Cleveland National Forest, California, SDG&E Master Special Use Permit and Permit To Construct Power Line Replacement Projects EIR/EIS, 58270-58272 [2013-22904]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 184 / Monday, September 23, 2013 / Notices
about the livestock population and to
provide a foundation for possible future
studies. The objectives of the study are
to:
• Provide a baseline description of
the U.S. bison industry, including
general characteristics of operations,
such as inventory, size, and type;
• Describe current U.S. bison
industry production practices and
challenges, including animal
identification, confinement and
handling, care, and disease testing;
• Describe health management and
biosecurity practices important for the
productivity and health of ranched
bison; and
• Describe producer-reported
occurrence of select health problems
and evaluate potentially associated risk
factors.
The study will consist of a selfadministered questionnaire. APHIS will
analyze and organize the information
collected into one or more reports. The
information collected will be used by
APHIS to describe current bison health
and management practices, help
policymakers and industry make
informed decisions, help researchers
and private enterprise identify and
focus on vital issues related to bison
health and productivity, facilitate the
education of future producers and
veterinarians, and conduct economic
analyses of the health and production of
the U.S. bison industry.
On March 20, 2012, NAHMS was
recognized by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) as a statistical unit
under the Confidential Information
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act
of 2002 (CIPSEA). All information
acquired under the Bison 2014 Study
will be used for statistical purposes only
and will be treated as confidential in
accordance with CIPSEA guidelines.
Only NAHMS staff and designated
agents will be permitted access to
individual-level data.
We are asking OMB to approve our
use of this information collection
activity for 3 years.
The purpose of this notice is to solicit
comments from the public (as well as
affected agencies) concerning our
information collection. These comments
will help us:
(1) Evaluate whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
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(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, through use, as
appropriate, of automated, electronic,
mechanical, and other collection
technologies, such as electronic
submission of responses.
Estimate of burden: The public
reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.33
hours per response.
Respondents: Bison owners and
operators.
Estimated annual number of
respondents: 1,200.
Estimated annual number of
responses per respondent: 1.
Estimated annual number of
responses: 1,200.
Estimated total annual burden on
respondents: 396 hours. (Due to
averaging, the total annual burden hours
may not equal the product of the annual
number of responses multiplied by the
reporting burden per response.)
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
Done in Washington, DC, this 17th day of
September 2013.
Michael C. Gregoire,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–23038 Filed 9–20–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Cleveland National Forest, California,
SDG&E Master Special Use Permit and
Permit To Construct Power Line
Replacement Projects EIR/EIS
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare a
joint Environmental Impact Report/
Environmental Impact Statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, notice
is hereby given that the Cleveland
National Forest (CNF), together with the
California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC), intends to prepare a joint
Environmental Impact Report and
Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/
EIS), for the San Diego Gas & Electric
Company (SDG&E) Master Special Use
Permit and Permit to Construct Power
Line Replacement Projects. The Master
Special Use Permit would authorize
SUMMARY:
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SDG&E to upgrade and/or relocate
certain electric powerlines on National
Forest System lands, while providing
for the operation and maintenance of
the SDG&E electric powerline system.
The project area is located in multiple
locations within the Trabuco, Palomar,
and Descanso Ranger Districts,
Cleveland National Forest, Orange and
San Diego Counties, California. This
action is needed because the existing
authorizations are expired, and the
existing powerlines are needed to
supply power to local communities,
residents, businesses, and government
owned facilities located within and
adjacent to the National Forest. The
project study area not only traverses
National Forest System lands, but due to
the patchwork of land ownership in the
project study area, also traverses the
National System of Public Lands
managed by the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM); tribal lands of the
La Jolla, Campo, Inaja, and Viejas Indian
Reservations managed by the respective
tribes and held in trust by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs (BIA); Cuyamaca Rancho
State Park lands managed by California
State Parks (CSP); and private holdings
within unincorporated San Diego
County amongst others.
DATES: All scoping comments must be
received by November 7, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
to Lisa Orsaba, California Public
Utilities Commission, and Will Metz,
Forest Supervisor, Cleveland National
Forest by either of the following
methods:
Email: cnfmsup@dudek.com.
Mail: c/o Dudek, 605 Third Street,
Encinitas, California 92024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Information can be requested by leaving
a voice message at 866–467–4727 or by
checking the project Web site at
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/
info/dudek/CNF/CNF.htm.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2005, in
consultation with the Forest Service,
SDG&E submitted an initial application
to obtain a Master Special Use Permit
(MSUP). The purpose of the MSUP was
to consolidate SDG&E’s rights and
responsibilities in connection with the
continued operation of its electric lines
and other existing facilities located
within the CNF. As part of the NEPA
review process, the Forest Service
circulated an Environmental
Assessment (EA) for public comment in
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 184 / Monday, September 23, 2013 / Notices
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2009. In response to public comments
received on that EA, the Forest Service
determined that additional fire risk
reduction measures within the CNF
(including fire hardening) and
additional undergrounding should be
evaluated as part of the MSUP review
process and that, as a result, an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
was required.
SDG&E has expanded the scope of the
proposed MSUP to include fire
hardening, undergrounding and
relocation as proposed in the power line
replacement projects discussed in their
application to the CPUC. The proposed
power line replacement projects will
require approval from the CPUC.
The CPUC, Forest Service, BLM, BIA,
and CSP have independent jurisdiction
and approval authority for the project
segments within their areas of
jurisdiction. The CPUC is the lead
agency under California law and the
Forest Service is the lead federal agency.
As joint lead agencies, the CPUC and
Forest Service have developed and
signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (January 2012) that will
direct the preparation of a joint
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to
comply with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The
joint document will be called the
‘‘SDG&E Master Special Use Permit and
Permit to Construct Power Line
Replacement Projects EIR/EIS. The BLM
and BIA are joining the Forest Service
as federal cooperating agencies under
NEPA, and the CSP is participating as
a responsible agency under CEQA.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service purpose is to
authorize the powerlines and associated
facilities needed to continue electric
service to a variety of users within and
adjacent to the CNF through a Master
Special Use Permit in a manner that is
consistent with the CNF Land
Management Plan (LMP). This action is
needed because the 70 individual
permits or easements for the existing
facilities have expired, and a permit is
required for the continued occupancy
and use of National Forest System
lands.
Permits issued by the Forest Service
are required by law to be consistent
with the LMP. The LMP identifies
suitable uses within various land use
zones, describes desired conditions
based on the LMP goals and objectives,
and sets resource management
standards. The Forest Service proposed
action is designed to be consistent with
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the LMP requirements. The Forest
Service purpose and need will guide the
development of alternatives considered
on National Forest System lands.
The BLM purpose is to authorize the
powerlines and associated facilities
needed to continue electric service to a
variety of users within and adjacent to
the National System of Public Lands in
a manner that is consistent with the
South Coast Resource Area Plan. This
action is needed because the Right-ofWay (ROW) grants for the existing
facilities have expired or were never
issued, and a ROW grant is required for
the continued occupancy and use of
Public Lands.
The BIA purpose is to authorize the
powerlines and associated upgrades
needed to continue electric service to a
variety of users within and adjacent to
the Indian trust lands in a manner that
is consistent with tribal land use goals
and policies. The action is needed to
amend the existing easements to include
the proposed fire hardening measures
and locations and to extend their term.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposed action
would combine over 70 existing use
permits for electric line facilities within
the CNF into one MSUP. The MSUP
would allow the continued maintenance
and operation of more than 50 miles of
69 kV power lines and 12 kV
distribution lines and ancillary facilities
that are required to operate and
maintain existing electric facilities
located within the administrative
boundary of the CNF. The Project would
also replace several existing 69 kV
power lines and 12 kV distribution lines
located within and outside of the CNF.
Replacement would include fire
hardening (wood to steel pole
replacement), along with removal,
relocation, undergrounding and single
to double circuit conversion along
certain segments. Specific components
of the Forest Service proposed action
include relocating transmission line
(TL) number 626 out of the Cedar Creek
undeveloped area, relocating
distribution line 79 out of the Sill Hill
Inventoried Roadless Area, and
relocating distribution line 157 out of
the Hauser Wilderness Area. A more
detailed description of the proposed
action is available in the Notice of
Preparation posted on the project Web
site.
The BLM proposed action would
authorize one electric line and issue
new ROW grants for two electric lines,
and authorize the fire hardening
upgrades. This action includes portions
of TL 629, TL 6923, and TL 625.
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58271
The BIA proposed action would
authorize the fire hardening upgrades
and amend the term and location of the
existing easements. This action includes
portions of TL 629 and TL 682.
Possible Alternatives
The EIR/EIS will describe and
evaluate the comparative merits of a
reasonable range of alternatives to the
proposed action and associated
Powerline Replacement Projects.
Alternatives to be analyzed in the EIR/
EIS will be developed during the
environmental review process and will
consider input received during scoping,
and will include the no action
alternative as required by law.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for the
Forest Service decision is Will Metz,
Forest Supervisor, Cleveland National
Forest.
The Responsible Official for the BLM
decision is John Kalish, Field Manager,
Palm Springs South Coast Field Office.
The Responsible Official for the BIA
decision is Amy L. Dutschke, Regional
Director, BIA Pacific Region.
The Commissioners appointed to the
CPUC are the deciding body for the
Permit to Construct.
The Responsible Official for the CSP
decision is Dan Falat, Colorado Desert
District Superintendent.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Each agency has independent
decision authority within their
jurisdictional area. The federal
responsible officials, as well as the CSP,
will decide whether or not to authorize
their portions of the project, and if so,
under what conditions. The CPUC has
independent jurisdiction over power
lines and will determine if a Permit to
Construct will be issued, and if so,
under what conditions.
Preliminary Issues
The Forest Service and CPUC have
identified potential issues and impacts
to the existing environment require a
detailed analysis in the EIR/EIS. Those
issues and impacts include aesthetics,
air quality, biological resources, cultural
and paleontological resources,
greenhouse gas emissions, fire, water
quality, land use, noise, public services,
recreation, wilderness, and
transportation. No determinations have
yet been made as to the significance of
these potential impacts; such
determinations will be made in the
environmental analysis conducted in
the EIR/EIS after the issues are
considered thoroughly. This overview is
presented to assist the public and
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 184 / Monday, September 23, 2013 / Notices
agencies in preparing written scoping
comments.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Invitation to Cooperating Agencies
The Forest Service invites other
federal agencies or tribes to join as
cooperating agencies. Requests for
cooperating agency status may be
submitted to Forest Supervisor Will
Metz, Cleveland National Forest, 10845
Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 200, San
Diego, CA 92127–2107.
Scoping Process
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
The CPUC and Forest Service are
initiating the joint CEQA/NEPA scoping
process with this Notice of Intent and
associated Notice of Preparation. The
comments received during scoping will
help guide the development of the EIR/
EIS. Two public workshops will be held
during the scoping process to answer
questions about the proposed action.
Workshops will be held at the Julian
Elementary School, 1704 Cape Horn,
Julian, California, on Tuesday, October
22, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., and at the Alpine
Community Center, 1830 Alpine
Boulevard, Alpine, California, on
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 5:00
p.m.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such a way that they are useful to the
CPUC and Forest Service preparation of
the EIR/EIS. Therefore, comments
should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
Comments received during scoping,
including names and addresses of those
who comment, will be part of the public
record for this proposed project.
Comments submitted anonymously will
be accepted and considered; however,
anonymous comments will not provide
the respondent with standing to
participate in subsequent administrative
review or judicial review of the Forest
Service decision. This project will
follow the predecisional administrative
review process pursuant to 36 CFR 218,
Subparts A and B.
Dated: September 16, 2013.
William Metz,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2013–22904 Filed 9–20–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
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Notice of Intent To Review Online
Homeownership Education Courses
for Nationwide Use in the Single
Family Housing Section 502 Direct
Loan Program
Rural Housing Service, USDA.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Effective on May 7, 2007,
first-time homebuyers financed under
the direct loan program must
successfully complete an approved
homeownership education course prior
to loan closing. 7 CFR Part 3550.11
outlines the order of preference given to
courses. First preference is given to
classroom, one-on-one counseling, or
interactive video conference. These
formats are generally extensive and
require a significant time and
participation commitment from the
Agency applicants. Second preference is
given to interactive home-study or
interactive telephone counseling of at
least four hours duration. These formats
may only be used if the formats under
the first preference are not reasonably
available. Third preference, which can
only be used if all other formats are not
reasonably available, is given to online
counseling. It also outlines the
requirements an education provider and
their course must meet in order to be
approved for use by Agency applicants.
While approval is generally made by
the Agency at the state level, there is
currently one nationally approved
online education provider. To expand
the Agency applicants’ access to and
options of approved education
providers, the Agency will consider
approving other online education
providers on a national level. Approval
will be subject to meeting course
criteria, a recommendation by the
Agency-selected panel of housing
partners, and signoff by the
Administrator. Approval will be given
as a third preference format unless the
education provider is able to
demonstrate and document how their
online course along with a required
supplemented service provides the same
level of training and individualized
attention as a first or second preference.
A notice of education providers
approved through this process will be
issued via a memorandum to the Rural
Development (RD) state offices. The
memorandum will list the format
preference assigned to each provider. A
copy of the memorandum will be
simultaneously emailed to all education
providers who applied through this
notice.
SUMMARY:
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Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Approvals are not subject to
expiration. However, an approval may
be revoked for justifiable cause.
DATES: Online homeownership
education providers interested in having
their courses reviewed should submit a
complete package to the Single Family
Housing Direct Division within 30 days
of this notice. Submissions may be sent
electronically to
SFHDIRECTPROGRAM@wdc.usda.gov
or by mail to 1400 Independence
Avenue, Stop 0783, Washington, DC
20250–0783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shantelle Gordon, shantelle.gordon@
wdc.usda.gov or (202) 205–9567.
Non-Discrimination Statement
USDA prohibits discrimination in all
its programs and activities on the basis
of race, color, national origin, age,
disability, and where applicable, sex,
marital status, familial status, parental
status, religion, sexual orientation,
political beliefs, genetic information,
reprisal, or because all or part of an
individual’s income is derived from any
public assistance program. (Not all
prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination,
complete, sign and mail a program
discrimination complaint form,
(available at any USDA office location
or online at www.ascr.usda.gov, or write
to: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., STOP 9410, Washington,
DC 20250–9410.
Or call toll-free (866) 632–9992
(voice) to obtain additional information,
the appropriate office or to request
documents. Individuals who are deaf,
hard of hearing or have speech
disabilities may contact USDA through
the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–
8339 or (877) 845–6136 (in Spanish).
‘‘USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer and lender.’’
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of
program information (e.g. Brail, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA TARTET Center at (202) 720–
2600 (voice and TDD).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At a
minimum, courses submitted for
consideration must contain the
following content:
• Preparing for homeownership
(evaluate readiness to go from rental
to homeownership)
• Budgeting (pre and post purchase)
• Credit counseling
• Shopping for a home
• Lender differences (predatory
lending)
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58270-58272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22904]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Cleveland National Forest, California, SDG&E Master Special Use
Permit and Permit To Construct Power Line Replacement Projects EIR/EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, notice is hereby given that the
Cleveland National Forest (CNF), together with the California Public
Utilities Commission (CPUC), intends to prepare a joint Environmental
Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), for the San
Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) Master Special Use Permit and
Permit to Construct Power Line Replacement Projects. The Master Special
Use Permit would authorize SDG&E to upgrade and/or relocate certain
electric powerlines on National Forest System lands, while providing
for the operation and maintenance of the SDG&E electric powerline
system. The project area is located in multiple locations within the
Trabuco, Palomar, and Descanso Ranger Districts, Cleveland National
Forest, Orange and San Diego Counties, California. This action is
needed because the existing authorizations are expired, and the
existing powerlines are needed to supply power to local communities,
residents, businesses, and government owned facilities located within
and adjacent to the National Forest. The project study area not only
traverses National Forest System lands, but due to the patchwork of
land ownership in the project study area, also traverses the National
System of Public Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM);
tribal lands of the La Jolla, Campo, Inaja, and Viejas Indian
Reservations managed by the respective tribes and held in trust by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); Cuyamaca Rancho State Park lands
managed by California State Parks (CSP); and private holdings within
unincorporated San Diego County amongst others.
DATES: All scoping comments must be received by November 7, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to Lisa Orsaba, California Public
Utilities Commission, and Will Metz, Forest Supervisor, Cleveland
National Forest by either of the following methods:
Email: cnfmsup@dudek.com.
Mail: c/o Dudek, 605 Third Street, Encinitas, California 92024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information can be requested by
leaving a voice message at 866-467-4727 or by checking the project Web
site at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/dudek/CNF/CNF.htm.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2005, in consultation with the Forest
Service, SDG&E submitted an initial application to obtain a Master
Special Use Permit (MSUP). The purpose of the MSUP was to consolidate
SDG&E's rights and responsibilities in connection with the continued
operation of its electric lines and other existing facilities located
within the CNF. As part of the NEPA review process, the Forest Service
circulated an Environmental Assessment (EA) for public comment in
[[Page 58271]]
2009. In response to public comments received on that EA, the Forest
Service determined that additional fire risk reduction measures within
the CNF (including fire hardening) and additional undergrounding should
be evaluated as part of the MSUP review process and that, as a result,
an environmental impact statement (EIS) was required.
SDG&E has expanded the scope of the proposed MSUP to include fire
hardening, undergrounding and relocation as proposed in the power line
replacement projects discussed in their application to the CPUC. The
proposed power line replacement projects will require approval from the
CPUC.
The CPUC, Forest Service, BLM, BIA, and CSP have independent
jurisdiction and approval authority for the project segments within
their areas of jurisdiction. The CPUC is the lead agency under
California law and the Forest Service is the lead federal agency. As
joint lead agencies, the CPUC and Forest Service have developed and
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (January 2012) that will direct
the preparation of a joint Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to comply
with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The joint document will be called the
``SDG&E Master Special Use Permit and Permit to Construct Power Line
Replacement Projects EIR/EIS. The BLM and BIA are joining the Forest
Service as federal cooperating agencies under NEPA, and the CSP is
participating as a responsible agency under CEQA.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service purpose is to authorize the powerlines and
associated facilities needed to continue electric service to a variety
of users within and adjacent to the CNF through a Master Special Use
Permit in a manner that is consistent with the CNF Land Management Plan
(LMP). This action is needed because the 70 individual permits or
easements for the existing facilities have expired, and a permit is
required for the continued occupancy and use of National Forest System
lands.
Permits issued by the Forest Service are required by law to be
consistent with the LMP. The LMP identifies suitable uses within
various land use zones, describes desired conditions based on the LMP
goals and objectives, and sets resource management standards. The
Forest Service proposed action is designed to be consistent with the
LMP requirements. The Forest Service purpose and need will guide the
development of alternatives considered on National Forest System lands.
The BLM purpose is to authorize the powerlines and associated
facilities needed to continue electric service to a variety of users
within and adjacent to the National System of Public Lands in a manner
that is consistent with the South Coast Resource Area Plan. This action
is needed because the Right-of-Way (ROW) grants for the existing
facilities have expired or were never issued, and a ROW grant is
required for the continued occupancy and use of Public Lands.
The BIA purpose is to authorize the powerlines and associated
upgrades needed to continue electric service to a variety of users
within and adjacent to the Indian trust lands in a manner that is
consistent with tribal land use goals and policies. The action is
needed to amend the existing easements to include the proposed fire
hardening measures and locations and to extend their term.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposed action would combine over 70 existing
use permits for electric line facilities within the CNF into one MSUP.
The MSUP would allow the continued maintenance and operation of more
than 50 miles of 69 kV power lines and 12 kV distribution lines and
ancillary facilities that are required to operate and maintain existing
electric facilities located within the administrative boundary of the
CNF. The Project would also replace several existing 69 kV power lines
and 12 kV distribution lines located within and outside of the CNF.
Replacement would include fire hardening (wood to steel pole
replacement), along with removal, relocation, undergrounding and single
to double circuit conversion along certain segments. Specific
components of the Forest Service proposed action include relocating
transmission line (TL) number 626 out of the Cedar Creek undeveloped
area, relocating distribution line 79 out of the Sill Hill Inventoried
Roadless Area, and relocating distribution line 157 out of the Hauser
Wilderness Area. A more detailed description of the proposed action is
available in the Notice of Preparation posted on the project Web site.
The BLM proposed action would authorize one electric line and issue
new ROW grants for two electric lines, and authorize the fire hardening
upgrades. This action includes portions of TL 629, TL 6923, and TL 625.
The BIA proposed action would authorize the fire hardening upgrades
and amend the term and location of the existing easements. This action
includes portions of TL 629 and TL 682.
Possible Alternatives
The EIR/EIS will describe and evaluate the comparative merits of a
reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed action and associated
Powerline Replacement Projects. Alternatives to be analyzed in the EIR/
EIS will be developed during the environmental review process and will
consider input received during scoping, and will include the no action
alternative as required by law.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for the Forest Service decision is Will
Metz, Forest Supervisor, Cleveland National Forest.
The Responsible Official for the BLM decision is John Kalish, Field
Manager, Palm Springs South Coast Field Office.
The Responsible Official for the BIA decision is Amy L. Dutschke,
Regional Director, BIA Pacific Region.
The Commissioners appointed to the CPUC are the deciding body for
the Permit to Construct.
The Responsible Official for the CSP decision is Dan Falat,
Colorado Desert District Superintendent.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Each agency has independent decision authority within their
jurisdictional area. The federal responsible officials, as well as the
CSP, will decide whether or not to authorize their portions of the
project, and if so, under what conditions. The CPUC has independent
jurisdiction over power lines and will determine if a Permit to
Construct will be issued, and if so, under what conditions.
Preliminary Issues
The Forest Service and CPUC have identified potential issues and
impacts to the existing environment require a detailed analysis in the
EIR/EIS. Those issues and impacts include aesthetics, air quality,
biological resources, cultural and paleontological resources,
greenhouse gas emissions, fire, water quality, land use, noise, public
services, recreation, wilderness, and transportation. No determinations
have yet been made as to the significance of these potential impacts;
such determinations will be made in the environmental analysis
conducted in the EIR/EIS after the issues are considered thoroughly.
This overview is presented to assist the public and
[[Page 58272]]
agencies in preparing written scoping comments.
Invitation to Cooperating Agencies
The Forest Service invites other federal agencies or tribes to join
as cooperating agencies. Requests for cooperating agency status may be
submitted to Forest Supervisor Will Metz, Cleveland National Forest,
10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92127-2107.
Scoping Process
The CPUC and Forest Service are initiating the joint CEQA/NEPA
scoping process with this Notice of Intent and associated Notice of
Preparation. The comments received during scoping will help guide the
development of the EIR/EIS. Two public workshops will be held during
the scoping process to answer questions about the proposed action.
Workshops will be held at the Julian Elementary School, 1704 Cape Horn,
Julian, California, on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., and at
the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, California,
on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such a way that they are useful to the CPUC and Forest Service
preparation of the EIR/EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided
prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate
the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received during scoping, including names and addresses of
those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed
project. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and
considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent
with standing to participate in subsequent administrative review or
judicial review of the Forest Service decision. This project will
follow the predecisional administrative review process pursuant to 36
CFR 218, Subparts A and B.
Dated: September 16, 2013.
William Metz,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2013-22904 Filed 9-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
