collaborative process among the BLM, 
cooperating agencies, tribes, collaborating partners, stakeholders, and 
the public. Alternative 6 identifies about 222,800 acres of potential 
REDAs within 5 miles of designated utility corridors and existing 
transmission lines or near a point of demand, includes design features 
to protect water resources, and provides for land tenure adjustment of 
lands previously identified for disposal.
    The BLM is also proposing to identify the Agua Caliente SEZ to 
facilitate the development of utility-scale solar energy projects. The 
proposed SEZ was developed based on a screening process that included 
the following criteria: Available large contiguous parcels of BLM land 
(greater than 2,500 acres); proximity to transmission; limited known 
environmental or cultural constraints; proximity to roads and 
infrastructure; and proximity to existing solar energy developments. 
Based on input from cooperating agencies, tribes, and the public, the 
Final EIS analyzes four footprints for the proposed Agua Caliente SEZ: 
2,550 acres, 2,760 acres, 6,770 acres, and 20,600 acres. The agency's 
preferred alternative is Alternative 6, with 222,800 acres of REDA and 
a 2,550-acre SEZ.
    The BLM proposes to amend the following BLM RMPs: Bradshaw-
Harquahala RMP (2010); Arizona Strip Field Office RMP (2008); Kingman 
Resource Area RMP (1995); Lake Havasu Field Office RMP (2007); Lower 
Sonoran RMP (2012); Phoenix RMP (1988); Safford District RMP (1991); 
and Yuma Field Office RMP (2010). Additionally, the BLM would amend the 
Yuma Field Office RMP through a separate ROD to identify the Agua 
Caliente SEZ, identify SEZ-specific design features, change the Visual 
Resource Management (VRM) class from VRM Class III to VRM Class IV for 
lands within the 2,550-acre proposed SEZ, and remove the Special 
Recreation Management Area designation and Wildlife Habitat Management 
Area allocations from within the SEZ.
    This EIS provides the necessary analysis to support the amendment 
of land use plans. This EIS will not eliminate the need for site-
specific environmental review for future renewable energy development 
proposals. The BLM will make decisions on a case-by-case basis whether 
to authorize specific renewable energy development projects. 
Applications for proposed solar and wind energy development projects 
are processed as right-of-way (ROW) authorizations under Title V of 
FLPMA and 43 CFR part 2800. The processing of solar and wind energy 
development ROW applications must comply with the BLM's planning, 
environmental, and ROW regulatory requirements. When the BLM considers 
an application, the BLM decision-maker must determine if the proposal 
would conform to the applicable land use plan (43 CFR, 1610.5-3, 516 DM 
11.5) and what level or type of environmental documentation is 
required. Analysis of proposed solar and wind energy development 
projects must comply with NEPA and Council on Environmental Quality and 
DOI NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508; 43 CFR part 46). The 
public would have opportunities to participate and comment during the 
NEPA process. The BLM would retain the discretion to deny solar and 
wind energy ROW applications based on site-specific issues and 
concerns, even in an area identified as a REDA, a SEZ, or otherwise 
available for application in the existing land use plan. The BLM would 
still consider renewable energy development proposals outside of a REDA 
or SEZ on a case-by-case basis using applicable state and national 
policy direction and guidance from existing land use plan decisions.
    The Final EIS analyzes impacts of the alternatives on land use 
authorizations; military airspace; air quality; minerals/geology and 
soils; farm lands (prime or unique); water quality and quantity; 
floodplains, wetlands, and riparian zones; vegetation (including 
invasive, nonnative species); wildlife; migratory birds; BLM-designated 
sensitive animal and plant species; cultural resources; Native American 
religious concerns;

[[Page 65403]]

paleontological resources; visual resources; livestock grazing; 
recreation; special designations (including areas of critical 
environmental concern and wilderness); lands with wilderness 
characteristics; national scenic and historic trails; noise; public 
health and safety and fire management; hazardous or solid waste; social 
and economic values; and environmental justice.
    Throughout development of the RDEP, the BLM has engaged 10 
cooperating agencies, State and local governments, tribes, the Arizona 
Resource Advisory Council, and other stakeholders in order to obtain 
input on defining the REDAs and general information on the desired 
renewable energy footprint in Arizona.
    On February 17, 2012, the BLM published a Draft EIS for the 
Restoration Design Energy Project and Draft RMP Amendments (77 FR 
9694). Public comments were accepted through May 16, 2012. More than 
3,300 comments were received. The public, as well as some cooperating 
agencies, offered suggestions on how the BLM could improve the proposed 
footprint of the Agua Caliente SEZ, refine the screening process for 
the REDAs, and conduct additional analysis on the conditions of the 
disturbed sites. All comments were considered and incorporated as 
appropriate into the Proposed RMP Amendments and Final EIS. Public 
comments resulted in the addition of a new Agua Caliente SEZ footprint 
and refined boundaries for proposed REDAs.
    Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM 
regarding the Final EIS may be found in the ``Dear Reader'' letter of 
the Final EIS for the Restoration Design Energy Project and at 43 CFR 
1610.5-2. Email and faxed protests will not be accepted as valid 
protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter 
by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by the close of the 
protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider the email 
or faxed protest as an advance copy, and the protest will receive full 
consideration. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance 
notification, please direct faxed protests to the attention of the BLM 
protest coordinator at 202-245-0028 and emails to bhudgens@blm.gov.
    All protests, including the follow-up letter to emails or faxes, 
must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth 
in the ADDRESSES section above.
    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1503.1, 1506.6, 1506.10, and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Deborah Stevens,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-26350 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.