Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report and Draft Land Use Plan Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan for the Desert Quartzite Solar Project, 39774-39775 [2018-16959]

Download as PDF daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 39774 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 155 / Friday, August 10, 2018 / Notices comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may 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. Abstract: The National Land Remote Sensing Education, Outreach and Research Activity (NLRSEORA) is an effort that involves the development of a U.S. national consortium in building the capability to receive, process and archive remotely sensed data for the purpose of providing access to university and state organizations in a ready-to-use format; and to expand the science of remote sensing through education, research/applications development and outreach in areas such as environmental monitoring to include the effects of climate variability on water availability (or lack thereof) and phenology, natural resource management and disaster analysis. Respondents are submitting proposals to acquire funding for a national (U.S.) program to promote the uses of spacebased land remote sensing data and technologies through education and outreach at the state and local level and through university-based and collaborative research projects. The information collected will ensure that sufficient and relevant information is available to evaluate and select a proposal for funding. A panel of USGS Land Resources Mission Area managers and scientists will review each proposal to evaluate the technical merit, requirements, and priorities identified in the call for proposals. This notice concerns the collection of information that is sufficient and relevant to evaluate and select proposals for funding. We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, ‘‘Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited inspection.’’ Responses are voluntary. No questions of a ‘‘sensitive’’ nature are asked. We intend to release the project abstracts and primary investigators for awarded/funded projects only. Title of Collection: National Land Remote Sensing Education, Outreach and Research Activity OMB Control Number: 1028–0085. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Public or private institutions of higher VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:03 Aug 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 education including universities; State and local governments (including county, city, township or special district governments); independent school districts, Native American Tribal governments or organizations, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status). Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: Approximately 5 respondents. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: Approximately 7 responses. Estimated Completion Time per Response: 168 hours in total. We expect to receive approximately 5 applications per year, taking each applicant approximately 24 hours to complete the application process. We anticipate awarding one (1) grant per year. The grantee will be required to submit an interim Annual Progress Report to the designated USGS Project Officer within 90 days of the end of the project period and a final report on or before 90 working days after the expiration of the agreement. We anticipate the grantee will take approximately 24 hours to submit each interim annual report and the final report. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 168 hours per year. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit. Frequency of Collection: Annually. Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: There are no ‘‘non-hourcost’’ burdens associated with this IC. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.). Timothy Newman, Program Coordinator, National Land Imaging Program, U.S. Geological Survey. [FR Doc. 2018–17110 Filed 8–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4338–11–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Geological Survey [GX18EB00A181100; OMB Control Number 1028–0085/Renewal] Agency Information Collection Activities; National Land Remote Sensing Education, Outreach and Research Activity Correction Notice document 2018–16986 appearing on pages 39115 through 39116, in the issue of August 8, 2018, PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 was inadvertently published in error and is hereby withdrawn. [FR Doc. C1–2018–16986 Filed 8–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1301–00–D DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [(LLCAD06000.51010000.ER0000.LVRWB0 9B2920.18X5017AP) CACA49397; MO#4500121476] Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report and Draft Land Use Plan Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan for the Desert Quartzite Solar Project Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and, in collaboration with Riverside County, a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Desert Quartzite Solar Project (DQSP). A draft Land Use Plan Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan (CDCA) is also included. This notice announces the opening of the public comment period, following the date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register. DATES: To ensure that all comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the draft plan amendment and draft EIS/EIR by November 8, 2018. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, the project website, and/or mailings. ADDRESSES: The public may submit comments related to the project during the public comment period by using any of the following methods: • Website: https://goo.gl/GmkJk4. • Email: blm_ca_desert_quartzite_ solar_project@blm.gov. • Mail: Desert Quartzite Solar Project, Bureau of Land Management Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92234. Copies of the draft EIS/EIR and draft plan amendment are available at the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM 10AUN1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 155 / Friday, August 10, 2018 / Notices BLM-Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at the above address and at the BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553, and electronically on the project website referenced above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon G. Anderson, BLM project manager, telephone: (760) 833–7140; email: bganderson@blm.gov; address Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Persons who use telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at (307) 775–6115 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 questions with the above individual regarding the project. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Desert Quartzite LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of First Solar Development LLC, applied for a right-of-way (ROW) grant for a photovoltaic solar project, application number CACA–049397, with the Bureau of Land Management. The Applicant proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission the DQSP in the southern California inland desert. The Project would generate up to 450 megawatts (MW) using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The ROW grant application was originally filed for 7,245 acres on September 28, 2007, but has since been revised. The total project area under application for BLM and County approval is 5,275 acres, including 5,115 acres of BLM-administered lands for the ROW grant, and 160 acres of private land for the Riverside County Conditional Use Permit. Within this application area, the Applicant has proposed a project that would occupy 3,831 acres. This includes 3,560 acres for the portion of the solar facility on BLM-managed public lands; 54 acres for the proposed 230 kilovolt (kV) generation interconnection [gen-tie] line on BLM public lands, two acres for the offsite portion of a buried telecommunications line on BLM public lands, 56.8 acres of temporary projects, 4.5 acres for the external access road and 154 acres for the portion of the solar facility on private lands. The larger acreage under application would allow the BLM and the County to consider various site layouts as project alternatives in the environmental analyses for the proposed project. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:03 Aug 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 Although the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Desert Quartzite Solar Project and a possible amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) plan, 80 FR 12195 (March 6, 2015), stated that the Project would be capable of generating 300 MW, advances in photovoltaic solar technology will allow the generation of additional megawatts on the same footprint proposed in the project’s Plan of Development. In addition to the proposed action, the draft EIS/EIR considers a ‘‘no action’’ alternative and two action alternatives. Alternative 2, Resource Avoidance, would authorize a 450-MW PV array on approximately 2,845 acres, and Alternative 3, Reduced Project Alternative, would authorize a 285-MW PV array on approximately 2,112 acres. Like the Proposed Action, under each of these alternatives, the BLM would amend the CDCA plan to allow the project. Under the No Action Alternative, the BLM would deny the ROW application, and would not amend the CDCA plan to allow the project. The BLM has identified Alternative 2, Resource Avoidance, as the BLM Preferred Alternative for the draft EIS. The BLM and its cooperating agencies are seeking comments on the draft EIS, including the comparison of alternatives presented in the document. Riverside County is the lead agency for the State under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The draft plan amendment EIS/EIR was prepared as a joint Federal/State environmental document that analyzes the impacts of the Project under both NEPA and CEQA. Public input is important and will be considered in the environmental and land-use planning analysis. Please note that public comments and information submitted (including names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who submit comments) will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personally identifiable information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask the BLM in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39775 Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2. Jerome E. Perez, State Director, California. [FR Doc. 2018–16959 Filed 8–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–NPS0026042; PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Inventory Completion: Riverside Metropolitan Museum, Riverside, CA National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Riverside Metropolitan Museum has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed. DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum at the address in this notice by September 10, 2018. ADDRESSES: Robyn G. Peterson, Ph.D., Museum Director, Riverside Metropolitan Museum, 3580 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, telephone (951) 826–5792, email rpeterson@riversideca.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM 10AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39774-39775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16959]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[(LLCAD06000.51010000.ER0000.LVRWB09B2920.18X5017AP) CACA49397; 
MO#4500121476]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement and Environmental Impact Report and Draft Land Use Plan 
Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan for the 
Desert Quartzite Solar Project

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 
prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and, in 
collaboration with Riverside County, a draft Environmental Impact 
Report (EIR) for the Desert Quartzite Solar Project (DQSP). A draft 
Land Use Plan Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan 
(CDCA) is also included. This notice announces the opening of the 
public comment period, following the date the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal 
Register.

DATES: To ensure that all comments will be considered, the BLM must 
receive written comments on the draft plan amendment and draft EIS/EIR 
by November 8, 2018. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings 
and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance 
through public notices, media releases, the project website, and/or 
mailings.

ADDRESSES: The public may submit comments related to the project during 
the public comment period by using any of the following methods:
     Website: https://goo.gl/GmkJk4.
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Desert Quartzite Solar Project, Bureau of Land 
Management Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center 
Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92234.
    Copies of the draft EIS/EIR and draft plan amendment are available 
at the

[[Page 39775]]

BLM-Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at the above address and at 
the BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los 
Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553, and electronically on the project 
website referenced above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon G. Anderson, BLM project 
manager, telephone: (760) 833-7140; email: [email protected]; address 
Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 
Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
    Persons who use telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at (307) 775-6115 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 questions with the above 
individual regarding the project. You will receive a reply during 
normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Desert Quartzite LLC, a wholly owned 
subsidiary of First Solar Development LLC, applied for a right-of-way 
(ROW) grant for a photovoltaic solar project, application number CACA-
049397, with the Bureau of Land Management. The Applicant proposes to 
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission the DQSP in the southern 
California inland desert. The Project would generate up to 450 
megawatts (MW) using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.
    The ROW grant application was originally filed for 7,245 acres on 
September 28, 2007, but has since been revised. The total project area 
under application for BLM and County approval is 5,275 acres, including 
5,115 acres of BLM-administered lands for the ROW grant, and 160 acres 
of private land for the Riverside County Conditional Use Permit. Within 
this application area, the Applicant has proposed a project that would 
occupy 3,831 acres. This includes 3,560 acres for the portion of the 
solar facility on BLM-managed public lands; 54 acres for the proposed 
230 kilovolt (kV) generation interconnection [gen-tie] line on BLM 
public lands, two acres for the offsite portion of a buried 
telecommunications line on BLM public lands, 56.8 acres of temporary 
projects, 4.5 acres for the external access road and 154 acres for the 
portion of the solar facility on private lands. The larger acreage 
under application would allow the BLM and the County to consider 
various site layouts as project alternatives in the environmental 
analyses for the proposed project.
    Although the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Desert Quartzite Solar Project and a possible 
amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) plan, 80 FR 
12195 (March 6, 2015), stated that the Project would be capable of 
generating 300 MW, advances in photovoltaic solar technology will allow 
the generation of additional megawatts on the same footprint proposed 
in the project's Plan of Development.
    In addition to the proposed action, the draft EIS/EIR considers a 
``no action'' alternative and two action alternatives. Alternative 2, 
Resource Avoidance, would authorize a 450-MW PV array on approximately 
2,845 acres, and Alternative 3, Reduced Project Alternative, would 
authorize a 285-MW PV array on approximately 2,112 acres. Like the 
Proposed Action, under each of these alternatives, the BLM would amend 
the CDCA plan to allow the project. Under the No Action Alternative, 
the BLM would deny the ROW application, and would not amend the CDCA 
plan to allow the project.
    The BLM has identified Alternative 2, Resource Avoidance, as the 
BLM Preferred Alternative for the draft EIS. The BLM and its 
cooperating agencies are seeking comments on the draft EIS, including 
the comparison of alternatives presented in the document.
    Riverside County is the lead agency for the State under the 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The draft plan amendment 
EIS/EIR was prepared as a joint Federal/State environmental document 
that analyzes the impacts of the Project under both NEPA and CEQA.
    Public input is important and will be considered in the 
environmental and land-use planning analysis. Please note that public 
comments and information submitted (including names, street addresses, 
and email addresses of persons who submit comments) will be available 
for public review and disclosure at the above address during regular 
business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except 
holidays.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should 
be aware that your entire comment--including your personally 
identifiable information--may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask the BLM in your comment to withhold your personally 
identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that 
we will be able to do so.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2.

Jerome E. Perez,
State Director, California.
[FR Doc. 2018-16959 Filed 8-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
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