Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Integrated Resource Management Plan for the Colville Reservation in Okanogan and Ferry Counties, WA, 69521-69522 [2014-27682]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 225 / Friday, November 21, 2014 / Notices would continue to maintain open water habitat for waterfowl use. Under this alternative, the public use program would be similar to alternative A; however, under this alternative, we would eliminate less used or dead-end trails in the wilderness area. Alternative D (Focus on Expansion of Priority Public Uses) Alternative D emphasizes expanding wildlife-dependent priority public uses on the refuge. Public use and access would be maximized to the greatest extent practical, while minimizing impacts to wildlife. We would expand refuge infrastructure, including construction of new trails, observation towers, signage, and parking lots; expand hunting; and allow fishing in select areas of the refuge. This alternative would maximize public outreach, enhance and develop new environmental interpretation and education programs, aggressively expand partnerships, and increase staff presence at programs and events. In general, refuge habitats would be managed similarly to alternative B; however, this alternative would increase open water habitat to improve public viewing opportunities. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Comments We solicited comments on the draft CCP/EA from May 14 to June 30, 2014 (79 FR 27634). During the comment period, we received 80 written responses. We evaluated all of the substantive comments we received, and include a summary of those comments, and our responses to them, as appendix G in the final CCP. Selected Alternative After considering the comments we received on our draft CCP/EA, we made minor changes to alternative B, including not moving forward on the proposed parking area and wildlife observation opportunity on White Bridge Road, and correcting minor editorial, formatting, and typographical errors. These changes are described in the FONSI (appendix E in the final CCP) and in our response to public comments (appendix G in the final CCP). We have selected alternative B to implement for Great Swamp NWR, with these minor changes, for several reasons. Alternative B comprises a mix of actions that, in our professional judgment, work best towards achieving the refuge’s purposes, vision, and goals, NWRS policies, and the goals of other State and Regional conservation plans. We also believe that alternative B most effectively addresses key issues raised during the planning process. The basis VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Nov 20, 2014 Jkt 235001 of our decision is detailed in the FONSI (appendix E in the final CCP). Public Availability of Documents You can view or obtain the final CCP, including the FONSI, as indicated under ADDRESSES. Dated: October 6, 2014. Deborah Rocque, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region. [FR Doc. 2014–27590 Filed 11–20–14; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs [AAK6006201 134A2100DD AOR3B30.999900] Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Integrated Resource Management Plan for the Colville Reservation in Okanogan and Ferry Counties, WA Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in cooperation with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Tribes), intends to gather information necessary to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (Programmatic EIS) for the proposed Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) for the Colville Reservation in Okanogan and Ferry Counties, Washington. This notice also announces public scoping meetings to identify potential issues and content for inclusion in the Programmatic EIS. DATES: The dates and locations of public scoping meetings will be published in the Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the Statesman Examiner, the Star, and the Tribal Tribune. Additional information will also be posted at the Tribes’ Web site: www.colvilletribes.com. Written comments must arrive within 30 days following the public scoping meetings. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, email, hand carry or fax to: Dr. BJ Howerton, Environmental Services Manager, BIA Northwest Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232–4169, Phone: (503) 231–6749, Fax: (503) 231–2275, Email: bj.howerton@bia.gov; or Debra Wulff, BIA Superintendent, Colville Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, P.O. Box 111, Nespelem, WA 99155–0111, Phone: (509) 634–2316, Fax: (509) 634–2355, Email: debra.wulff@bia.gov. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69521 Dr. BJ Howerton at (503) 231–6749 or bj.howerton@bia.gov or Debra Wulff at (509) 634–2316 or debra.wulff@bia.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The proposed action is the preparation of an IRMP for the Colville Reservation and the BIA approval of long-term natural resource planning goals and objectives for the Colville Reservation. The Tribes may use the Programmatic EIS for tiered, project-specific environmental assessments to cover specific actions as the IRMP is implemented. The Tribes have managed their natural resources under the goals and objectives of an IRMP from 2000 to 2014. The new IRMP will replace the expiring plan. The Programmatic EIS will consider a proposed strategy in the IRMP that enhances the existing plan, where timber harvesting and livestock grazing levels remain at the existing levels with improved scheduling based on more accurate mapping data, open ground modeling and current forest inventory data. The strategy would include improved management practices to reduce erosion from forest roads, increase enforcement of livestock rotation requirements, and provide a formal project review process to ensure compliance with the IRMP and tribal resource codes. Other alternative forest management strategies to be considered include: (1) A forest restoration strategy to emphasize thinning through the forest to return to historic conditions with a reduced harvest level, (2) an accelerated harvest strategy intended to maximize revenue to the Tribes, and (3) a No Forest Management strategy that would end timber harvesting. Rangeland management alternatives include: (1) A strategy to rest and rotate range units on a yearly basis, (2) a strategy to increase livestock grazing by allowing additional grazing by offreservation cattle ranchers, and (3) a strategy to eliminate livestock grazing altogether. No Action or continuation of the current IRMP goals and objectives will also be considered along with any additional strategies or alternatives that may be developed as a result of public scoping. Significant issues to be covered during the scoping process may include, but will not be limited to air quality, geology and soils, surface and groundwater resources, wildlife habitat, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, socioeconomic conditions, land use, aesthetics, and Indian trust resources. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 69522 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 225 / Friday, November 21, 2014 / Notices Directions for Submitting Public Comments DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Please include your name, return address, and the caption ‘‘Programmatic EIS, Colville Reservation IRMP’’ on the first page of any written comments you submit. You may also submit comments at the public scoping meetings. The public scoping meetings will be held to seek comments from the Tribal Business Council, resource managers, agency representatives, and community members concerning the planning and environmental issues surrounding the use of natural resources of the Colville Reservation. The meetings will be held at various Colville Reservation communities and notices will be published in Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the Statesman Examiner, the Star, and the Tribal Tribune. Additional information will also be posted at the Tribe’s Web site: www.colvilletribes.com. Public Availability of Comments Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the BIA address shown in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, during regular business hours, 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. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Authority This notice is published in accordance with sections 1503.1 of the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508) and Sec. 46.305 of the Department of the Interior Regulations (43 CFR Part 46), implementing the procedural requirements of NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and is in the exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs, by part 209 of the Departmental Manual. Dated: November 10, 2014. Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2014–27682 Filed 11–20–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Nov 20, 2014 Jkt 235001 [AAK6006201 145A2100DD AOR3030.999900] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Aiya Solar Project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation, Clark County, NV Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In order to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency in cooperation with the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Moapa Band), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and other Federal agencies, intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that will evaluate a photovoltaic solar energy generation project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation and a transmission line located on tribal lands, private lands and Federal lands administered and managed by BLM in Clark County, Nevada. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify potential issues related to the EIS. It also announces that two public scoping meetings will be held in Nevada to identify potential issues, alternatives, and mitigation to be considered in the EIS. DATES: The dates and locations of the public scoping meetings will be published in the Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Moapa Valley Progress 15 days before the scoping meetings. Written comments on the scope of the EIS or implementation of the proposal must arrive by December 22, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, or hand carry written comments to either Mr. Paul Schlafly, Natural Resource Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southern Paiute Agency, 180 North 200 East Suite 111, P.O. Box 720, St. George, Utah 84770; telephone: (435) 674–9720; email: paul.schlafly@bia.gov, or Mr. Chip Lewis, Acting Regional Environmental Compliance Officer, BIA Western Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, Arizona 85004; telephone: (602) 379–6782; email: chip.lewis@ bia.gov. SUMMARY: The proposed Federal action, taken under 25 U.S.C. 415, is BIA’s approval of a solar energy ground lease and associated agreements entered into by the Moapa SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Band with a subsidiary of First Solar, Inc. (First Solar) to provide for construction and operation of an up-to 100 megawatt (MW) alternating current solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation facility located entirely on the Moapa River Indian Reservation and specifically on lands held in trust by BIA for the Moapa Band. The proposed 230 kilovolt (kV) generation-tie transmission line required for interconnection may be located on Tribal lands, private lands and/or Federal lands administered and managed by BLM. First Solar has accordingly requested that the BIA and BLM additionally approve right-of-ways (ROWs) authorizing the construction and operation of the transmission line. Together, the proposed solar energy facility, transmission line, and other associated facilities will make up the proposed Moapa River Solar Project (Project). The Project would be located in Township 14 South, Range 66 East, Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32 Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada. The generation facility would generate electricity using First Solar’s PV panels. Also included would be inverters, a collection system, an on-site substation to step-up the voltage to transmissionlevel voltage at 230 kV, an operations and maintenance building, and other related facilities. A single overhead 230 kV generation-tie transmission line, approximately 1.5 to 3 miles long, would connect the solar project to either NV Energy’s Reid-Gardner 230kV substation or the proposed Reid Gardner Collector Substation, which is under development by NV Energy. Construction of the Project is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months. First Solar is expected to operate the energy facility for 30 years, with two options to renew the lease for an additional 10 years, if mutually acceptable to the Moapa Tribe and First Solar. The Project is expected to be built in one phase of up to 100 MW, per the demand of potential off-takers or utilities. During construction, the PV panels will be placed on top of fixed-tilt and/or single-axis tracking mounting systems that are set on steel posts embedded in the ground. Other foundation design techniques may be used depending on the site topography and conditions. No water will be used to generate electricity during operations. Water will be needed during construction for dust control and a minimal amount will be needed during operations for landscape irrigation and administrative and sanitary water use on site. The water supply required for the Project would be leased from the E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69521-69522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27682]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[AAK6006201 134A2100DD AOR3B30.999900]


Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Proposed Integrated Resource Management Plan for the Colville 
Reservation in Okanogan and Ferry Counties, WA

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs (BIA), in cooperation with the Confederated Tribes of the 
Colville Reservation (Tribes), intends to gather information necessary 
to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (Programmatic 
EIS) for the proposed Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) for 
the Colville Reservation in Okanogan and Ferry Counties, Washington. 
This notice also announces public scoping meetings to identify 
potential issues and content for inclusion in the Programmatic EIS.

DATES: The dates and locations of public scoping meetings will be 
published in the Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the Statesman 
Examiner, the Star, and the Tribal Tribune. Additional information will 
also be posted at the Tribes' Web site: www.colvilletribes.com. Written 
comments must arrive within 30 days following the public scoping 
meetings.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, email, hand carry or fax 
to: Dr. BJ Howerton, Environmental Services Manager, BIA Northwest 
Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4169, Phone: 
(503) 231-6749, Fax: (503) 231-2275, Email: bj.howerton@bia.gov; or 
Debra Wulff, BIA Superintendent, Colville Agency, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, P.O. Box 111, Nespelem, WA 99155-0111, Phone: (509) 634-2316, 
Fax: (509) 634-2355, Email: debra.wulff@bia.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. BJ Howerton at (503) 231-6749 or 
bj.howerton@bia.gov or Debra Wulff at (509) 634-2316 or 
debra.wulff@bia.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action is the preparation of an 
IRMP for the Colville Reservation and the BIA approval of long-term 
natural resource planning goals and objectives for the Colville 
Reservation. The Tribes may use the Programmatic EIS for tiered, 
project-specific environmental assessments to cover specific actions as 
the IRMP is implemented.
    The Tribes have managed their natural resources under the goals and 
objectives of an IRMP from 2000 to 2014. The new IRMP will replace the 
expiring plan. The Programmatic EIS will consider a proposed strategy 
in the IRMP that enhances the existing plan, where timber harvesting 
and livestock grazing levels remain at the existing levels with 
improved scheduling based on more accurate mapping data, open ground 
modeling and current forest inventory data. The strategy would include 
improved management practices to reduce erosion from forest roads, 
increase enforcement of livestock rotation requirements, and provide a 
formal project review process to ensure compliance with the IRMP and 
tribal resource codes.
    Other alternative forest management strategies to be considered 
include: (1) A forest restoration strategy to emphasize thinning 
through the forest to return to historic conditions with a reduced 
harvest level, (2) an accelerated harvest strategy intended to maximize 
revenue to the Tribes, and (3) a No Forest Management strategy that 
would end timber harvesting.
    Rangeland management alternatives include: (1) A strategy to rest 
and rotate range units on a yearly basis, (2) a strategy to increase 
livestock grazing by allowing additional grazing by off-reservation 
cattle ranchers, and (3) a strategy to eliminate livestock grazing 
altogether.
    No Action or continuation of the current IRMP goals and objectives 
will also be considered along with any additional strategies or 
alternatives that may be developed as a result of public scoping.
    Significant issues to be covered during the scoping process may 
include, but will not be limited to air quality, geology and soils, 
surface and groundwater resources, wildlife habitat, threatened and 
endangered species, cultural resources, socioeconomic conditions, land 
use, aesthetics, and Indian trust resources.

[[Page 69522]]

Directions for Submitting Public Comments

    Please include your name, return address, and the caption 
``Programmatic EIS, Colville Reservation IRMP'' on the first page of 
any written comments you submit. You may also submit comments at the 
public scoping meetings.
    The public scoping meetings will be held to seek comments from the 
Tribal Business Council, resource managers, agency representatives, and 
community members concerning the planning and environmental issues 
surrounding the use of natural resources of the Colville Reservation. 
The meetings will be held at various Colville Reservation communities 
and notices will be published in Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the 
Statesman Examiner, the Star, and the Tribal Tribune. Additional 
information will also be posted at the Tribe's Web site: 
www.colvilletribes.com.

Public Availability of Comments

    Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be 
available for public review at the BIA address shown in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice, during regular business hours, 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

    This notice is published in accordance with sections 1503.1 of the 
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 
1508) and Sec. 46.305 of the Department of the Interior Regulations (43 
CFR Part 46), implementing the procedural requirements of NEPA, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and is in the exercise of authority 
delegated to the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs, by part 209 of 
the Departmental Manual.

    Dated: November 10, 2014.
Kevin Washburn,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2014-27682 Filed 11-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-W7-P

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