Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Chatham, MA; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, 36553-36554 [2014-15129]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 124 / Friday, June 27, 2014 / Notices wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act), in association with the operation of the Shiloh IV Wind Project in Solano County, California. The FEA was prepared in response to an application from Shiloh IV Wind Project, LLC (applicant), an affiliate of EDF Renewable Development, Incorporated, for a 5-year programmatic take permit for golden eagles under the Eagle Act. The applicant will implement a conservation program to avoid, minimize, and compensate for the project’s impacts to eagles, as described in the applicant’s Eagle Conservation Plan (ECP). We solicited comments on the draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) and have reviewed those comments in the course of preparing our findings for this project. Based on the FEA the Service concludes that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate. Based on the FONSI and findings we prepared associated with the permit application, we intend to issue the permit after 30 days. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may download copies of the FONSI, FEA, our Response to Comments on the Draft EA, and the Final ECP for Shiloh IV Wind Project on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/cno/conservation/ migratorybirds.html. Alternatively, you may use one of the methods below to request a CD–ROM of the document. • Email: ShilohIV_comments@ fws.gov. • U.S. Mail: Heather Beeler, Migratory Bird Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Southwest Regional Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W– 2605, Sacramento, CA 95825. • Fax: Heather Beeler, Migratory Bird Program; Fax: 916–414–6486, Attn: Shiloh IV FONSI. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Beeler, Migratory Bird Program, at the address shown above or at (916) 414–6651 (telephone). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluated an application under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668a–d; Eagle Act) for a programmatic golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) take permit from the Shiloh IV Wind Project LLC, (applicant) an affiliate of EDF Renewable Development, Incorporated, for a 5-year programmatic take permit for golden eagles. The Shiloh IV Wind Project is an operational wind facility in the Montezuma Hills Wind Resource Area (WRA) within Solano County, California. The application includes an VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:30 Jun 26, 2014 Jkt 232001 Eagle Conservation Plan (ECP) as the foundation of the applicant’s permit application, as well as a Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy (BBCS). The ECP and BBCS describe actions taken and proposed future actions to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse effects on eagles, birds, and bats. We prepared this FEA to evaluate the impacts of several alternatives associated with this permit application for compliance with our Eagle Act permitting regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 22.26, as well as impacts of implementation of the supporting ECP, which is included as an appendix to the FEA. Public Comments on the Draft EA We invited public comment on the Draft EA. In response, we received 32 comment letters: One from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 3 from Native American tribes, 6 from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and 22 from the general public. Three NGO comment letters combined comments from multiple organizations, the first letter representing two environmental groups, the second representing six environmental groups, and the third representing two industry associations. In total, the 32 comment letters contained approximately 125 individual comments. These comments generally fell under one of five main categories: (1) Effects (addressing a variety of issues including age of the birds killed, number of fatalities, local population effects, cumulative effects, other sources of fatalities, and overall population numbers), (2) advanced conservation practices (ACPs) (addressing the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), seasonal shutdowns, transparency of the process and future ACPs, project design, and seasonal curtailment), (3) mitigation (addressing methods for calculating mitigation requirements, monitoring of retrofits, location of retrofits, biological value of retrofits, and additional alternative measures, such as using new technologies, capturing and relocating eagles, and promoting establishment of new eagle nests), (4) monitoring and reporting (addressing frequency and length of the monitoring program, the reporting system, study design, and the desire to have third-party verification), or (5) general comments about the permitting program (including comments opposing the issuance of an eagle take permit). Overall, the comments raised issues regarding the opportunities and challenges associated with issuing eagle take permits. We made minor changes to PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36553 three topic areas of the FEA based on these comments. First, under the adaptive management process, we clarified that the TAC was intended to include only Service staff as overseers of the permit. We added more detailed information on the compensation program (utility electric pole retrofitting) and the resource equivalency analysis process used to calculate compensation. We also expanded our discussion of climate change with respect to its potential effects to eagles. After considering the comments, and in light of the record, we determined that neither substantial revisions nor a new analysis are required for the FEA. Detailed responses to specific comments are included in the FONSI (Attachment 2). Decision The Service has selected Alternative 3, issuance of a 5-year permit based on the applicant’s ECP with additional mitigation and monitoring, and has determined that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate for this action. Based on the FONSI and findings prepared associated with the permit application, we intend to issue a permit after 30 days. Authority We provide this notice under Section 668a of the Eagle Act (16 U.S.C. 668– 668c) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: June 19, 2014. Alexandra Pitts, Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2014–14953 Filed 6–26–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R5–R–2014–N078; BAC–4311–K9] Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Chatham, MA; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; extension of public comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that we are extending the public review and comment period for the draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental impact statement (EIS) for Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM 27JNN1 36554 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 124 / Friday, June 27, 2014 / Notices To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by October 10, 2014. We will hold public meetings during the public comment period. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, Web site postings, and other media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input, including details on when and where public meetings will occur. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any one of the following methods: • Email: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Monomoy NWR Draft CCP/ EIS’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: Attention: Libby Herland, Project Leader, 978–443–2898. • U.S. Mail: Attention: Libby Herland, Project Leader, Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury, MA 01776. • In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during regular business hours at the above address. You will find the draft CCP/EIS, an Executive Summary, as well as information about the planning process, on the refuge’s Web site: https:// www.fws.gov/refuge/monomoy/what_ we_do/conservation.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Libby Herland, 978–443–4661, x 11. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Introduction On April 10, 2014, we published a Federal Register notice (79 FR 19920) announcing the availability of the draft CCP/EIS for Monomoy NWR for public review and comment in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We originally opened the comment period from April 10, 2014, to June 9, 2014. We are extending the public comment period until October 10, 2014, in response to requests we have received from town of Chatham officials and local residents. For more information on the draft CCP/EIS and the planning process we followed, please see the April 2014 notice. wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Public Involvement We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the addresses or Web site listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit written comments anytime during the public comment period. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:30 Jun 26, 2014 Jkt 232001 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. Dated: June 10, 2014. Deborah Rocque, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region. [FR Doc. 2014–15129 Filed 6–26–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVW0000.L5110000.GN0000. LVEMF1402860.14X; MO# 4500065213] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Coeur Rochester Mine Plan of Operations Amendment 10, Pershing County, NV Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: 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) Humboldt River Field Office, Winnemucca, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. SUMMARY: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until July 28, 2014 The date(s) and location(s) of any 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/nv/st/en/fo/ wfo.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Coeur Rochester Mine Plan of Operations Amendment 10 by any of the following methods: DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/ en/fo/wfo.html. • Email: wfoweb@blm.gov. Include Coeur Rochester Mine EIS Comments in the subject line. • Fax: (775) 623–1503. • Mail: BLM Winnemucca District, Humboldt River Field Office 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Humboldt River Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Rehberg, Project Lead, telephone 775–623–1500; address BLM Winnemucca District, Humboldt River Field Office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445; email krehberg@blm.gov. Contact Ms. Rehberg to have your name added to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Coeur Rochester, Inc., has requested an expansion of their operations at the existing Coeur Rochester Mine, which is located approximately 18 miles northeast of Lovelock, Nevada, in the Humboldt Range, Pershing County. The mine is currently authorized up to a disturbance of 1,930 acres (approximately 189 acres of private land and 1,741 acres of public land), which was permitted under a series of Environmental Assessments (EA N26–86–002P, February 1986; EA NV–020–99–12, February 1999; NV– 020–01–06, December 2000; EA NV– 020–01–06, February 2002; EA NV–020– 03–13, August 2003; DOI–BLM–NV– W010–2010–0010–EA, October 2010). Proposed changes to their operations presented under this Plan of Operations modification would encompass 531 acres, of which 157 acres are already disturbed. A total of 348 acres of new disturbance is proposed on public land, as well as 26 acres on private land. All proposed disturbance would be within the existing approved Plan boundary and includes the following: an approximately 67-acre expansion to the existing Stage IV Heap Leach Pad (HLP); an increase of the allowable maximum Stage IV HLP stacking height from 330 feet to 400 feet; construction of a 124acre Stage V HLP with associated ponds and tank; relocation of a portion of the American Canyon public access road E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM 27JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36553-36554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15129]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2014-N078; BAC-4311-K9]


Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Chatham, MA; Draft 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; extension of public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the 
public that we are extending the public review and comment period for 
the draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental 
impact statement (EIS) for Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

[[Page 36554]]


DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by October 10, 2014. We will hold public meetings during the public 
comment period. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper 
articles, Web site postings, and other media announcements to inform 
people of opportunities for input, including details on when and where 
public meetings will occur.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
one of the following methods:
     Email: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ``Monomoy NWR 
Draft CCP/EIS'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: Attention: Libby Herland, Project Leader, 978-443-
2898.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Libby Herland, Project Leader, 
Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 73 Weir Hill 
Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.
     In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during 
regular business hours at the above address.
    You will find the draft CCP/EIS, an Executive Summary, as well as 
information about the planning process, on the refuge's Web site: 
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/monomoy/what_we_do/conservation.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Libby Herland, 978-443-4661, x 11.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    On April 10, 2014, we published a Federal Register notice (79 FR 
19920) announcing the availability of the draft CCP/EIS for Monomoy NWR 
for public review and comment in accordance with National Environmental 
Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We originally opened the 
comment period from April 10, 2014, to June 9, 2014. We are extending 
the public comment period until October 10, 2014, in response to 
requests we have received from town of Chatham officials and local 
residents. For more information on the draft CCP/EIS and the planning 
process we followed, please see the April 2014 notice.

Public Involvement

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public 
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the addresses or Web site 
listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit written 
comments anytime during the public comment period.

Public Availability of Comments

    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.

    Dated: June 10, 2014.
Deborah Rocque,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-15129 Filed 6-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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