Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project, Mono County, CA, 40497-40498 [2013-16128]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 129 / Friday, July 5, 2013 / Notices Land Management Price Field Office, 125 South 600 West, Price, Utah 84501; or by email at mmackiew@blm.gov. You may contact Mr. Mackiewicz to have your name added to our mailing list. 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 BLM has prepared a Draft Supplemental EIS to correct the deficiencies in the Ruby Pipeline Final EIS identified by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Draft Supplemental EIS includes supplemental information about the original and present condition of the sagebrush steppe habitat and analyzes the cumulative impacts of the Ruby Pipeline Project based on the supplemental information. The Draft Supplemental EIS will serve as the foundation for the BLM’s decision on whether to reissue the right-of-way (ROW) granted to Ruby for the project and, if so, to determine what terms and conditions would be required. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is responsible for authorizing construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines. Accordingly, the FERC served as the lead agency for Ruby Pipeline LLC’s (Ruby) application for the Ruby Pipeline Project. The FERC used the Final EIS it prepared (January 28, 2010) to issue its Certificate for the Ruby Pipeline Project on April 5, 2010. The Certificate authorized Ruby to construct an approximately 678-mile long, 42-inch diameter interstate natural gas pipeline that crosses 368 miles of Federal land beginning near Opal, Wyoming, extending through northern Utah and northern Nevada, and terminating near Malin, Oregon. The BLM has primary responsibility for issuing right-of-way ROW grants and temporary use permits for natural gas pipelines across most Federal lands pursuant to Section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 185 et seq.). Ruby applied to the BLM for a ROW grant for the Ruby Pipeline Project on December 3, 2007. The Federal lands crossed or used as access for the project include lands managed by the BLM; Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation); the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge; and the United States VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:06 Jul 03, 2013 Jkt 229001 Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS), specifically the Fremont-Winema National Forests, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, and the Modoc National Forest. Based on the Final EIS issued by the FERC, the BLM issued a Ruby Pipeline Project Record of Decision (ROD) and ROW grant for the use of lands under the administration of the BLM, Reclamation, USFWS, and the USFS on July 12, 2010. The project has been constructed and is currently in operation. However, the BLM Ruby Pipeline Project ROD and ROW grant were appealed to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2011, and, on October 22, 2012, the court found that the Ruby Pipeline Final EIS does not provide sufficient quantified or detailed data about the cumulative loss of sagebrush steppe vegetation and habitat. Consistent with an April 29, 2013, order staying an earlier opinion vacating the BLM’s original ROD, the Ninth Circuit directed the BLM to prepare a revised ROD by November 21, 2013, that addresses the identified deficiencies in the NEPA analysis. The Supplemental EIS is part of the process of responding to that order. To the extent applicable, the BLM will use the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) and Secretarial Order 3317. Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Please note that public comments and information submitted including names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who submit comments will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. Copies of the Ruby Pipeline Project Draft Supplemental EIS are available at the following BLM offices: • Kemmerer Field Office, 312 Hwy 189 North, Kemmerer, Wyoming • Salt Lake Field Office, 2370 South 2300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah • Elko District Office, 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko, Nevada • Winnemucca District Office, 5100 East Winnemucca Boulevard, Winnemucca, Nevada • Lakeview District Office, 1301 S. G Street, Lakeview, Oregon • Klamath Falls Resource Area Office, 2795 Anderson Avenue, Suite 25, Klamath Falls, Oregon PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 40497 • Surprise Field Office, 602 Cressler Street, Cedarville, California • Additional locations where hard copies of the Draft Supplemental EIS can be viewed can be found on the project Web site or by contacting the project manager. 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 1502.9, 43 CFR 2880. Amy Lueders, Nevada State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–16129 Filed 7–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCAC07000 L913100000 EI0000 LXSIGEOT0000] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report for the Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project, Mono County, CA Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA); the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended; and the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD), a California State agency, have prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/ Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project near the town of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California, and by this notice are announcing its availability. DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of availability in the Federal Register. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM 05JYN1 40498 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 129 / Friday, July 5, 2013 / Notices You may request an electronic copy of the Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project Final EIS/EIR by any of the following methods: • Mail: BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 93514; Attn: Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project Final EIS/EIR, c/o Collin Reinhardt, Project Manager. • Email: cabipubcom@blm.gov; Subject: Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project Final EIS/EIR. • Fax: 760–872–5050; Attn: Collin Reinhardt. Interested persons may also review the Final EIS/EIR on the Internet at https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ bishop.html. Copies of the Final EIS/EIR are also available for public inspection at the BLM Bishop Field Office at the above address and at the Mono County Library at 400 Sierra Park Road, Mammoth Lakes, California. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Collin Reinhardt, Project Manager, telephone 760–872–5024; address 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 93514; email creinhardt@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: The Final EIS/EIR analyzes the potential impacts of authorizing the proposed Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project near the town of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California. In accordance with the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, as amended (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), the BLM Bishop Field Office is the lead Federal agency responsible for permitting the proposed project and for completing the required environmental analysis under NEPA. The USFS Inyo National Forest is a cooperating Federal agency. The GBUAPCD is the lead State agency responsible for permitting the proposed project and for completing the required environmental analysis under CEQA. The purpose and need for action is to respond to an application to construct and operate the Casa Diablo IV project on Federal geothermal leases administered by the BLM Bishop Field Office. The project would be located on Inyo National Forest lands and adjacent private lands within portions of Federal geothermal leases CACA–11667, CACA– tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:06 Jul 03, 2013 Jkt 229001 14407, CACA–14408, and CACA–11672. The project would be located adjacent to three currently operating geothermal plants. The 33 megawatt binary geothermal power plant would be the fourth geothermal plant in the vicinity. It would include up to 16 wells for production and injection, drilled 1,600 to 2,500 feet deep. Pipelines would be constructed to transport geothermal fluid from production wells to the power plant and the return of fluids from the power plant to injection wells. A 650-foot-long transmission line would connect the new power plant to the Southern California Edison substation at Substation Road. The power plant, access roads, well pads, pipelines, and transmission line would occupy approximately 80 acres. Of the 16 proposed production/injection well locations, 14 were previously analyzed and approved by the BLM as exploration wells in EA–170–02–15 (2001) and EA–170–05–04 (2005). Three of these exploration wells have already been drilled as of the time of the publication of this notice. Three action alternatives and a no action alternative are analyzed in the Final EIS/EIR. Alternative 1 is the applicant’s proposed action as outlined above; Alternative 2 considers an alternative location for the proposed power plant; and Alternative 3 (the BLM’s preferred alternative) considers alternative pipeline alignments in Basalt Canyon and slightly alters the location of one proposed well. The GBUAPCD has identified Alternative 3 as the ‘‘environmentally superior alternative’’ pursuant to CEQA (14 C.C.R. 15126.6(e)(2)). Alternative 4, the No Action Alternative, would not construct the CD–IV Project. The three existing geothermal power plants, the pipeline from Basalt Canyon, and two existing production wells would continue operating in accordance with their respective permits. Under the No Action Alternative, geothermal exploration in Basalt Canyon and Upper Basalt Canyon previously approved would be expected to continue. Previous analyses resulted in the approval of up to ten small diameter (slim hole) and six geothermal exploratory (large diameter) geothermal wells, some of which have been already drilled. Under the No Action Alternative, while no activities related to the Proposed Action would occur, nine additional small diameter and two large diameter exploratory wells could be drilled as previously authorized. The Final EIS/EIR describes and analyzes the project’s site-specific impacts on the following resources: Air, PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 biological, climate change, cultural and paleontological, geothermal and groundwater, geologic, soil, mineral, grazing, wild horses and burros, land use, noise and vibration, population and housing, public safety, hazardous materials, fire, recreation, socioeconomics and environmental justice, traffic, utilities and public service, visual, and surface water. In addition to scoping activities, a Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS/ EIR was published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2012 (77 FR 68813), announcing a 60-day comment period ending January 15, 2013. In response to requests, the NEPA comment period was extended to January 30, 2013 and the CEQA comment period was extended to February 20, 2013. Additionally, two public meetings were held on December 5 and 6, 2012, in Mammoth Lakes and Lake Crowley, California, respectively. One oral comment and 28 comment letters were received. Comments on the Draft EIS/EIR primarily pertained to the NEPA and CEQA processes, project alternatives, and impacts to various resources and uses. The agencies also received statements in support of the proposal. All comments were addressed in the Final EIS/EIR, some of which resulted in corrections and clarifying text that did not significantly change the alternatives or analysis. Similarly, consultation pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act has resulted in revisions to the project as reflected in the Final EIS/ EIS that further avoid impacts to cultural and biological resources. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10. Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–16128 Filed 7–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLOR936000.L14300000.ET0000 FUND: 13XL1109AF; HAG–13–0143; OR–47417] Public Land Order No. 7817; Extension of Public Land Order No. 6986; Oregon Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Public land order. AGENCY: This order extends the duration of the withdrawal created by Public Land Order No. 6986, which was issued effective July 1, 1993, for an SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM 05JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 129 (Friday, July 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40497-40498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16128]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCAC07000 L913100000 EI0000 LXSIGEOT0000]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Casa Diablo IV Geothermal 
Development Project, Mono County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA); the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended; and the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 
(CEQA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the United States Forest 
Service (USFS), and the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control 
District (GBUAPCD), a California State agency, have prepared a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) 
for the proposed Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project near the 
town of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California, and by this notice 
are announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a 
minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes its notice of availability in the Federal Register.

[[Page 40498]]


ADDRESSES: You may request an electronic copy of the Casa Diablo IV 
Geothermal Development Project Final EIS/EIR by any of the following 
methods:
     Mail: BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, 
Bishop, CA 93514; Attn: Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project 
Final EIS/EIR, c/o Collin Reinhardt, Project Manager.
     Email: cabipubcom@blm.gov; Subject: Casa Diablo IV 
Geothermal Development Project Final EIS/EIR.
     Fax: 760-872-5050; Attn: Collin Reinhardt.
    Interested persons may also review the Final EIS/EIR on the 
Internet at https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop.html.
    Copies of the Final EIS/EIR are also available for public 
inspection at the BLM Bishop Field Office at the above address and at 
the Mono County Library at 400 Sierra Park Road, Mammoth Lakes, 
California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Collin Reinhardt, Project Manager, 
telephone 760-872-5024; address 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 
93514; email creinhardt@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: The Final EIS/EIR analyzes the potential 
impacts of authorizing the proposed Casa Diablo IV Geothermal 
Development Project near the town of Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, 
California. In accordance with the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, as 
amended (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), the BLM Bishop Field Office is the 
lead Federal agency responsible for permitting the proposed project and 
for completing the required environmental analysis under NEPA. The USFS 
Inyo National Forest is a cooperating Federal agency. The GBUAPCD is 
the lead State agency responsible for permitting the proposed project 
and for completing the required environmental analysis under CEQA.
    The purpose and need for action is to respond to an application to 
construct and operate the Casa Diablo IV project on Federal geothermal 
leases administered by the BLM Bishop Field Office. The project would 
be located on Inyo National Forest lands and adjacent private lands 
within portions of Federal geothermal leases CACA-11667, CACA-14407, 
CACA-14408, and CACA-11672. The project would be located adjacent to 
three currently operating geothermal plants.
    The 33 megawatt binary geothermal power plant would be the fourth 
geothermal plant in the vicinity. It would include up to 16 wells for 
production and injection, drilled 1,600 to 2,500 feet deep. Pipelines 
would be constructed to transport geothermal fluid from production 
wells to the power plant and the return of fluids from the power plant 
to injection wells. A 650-foot-long transmission line would connect the 
new power plant to the Southern California Edison substation at 
Substation Road. The power plant, access roads, well pads, pipelines, 
and transmission line would occupy approximately 80 acres. Of the 16 
proposed production/injection well locations, 14 were previously 
analyzed and approved by the BLM as exploration wells in EA-170-02-15 
(2001) and EA-170-05-04 (2005). Three of these exploration wells have 
already been drilled as of the time of the publication of this notice.
    Three action alternatives and a no action alternative are analyzed 
in the Final EIS/EIR. Alternative 1 is the applicant's proposed action 
as outlined above; Alternative 2 considers an alternative location for 
the proposed power plant; and Alternative 3 (the BLM's preferred 
alternative) considers alternative pipeline alignments in Basalt Canyon 
and slightly alters the location of one proposed well. The GBUAPCD has 
identified Alternative 3 as the ``environmentally superior 
alternative'' pursuant to CEQA (14 C.C.R. 15126.6(e)(2)).
    Alternative 4, the No Action Alternative, would not construct the 
CD-IV Project. The three existing geothermal power plants, the pipeline 
from Basalt Canyon, and two existing production wells would continue 
operating in accordance with their respective permits. Under the No 
Action Alternative, geothermal exploration in Basalt Canyon and Upper 
Basalt Canyon previously approved would be expected to continue. 
Previous analyses resulted in the approval of up to ten small diameter 
(slim hole) and six geothermal exploratory (large diameter) geothermal 
wells, some of which have been already drilled. Under the No Action 
Alternative, while no activities related to the Proposed Action would 
occur, nine additional small diameter and two large diameter 
exploratory wells could be drilled as previously authorized.
    The Final EIS/EIR describes and analyzes the project's site-
specific impacts on the following resources: Air, biological, climate 
change, cultural and paleontological, geothermal and groundwater, 
geologic, soil, mineral, grazing, wild horses and burros, land use, 
noise and vibration, population and housing, public safety, hazardous 
materials, fire, recreation, socioeconomics and environmental justice, 
traffic, utilities and public service, visual, and surface water.
    In addition to scoping activities, a Notice of Availability of the 
Draft EIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on November 16, 
2012 (77 FR 68813), announcing a 60-day comment period ending January 
15, 2013. In response to requests, the NEPA comment period was extended 
to January 30, 2013 and the CEQA comment period was extended to 
February 20, 2013. Additionally, two public meetings were held on 
December 5 and 6, 2012, in Mammoth Lakes and Lake Crowley, California, 
respectively.
    One oral comment and 28 comment letters were received. Comments on 
the Draft EIS/EIR primarily pertained to the NEPA and CEQA processes, 
project alternatives, and impacts to various resources and uses. The 
agencies also received statements in support of the proposal.
    All comments were addressed in the Final EIS/EIR, some of which 
resulted in corrections and clarifying text that did not significantly 
change the alternatives or analysis. Similarly, consultation pursuant 
to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 7 
of the Federal Endangered Species Act has resulted in revisions to the 
project as reflected in the Final EIS/EIS that further avoid impacts to 
cultural and biological resources.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-16128 Filed 7-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
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