Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Land Use Plan Amendment, and a Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada, 32681-32683 [2018-15020]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 135 / Friday, July 13, 2018 / Notices contained on electronic media are degaussed or erased in accordance with 384 Departmental Manual 1 and NARA guidelines. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS: The records contained in this system are safeguarded in accordance with 43 CFR 2.226 and other applicable security and privacy rules and policies. During normal hours of operation, paper records are maintained in locked file cabinets under the control of authorized personnel. Electronic records are safeguarded by permissions set to ‘‘Authenticated Users’’ which require password login. Computer servers on which electronic records are stored are located in secured DOI controlled facilities with physical, technical and administrative levels of security to prevent unauthorized access to the DOI network and information assets. The computer servers in which electronic records are stored are located in DOI facilities that are secured by security guards, alarm systems and off-master key access. Access to servers containing records in this system is limited to DOI personnel and other authorized parties who have a need to know the information for the performance of their official duties. Data exchanged between the servers and the system is encrypted. Backup tapes are encrypted and stored in a locked and controlled room in a secure, off-site location. Computerized records systems follow the National Institute of Standards and Technology privacy and security standards as developed to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a; Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521; Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014, 44 U.S.C. 3551–3558; and the Federal Information Processing Standards 199: Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems. Security controls include user identification, passwords, database permissions, encryption, firewalls, audit logs, and network system security monitoring, and software controls. Access to records in the system is limited to authorized personnel who have a need to access the records in the performance of their official duties, and each user’s access is restricted to only the functions and data necessary to perform that person’s job responsibilities. System administrators and authorized users are trained and required to follow established internal security protocols and must complete all security, privacy, and records management training and sign the DOI Rules of Behavior. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:47 Jul 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: An individual requesting records on himself or herself should send a signed, written inquiry to the applicable System Manager identified above. The request must include the specific bureau or office that maintains the record to facilitate location of the applicable records. The request envelope and letter should both be clearly marked ‘‘PRIVACY ACT REQUEST FOR ACCESS.’’ A request for access must meet the requirements of 43 CFR 2.238. CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: An individual requesting corrections or the removal of material from his or her records should send a signed, written request to the applicable System Manager as identified above. The request must include the specific bureau or office that maintains the record to facilitate location of the applicable records. A request for corrections or removal must meet the requirements of 43 CFR 2.246. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES: An individual requesting notification of the existence of records on himself or herself should send a signed, written inquiry to the applicable System Manager as identified above. The request must include the specific bureau or office that maintains the record to facilitate location of the applicable records. The request envelope and letter should both be clearly marked ‘‘PRIVACY ACT INQUIRY.’’ A request for notification must meet the requirements of 43 CFR 2.235. EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM: 32681 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its intent to prepare an EA. The Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2016. The Plan Amendment would have considered modifying oil and gas leasing decisions on approximately 525,000 acres in portion of the Price and Richfield Field Offices in Emery and Wayne Counties, Utah. DATES: Termination of the planning process for Rafael Swell Master Leasing Plan Amendment takes effect immediately. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Conrad, Price Field Manager, 125 South 600 West, Price, Utah 84501, telephone (435) 636–3600, email cconrad@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. FRS 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: Since the publication of the NOI, the BLM issued Washington Office Instruction Memo 2018–034, which terminates the Master Leasing Process. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10. Edwin L. Roberson, State Director. [FR Doc. 2018–15016 Filed 7–12–18; 8:45 am] None. BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P HISTORY: 77 FR 66628 (November 6, 2012). [FR Doc. 2018–15010 Filed 7–12–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4334–63–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [18XL1109AF LLUTG02000 L13100000.DO0000] Notice of Termination of the San Rafael Swell Master Leasing Plan, Utah [LLNVS01000. L51010000.PQ0000. LVRWF09F8730; N–85631; MO#4500119561] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Land Use Plan Amendment, and a Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of termination. AGENCY: The preparation of an Environmental Assessment associated with the San Rafael Swell Master Leasing Plan Amendment is no longer required, and the process is hereby terminated. Pursuant to Section SUMMARY: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 As requested by Solar Partners XI, LLC, and in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Vegas Field Office intends to prepare an E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 32682 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 135 / Friday, July 13, 2018 / Notices Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and land use plan amendment to the 1998 Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the proposed Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada. Publication of this Notice initiates the scoping process and opens a 45-day public comment period. Publication of this Notice also segregates the public lands from appropriation under the public land laws, including location under the Mining Law, but not the mineral leasing laws or the Materials Act, subject to valid existing rights. DATES: Written comments must be received by the BLM no later than August 27, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media and the BLM website at: https://go.usa.gov/ xntTQ. Comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later, to be included in the Draft EIS. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Email: blm_nv_sndo_geminisolar@ blm.gov. • E-planning: https://go.usa.gov/ xntTQ. • Fax: 702–515–5023, Attention: Herman Pinales. • Mail: BLM, Las Vegas Field Office, Attn: Herman Pinales, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130–2301. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, and/or to have your name added to the mailing list, send requests to: Herman Pinales, Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager, at telephone 702–515–5284; address 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130–2301; or email blm_nv_ sndo_geminisolar@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS 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: In 2017, Solar Partners XI, LLC filed an application with the BLM requesting authorization to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a 690megawatt-per-year photovoltaic (PV) solar electric generating facility and associated generation tie-line and access VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:47 Jul 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 road facilities. The expected life of the project is 30 years. The Solar Partners XI, LLC acquired the original 44,000acre APEX Solar Thermal Power Generation Facility right-of-way application filed in 2008 by BrightSource Energy, LLC. The proposed Gemini Solar Project would be located approximately 25 miles northeast of Las Vegas and south of the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada. The proposed Gemini Solar Project includes 7,115 acres of federal lands administered by the BLM. The Visual Resource Management (VRM) class in the Application Area is mostly III and some II (due to proximity to Muddy Mountain Wilderness Area and Bitter Springs Back Country Byway), which will require a land use plan amendment to a class IV in order for the project to be consistent with the land use plan. A VRM class 2 allows for activities with a low level of landscape change; a class III allows a moderate level of change that would not dominate the landscape; and a class IV allows a high level of change that would dominate the landscape. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and to guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Threatened and endangered species, biological resources, visual resources, cultural resources, tribal interests, recreation, and cumulative impacts. The Congressionallydesignated Old Spanish National Historic Trail crosses the area. Habitat for the federally listed desert tortoise is also in this proposed area. The BLM will consult with Native American tribes on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, Executive Order 13175, and other policies. Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian Trust assets. 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 scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. Segregation of the Public Lands In 2013, the BLM published a Final Rule, Segregation of Lands—Renewable Energy (78 FR 25204), that amended the regulations found in 43 CFR 2090 and 2800. The provisions of the Final Rule allow the BLM to temporarily segregate public lands within a solar or wind PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 application area from the operation of the public land laws, including the Mining Law, by publication of a Federal Register notice. The BLM uses this temporary segregation authority to preserve its ability to approve, approve with modifications, or deny proposed ROWs, and to facilitate the orderly administration of the public lands. This temporary segregation is subject to valid existing mining claims located before this segregation notice. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, or discretionary land use authorizations of a temporary nature which would not impact lands identified in this notice may be allowed with the approval of an authorized officer of the BLM during the segregation period. The lands segregated under this notice are legally described as follows: Mount Diablo Meridian, Clark County, Nevada T. 17 S., R. 64 E., Sec. 10, S1⁄2; Sec. 11, S1⁄2; Secs. 12 and 13; Sec. 14, N1⁄2 and SE1⁄4; Sec. 15, N1⁄2; Sec. 22, E1⁄2; Secs. 23 thru 26; Sec. 27, E1⁄2; Sec. 34, E1⁄2; Secs. 35 and 36. T. 17 S., R. 65 E. Secs. 7 thru 24; Secs. 26 thru 35. T. 17 S., R. 66 E., Secs. 7, 18 and 19. T. 18 S., R. 64 E., Secs. 1 and 2; Sec. 3, lots 5 and 6, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; Sec. 10, E1⁄2; Secs. 11 thru 14; Sec. 15, E1⁄2; Sec. 22, E1⁄2; Secs. 23 thru 26; Sec. 27, E1⁄2; Sec. 34, E1⁄2; Secs. 35 and 36. T. 18 S., R. 65 E., Secs. 2 thru 9; Secs. 16 thru 20; Sec. 21, N1⁄2 and SW1⁄4; Sec. 30. The areas described contain 45,165.48 acres, according to the official plats of the surveys and protraction diagrams of the lands on file with the BLM. As provided in the Final Rule, the segregation of lands in this Notice will not exceed 2 years from the date of publication unless extended for up to 2 additional years through publication of a new notice in the Federal Register. Termination of the segregation occurs on the earliest of the following dates: Upon issuance of a decision by the authorized officer granting, granting with modifications, or denying the application for a ROW; automatically at E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 135 / Friday, July 13, 2018 / Notices the end of the segregation; or upon publication of a Federal Register notice of termination of the segregation. Upon termination of segregation of these lands, all lands subject to this segregation would automatically reopen to appropriation under the public land laws. 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, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5, 43 CFR 2091.3–1(e), and 43 CFR 2804.25(f) Gayle Marrs-Smith, Las Vegas Field Manager. [FR Doc. 2018–15020 Filed 7–12–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [18XL1109AF LLUTC04000 L13200000.EL0000 UTU 081895] Notice of Availability for the Alton Coal Tract Coal Lease by Application Final Environmental Impact Statement, Utah Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 as amended (MLA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application (LBA), case number UTU–081895. DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: The public may review the Final EIS at the Kanab Field Office, 669 South Highway 89 A, Kanab, Utah 84741, and the BLM Utah State Office Public Room, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101; during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (unless otherwise posted), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:47 Jul 12, 2018 Jkt 244001 The Final EIS is available online at: https://go.usa.gov/xNmE2. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Rigtrup, Planner, telephone: 1– 435–865–3000; email: krigtrup@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS 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: In accordance with 43 CFR 3425, Alton Coal Development, LLC (ACD) submitted an application on November 12, 2004, with the BLM to lease Federal coal near the town of Alton, Utah. The tract identified in the application lies immediately adjacent to an active coal mine operated by ACD on private land. The BLM provided a 90-day public scoping period at the beginning of the EIS process to identify potential issues and concerns associated with the Proposed Action. The BLM evaluated the scoping comments and used them to develop alternatives to the Proposed Action, to guide the analysis of potential effects from leasing and mining the tract, and to identify potential mitigations for inclusion in the Draft EIS. On November 4, 2011, the BLM published in the Federal Register (76 FR 68501–502, November 4, 2011) a Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS for public comment. Based on comments received on the Draft EIS, the BLM decided to prepare a Supplemental Draft EIS for public review before preparing and distributing the Final EIS. On June 18, 2015, the BLM published an NOA for the Supplemental Draft EIS in the Federal Register (80 FR 34931–932, June 18, 2015). The BLM evaluated and used the comments received on the Draft EIS and the Supplemental Draft EIS to produce this Final EIS. The Final EIS analyzes and discloses to the public the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of issuing a Federal coal lease on the Alton Coal Tract, including mining and transportation of coal to a railhead near Cedar City, Utah, and to the Intermountain Power Plant near Delta, Utah. It includes the BLM’s responses to comments received during the extended 90-day public comment period, from June to September 2015, for the Supplemental Draft EIS. It also includes all alternatives considered in the Supplemental Draft EIS, including Alternative K1, the BLM’s preferred alternative for this LBA, based on the PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32683 analysis of the potential impacts of issuing a lease for the Alton Coal Tract. The Final EIS analyzes three action alternatives: (1) Alternative B: 3,581 acres, 44.9 million short tons (the Proposed Action), (2) Alternative C: 3,178 acres, 39.2 million short tons (wetlands reduction), and (3) Alternative K1: 2,114 acres, 30.8 million short tons. Alternative K1 was developed in response to the pending wetland and sage-grouse issues raised during the public comment period for the Draft EIS. A No Action Alternative is also included in the Final EIS which, if selected, would preclude offering of the lease tract. All action alternatives included a detailed Greater Sage-Grouse Mitigation Plan. The Final EIS also analyzed the No-Action Alternative (Alternative A) that would reject the application to lease Federal coal. Preparation of the Final EIS included Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, National Park Service and Environmental Protection Agency as cooperating agencies. The Alton Coal Tract includes approximately 44.9 million recoverable tons of in-place bituminous coal underlying the following lands in Kane County, Utah: Salt Lake Meridian, Utah T. 39 S., R. 5 W., Sec. 7, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4 and S1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 18, lots 3 and 4, E1⁄2, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, and E1⁄2SW1⁄4 Sec. 19, lots 1 thru 4, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, N1⁄2SE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4SE1⁄4; Sec. 20, lots 4 and 5, and N1⁄2SW1⁄4; Sec. 30, lots 2 thru 4, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and W1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 31, lots 1 thru 3, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and N1⁄2SE1⁄4; T. 39 S., R. 6 W., Sec. 12, SW1⁄4 and W1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 13, NW1⁄4NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; Sec. 24, NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, N1⁄2SE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4SE1⁄4; Sec. 25, E1⁄2NE1⁄4, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4. The area described, including both public and non-public surface lands, aggregate 3,581.27 Federal mineral acres according to the official plats of the surveys on file with the BLM. Consistent with NEPA and its implementing regulations and the MLA and its implementing regulations, the BLM must prepare an environmental analysis prior to holding a competitive Federal coal lease sale. An EIS has been prepared for this particular sale. All alternatives have been analyzed and could be offered for sale. If an action alternative is selected in the subsequent ROD, that tract would be offered in a competitive lease sale, and a lease for Federal coal would be issued if the bid E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32681-32683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15020]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVS01000. L51010000.PQ0000. LVRWF09F8730; N-85631; MO#4500119561]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
Land Use Plan Amendment, and a Notice of Segregation for the Proposed 
Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: As requested by Solar Partners XI, LLC, and in compliance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Vegas Field Office intends to 
prepare an

[[Page 32682]]

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and land use plan amendment to the 
1998 Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the proposed Gemini Solar 
Project in Clark County, Nevada. Publication of this Notice initiates 
the scoping process and opens a 45-day public comment period. 
Publication of this Notice also segregates the public lands from 
appropriation under the public land laws, including location under the 
Mining Law, but not the mineral leasing laws or the Materials Act, 
subject to valid existing rights.

DATES: Written comments must be received by the BLM no later than 
August 27, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings 
will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media 
and the BLM website at: https://go.usa.gov/xntTQ.
    Comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period 
or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later, to be 
included in the Draft EIS. The BLM will provide additional 
opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft 
EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     E-planning: https://go.usa.gov/xntTQ.
     Fax: 702-515-5023, Attention: Herman Pinales.
     Mail: BLM, Las Vegas Field Office, Attn: Herman Pinales, 
4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-2301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, and/or to 
have your name added to the mailing list, send requests to: Herman 
Pinales, Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager, at telephone 702-515-
5284; address 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-
2301; or email [email protected]. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during 
normal business hours. The FRS 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: In 2017, Solar Partners XI, LLC filed an 
application with the BLM requesting authorization to construct, 
operate, maintain, and decommission a 690-megawatt-per-year 
photovoltaic (PV) solar electric generating facility and associated 
generation tie-line and access road facilities. The expected life of 
the project is 30 years. The Solar Partners XI, LLC acquired the 
original 44,000-acre APEX Solar Thermal Power Generation Facility 
right-of-way application filed in 2008 by BrightSource Energy, LLC.
    The proposed Gemini Solar Project would be located approximately 25 
miles northeast of Las Vegas and south of the Moapa River Indian 
Reservation in Clark County, Nevada.
    The proposed Gemini Solar Project includes 7,115 acres of federal 
lands administered by the BLM. The Visual Resource Management (VRM) 
class in the Application Area is mostly III and some II (due to 
proximity to Muddy Mountain Wilderness Area and Bitter Springs Back 
Country Byway), which will require a land use plan amendment to a class 
IV in order for the project to be consistent with the land use plan. A 
VRM class 2 allows for activities with a low level of landscape change; 
a class III allows a moderate level of change that would not dominate 
the landscape; and a class IV allows a high level of change that would 
dominate the landscape.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and to guide the process for developing the 
EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary 
issues: Threatened and endangered species, biological resources, visual 
resources, cultural resources, tribal interests, recreation, and 
cumulative impacts. The Congressionally-designated Old Spanish National 
Historic Trail crosses the area. Habitat for the federally listed 
desert tortoise is also in this proposed area.
    The BLM will consult with Native American tribes on a government-
to-government basis in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, 
Executive Order 13175, and other policies. Tribal concerns will be 
given due consideration, including impacts on Indian Trust assets. 
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 scoping process and, if eligible, may 
request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating 
agency.

Segregation of the Public Lands

    In 2013, the BLM published a Final Rule, Segregation of Lands--
Renewable Energy (78 FR 25204), that amended the regulations found in 
43 CFR 2090 and 2800. The provisions of the Final Rule allow the BLM to 
temporarily segregate public lands within a solar or wind application 
area from the operation of the public land laws, including the Mining 
Law, by publication of a Federal Register notice. The BLM uses this 
temporary segregation authority to preserve its ability to approve, 
approve with modifications, or deny proposed ROWs, and to facilitate 
the orderly administration of the public lands. This temporary 
segregation is subject to valid existing mining claims located before 
this segregation notice. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, or 
discretionary land use authorizations of a temporary nature which would 
not impact lands identified in this notice may be allowed with the 
approval of an authorized officer of the BLM during the segregation 
period. The lands segregated under this notice are legally described as 
follows:

Mount Diablo Meridian, Clark County, Nevada

T. 17 S., R. 64 E.,
    Sec. 10, S\1/2\;
    Sec. 11, S\1/2\;
    Secs. 12 and 13;
    Sec. 14, N\1/2\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 15, N\1/2\;
    Sec. 22, E\1/2\;
    Secs. 23 thru 26;
    Sec. 27, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 34, E\1/2\;
    Secs. 35 and 36.
T. 17 S., R. 65 E.
    Secs. 7 thru 24;
    Secs. 26 thru 35.
T. 17 S., R. 66 E.,
    Secs. 7, 18 and 19.
T. 18 S., R. 64 E.,
    Secs. 1 and 2;
    Sec. 3, lots 5 and 6, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, E\1/2\;
    Secs. 11 thru 14;
    Sec. 15, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 22, E\1/2\;
    Secs. 23 thru 26;
    Sec. 27, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 34, E\1/2\;
    Secs. 35 and 36.
T. 18 S., R. 65 E.,
    Secs. 2 thru 9;
    Secs. 16 thru 20;
    Sec. 21, N\1/2\ and SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30.

    The areas described contain 45,165.48 acres, according to the 
official plats of the surveys and protraction diagrams of the lands 
on file with the BLM.

    As provided in the Final Rule, the segregation of lands in this 
Notice will not exceed 2 years from the date of publication unless 
extended for up to 2 additional years through publication of a new 
notice in the Federal Register. Termination of the segregation occurs 
on the earliest of the following dates: Upon issuance of a decision by 
the authorized officer granting, granting with modifications, or 
denying the application for a ROW; automatically at

[[Page 32683]]

the end of the segregation; or upon publication of a Federal Register 
notice of termination of the segregation.
    Upon termination of segregation of these lands, all lands subject 
to this segregation would automatically reopen to appropriation under 
the public land laws.
    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, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5, 43 CFR 
2091.3-1(e), and 43 CFR 2804.25(f)

Gayle Marrs-Smith,
Las Vegas Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2018-15020 Filed 7-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P


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