Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Right-of-Way Amendment for the Blythe Solar Power Project, California, 7474-7475 [2014-02545]

Download as PDF 7474 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 26 / Friday, February 7, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Environmental review of the EIS will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of NEPA, its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500–1508), other applicable regulations, and our procedures for compliance with those regulations. We furnish this notice in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22 to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues and alternatives they believe need to be addressed in the EIS. We invite comments from interested parties to ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed permit application is identified. information in your comment, you should be aware that the 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. We will not consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety. Public Comments We are requesting information from other interested government agencies, Native American Tribes, the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning the following areas of analysis: Vegetation, Wildlife and Aquatic Resources, Special Status Species, U.S. Wetlands and Waters, Archeology, Architectural History, Sites of Religious and Cultural Significance to Tribes, Noise and Vibration, Visual Resources and Aesthetics, Economics and Socioeconomics, Environmental Justice, Air Quality (including greenhouse gas emissions and climate change), Geology and Soil, Land Use, Transportation, Infrastructure and Utilities, Hazardous Materials and Solid Waste Management, and Human Health and Safety. Please note that submissions merely stating support for, or opposition to, the action under consideration without providing supporting information, although noted, will not provide information useful in determining the issues and the impacts to the human environment in the draft EIS. The public will also have a chance to review and comment on the draft EIS when it is available (a notice of availability will be published in the Federal Register). You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods described above under the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this notice. Written comments will also be accepted at the public meetings, although these public meetings are primarily intended to provide additional information and provide a chance for the public to ask specific questions concerning the proposed HCP and EIS. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22) and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4721 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Public Availability of Comments Written comments we receive become part of the public record associated with this action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:17 Feb 06, 2014 Jkt 232001 review and approval. The Amendment includes all lands contiguous to the Crow Reservation and extends the term for 15 years from the date the Amendment becomes effective. The Tribe is authorized to operate 925 gaming devices, increase the prize value, and wager limits. As required by 25 CFR 293.4, all compacts and amendments are subject to review and approval by the Secretary, and pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(3)(B), an approved compact or amendment takes effect when notice of its approval is published in the Federal Register. Dated: January 30, 2014. Kevin K. Washburn, Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2014–02594 Filed 2–6–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–4N–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Joy E. Nicholopoulos, Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [CACA 048811, LLCAD01500, L51010000.LVRWB13B5340.ER0000] [FR Doc. 2014–02637 Filed 2–6–14; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Right-of-Way Amendment for the Blythe Solar Power Project, California Bureau of Indian Affairs AGENCY: BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. [DR.5B711.IA000814] Indian Gaming AGENCY: Interior. Notice of approved Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compact. ACTION: This notice publishes the approval of an amendment to the Class III Tribal-State Gaming Compact (Amendment), between the Crow Tribe of Montana (Tribe), and the State of Montana (State). DATES: Effective Date: February 7, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula L. Hart, Director, Office of Indian Gaming, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary—Policy and Economic Development, Washington, DC 20240, (202) 219–4066. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under section 11 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) Public Law 100– 497, 25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., the Secretary of the Interior shall publish in the Federal Register notice of approved Tribal-State compacts for the purpose of engaging in Class III gaming activities on Indian lands. On December 18, 2013, the Amendment was submitted for SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 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) Palm Springs— South Coast Field Office, Palm Springs, California, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed right-of-way (ROW) grant amendment for the Blythe Solar Power Project (BSPP), Riverside County, California, and by this notice is announcing a 45-day public comment period on the EIS. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the proposed ROW SUMMARY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07FEN1.SGM 07FEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 26 / Friday, February 7, 2014 / Notices amendment for the BSPP by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/palmsprings/solar_projects/ Blythe_Solar_Power_Project.html • Email: capssolarblythe@blm.gov. • Fax: 760–833–7199, Attn: Frank McMenimen. • Mail: Frank McMenimen, Project Manager, BLM Palm Springs—South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Copies of the Draft EIS are available from the Palm Springs—South Coast Field Office at the above address and online at the project Web site. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank McMenimen, BLM Project Manager, telephone 760–833–7150; address 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; email capssolarblythe@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 project area is located 8 miles west of Blythe and 3 miles north of Interstate 10 (I–10). The BSPP was permitted and approved by the BLM as a 1,000megawatt (MW) solar thermal generating plant in 2010. NextEra Blythe Solar Energy Center, LLC (Grant Holder) purchased via bankruptcy the (un-built) project assets of the prior BSPP grant holder in 2012. In connection with that purchase, on August 22, 2012, the BLM approved the assignment of the BSPP ROW grant from the prior holder, Palo Verde Solar I, LLC, to the Grant Holder. The Grant Holder now proposes to modify the Project’s energy generation technology and to reduce the overall size of the Project within the previously approved BSPP footprint. Specifically, the Grant Holder is proposing to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission the BSPP using photovoltaic (PV) technology with a 485 MW capacity on 4,138 acres of BLM-administered public land. Anticipating that a PV project would require a smaller footprint than the approved solar thermal trough project, the Grant Holder relinquished to the BLM approximately 35 percent of the previously approved ROW grant on March 7, 2013. In connection with its proposed modifications to the BSPP, the Grant Holder has submitted a Level 3 variance request seeking an amendment VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:17 Feb 06, 2014 Jkt 232001 to the existing ROW authorization to reduce the acreage of the project site and change the generating technology authorized under the ROW grant from concentrating solar trough to PV, which reduces the project’s capacity from 1,000 to 485 MWs (the Modified Project). The Draft EIS fully analyzes the Grant Holder’s proposal to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a Modified Project (Alternative 1), as well as the BLM’s denial of the variance request which would maintain the current ROW grant approvals on the site as modified by the Grant Holder’s voluntary relinquishment (Alternative 2, No Action). Further, as part of the Draft EIS, Alternatives 1 and 2 are compared to the Approved Project and the No Project alternatives analyzed as part of the 2010 Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS for the previously approved BSPP. The Draft EIS does not supersede or replace the BLM’s Proposed Plan Amendment/ Final EIS or other consideration of the Approved Project, but rather tiers to that analysis to extent applicable for analysis of the Modified Project and alternative. The Draft EIS analyzes the use of PV technology in detail, including any additional site-specific impacts resulting from the change in technology and additional or relocated ancillary facilities. This includes impacts to air quality, biological resources, climate change, cultural resources, hazards and public health, lands and realty, mineral resources, noise, paleontological resources, recreation and special designations, socioeconomics and environmental justice, soil resources, traffic and travel management, visual resources, water resources, and wildland fire ecology. The BLM conducted Native American tribal consultations in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Federal policy in connection with the previously approved BSPP, which resulted in the development of a Programmatic Agreement. During that process tribes expressed their views and concerns about the importance and sensitivity of specific cultural resources to which they attach religious and cultural significance. In connection with its review of the Modified Project and throughout the implementation of the PA, the BLM will continue to give tribal concerns due consideration, including impacts to historic properties to which tribes attach religious and cultural significance and Indian trust assets. The BLM will also carry out its responsibilities to consult with tribes on a government-to-government basis and other members of the public pursuant to PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7475 Section 106, Executive Order 13175, other laws and policies, and the existing PA to the extent applicable to the consideration of the Grant Holder’s proposed amendment to the BSPP ROW grant. 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 comment process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. 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. 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 1506.6 & 1506.10. Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director. [FR Doc. 2014–02545 Filed 2–6–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [USITC SE–14–004] Sunshine Act Meetings United States International Trade Commission. TIME AND DATE: February 14, 2014 at 11 a.m. PLACE: Room 101, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, Telephone: (202) 205–2000. STATUS: Open to the public. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 1. Agendas for future meetings: none 2. Minutes 3. Ratification List 4. Vote in Inv. Nos. 701–TA–511 and 731–TA–1246–1247 (Preliminary) (Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products from China and Taiwan). The Commission is currently scheduled to complete AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: E:\FR\FM\07FEN1.SGM 07FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7474-7475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02545]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CACA 048811, LLCAD01500, L51010000.LVRWB13B5340.ER0000]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Right-of-Way Amendment for the Blythe Solar 
Power Project, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: 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) Palm Springs--
South Coast Field Office, Palm Springs, California, has prepared a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed right-of-
way (ROW) grant amendment for the Blythe Solar Power Project (BSPP), 
Riverside County, California, and by this notice is announcing a 45-day 
public comment period on the EIS.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the 
Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in 
the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings 
and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance 
through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the proposed ROW

[[Page 7475]]

amendment for the BSPP by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings/solar_projects/Blythe_Solar_Power_Project.html
     Email: capssolarblythe@blm.gov.
     Fax: 760-833-7199, Attn: Frank McMenimen.
     Mail: Frank McMenimen, Project Manager, BLM Palm Springs--
South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 
92262.
    Copies of the Draft EIS are available from the Palm Springs--South 
Coast Field Office at the above address and online at the project Web 
site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank McMenimen, BLM Project Manager, 
telephone 760-833-7150; address 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, 
CA 92262; email capssolarblythe@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 project area is located 8 miles west of 
Blythe and 3 miles north of Interstate 10 (I-10). The BSPP was 
permitted and approved by the BLM as a 1,000-megawatt (MW) solar 
thermal generating plant in 2010. NextEra Blythe Solar Energy Center, 
LLC (Grant Holder) purchased via bankruptcy the (un-built) project 
assets of the prior BSPP grant holder in 2012. In connection with that 
purchase, on August 22, 2012, the BLM approved the assignment of the 
BSPP ROW grant from the prior holder, Palo Verde Solar I, LLC, to the 
Grant Holder. The Grant Holder now proposes to modify the Project's 
energy generation technology and to reduce the overall size of the 
Project within the previously approved BSPP footprint.
    Specifically, the Grant Holder is proposing to construct, operate, 
maintain, and decommission the BSPP using photovoltaic (PV) technology 
with a 485 MW capacity on 4,138 acres of BLM-administered public land. 
Anticipating that a PV project would require a smaller footprint than 
the approved solar thermal trough project, the Grant Holder 
relinquished to the BLM approximately 35 percent of the previously 
approved ROW grant on March 7, 2013. In connection with its proposed 
modifications to the BSPP, the Grant Holder has submitted a Level 3 
variance request seeking an amendment to the existing ROW authorization 
to reduce the acreage of the project site and change the generating 
technology authorized under the ROW grant from concentrating solar 
trough to PV, which reduces the project's capacity from 1,000 to 485 
MWs (the Modified Project).
    The Draft EIS fully analyzes the Grant Holder's proposal to 
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a Modified Project 
(Alternative 1), as well as the BLM's denial of the variance request 
which would maintain the current ROW grant approvals on the site as 
modified by the Grant Holder's voluntary relinquishment (Alternative 2, 
No Action). Further, as part of the Draft EIS, Alternatives 1 and 2 are 
compared to the Approved Project and the No Project alternatives 
analyzed as part of the 2010 Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS for the 
previously approved BSPP. The Draft EIS does not supersede or replace 
the BLM's Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS or other consideration of 
the Approved Project, but rather tiers to that analysis to extent 
applicable for analysis of the Modified Project and alternative.
    The Draft EIS analyzes the use of PV technology in detail, 
including any additional site-specific impacts resulting from the 
change in technology and additional or relocated ancillary facilities. 
This includes impacts to air quality, biological resources, climate 
change, cultural resources, hazards and public health, lands and 
realty, mineral resources, noise, paleontological resources, recreation 
and special designations, socioeconomics and environmental justice, 
soil resources, traffic and travel management, visual resources, water 
resources, and wildland fire ecology.
    The BLM conducted Native American tribal consultations in 
accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 
and Federal policy in connection with the previously approved BSPP, 
which resulted in the development of a Programmatic Agreement. During 
that process tribes expressed their views and concerns about the 
importance and sensitivity of specific cultural resources to which they 
attach religious and cultural significance. In connection with its 
review of the Modified Project and throughout the implementation of the 
PA, the BLM will continue to give tribal concerns due consideration, 
including impacts to historic properties to which tribes attach 
religious and cultural significance and Indian trust assets. The BLM 
will also carry out its responsibilities to consult with tribes on a 
government-to-government basis and other members of the public pursuant 
to Section 106, Executive Order 13175, other laws and policies, and the 
existing PA to the extent applicable to the consideration of the Grant 
Holder's proposed amendment to the BSPP ROW grant.
    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 comment process and, if 
eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a 
cooperating agency. 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.
    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 1506.6 & 1506.10.

Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-02545 Filed 2-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P

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