Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Maricopa Solar Park Project in Maricopa County, AZ, 57877-57878 [2013-22790]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 183 / Friday, September 20, 2013 / Notices Send your comments or requests for more information by any of the following methods: • Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘DeSoto and Boyer Chute EA/Draft CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, 712–388–4808. • U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges, 1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA 51555. • In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at the above address. You will find the draft EA/CCP, as well as information about the planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site: https:// www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_ boyerchute/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Cox, 712–388–4801. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Introduction With this notice, we continue the CCP process for DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges. We began the CCP process for Boyer Chute Refuge by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010 and for DeSoto Refuge by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register (76 FR 76745) on December 8, 2011. For more information about the initial process and the history of these refuges, see those notices. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:24 Sep 19, 2013 Jkt 229001 Each unit of the NWRS was established for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for each refuge within the NWRS mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with each refuge’s establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS. Additional Information The draft EA/CCP, which includes detailed information about the planning process, refuges, issues, and management alternatives considered and proposed, may be found at https:// www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_ boyerchute/. Public Involvement We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments anytime during the comment period. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personally identifiable information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2013–22956 Filed 9–19–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) and National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP) Advisory Committee U.S. Geological Survey, Interior. Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Pursuant to Public Law 106– 148, the NCGMP and NGGDPP Advisory Committee will hold an audio conference call on October 31, 2013, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The Advisory Committee, comprising representatives from Federal agencies, State agencies, academic institutions, and private companies, shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geologic mapping and data preservation programs. The Committee will hear updates on progress of the NCGMP toward fulfilling the purposes of the National Geological Mapping Act of 1992, as well as updates on the NGGDPP toward fulfilling the purposes of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. DATES: October 31, 2013, from 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the phone number and access code, please contact Michael Marketti, U.S. Geological Survey, Mail Stop 908, National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, (703) 648–6976. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Meetings of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program and National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program Advisory Committee are open to the Public. SUMMARY: Kevin T. Gallagher, Associate Director for Core Science Systems. [FR Doc. 2013–22906 Filed 9–19–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4311–AM–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAZP02000.L51010000.FX0000. LVRWA12A3170; AZA35927] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Maricopa Solar Park Project in Maricopa County, AZ Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. Sfmt 4703 In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lower Sonoran Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona, intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of SUMMARY: U.S. Geological Survey PO 00000 Notice of annual meeting: audio conference. ACTION: AGENCY: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AGENCY: 57877 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 57878 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 183 / Friday, September 20, 2013 / Notices the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until October 21, 2013. The date(s) and location(s) of scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM Web site at https:// www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/energy/ solar/maricopa-solar.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Maricopa Solar Park Project by any of the following methods: • Email: BLM_AZ_Maricopasolar@ blm.gov. • Fax: 623–580–5580. • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District Office, Lower Sonoran Field Office, Attention: Joe Incardine/ Maricopa Solar Park Project, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027– 2929. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Lower Sonoran Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Incardine, National Project Manager, telephone 801–539–4118; address Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District Office, Lower Sonoran Field Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027–2929; email jincardi@blm.gov. Contact Mr. Incardine if you wish to add your name 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 applicant, Marisol Energy 2, LLC (Marisol), has requested a right-of-way authorization to develop and operate the Maricopa Solar Park Project, a photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant with a planned generating capacity of up to 300 megawatts. Marisol is a sister company of the Italian-based Siderurgica Investimenti. Siderurgica Investimenti is the holding company of an industrial group operating at an international level in the sectors of steel VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:24 Sep 19, 2013 Jkt 229001 and metal production, renewable energy, and natural gas. The project would be located on approximately 1,730 acres of BLMmanaged land within the Phoenix District Office, Lower Sonoran Field Office in Maricopa County, Arizona, approximately 30 miles southwest of Phoenix. The proposed project would consist of one or more phases, based upon potential power purchase agreement(s) with electrical utility companies. The project proposes to use mono/polycrystalline or ‘‘thin film’’ PV modules, which would be mounted on horizontal single-axis trackers or on fixed mounting systems. The type of PV modules and mounting systems selected by Marisol would maximize efficiency and energy production. The facility would have an onsite high-voltage substation, with high-voltage power transformers stepping up energy to 345kilovolts. Electrical energy from the onsite switchyard would be delivered to the existing Pinal West Substation through one or two new high-voltage transmission lines, each 2.3-miles long. The facility is proposed to operate for a grant term of 30 years. Additional applicable permits from Federal, State, and local agencies would be required. As the project is located outside of a solar energy zone identified in the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision, a variance application was required. Marisol submitted its variance application for consideration to the BLM Arizona State Office and the BLM Washington Office. A public information meeting was held in Maricopa, Arizona, on February 5, 2013. The BLM Washington Office approved the Marisol variance application in June 2013. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Impacts to cultural resources, visual resources, grazing allotments, recreation, and local wildlife corridors. The project site is adjacent to the Sonoran Desert National Monument, a unit of the BLM National Landscape Conservation System. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to help with the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 proposed project will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context of both NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA. The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Native American tribal consultation will be conducted in accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian Trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM’s decision on this project, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. 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 1501.7. Raymond Suazo, Arizona State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–22790 Filed 9–19–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–32–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCOS00000 L16100000.DJ0000] Notice of Availability of the Proposed Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office and San Juan National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Proposed Land and Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (LRMP/Final EIS) for the San Juan Public Lands Planning Area in Colorado, and by this notice is announcing its availability. The LRMP/ Final EIS is a jointly prepared BLM and SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57877-57878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22790]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAZP02000.L51010000.FX0000.LVRWA12A3170; AZA35927]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Maricopa Solar Park Project in Maricopa County, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lower Sonoran 
Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona, intends to prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning 
of

[[Page 57878]]

the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until October 21, 2013. 
The date(s) and location(s) of scoping meetings will be announced at 
least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM 
Web site at https://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/energy/solar/maricopa-solar.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must 
be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after 
the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide 
additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of 
the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Maricopa Solar Park 
Project by any of the following methods:
     Email: BLM_AZ_Maricopasolar@blm.gov.
     Fax: 623-580-5580.
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District Office, 
Lower Sonoran Field Office, Attention: Joe Incardine/Maricopa Solar 
Park Project, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027-2929.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Lower 
Sonoran Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Incardine, National Project 
Manager, telephone 801-539-4118; address Bureau of Land Management, 
Phoenix District Office, Lower Sonoran Field Office, 21605 North 7th 
Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027-2929; email jincardi@blm.gov. Contact Mr. 
Incardine if you wish to add your name 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 applicant, Marisol Energy 2, LLC 
(Marisol), has requested a right-of-way authorization to develop and 
operate the Maricopa Solar Park Project, a photovoltaic (PV) solar 
power plant with a planned generating capacity of up to 300 megawatts. 
Marisol is a sister company of the Italian-based Siderurgica 
Investimenti. Siderurgica Investimenti is the holding company of an 
industrial group operating at an international level in the sectors of 
steel and metal production, renewable energy, and natural gas.
    The project would be located on approximately 1,730 acres of BLM-
managed land within the Phoenix District Office, Lower Sonoran Field 
Office in Maricopa County, Arizona, approximately 30 miles southwest of 
Phoenix. The proposed project would consist of one or more phases, 
based upon potential power purchase agreement(s) with electrical 
utility companies. The project proposes to use mono/polycrystalline or 
``thin film'' PV modules, which would be mounted on horizontal single-
axis trackers or on fixed mounting systems. The type of PV modules and 
mounting systems selected by Marisol would maximize efficiency and 
energy production. The facility would have an onsite high-voltage 
substation, with high-voltage power transformers stepping up energy to 
345-kilovolts. Electrical energy from the onsite switchyard would be 
delivered to the existing Pinal West Substation through one or two new 
high-voltage transmission lines, each 2.3-miles long. The facility is 
proposed to operate for a grant term of 30 years. Additional applicable 
permits from Federal, State, and local agencies would be required.
    As the project is located outside of a solar energy zone identified 
in the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of 
Decision, a variance application was required. Marisol submitted its 
variance application for consideration to the BLM Arizona State Office 
and the BLM Washington Office. A public information meeting was held in 
Maricopa, Arizona, on February 5, 2013. The BLM Washington Office 
approved the Marisol variance application in June 2013.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the environmental analysis, including 
alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, 
the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Impacts to 
cultural resources, visual resources, grazing allotments, recreation, 
and local wildlife corridors. The project site is adjacent to the 
Sonoran Desert National Monument, a unit of the BLM National Landscape 
Conservation System.
    The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to help 
with the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 
CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources 
within the area potentially affected by the proposed project will 
assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources 
in the context of both NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
    The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Native American tribal consultation will be conducted in 
accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due 
consideration, including impacts on Indian Trust assets. Federal, 
State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be 
interested or affected by the BLM's decision on this project, are 
invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may 
request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating 
agency.
    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 1501.7.

Raymond Suazo,
Arizona State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-22790 Filed 9-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P

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