Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Yellow Pine Solar Project in Clark County, NV, 16125-16126 [2020-05745]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 55 / Friday, March 20, 2020 / Notices the Phoenix District Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, and available on the project website located at: https://go.usa.gov/xmfVv. This notice satisfies the requirements found at 43 CFR 8364.1. Therefore, the temporary closures authorized in the final decision would be enforced by the BLM under the authority of Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360.0–7, and 43 CFR 8364.1 within the closure area for each site. Temporary closures authorized in the final decision would cover the entire affected areas as described earlier and in the time period as described above would be temporarily closed to public entry. The following persons would be exempt from the proposed temporary closure orders: Federal, State, and local officers and employees in the performance of their official duties; members of organized rescue or firefighting forces in the performance of their official duties; and persons with written authorization from the BLM. Any person who violates temporary closures authorized in a final decision may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned no more than 12 months under 43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360.0–7, or both. In accordance with 43 CFR 8365.1–7, State or local officials may also impose penalties for violations of Arizona law. (Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1 and 16 U.S.C. 7913) Leon Thomas, District Manager. [FR Doc. 2020–05956 Filed 3–19–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–32–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVS01000. L51010000.ER0000. LVRWF1906420. 19X; N–90788; MO#4500143154] Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Yellow Pine Solar Project in Clark County, NV Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Mar 19, 2020 Jkt 250001 for the Yellow Pine Solar Project and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. DATES: This notice initiates the public comment period for the Draft EIS. To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The dates and locations of any public meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM website at: https://go.usa.gov/ xQF3z. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Final EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Yellow Pine Solar Project Draft EIS by any of the following methods: • Website: https://go.usa.gov/xQF3z • Email: blm_nv_sndo_yellowpine@ blm.gov • Fax: 702–515–5023 • Mail: Yellow Pine Solar Project, Attn: Herman Pinales, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herman Pinales, Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager, telephone 702–515– 5284; address 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130–2301; email blm_nv_sndo_yellowpine@ 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: This Draft EIS addresses two separate but connected applications that have been submitted to the BLM Las Vegas Field Office. First, Yellow Pine Solar, LLC has applied for a right-of-way on public land to construct, operate, and maintain a proposed solar energy generation station and ancillary facilities including battery storage, known as the Yellow Pine Solar Facility. Second, GridLiance West, LLC has applied for a right-of-way (ROW) on public land to construct, operate, and maintain a GridLiance West 230-kilovolt (kV) Trout Canyon Substation and associated 230-kV transmission line. These two applications are collectively known as the Yellow Pine Solar Project. The proposed Yellow Pine Solar Project is located approximately 10 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16125 miles southeast of Pahrump and approximately 32 miles west of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada. The Yellow Pine Solar Project would be located on approximately 3,072 acres of BLM managed public land. The Draft EIS addresses the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives. The Draft EIS evaluates the Proposed Action, the Modified Layout Alternative, the Mowing Alternative, and the No Action Alternative. All of the analysis involves development on approximately 3,072 acres of land; however, each action/alternative differs in how the facility is constructed. The Proposed Action would be divided into four unique sub-areas to avoid three large washes that cross the study area. The Proposed Action would involve solar development utilizing traditional methods, which include disk and roll which removes all vegetation from within the solar arrays. The Modified Layout would involve one combined project area on the west side of the project study area to increase space between the project and the Tecopa Road, State Route 160, and the Stump Springs Desert Tortoise Translocation Area. The Mowing Alternative is a construction methods alternative that may be applied to either site layout. Under the Mowing Alternative, vegetation would be maintained at a height of 18 to 24 inches to address concerns related to the loss of topsoil, vegetation, and seedbanks. The No Action Alternative would be a continuation of existing conditions. The BLM has identified the Proposed Action layout using the Mowing Alternative construction method as the preferred alternative. A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the proposed Yellow Pine Solar Project was published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2018 (83 FR 25484). The public scoping period closed on August 30, 2018. The BLM held two public scoping meetings. The BLM received 57 public scoping comment letters during the 45-day scoping period. The scoping comments focused on biological resources including the threatened Mojave desert tortoise, alternatives development, visual resources, cultural resources, and impacts to the Old Spanish National Historic Trail. The BLM analyzed a combination of proposed environmental measures and possible mitigation to eliminate or minimize impacts associated with the proposed action. These included the potential for identifying opportunities to apply on-site mitigation strategies appropriate to the site of the proposal, E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 16126 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 55 / Friday, March 20, 2020 / Notices and management actions to achieve resource objectives. The BLM continues to consult with Indian tribes on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts to Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. 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 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), 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: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10) Gera Ashton, Acting District Manager, Southern Nevada District. [FR Doc. 2020–05745 Filed 3–19–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AA–6978–E; AA–6978–F; 20X.LLAK944000.L14100000.HY0000] Alaska Native Claims Selection Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface estate in certain lands to Kootznoowoo Incorporated (Kootznoowoo), for the Native village of Angoon, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA) and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA). As provided by ANILCA, the BLM will convey the subsurface estate in a portion of the same lands to Sealaska Corporation when the BLM conveys the surface estate to Kootznoowoo. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Mar 19, 2020 Jkt 250001 Any party claiming a property interest in the lands affected by the decision may appeal the decision in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 within the time limits set out in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. DATES: You may obtain a copy of the decision from the Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, AK 99513–7504. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chelsea Kreiner, BLM Alaska State Office, 907–271–4205, or ckreiner@ blm.gov. The BLM Alaska State Office may also be contacted via Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) through the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339. The relay service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the BLM. The BLM will reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that the BLM will issue an appealable decision to Kootznoowoo. The decision approves conveyance of the surface estate in certain lands pursuant to ANCSA (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.), and Secs. 506(a)(4) and (5) of ANILCA (94 Stat. 2408). As provided by ANILCA and as set out below, a portion of the subsurface estate in the same lands will be conveyed to Sealaska Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to Kootznoowoo. The lands are located in the vicinity of Chichagof Island and Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, and are described as: ADDRESSES: Lands on Chichagof Island To Be Conveyed Pursuant to Sec. 506(a)(4) of ANILCA Surface to Kootznoowoo; Subsurface Retained by United States U.S. Survey No. 14075, Alaska. Containing 19.99 acres. Lands on Prince of Wales Island To Be Conveyed Pursuant to Sec. 506(a)(5) of ANILCA Surface to Kootznoowoo; Subsurface to Sealaska Corporation U.S. Survey No. 14083, Alaska. Containing 61.03 acres. Copper River Meridian, Alaska T. 77 S., R. 87 E., Secs. 11, 12, 14, and 24. Containing approximately 8 acres. T. 77 S., R. 88 E., Sec. 36. Containing approximately 4 acres. T. 77 S., R. 89 E., Sec. 32. Containing approximately 1 acre. Aggregating approximately 94 acres. The decision addresses public access easements, if any, to be reserved to the United States pursuant to Sec. 17(b) of PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ANCSA (43 U.S.C. 1616(b)), and Sec. 506(a) of ANILCA (94 Stat. 2408), in the lands described above. The BLM will also publish notice of the decision once a week for four consecutive weeks in the Juneau Empire and the Ketchikan Daily News newspapers. Any party claiming a property interest in the lands affected by the decision may appeal the decision in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 within the following time limits: 1. Unknown parties, parties unable to be located after reasonable efforts have been expended to locate, parties who fail or refuse to sign their return receipt, and parties who receive a copy of the decision by regular mail which is not certified, return receipt requested, shall have until April 20, 2020 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 shall be deemed to have waived their rights. Notices of appeal transmitted by facsimile will not be accepted as timely filed. Chelsea Kreiner, Land Law Examiner, Adjudication Section. [FR Doc. 2020–05955 Filed 3–19–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation [DOI–2019–0015; RR83570000, 200R5065C6, RX.59389832.1009676] Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Rescindment of systems of records notices. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior is issuing a public notice of its intent to rescind nine Bureau of Reclamation Privacy Act systems of records notices, INTERIOR/WBR–15, Land Settlement Entries; INTERIOR/ WBR–17, Lands—Leases, Sales, Rentals, and Transfers; INTERIOR/WBR–19, Mineral Location Entries; INTERIOR/ WBR–22, Oil and Gas Applications; INTERIOR/WBR–28, Real Property and Right-of-Way Acquisitions; INTERIOR/ WBR–29, Right-of-Way Applications; INTERIOR/WBR–32, Special Use Applications, Licenses, and Permits; INTERIOR/WBR–41, Permits; and E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 55 (Friday, March 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16125-16126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05745]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVS01000. L51010000.ER0000. LVRWF1906420. 19X; N-90788; 
MO#4500143154]


Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Yellow Pine Solar Project in Clark County, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Yellow Pine Solar 
Project and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment 
period.

DATES: This notice initiates the public comment period for the Draft 
EIS. To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the 
Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in 
the Federal Register. The dates and locations of any public meetings 
will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, 
newspapers and the BLM website at: https://go.usa.gov/xQF3z. We will 
provide additional opportunities for public participation upon 
publication of the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Yellow Pine Solar 
Project Draft EIS by any of the following methods:

 Website: https://go.usa.gov/xQF3z
 Email: [email protected]
 Fax: 702-515-5023
 Mail: Yellow Pine Solar Project, Attn: Herman Pinales, BLM Las 
Vegas Field Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Herman Pinales, Energy & 
Infrastructure Project Manager, telephone 702-515-5284; address 4701 
North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-2301; 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: This Draft EIS addresses two separate but 
connected applications that have been submitted to the BLM Las Vegas 
Field Office. First, Yellow Pine Solar, LLC has applied for a right-of-
way on public land to construct, operate, and maintain a proposed solar 
energy generation station and ancillary facilities including battery 
storage, known as the Yellow Pine Solar Facility. Second, GridLiance 
West, LLC has applied for a right-of-way (ROW) on public land to 
construct, operate, and maintain a GridLiance West 230-kilovolt (kV) 
Trout Canyon Substation and associated 230-kV transmission line. These 
two applications are collectively known as the Yellow Pine Solar 
Project.
    The proposed Yellow Pine Solar Project is located approximately 10 
miles southeast of Pahrump and approximately 32 miles west of Las Vegas 
in Clark County, Nevada. The Yellow Pine Solar Project would be located 
on approximately 3,072 acres of BLM managed public land.
    The Draft EIS addresses the direct, indirect and cumulative 
environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives. The 
Draft EIS evaluates the Proposed Action, the Modified Layout 
Alternative, the Mowing Alternative, and the No Action Alternative. All 
of the analysis involves development on approximately 3,072 acres of 
land; however, each action/alternative differs in how the facility is 
constructed. The Proposed Action would be divided into four unique sub-
areas to avoid three large washes that cross the study area. The 
Proposed Action would involve solar development utilizing traditional 
methods, which include disk and roll which removes all vegetation from 
within the solar arrays. The Modified Layout would involve one combined 
project area on the west side of the project study area to increase 
space between the project and the Tecopa Road, State Route 160, and the 
Stump Springs Desert Tortoise Translocation Area. The Mowing 
Alternative is a construction methods alternative that may be applied 
to either site layout. Under the Mowing Alternative, vegetation would 
be maintained at a height of 18 to 24 inches to address concerns 
related to the loss of topsoil, vegetation, and seedbanks. The No 
Action Alternative would be a continuation of existing conditions. The 
BLM has identified the Proposed Action layout using the Mowing 
Alternative construction method as the preferred alternative.
    A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the proposed Yellow 
Pine Solar Project was published in the Federal Register on June 1, 
2018 (83 FR 25484). The public scoping period closed on August 30, 
2018. The BLM held two public scoping meetings. The BLM received 57 
public scoping comment letters during the 45-day scoping period. The 
scoping comments focused on biological resources including the 
threatened Mojave desert tortoise, alternatives development, visual 
resources, cultural resources, and impacts to the Old Spanish National 
Historic Trail.
    The BLM analyzed a combination of proposed environmental measures 
and possible mitigation to eliminate or minimize impacts associated 
with the proposed action. These included the potential for identifying 
opportunities to apply on-site mitigation strategies appropriate to the 
site of the proposal,

[[Page 16126]]

and management actions to achieve resource objectives.
    The BLM continues to consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts to Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration.
    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 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), 
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: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10)

Gera Ashton,
Acting District Manager, Southern Nevada District.
[FR Doc. 2020-05745 Filed 3-19-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P

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