Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Mohave County Wind Farm Project, Mohave County, AZ, 57173-57174 [2013-22575]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES and Veneta Study Areas in northern Oregon. This last study area is a combination of study areas from Alternative 2 and 3. A combination of lethal and non-lethal removal methods would be used. Decision Rationale Our decision is to adopt the Preferred Alternative as described in the Final EIS for experimental removal of barred owls to benefit threatened northern spotted owls. We provide a brief summary of our decision below; for the full basis of our decision, please see the Final EIS. We choose to implement an alternative with elements that would provide for a strong, scientifically credible experiment with a high power to detect the effect of the barred owl removal on spotted owl populations, and that would provide results applicable across the range of the northern spotted owl in a timely manner. To provide for high scientific credibility and power to detect any effect of the experimental removal of barred owls on spotted owl populations, we selected a demography study approach utilizing study areas with preexisting data on spotted owl populations and trends. The use of a demography study approach and the long history of spotted owl population data on these study areas provides for a very robust experiment. To ensure the results are applicable across the range of the northern spotted owl, we selected four study areas distributed in Washington, Oregon, and California. This includes study areas in Washington with a long history of barred owl presence, high barred owl density, and low spotted owl site occupancy. Oregon study areas have a shorter history of high barred owl populations and greater spotted owl site occupancy. The California study area is the most recently invaded, has lower barred owl densities, and higher spotted owl site occupancy. Thus, the selected alternative will provide information on the efficacy of the removal in all types of barred owl population condition. The combination of the number of study areas and the available pretreatment data provides for a timely result, with the study taking an estimated 4 years of removal to reach significant results. The use of a combination of lethal and non-lethal removal methods allows us to reduce the number of barred owl that would be killed under this study. To the extent that we are able to find organizations with the appropriate permits, adequate facilities to provide a high quality of care for the life of the bird, and an interest in having barred VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:05 Sep 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 owls for educational purposes, we would capture birds to fill the opportunities. Our initial overtures to zoos and zoological parks resulted in interest in placing five individual barred owls. We will continue to look for opportunities to place barred owls, but given the expense, difficulty, and type of facility needed, we do not anticipate being able to place a large number of barred owls. National Environmental Policy Act Compliance We provide this notice under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 1506.6. We also publish this notice under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703–712) and its specific implementing regulations at 50 CFR 10.13 and 50 CFR 21.23. Dated: September 10, 2013. Robyn Thorson, Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 2013–22556 Filed 9–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAZC01000.L51010000.FX0000. LVRWA09A2310; AZA32315AA] Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Mohave County Wind Farm Project, Mohave County, AZ 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) for the Mohave County Wind Farm Project (Project). The Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management approved the ROD on June 26, 2013, which constitutes the final decision of the Department of the Interior. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are available for public inspection at the BLM’s Kingman Field Office, 2755 Mission Boulevard, Kingman, AZ 86401, and the BLM Arizona State Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Interested parties may also view the ROD at the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ az/st/en/prog/energy/wind/ mohave.html. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57173 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Neckels, Environmental Coordinator, BLM Renewable Energy Coordination Office, Arizona State Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004; phone: 602– 417–9262; or email: jneckels@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: BP Wind Energy North America, Inc. (BP Wind Energy) proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the Project, a wind-powered electrical generation facility located approximately 40 miles northwest of the City of Kingman in Mohave County, Arizona. BP Wind Energy applied to the BLM for a right-of-way (ROW) grant and to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for a right-of-use (ROU) contract for the Project that would produce up to 500-megawatts (MW) of power. BP Wind Energy also applied to Western Area Power Administration (Western) for interconnection to either the 345-kilovolt (kV) Liberty-Mead transmission line or the 500-kV MeadPhoenix transmission line that crosses the Project area. Western has applied to the BLM for a ROW grant for construction, operation, and maintenance of a switching station that would allow transmission of electricity generated by the Project. The approved Project includes up to 243 wind turbine generators and associated infrastructure on approximately 35,329 acres of BLMmanaged land and approximately 2,781 acres of Reclamation-administered land. The Project components include, but are not limited to, turbine generators with a power output ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 MW each, pad mounted transformers, access roads, an underground 34.5-kV electrical collection system, distribution line, overhead transmission line, an operation and maintenance building, two temporary laydown/staging areas with concrete batch plant operations, temporary and permanent meteorological towers, switchyard, two substations, water wells, temporary water pipeline, and temporary use of the Detrital Wash materials pit as a material source. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and Title V of the Federal E:\FR\FM\17SEN1.SGM 17SEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 57174 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 17, 2013 / Notices Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the BLM, as lead agency, and Reclamation and Western, as cooperating agencies, prepared the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2012, (77 FR 25165). Subsequently, the agencies held public meetings on the document in the communities of Kingman, Peach Springs, White Hills, and Dolan Springs, Arizona. The Final EIS was published on May 17, 2013, (78 FR 29131). The National Park Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Mohave County, and the Hualapai Tribe were also cooperating agencies. The No Action Alternative and four action alternatives were analyzed in the Final EIS. The proposed action, Alternative A, called for the use of approximately 38,099 acres of BLMmanaged land and 8,960 acres of Reclamation-administered land. Alternative B would require approximately 30,872 acres of BLMmanaged land and 3,848 acres of Reclamation-administered land. Alternative C called for the use of 30,178 acres of BLM-managed land and approximately 5,124 acres of Reclamation-administered land. Alternative E would require approximately 35,329 acres of BLMmanaged land and 2,781 acres of Reclamation-administered land. Alternative E is BLM’s and Reclamation’s preferred alternative and represents a combination of Alternatives A and B. It is the decision of the BLM and Reclamation to approve Alternative E, including associated infrastructure and a switching station, and issue ROW grant and ROU contract, respectively, across Federal lands for the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the Project to BP Wind Energy; and for the BLM to issue a ROW grant to Western for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a switching station, subject to terms and conditions of the ROW grants and ROU contract, plan of development, and mitigation measures. Full implementation of this decision is contingent upon BP Wind Energy and Western obtaining all applicable permits and approvals. This decision is based on the information contained in the Draft and Final EIS. Because this decision is approved by the Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, it is not subject to administrative appeal (43 CFR 4.5 and 4.410(a)(3)). VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:05 Sep 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6. Jamie Connell, Acting Deputy Director of Operations, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 2013–22575 Filed 9–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–32–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 332–540] Digital Trade in the U.S. and Global Economies, Part 2; Submission of Questionnaire for OMB Review United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice of submission of request for approval of a questionnaire to the Office of Management and Budget. This notice is being given pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). AGENCY: Purpose of Information Collection: The information requested by the questionnaire is for use by the Commission in connection with investigation No. 332–540, Digital Trade in the U.S. and Global Economies, Part 2. The investigation was instituted under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) at the request of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. The Commission expects to deliver its report to the Committee by July 14, 2014. Summary of Proposal (1) Number of forms submitted: 1. (2) Title of form: Digital Trade Questionnaire. (3) Type of request: New. (4) Frequency of use: Industry questionnaire, single data gathering, scheduled for 2013. (5) Description of respondents: Companies in the United States in industries that the USITC considers particularly digitally-intensive (i.e. firms that make particularly intensive use of the Internet and Internet technology in their business activities). (6) Estimated number of questionnaires to be mailed: 10,000. (7) Estimated total number of hours to complete the questionnaire per respondent: 30 hours. (8) Information obtained from the questionnaire that qualifies as confidential business information will be so treated by the Commission and not disclosed in a manner that would reveal the individual operations of a firm. Additional Information or Comment: Copies of the questionnaire and supporting documents may be obtained PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 from project leader James Stamps (james.stamps@usitc.gov or 202–205– 3227) or deputy project leader David Coffin (david.coffin@usitc.gov or 202– 205–2232). Comments about the proposal should be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Room 10102 (Docket Library), Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Docket Librarian. All comments should be specific, indicating which part of the questionnaire is objectionable, describing the concern in detail, and including specific suggested revision or language changes. Copies of any comments should be provided to Andrew Martin, Chief Information Officer, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, who is the Commission’s designated Senior Official under the Paperwork Reduction Act. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet address (https:// www.usitc.gov). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on 202– 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Secretary at 202–205–2000. By order of the Commission. Issued: September 12, 2013. Lisa R. Barton, Acting Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 2013–22545 Filed 9–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020–02–P JOINT BOARD FOR THE ENROLLMENT OF ACTUARIES Advisory Committee Meeting Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries. ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting. AGENCY: The Executive Director of the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries gives notice of a closed meeting of the Advisory Committee on Actuarial Examinations. DATES: The meeting will be held on October 18, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Crowne Plaza San Antonio Riverwalk, 111 East Pecan Street, San Antonio, TX 78205. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick W. McDonough, Executive SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\17SEN1.SGM 17SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57173-57174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22575]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAZC01000.L51010000.FX0000.LVRWA09A2310; AZA32315AA]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Mohave 
County Wind Farm Project, Mohave County, AZ

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) for the Mohave County Wind Farm Project 
(Project). The Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals 
Management approved the ROD on June 26, 2013, which constitutes the 
final decision of the Department of the Interior.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are available for public inspection at the 
BLM's Kingman Field Office, 2755 Mission Boulevard, Kingman, AZ 86401, 
and the BLM Arizona State Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, 
Phoenix, AZ 85004. Interested parties may also view the ROD at the 
following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/energy/wind/mohave.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Neckels, Environmental 
Coordinator, BLM Renewable Energy Coordination Office, Arizona State 
Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004; phone: 
602-417-9262; or email: jneckels@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: BP Wind Energy North America, Inc. (BP Wind 
Energy) proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually 
decommission the Project, a wind-powered electrical generation facility 
located approximately 40 miles northwest of the City of Kingman in 
Mohave County, Arizona. BP Wind Energy applied to the BLM for a right-
of-way (ROW) grant and to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for a 
right-of-use (ROU) contract for the Project that would produce up to 
500-megawatts (MW) of power. BP Wind Energy also applied to Western 
Area Power Administration (Western) for interconnection to either the 
345-kilovolt (kV) Liberty-Mead transmission line or the 500-kV Mead-
Phoenix transmission line that crosses the Project area. Western has 
applied to the BLM for a ROW grant for construction, operation, and 
maintenance of a switching station that would allow transmission of 
electricity generated by the Project.
    The approved Project includes up to 243 wind turbine generators and 
associated infrastructure on approximately 35,329 acres of BLM-managed 
land and approximately 2,781 acres of Reclamation-administered land. 
The Project components include, but are not limited to, turbine 
generators with a power output ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 MW each, pad 
mounted transformers, access roads, an underground 34.5-kV electrical 
collection system, distribution line, overhead transmission line, an 
operation and maintenance building, two temporary laydown/staging areas 
with concrete batch plant operations, temporary and permanent 
meteorological towers, switchyard, two substations, water wells, 
temporary water pipeline, and temporary use of the Detrital Wash 
materials pit as a material source.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
as amended, and Title V of the Federal

[[Page 57174]]

Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the BLM, as lead 
agency, and Reclamation and Western, as cooperating agencies, prepared 
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was published in 
the Federal Register on April 27, 2012, (77 FR 25165). Subsequently, 
the agencies held public meetings on the document in the communities of 
Kingman, Peach Springs, White Hills, and Dolan Springs, Arizona. The 
Final EIS was published on May 17, 2013, (78 FR 29131). The National 
Park Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Mohave County, and 
the Hualapai Tribe were also cooperating agencies.
    The No Action Alternative and four action alternatives were 
analyzed in the Final EIS. The proposed action, Alternative A, called 
for the use of approximately 38,099 acres of BLM-managed land and 8,960 
acres of Reclamation-administered land. Alternative B would require 
approximately 30,872 acres of BLM-managed land and 3,848 acres of 
Reclamation-administered land. Alternative C called for the use of 
30,178 acres of BLM-managed land and approximately 5,124 acres of 
Reclamation-administered land. Alternative E would require 
approximately 35,329 acres of BLM-managed land and 2,781 acres of 
Reclamation-administered land. Alternative E is BLM's and Reclamation's 
preferred alternative and represents a combination of Alternatives A 
and B.
    It is the decision of the BLM and Reclamation to approve 
Alternative E, including associated infrastructure and a switching 
station, and issue ROW grant and ROU contract, respectively, across 
Federal lands for the construction, operation, maintenance, and 
decommissioning of the Project to BP Wind Energy; and for the BLM to 
issue a ROW grant to Western for the construction, operation, and 
maintenance of a switching station, subject to terms and conditions of 
the ROW grants and ROU contract, plan of development, and mitigation 
measures. Full implementation of this decision is contingent upon BP 
Wind Energy and Western obtaining all applicable permits and approvals. 
This decision is based on the information contained in the Draft and 
Final EIS.
    Because this decision is approved by the Acting Assistant Secretary 
for Land and Minerals Management, it is not subject to administrative 
appeal (43 CFR 4.5 and 4.410(a)(3)).

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6.

Jamie Connell,
Acting Deputy Director of Operations, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-22575 Filed 9-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P

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