Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the West of Devers Upgrade Project, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA, 37345-37346 [2014-15410]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 126 / Tuesday, July 1, 2014 / Notices T. 12 S., R. 92 W., 6th P.M., Sec 36, S1⁄2. T. 13 S., R. 91 W., 6th P.M., Sec. 5, lots 2, 3, 4, 10, and 11, E1⁄2SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, N1⁄2N1⁄2 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4, N1⁄2NE1⁄4NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, NE1⁄4NW1⁄4NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, W1⁄2W1⁄2NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4SE1⁄4; Sec. 6, lots 1 to 4, inclusive. T. 13 S., R. 92 W., 6th P.M., Sec. 1, lots 5 to 8, inclusive. These lands contain 1,790.20 acres, more or less. Dated: June 20, 2014. Kevin K. Washburn, Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2014–15470 Filed 6–30–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCO921000–L51100000–GA0000– LVEMC1300020, COC–75916] Notice of Competitive Coal Lease Sale COC–75916, CO AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Competitive Coal Lease Sale. Notice is hereby given that certain Federal coal reserves in the Spruce Stomp Tract described below in Delta County, Colorado, will be offered for competitive lease by sealed bid in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended. SUMMARY: The lease sale will be held at 10 a.m. on July 30, 2014. Sealed bids must be submitted on or before 9:30 a.m., July 30, 2014. ADDRESSES: The lease sale will be held in the Fourth Floor Conference Room of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215. Sealed bids must be submitted to the Cashier, BLM Colorado State Office, at the address given above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Free, Solid Minerals Engineer, by telephone at 303–239–3774, or by email at kfree@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: This coal lease sale is being held in response to a lease by application (LBA) filed by Bowie Resources, LLC. The Federal coal reserves to be offered consist of all reserves recoverable by underground mining methods in the following described lands located in Delta County, Colorado: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES DATES: Sixth Principal Meridian T. 12 S., R. 91 W., 6th P.M., Sec. 31, lots 11 to 26, inclusive; Sec. 32, lots 10 to 15, inclusive. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:00 Jun 30, 2014 Jkt 232001 37345 the date of this sale notice (43 CFR 3473.2). Bidding instructions for the LBA tracts offered and the terms and conditions of the proposed coal lease are included in the Detailed Statement of Lease Sale and available from the BLM Colorado State Office at the address above. Case file documents, COC–75916, are available for inspection at the BLM Colorado State Office Public Room. The tracts contain an estimated 8.02 million tons of recoverable coal reserves. The underground minable coal is ranked as B bituminous coal. The estimated coal quality on an as-received basis for the Tracts is as follows: Ruth Welch, BLM Colorado State Director. British Thermal Unit (BTU) ............................ Volatile Matter ................. Moisture ........................... Fixed Carbon ................... Sulfur Content ................. Ash Content ..................... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 12,896 BTU/lb. 23.23% 3.38% 62.16% 0.63% 10.60% The tracts will be leased to the qualified bidder of the highest cash amount provided that the high bid meets or exceeds the BLM’s estimate of the fair market value of the tract. The minimum bid for the tracts is $100 per acre or fraction thereof. No bid that is less than $100 per acre, or fraction thereof, will be considered. The minimum bid is not intended to represent fair market value. The fair market value will be determined by the authorized officer after the sale. The sealed bids should be sent by certified mail, return-receipt requested, or be hand delivered to the Cashier, BLM Colorado State Office, at the address given above and clearly marked ‘‘Sealed Bid for COC–75916 Coal Sale— Not to be opened before 10 a.m., July 30, 2014.’’ The cashier will issue a receipt for each hand-delivered bid. Bids received after 9:30 a.m. on July 30, 2014 will not be considered. If identical high bids are received, the tying high bidders will be requested to submit follow-up sealed bids until a high bid is received. All tie-breaking, sealed-bids must be submitted within 15 minutes following the sale official’s announcement at the sale that identical high bids have been received. A lease issued as a result of this offering will provide for payment of an annual rental of $3 per acre, or fraction thereof, and a royalty payable to the United States in the amount of 8 percent of the value of coal mined by underground methods. Prior to lease issuance, the high bidder, if other than the applicant, must pay the BLM the cost recovery fees in the amount of $48,015.20 in addition to all processing costs the BLM incurs after PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2014–15496 Filed 6–27–14; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P Bureau of Land Management [CACA 63162, LLCAD06000.L51010000. ER0000.13X.LVRWB13B541] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the West of Devers Upgrade Project, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA 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) Palm Springs/ South Coast Field Office intends to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (EIR/EIS) in cooperation with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in order to analyze Southern California Edison’s proposal for the West of Devers Upgrade Project (WOD UP) in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until July 31, 2014. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/cdd.html and at the CPUC Web site at: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/ environment/info/aspen/westofdevers/ westofdevers.htm. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM 01JYN1 emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES 37346 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 126 / Tuesday, July 1, 2014 / Notices after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation as appropriate. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues related to the West of Devers Upgrade Project by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/palmsprings/transmission/ WestOfDeversProject.html. • Email: blm_ca_west_of_devers@ blm.gov. • Fax: 951–697–5299. • Mail: ATTN: Field Manager; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM California Desert District Office and the Palm Springs/South Coast Field Office during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, and may be published as part of the EIS/EIR. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. Brian Paul; telephone 760–337–4445; address ATTN: Field Manager; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; email rpaul@blm.gov. Contact Mr. Paul 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 Mr. Paul during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Mr. Paul. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southern California Edison (SCE) is proposing to upgrade and adjust the routes of the following existing 220 kV transmission lines within SCE’s existing West of Devers right-of way corridor in incorporated and unincorporated areas of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties: Devers-El Casco (30 miles), El Casco-San Bernardino (14 miles), Devers-San Bernardino (43 miles), Devers-Vista No. 1 and No. 2 (45 miles), Etiwanda-San Bernardino (3.5 miles), and San Bernardino-Vista (3.5 miles). Of the overall 48-mile length of the transmission corridor, approximately 6 miles would cross the reservation Trust Lands (Reservation) of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and approximately 1 mile is on BLMadministered public lands. The BLM lands are located east of the City of Banning and west of the City of Desert Hot Springs in Riverside County. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:00 Jun 30, 2014 Jkt 232001 In addition to the transmission line improvements, substation equipment at Devers, El Casco, Etiwanda, San Bernardino, Timoteo and Tennessee and Vista Substations would be upgraded to accommodate the project changes to transmission and subtransmission systems. Construction of WOD UP would facilitate the full deliverability of new renewable energy generation resources now being developed in eastern Riverside County, including the BLM’s Riverside East Solar Energy Zone into the Los Angeles area. The WOD UP would facilitate progress towards meeting California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard goals requiring utilities to produce 33 percent of their electricity sales from renewable energy sources by 2020. Large-scale renewable energy projects in eastern Riverside County play an important role in meeting California’s renewable energy goals, allowing for immediate and sizeable deployment, driving costs down, and taking advantage of the state’s best renewable energy resources. Additionally, these upgrades are required to comply with transmission reliability standards and will support integration of small scale electricity generation. This document provides notice that the Palm Springs/South Coast BLM Field Office, Palm Springs, California, intends to prepare a joint EIS/EIR with the California Public Utilities Commission for the WOD UP, announces the beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input on environmental issues and planning criteria. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary issues for the EIR/ EIS have been identified by BLM personnel; Federal, State, and local agencies; and other stakeholders. The issues include: Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, biological resources including special status species, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use, noise, recreation, traffic, visual resources, cumulative effects, and areas with high potential for renewable energy development, and identification of opportunities to apply mitigation hierarchy strategies for on-site, regional, and compensatory mitigation. The BLM will use the NEPA public participation requirements to assist the agency in satisfying the public involvement requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 470(f)) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed action 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. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed action are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis 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. Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director. [FR Doc. 2014–15410 Filed 6–30–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–PWR–PWRO–15353; PPPWSEKI00/ PX.P0206452A.00.1] Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Wilderness Stewardship Plan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California National Park Service, Interior. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Wilderness Stewardship Plan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California. The plan is needed to provide management direction for two designated wilderness areas, several potential wilderness additions, and an area of proposed wilderness. The plan SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM 01JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37345-37346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15410]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CACA 63162, LLCAD06000.L51010000.ER0000.13X.LVRWB13B541]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact 
Statement and Environmental Impact Report for the West of Devers 
Upgrade Project, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA

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) Palm Springs/
South Coast Field Office intends to prepare a joint Environmental 
Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (EIR/EIS) in 
cooperation with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 
order to analyze Southern California Edison's proposal for the West of 
Devers Upgrade Project (WOD UP) in Riverside and San Bernardino 
Counties. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to 
solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until July 31, 
2014. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be 
announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media, 
newspapers and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd.html and at the CPUC Web site at: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/aspen/westofdevers/westofdevers.htm. In order to be 
included in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the 
close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days

[[Page 37346]]

after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide 
additional opportunities for public participation as appropriate.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues related to the West of 
Devers Upgrade Project by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings/transmission/WestOfDeversProject.html.
     Email: blm_ca_west_of_devers@blm.gov.
     Fax: 951-697-5299.
     Mail: ATTN: Field Manager; Palm Springs-South Coast Field 
Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM 
California Desert District Office and the Palm Springs/South Coast 
Field Office during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays, and may be published as part of 
the EIS/EIR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: R. Brian Paul; telephone 760-337-4445; 
address ATTN: Field Manager; Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 
1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; email rpaul@blm.gov. 
Contact Mr. Paul 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 
Mr. Paul during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Mr. Paul. You 
will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southern California Edison (SCE) is 
proposing to upgrade and adjust the routes of the following existing 
220 kV transmission lines within SCE's existing West of Devers right-of 
way corridor in incorporated and unincorporated areas of Riverside and 
San Bernardino Counties: Devers-El Casco (30 miles), El Casco-San 
Bernardino (14 miles), Devers-San Bernardino (43 miles), Devers-Vista 
No. 1 and No. 2 (45 miles), Etiwanda-San Bernardino (3.5 miles), and 
San Bernardino-Vista (3.5 miles). Of the overall 48-mile length of the 
transmission corridor, approximately 6 miles would cross the 
reservation Trust Lands (Reservation) of the Morongo Band of Mission 
Indians and approximately 1 mile is on BLM-administered public lands. 
The BLM lands are located east of the City of Banning and west of the 
City of Desert Hot Springs in Riverside County.
    In addition to the transmission line improvements, substation 
equipment at Devers, El Casco, Etiwanda, San Bernardino, Timoteo and 
Tennessee and Vista Substations would be upgraded to accommodate the 
project changes to transmission and subtransmission systems. 
Construction of WOD UP would facilitate the full deliverability of new 
renewable energy generation resources now being developed in eastern 
Riverside County, including the BLM's Riverside East Solar Energy Zone 
into the Los Angeles area.
    The WOD UP would facilitate progress towards meeting California's 
Renewable Portfolio Standard goals requiring utilities to produce 33 
percent of their electricity sales from renewable energy sources by 
2020. Large-scale renewable energy projects in eastern Riverside County 
play an important role in meeting California's renewable energy goals, 
allowing for immediate and sizeable deployment, driving costs down, and 
taking advantage of the state's best renewable energy resources. 
Additionally, these upgrades are required to comply with transmission 
reliability standards and will support integration of small scale 
electricity generation.
    This document provides notice that the Palm Springs/South Coast BLM 
Field Office, Palm Springs, California, intends to prepare a joint EIS/
EIR with the California Public Utilities Commission for the WOD UP, 
announces the beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input 
on environmental issues and planning criteria. The purpose of the 
public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will 
influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including 
alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary issues for 
the EIR/EIS have been identified by BLM personnel; Federal, State, and 
local agencies; and other stakeholders. The issues include: Air quality 
and greenhouse gas emissions, biological resources including special 
status species, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and 
hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use, noise, 
recreation, traffic, visual resources, cumulative effects, and areas 
with high potential for renewable energy development, and 
identification of opportunities to apply mitigation hierarchy 
strategies for on-site, regional, and compensatory mitigation.
    The BLM will use the NEPA public participation requirements to 
assist the agency in satisfying the public involvement requirements 
under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 
U.S.C. 470(f)) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about 
historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by 
the proposed action 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. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed action are invited to participate in the scoping process and, 
if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in 
the development of the environmental analysis 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.

Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2014-15410 Filed 6-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
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