Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Pebble Project, 13483-13484 [2018-06369]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2018 / Notices Individuals are required to self-report any arrests, charges or convictions that would keep the individual from obtaining or maintaining a favorable suitability or fitness determination. Programs impacted are referenced within the 42 U.S. Code § 13041 and include impacted individuals such as employees, DoD contractors, providers, adults residing in a family child care home, volunteers, and others with regular reoccurring contact with children. Affected Public: Individuals or Households. Annual Burden Hours: 1,250. Number of Respondents: 5,000. Responses per Respondent: 1. Annual Responses: 5,000. Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes. Frequency: On occasion. Respondents are DoD contractors, family child care providers, family child care adult family members residing in the home, and specified volunteers who provide child care services for children under age 18. This form will be initiated by DoD staff and will be maintained in the initiating DoD offices and/or appropriate Human Resources or Security Offices. Dated: March 23, 2018. Aaron T. Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2018–06284 Filed 3–28–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Pebble Project U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: The Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with the proposed Pebble open pit mine in wetlands, streams and Ocean near Cook Inlet. The EIS will assess potential effects of a range of alternatives. DATES: Public scoping meetings are tentatively scheduled in Anchorage, Homer, Dillingham, King Salmon (Naknek), Iliamna (Newhalen), Nondalton, and Kokhanok (Iguigig) will occur in mid-April 2018. Information sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Mar 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 about these meetings and meeting dates will be published locally, posted at https://www.pebbleprojecteis.com, and available by contacting the Corps. ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 6898, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, AK 99506–0898. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action and the Draft EIS should be referred to: Mr. Shane McCoy, Regulatory Division, telephone: (907) 753–2715 at https:// www.pebbleprojecteis.com or by mail to the above address. To be added to the project mailing list and for additional information, please visit the following website: https://www.pebble projecteis.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An application for a Department of the Army permit was submitted by the Pebble Limited Partnership pursuant Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403) on December 22, 2017, and was advertised in a Public Notice, POA– 2017–271, on January 5, 2018. The public notice is available on Alaska District’s public website at: https:// www.poa.usace.army.mil//Portals/34/ docs/regulatory/publicnotices/2018/ POA-2017-271%20Pebble_ PN.pdf?ver=2018-01-05-153755-640. 1. Description of the Proposed Project. Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP) is proposing to develop the Pebble coppergold-molybdenum porphyry deposit as an open-pit mine, with associated infrastructure, in southwest Alaska, north of Lake Iliamna. The proposed project would require approximately four years to construct, with a projected mine life of approximately 20 years. Major project components include excavation of an open pit, that ultimately would be approximately 6,500 feet long by 5,500 feet wide, with depths between 1,330 and 1,750 feet; a tailings impoundment with 1.1 billion tons storage volume; a low grade ore stockpile with the capacity to store up to 330 million tons; an open pit overburden stockpile; a mill facility processing approximately 160,000 tons of ore per day; a natural gas-fired power plant with a total connected load of 230 mega-watt (MW), supplied by a 188mile, 10 to 12-inch diameter, natural gas pipeline across Cook Inlet and Iliamna Lake to the Mine Site; and transportation infrastructure including a 30-mile road from the Mine Site to a ferry terminal on the north shore of Iliamna Lake, an 18-mile crossing with an ice-breaking ferry to a terminal on the south shore of Iliamna Lake, and a 35-mile road to the proposed PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13483 Amakdedori Port on Cook Inlet. The proposed mine and related facilities would have a total footprint of approximately 5.9 square miles. The pipeline route would originate on the Kenai Peninsula, connecting to the existing gas pipeline infrastructure near Happy Valley. A metering station would be constructed at the off-take point and the pipeline would then follow south along the Sterling Highway for 9 miles to a gas-fired compressor station north of Anchor Point. The compressor station would feed a 94-mile subsea pipeline from the east shore of Cook Inlet to Amakdedori Port on the west shore. A second gas-fired compressor station would be located at the port site. The pipeline route would then follow a 30mile mine access road to the south shore of Iliamna Lake, where the pipeline would enter Iliamna Lake for approximately 18 miles. The pipeline would come ashore at on the north shore of the lake, where it would follow the mine access road to the Mine Site. 2. Alternatives. A range of alternatives of the proposed action will be identified, and those found to be reasonable and practicable will be fully evaluated in the DEIS, including: the no action alternative, the applicant’s proposed alternative, alternative mine locations and mine plans, alternative mining methods and processes, alternatives that may result in avoidance and minimization of impacts, and mitigation measures not in the proposed action. However, this list is not exclusive and additional alternatives may be considered for inclusion. 3. Scoping Process and Public Involvement. The scoping period will extend from April 1, 2018, through April 30, 2018. Scoping is conducted to assist in determining the scope of analysis, significant issues and alternatives to be analyzed in depth in the DEIS. Comments should be as specific as possible. Additional public involvement will be sought through the implementation of the public involvement plan and the agency coordination team. 4. Significant Issues. Numerous issues will be analyzed in depth in the DEIS related to the effects of the proposed Pebble mine and associated infrastructure construction, operation, and closure. These issues will include, but will not be limited to, the following: wetlands, water quality, air quality, hazardous materials, fish and wildlife, vegetation, cultural resources, food production, land use, needs and welfare of the people (socioeconomics including commercial fishing and tourism), recreation, general environmental E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1 13484 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2018 / Notices concerns, historic properties, navigation, and safety. 5. Additional Review and Consultation. Additional review and consultation which will be incorporated into the preparation of the DEIS will include, but are not necessarily limited to coordination under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, Essential Fish Habitat coordination; consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act; and consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act Shelia Newman, Deputy Chief, Regional Regulatory Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District. [FR Doc. 2018–06369 Filed 3–28–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720–58–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [Docket No.: ED–2018–ICCD–0030] Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program: Technical Assistance To Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Data Collection, and Dissemination of Best Practices Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII), Department of Education (ED). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing an extension of an existing information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before May 29, 2018. ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use https://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED– 2018–ICCD–0030. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https:// www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Director of the Information Collection Clearance Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, LBJ, Room 216–44, Washington, DC 20202–4537. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:09 Mar 28, 2018 Jkt 244001 For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Patricia KilbyRobb, 202–260–2225. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Education (ED), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department’s information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. ED is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. Title of Collection: Expanding Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Program: Technical Assistance to Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Data Collection, and Dissemination of Best Practices. OMB Control Number: 1855–0016. Type of Review: An extension of an existing information collection. Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 102. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 136. Abstract: This request is for an extension of OMB approval to collect data for the Expanding Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Program: Technical Assistance to Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Data Collection, and Dissemination of Best Practices formerly titled Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant Awards Database. This current data collection is being coordinated with the EDFacts Initiative to reduce respondent burden and fully utilize data submitted by States and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 available to the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Specifically, under the current data collection, ED collects CSP grant award information from grantees (State agencies, charter management organizations, and some schools) to create a new database of current CSPfunded charter schools. Together, these data allow ED to monitor CSP grant performance and analyze data related to accountability for academic purposes, financial integrity, and program effectiveness. Dated: March 23, 2018. Tomakie Washington, Acting Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy Officer, Office of Management. [FR Doc. 2018–06244 Filed 3–28–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–0819] Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission’s burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1

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[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13483-13484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06369]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Pebble Project

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) 
intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to 
assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed Pebble open pit mine in wetlands, streams 
and Ocean near Cook Inlet. The EIS will assess potential effects of a 
range of alternatives.

DATES: Public scoping meetings are tentatively scheduled in Anchorage, 
Homer, Dillingham, King Salmon (Naknek), Iliamna (Newhalen), Nondalton, 
and Kokhanok (Iguigig) will occur in mid-April 2018. Information about 
these meetings and meeting dates will be published locally, posted at 
https://www.pebbleprojecteis.com, and available by contacting the Corps.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 6898, Joint Base 
Elmendorf Richardson, AK 99506-0898.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and the Draft EIS should be referred to: Mr. Shane McCoy, Regulatory 
Division, telephone: (907) 753-2715 at https://www.pebbleprojecteis.com 
or by mail to the above address. To be added to the project mailing 
list and for additional information, please visit the following 
website: https://www.pebbleprojecteis.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An application for a Department of the Army 
permit was submitted by the Pebble Limited Partnership pursuant Section 
404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and Section 10 of the 
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403) on December 22, 2017, 
and was advertised in a Public Notice, POA-2017-271, on January 5, 
2018. The public notice is available on Alaska District's public 
website at: https://www.poa.usace.army.mil//Portals/34/docs/regulatory/publicnotices/2018/POA-2017-271%20Pebble_PN.pdf?ver=2018-01-05-153755-640.
    1. Description of the Proposed Project. Pebble Limited Partnership 
(PLP) is proposing to develop the Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum 
porphyry deposit as an open-pit mine, with associated infrastructure, 
in southwest Alaska, north of Lake Iliamna. The proposed project would 
require approximately four years to construct, with a projected mine 
life of approximately 20 years. Major project components include 
excavation of an open pit, that ultimately would be approximately 6,500 
feet long by 5,500 feet wide, with depths between 1,330 and 1,750 feet; 
a tailings impoundment with 1.1 billion tons storage volume; a low 
grade ore stockpile with the capacity to store up to 330 million tons; 
an open pit overburden stockpile; a mill facility processing 
approximately 160,000 tons of ore per day; a natural gas-fired power 
plant with a total connected load of 230 mega-watt (MW), supplied by a 
188-mile, 10 to 12-inch diameter, natural gas pipeline across Cook 
Inlet and Iliamna Lake to the Mine Site; and transportation 
infrastructure including a 30-mile road from the Mine Site to a ferry 
terminal on the north shore of Iliamna Lake, an 18-mile crossing with 
an ice-breaking ferry to a terminal on the south shore of Iliamna Lake, 
and a 35-mile road to the proposed Amakdedori Port on Cook Inlet. The 
proposed mine and related facilities would have a total footprint of 
approximately 5.9 square miles.
    The pipeline route would originate on the Kenai Peninsula, 
connecting to the existing gas pipeline infrastructure near Happy 
Valley. A metering station would be constructed at the off-take point 
and the pipeline would then follow south along the Sterling Highway for 
9 miles to a gas-fired compressor station north of Anchor Point. The 
compressor station would feed a 94-mile subsea pipeline from the east 
shore of Cook Inlet to Amakdedori Port on the west shore. A second gas-
fired compressor station would be located at the port site. The 
pipeline route would then follow a 30-mile mine access road to the 
south shore of Iliamna Lake, where the pipeline would enter Iliamna 
Lake for approximately 18 miles. The pipeline would come ashore at on 
the north shore of the lake, where it would follow the mine access road 
to the Mine Site.
    2. Alternatives. A range of alternatives of the proposed action 
will be identified, and those found to be reasonable and practicable 
will be fully evaluated in the DEIS, including: the no action 
alternative, the applicant's proposed alternative, alternative mine 
locations and mine plans, alternative mining methods and processes, 
alternatives that may result in avoidance and minimization of impacts, 
and mitigation measures not in the proposed action. However, this list 
is not exclusive and additional alternatives may be considered for 
inclusion.
    3. Scoping Process and Public Involvement. The scoping period will 
extend from April 1, 2018, through April 30, 2018. Scoping is conducted 
to assist in determining the scope of analysis, significant issues and 
alternatives to be analyzed in depth in the DEIS. Comments should be as 
specific as possible. Additional public involvement will be sought 
through the implementation of the public involvement plan and the 
agency coordination team.
    4. Significant Issues. Numerous issues will be analyzed in depth in 
the DEIS related to the effects of the proposed Pebble mine and 
associated infrastructure construction, operation, and closure. These 
issues will include, but will not be limited to, the following: 
wetlands, water quality, air quality, hazardous materials, fish and 
wildlife, vegetation, cultural resources, food production, land use, 
needs and welfare of the people (socioeconomics including commercial 
fishing and tourism), recreation, general environmental

[[Page 13484]]

concerns, historic properties, navigation, and safety.
    5. Additional Review and Consultation. Additional review and 
consultation which will be incorporated into the preparation of the 
DEIS will include, but are not necessarily limited to coordination 
under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, Essential Fish Habitat 
coordination; consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species 
Act; and consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act

Shelia Newman,
Deputy Chief, Regional Regulatory Division, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Alaska District.
[FR Doc. 2018-06369 Filed 3-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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