Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Southern Bighorn Solar Project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation, Clark County, Nevada, 27431-27432 [2020-09831]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 90 / Friday, May 8, 2020 / Notices
Disease Diagnostics Laboratory in
Pullman, Washington, to be screened for
a number of pathogens, including
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi), a
bacterium known to be associated with
acute pneumonia mortality events.
However, M. ovi was not detected in any
of the samples, and there does not
appear to be a clear association of the
population decline with respiratory
disease or other common diseases. Since
January 2019, eight of 19 radio-collared
sheep have died; six because of
mountain lion predation, one killed
legally by a hunter, and one from
unknown causes.
Given rapidly declining sheep
numbers and 2 years of poor lamb
recruitment, the herd is at risk of
extirpation from the refuge in the next
few years unless appropriate
management actions are taken. In
response, ODFW suspended sheep
hunting on the Refuge following the
2019 hunting season. Because there is
considerable uncertainty about what the
proximate and ultimate causes of this
decline are, development of a
management plan and EIS are warranted
in order to analyze existing data and
identify short- and long-term
alternatives and actions needed to
restore the bighorn sheep herd to a selfsustaining population level. Possible
management actions include continued
monitoring, management of the sheep
and associated predator populations,
and restoration and maintenance of
habitat.
Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and
Opportunities
Based on the fundamental principles
of wildlife management, we have
identified the following preliminary
issues, concerns, and opportunities
regarding the sheep population that we
may address in the plan. Additional
issues may be identified during the
public scoping process.
• Bighorn sheep population
objectives. What parameters should the
Service use to define a self-sustainable
population on the refuge? What criteria
or triggers should the Service consider
when deciding to implement or suspend
management actions?
• Bighorn sheep survival and
mortality. What actions can the Service
take to improve sheep survival and lamb
recruitment? What are the effects of the
various sources of mortality—including
disease, predation, and hunting—on the
long-term viability of the sheep
population? Given risks of disease
introductions, is there a role for
augmenting the sheep population?
• Habitat quality and quantity. What
actions can the Service take to maintain
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:46 May 07, 2020
Jkt 250001
and restore sheep habitat? How are
western juniper expansion and invasive
plant species (invasive annual grasses
including cheatgrass) affecting the sheep
population? Is there a role for prescribed
fire to manage sheep habitats? Is natural
water availability a limiting resource?
• Potential alternatives and
environmental analysis. Potential
alternatives include a focus on habitat,
a focus on population management, or
a combination of approaches. What
alternatives for restoring the bighorn
sheep population should the Service
explore? Which components of the
human environment should the Service
emphasize in the environmental
analysis?
Public Availability of Comments
All comments received from
individuals become part of the official
public record. We will handle all
requests for such comments in
accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act and the CEQ’s NEPA
regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6(f). The
Service’s practice is to make comments,
including names and home addresses of
respondents, available for public review
during regular business hours.
Individual respondents may request that
we withhold their home address from
the record, which we will honor to the
extent allowable by law. If you wish us
to withhold your name and/or address,
you must state this prominently at the
beginning of your comments.
Charles Stenvall,
Acting Regional Refuge Chief, Pacific Region,
Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2020–09255 Filed 5–7–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[201A2100DD/AAKC001030/
A0A501010.999900 253G]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Southern Bighorn Solar Project on
the Moapa River Indian Reservation,
Clark County, Nevada
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA), as lead agency, in cooperation
with the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians
(Moapa Band), the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), and other agencies,
intend to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) that will
evaluate a photovoltaic (PV) solar
SUMMARY:
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27431
energy generation and storage projects
on the Moapa River Indian Reservation
(Reservation) and collector lines and
access roads located on the Reservation,
Reservation lands administered by BLM,
and BLM lands. This notice announces
the beginning of the scoping process to
solicit public comments and identify
potential issues related to the EIS. It also
announces that two live streaming
events will be held where the project
team will introduce the project and be
available by internet and by phone to
document and discuss potential issues,
alternatives, and mitigation to be
considered in the EIS.
Written comments on the scope
of the EIS or implementation of the
proposal must arrive by 11:59 p.m. on
June 8, 2020. The dates and times of the
virtual public scoping meetings will be
published in the Las Vegas ReviewJournal and Moapa Valley Progress 15
days before the scoping meetings.
DATES:
You may mail, email, or
hand carry written comments to Mr.
Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional
Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th
Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, Arizona
85004; telephone: (602) 379–6750;
email: Chip.Lewis@bia.gov.
ADDRESSES:
The
proposed Federal action, taken under 25
U.S.C. 415, is the BIA’s approval of two
solar energy ground leases and
associated agreements entered into by
the Moapa Band with 300MS 8me LLC
and 425LM 8me LLC (Applicants), both
subsidiaries of 8minute Solar Energy.
The agreements provide for
construction, operation and
maintenance (O&M), and eventual
decommissioning of the PV electricity
generation and battery storage facilities
located entirely on the Reservation, in
Clark County Nevada. The PV electricity
generation and battery storage facilities
would be located on up to 3,600 acres
of tribal trust land and would have a
combined capacity of up to 400
megawatts alternating current (MWac)—
300 MWac for one project/phase, and
100 MWac for a second project/phase.
Collector lines and access roads
required for interconnection of the solar
projects would be located on the
Reservation, Reservation lands
administered by the BLM, and BLM
lands. Together, the proposed solar
energy generation and storage facilities,
collector lines, and other associated
facilities will make up the two projects/
phases of the Southern Bighorn Solar
Project (SBSP). The proposed SBSP
would require the BIA to approve a
business lease and for both the BIA and
the BLM to approve and authorize
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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08MYN1
27432
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 90 / Friday, May 8, 2020 / Notices
rights-of-way (ROWs) for the electrical
collector lines and access roads.
The SBSP would be constructed on
up to 3,600 acres located within a 6,308acre lease option area in Township (T)
16 South (S), Range (R) 64 East (E) that
includes all or parts of Sections 12–14,
22–27, and 33–36; T16S R65E Sections
4–9, 16–18, 30, and 31; and T17S R64E
Sections 10–12, Mount Diablo Baseline
and Meridian, Nevada. Primary access
to the Project would be provided by I–
15, North Las Vegas Boulevard, and an
existing improved access road on
Reservation lands, Reservation lands
administered by the BLM, and BLM
lands. The overhead collector lines
would connect the solar projects to the
substation(s) within the boundaries of
the previously approved Eagle Shadow
Mountain Solar Project. From there, the
electricity generated would connect to
the existing gen-tie line and be
delivered to the regional electrical grid
at NV Energy’s Reid Gardner Substation.
Construction of the 300MWac project/
phase is expected to take approximately
14–16 months, and construction of the
up to 100MWac project/phase is
expected to take approximately 8–10
months. The two projects/phases may
be constructed simultaneously or
sequentially. The electricity generation
and storage facilities are expected to be
operated for up to 40 years under the
terms of the leases. Major onsite
facilities include multiple blocks of
solar PV panels mounted on fixed tilt or
tracking systems, pad mounted inverters
and transformers, collector lines, up to
1,000 MW-hours of battery storage,
access roads, and O&M facilities. Water
will be needed during construction for
dust control and a minimal amount will
be needed during operations for
administrative and sanitary water use
and for panel washing. The water
supply required for the Project would be
leased from the Moapa Band.
The purposes of the proposed Project
are, among other things, to: (1) Provide
a long-term, diverse, and viable
economic revenue base and job
opportunities for the Moapa Band; (2)
assist Nevada and neighboring states to
meet their State renewable energy
needs; and (3) allow the Moapa Band, in
partnership with the Applicant, to
optimize the use of the lease site while
maximizing the potential economic
benefit to the Tribe.
BIA will prepare the EIS in
cooperation with the Moapa Band, BLM,
Environmental Protection Agency, and
possibly Nevada Department of
Wildlife. In addition, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National
Park Service will provide input on the
analysis. The resulting EIS will aim to
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17:46 May 07, 2020
Jkt 250001
(1) provide agency decision makers, the
Moapa Band, and the general public
with a comprehensive understanding of
the impacts of the proposed Project and
alternatives on the Reservation; (2)
describe the cumulative impacts of
increased development on the
Reservation; and (3) identify and
propose mitigation measures that would
minimize or prevent significant adverse
impacts. Consistent with these
objectives, the EIS will analyze the
proposed Project and appurtenant
features, viable alternatives, and the No
Action alternative. Other alternatives
may be identified in response to issues
raised during the scoping process.
The EIS will provide a framework for
BIA and BLM to make determinations
and to decide whether to take the
aforementioned Federal actions. In
addition, BIA will use and coordinate
the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) commenting process to satisfy
its obligations under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (16
U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal
consultations will be conducted in
accordance with policy, and tribal
concerns will be given due
consideration, including impacts on
Indian trust assets. Other federal
agencies may rely on the EIS to make
decisions under their authority and the
Moapa Band may also use the EIS to
make decisions under their Tribal
Environmental Policy Ordinance.
USFWS will review the EIS for
consistency with the Endangered
Species Act, as amended, and other
implementing acts, and may rely on the
EIS to support its decisions and
opinions regarding the Project.
Issues to be addressed in the EIS
analysis may include, but would not be
limited to, Project impacts on water
resources, biological resources,
threatened and endangered species,
cultural resources, Native American
religious concerns, and aesthetics. In
addition to those resource topics
identified above, Federal, State, and
local agencies, along with other
stakeholders that may be interested or
affected by the BIA’s decision on the
proposed Project, are invited to
participate in the scoping process to
identify additional issues to be
addressed.
Submission of Public Comments
Please include your name, return
address, and the caption ‘‘EIS, Southern
Bighorn Solar Project,’’ on the first page
of any written comments. You may also
submit comments verbally during one of
the virtual public scoping meeting
presentations or provide written
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comments to the address listed above in
the ADDRESSES section.
Public scoping meetings will be held
to further describe the Project and
identify potential issues and alternatives
to be considered in the EIS. To help
protect the public and limit the spread
of the COVID–19 virus, virtual public
meetings will be held, where a short
presentation will be made and team
members present to discuss and answer
questions. The PowerPoint presentation
will be posted to the project website
prior to the virtual meetings. Those who
cannot live stream the presentation
would be able to access the meeting
presentation and could join by
telephone. Additionally, the live
presentation will be recorded and made
accessible for viewing throughout the
scoping period. The first public scoping
meeting will be held in the afternoon by
video and telephone conference and the
second public scoping meeting will be
held in the evening by video and
telephone conference. The dates and
times of the public scoping meetings
will be included in notices to be
published in the, Las Vegas ReviewJournal and Moapa Valley Progress 15
days before the meetings.
Public Comment Availability
Comments, including names and
addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review at the
mailing address shown in the
ADDRESSES section 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.
Authority
This notice is published in
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 of the
Council of Environmental Quality
regulations and 43 CFR 46.235 of the
Department of the Interior Regulations
implementing the procedural
requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.), and in accordance with
the exercise of authority delegated to the
Principal Deputy Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs by part 209 of the
Department Manual.
Tara Sweeney,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020–09831 Filed 5–7–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 90 (Friday, May 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27431-27432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09831]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[201A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900 253G]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Southern Bighorn Solar Project on the Moapa River Indian
Reservation, Clark County, Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency, in
cooperation with the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Moapa Band), the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and other agencies, intend to prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate a
photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation and storage projects on the
Moapa River Indian Reservation (Reservation) and collector lines and
access roads located on the Reservation, Reservation lands administered
by BLM, and BLM lands. This notice announces the beginning of the
scoping process to solicit public comments and identify potential
issues related to the EIS. It also announces that two live streaming
events will be held where the project team will introduce the project
and be available by internet and by phone to document and discuss
potential issues, alternatives, and mitigation to be considered in the
EIS.
DATES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS or implementation of
the proposal must arrive by 11:59 p.m. on June 8, 2020. The dates and
times of the virtual public scoping meetings will be published in the
Las Vegas Review-Journal and Moapa Valley Progress 15 days before the
scoping meetings.
ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, or hand carry written comments to Mr.
Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th
Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, Arizona 85004; telephone: (602) 379-6750;
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Federal action, taken under 25
U.S.C. 415, is the BIA's approval of two solar energy ground leases and
associated agreements entered into by the Moapa Band with 300MS 8me LLC
and 425LM 8me LLC (Applicants), both subsidiaries of 8minute Solar
Energy. The agreements provide for construction, operation and
maintenance (O&M), and eventual decommissioning of the PV electricity
generation and battery storage facilities located entirely on the
Reservation, in Clark County Nevada. The PV electricity generation and
battery storage facilities would be located on up to 3,600 acres of
tribal trust land and would have a combined capacity of up to 400
megawatts alternating current (MWac)--300 MWac for one project/phase,
and 100 MWac for a second project/phase. Collector lines and access
roads required for interconnection of the solar projects would be
located on the Reservation, Reservation lands administered by the BLM,
and BLM lands. Together, the proposed solar energy generation and
storage facilities, collector lines, and other associated facilities
will make up the two projects/phases of the Southern Bighorn Solar
Project (SBSP). The proposed SBSP would require the BIA to approve a
business lease and for both the BIA and the BLM to approve and
authorize
[[Page 27432]]
rights-of-way (ROWs) for the electrical collector lines and access
roads.
The SBSP would be constructed on up to 3,600 acres located within a
6,308-acre lease option area in Township (T) 16 South (S), Range (R) 64
East (E) that includes all or parts of Sections 12-14, 22-27, and 33-
36; T16S R65E Sections 4-9, 16-18, 30, and 31; and T17S R64E Sections
10-12, Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian, Nevada. Primary access to
the Project would be provided by I-15, North Las Vegas Boulevard, and
an existing improved access road on Reservation lands, Reservation
lands administered by the BLM, and BLM lands. The overhead collector
lines would connect the solar projects to the substation(s) within the
boundaries of the previously approved Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar
Project. From there, the electricity generated would connect to the
existing gen-tie line and be delivered to the regional electrical grid
at NV Energy's Reid Gardner Substation.
Construction of the 300MWac project/phase is expected to take
approximately 14-16 months, and construction of the up to 100MWac
project/phase is expected to take approximately 8-10 months. The two
projects/phases may be constructed simultaneously or sequentially. The
electricity generation and storage facilities are expected to be
operated for up to 40 years under the terms of the leases. Major onsite
facilities include multiple blocks of solar PV panels mounted on fixed
tilt or tracking systems, pad mounted inverters and transformers,
collector lines, up to 1,000 MW-hours of battery storage, access roads,
and O&M facilities. Water will be needed during construction for dust
control and a minimal amount will be needed during operations for
administrative and sanitary water use and for panel washing. The water
supply required for the Project would be leased from the Moapa Band.
The purposes of the proposed Project are, among other things, to:
(1) Provide a long-term, diverse, and viable economic revenue base and
job opportunities for the Moapa Band; (2) assist Nevada and neighboring
states to meet their State renewable energy needs; and (3) allow the
Moapa Band, in partnership with the Applicant, to optimize the use of
the lease site while maximizing the potential economic benefit to the
Tribe.
BIA will prepare the EIS in cooperation with the Moapa Band, BLM,
Environmental Protection Agency, and possibly Nevada Department of
Wildlife. In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and
National Park Service will provide input on the analysis. The resulting
EIS will aim to (1) provide agency decision makers, the Moapa Band, and
the general public with a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of
the proposed Project and alternatives on the Reservation; (2) describe
the cumulative impacts of increased development on the Reservation; and
(3) identify and propose mitigation measures that would minimize or
prevent significant adverse impacts. Consistent with these objectives,
the EIS will analyze the proposed Project and appurtenant features,
viable alternatives, and the No Action alternative. Other alternatives
may be identified in response to issues raised during the scoping
process.
The EIS will provide a framework for BIA and BLM to make
determinations and to decide whether to take the aforementioned Federal
actions. In addition, BIA will use and coordinate the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) commenting process to satisfy its
obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
(16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American
tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with policy, and
tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on
Indian trust assets. Other federal agencies may rely on the EIS to make
decisions under their authority and the Moapa Band may also use the EIS
to make decisions under their Tribal Environmental Policy Ordinance.
USFWS will review the EIS for consistency with the Endangered Species
Act, as amended, and other implementing acts, and may rely on the EIS
to support its decisions and opinions regarding the Project.
Issues to be addressed in the EIS analysis may include, but would
not be limited to, Project impacts on water resources, biological
resources, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources,
Native American religious concerns, and aesthetics. In addition to
those resource topics identified above, Federal, State, and local
agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or
affected by the BIA's decision on the proposed Project, are invited to
participate in the scoping process to identify additional issues to be
addressed.
Submission of Public Comments
Please include your name, return address, and the caption ``EIS,
Southern Bighorn Solar Project,'' on the first page of any written
comments. You may also submit comments verbally during one of the
virtual public scoping meeting presentations or provide written
comments to the address listed above in the ADDRESSES section.
Public scoping meetings will be held to further describe the
Project and identify potential issues and alternatives to be considered
in the EIS. To help protect the public and limit the spread of the
COVID-19 virus, virtual public meetings will be held, where a short
presentation will be made and team members present to discuss and
answer questions. The PowerPoint presentation will be posted to the
project website prior to the virtual meetings. Those who cannot live
stream the presentation would be able to access the meeting
presentation and could join by telephone. Additionally, the live
presentation will be recorded and made accessible for viewing
throughout the scoping period. The first public scoping meeting will be
held in the afternoon by video and telephone conference and the second
public scoping meeting will be held in the evening by video and
telephone conference. The dates and times of the public scoping
meetings will be included in notices to be published in the, Las Vegas
Review-Journal and Moapa Valley Progress 15 days before the meetings.
Public Comment Availability
Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review at the mailing address shown in the
ADDRESSES section 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.
Authority
This notice is published in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 of the
Council of Environmental Quality regulations and 43 CFR 46.235 of the
Department of the Interior Regulations implementing the procedural
requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and in accordance
with the exercise of authority delegated to the Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs by part 209 of the Department
Manual.
Tara Sweeney,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-09831 Filed 5-7-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
