NextEra Energy Resources: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meeting, 14302-14304 [2021-05255]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 14302 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 48 / Monday, March 15, 2021 / Notices and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at regulations.gov or in our reading room, which is located in Room 1620 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799–7039 before coming. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Claudia Ferguson, Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist, Regulatory Coordination and Compliance, Imports, Regulations, and Manuals, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231; (301) 851–2352. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the regulations in ‘‘Subpart L–Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56–1 through 319.56–12, referred to below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent plant pests from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States. Section 319.56–4 of the regulations provides the requirements for authorizing the new importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States, as well as revising existing requirements for the importation of fruits and vegetables. Paragraph (c) of that section provides that the name and origin of all fruits and vegetables authorized importation into the United States, as well as the requirements for their importation, are listed in the APHIS Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements database (FAVIR) (https:// epermits.aphis.usda.gov/manual/). It also provides that, if the Administrator determines that any of the phytosanitary measures required for the importation of a particular fruit or vegetable are no longer necessary to reasonably mitigate the plant pest risk posed by the fruit or vegetable, APHIS will publish a notice in the Federal Register making its pest risk analysis and determination available for public comment. Pyrus pyrifolia var. culta (sand pear) fruit from the Republic of Korea is currently listed in FAVIR as a fruit authorized for importation into the continental United States under an APHIS-managed preclearance program; non-precleared fruit is authorized for importation only into the port of Honolulu, HI. In addition, all sand pear VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:36 Mar 12, 2021 Jkt 253001 fruit produced in the Republic of Korea for export to the United States must be grown, processed, and shipped under a systems approach detailed in an operational workplan. The Republic of Korea requested that APHIS conduct a risk evaluation to allow exports of non-precleared sand pear fruit into all U.S. ports, in addition to the exports already allowed under the APHIS preclearance program. In response, we reviewed the current pest list for sand pear fruit from the Republic of Korea and added a new quarantine pest of concern, Resseliella yagoi, to the existing list. Using the updated pest list, we drafted a commodity import evaluation document (CIED) to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the importation of sand pear fruit from the Republic of Korea to mitigate the risk posed by quarantine pests of concern. We included in the CIED our finding that the current systems approach to mitigate pest risk in precleared sand pear fruit would also be sufficient to allow the importation of non-precleared fruit from the Republic of Korea into all U.S. ports. Under the change we propose, the oversight of production practices, fruit inspections, and phytosanitary certification of nonprecleared sand pear fruit would be conducted by the Republic of Korea national plant protection organization (NPPO) rather than by APHIS preclearance personnel. The following systems approach measures would be required for all sand pear fruit imported into the United States from the Republic of Korea: • Sand pears must be imported as commercial consignments only. • Sand pears must be grown in places of production and packed in packinghouses registered with the Republic of Korea NPPO. • Places of production must be inspected for symptoms of quarantine pests and diseases. If such pests and diseases are found, adequate mitigations measures should be implemented. • Sand pears must be bagged when the fruit is between 2.5 and 3.5 centimeters in diameter. All fruit must be bagged by June 30. Bagging is required to prevent all arthropod pests from infesting the fruits. • Each sand pear consignment must be labeled to allow trace back. • Each sand pear consignment must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Republic of Korea NPPO stating that the consignment has been inspected and found free of quarantine pests. For preclearance program exports of sand pear: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Each precleared consignment must be accompanied by a Plant Protection and Quarantine Form 203, which indicates the commodity has been inspected by APHIS at origin. For non-preclearance exports of sand pear: • Each non-precleared consignment is subject to inspection at the U.S. portsof-entry. Therefore, in accordance with § 319.56–4(c)(3), we are announcing the availability of our pest list and CIED for public review and comment. Those documents, as well as a description of the economic considerations associated with the importation of fresh sand pear fruit from the Republic of Korea, may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of these documents by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Please refer to the subject of the analysis you wish to review when requesting copies. After reviewing any comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding whether to revise the requirements for the importation of sand pear fruit from the Republic of Korea in a subsequent notice. If the overall conclusions of our analysis and the Administrator’s determination of risk remain unchanged following our consideration of the comments, we will revise the requirements for the importation of sand pear fruit from the Republic of Korea in accordance with this notice. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701–7772, and 7781–7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 9th day of March 2021. Mark Davidson, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2021–05273 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service [Docket #: RUS–21–ELECTRIC–0004] NextEra Energy Resources: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meeting AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM Rural Utilities Service, USDA. 15MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 48 / Monday, March 15, 2021 / Notices Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and hold public scoping meeting. ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold a virtual public scoping meeting in connection with possible impacts related to the Skeleton Creek Solar and Battery Storage Project (Project) proposed by NextEra Energy Resources (NextEra or Applicant). The Project will consist of a 250-megawatt (MW) solar array, plus 200–MW/800megawatt-hour (MWh) storage facility using photovoltaic (PV) modules on private lands in Garfield County, Oklahoma. NextEra is seeking federal loan financing from RUS to support construction of the Project. RUS has determined that a loan for the Project would be a federal action and is, therefore, subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, with RUS as the lead federal agency, for preparation of the EIS. DATES: Written requests to participate as a Cooperating Agency in the preparation of the EIS, participate as a Consulting Party in the Section 106 consultation process, or to provide comments for consideration during the scoping process for the proposed Project must be received on or before April 19, 2021. One virtual public scoping meeting will be held on March 30, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. EST–9:00 p.m. EST. The public scoping meeting will be conducted in a virtual format with RUS and NextEra representatives. Attendees will be able to submit comments during the virtual public meeting orally or via the chat function. The public scoping meeting will be recorded and kept as part of the Project record. More information about the virtual public scoping meeting can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/ resources/environmental-studies. ADDRESSES: To send comments or request further information, send a request to SkeletonCreekSolarPublicComments@ usda.gov. Due to the COVID 19 epidemic, hard copies of mail will not be accepted. All project related information will be posted as it becomes available on the RUS’ website located at: https:// www.rd.usda.gov/environmentalstudy/ skeleton-creek-EIS. As of this publication, an Alternatives Evaluation Study/Site Selection Study has been prepared for the Skeleton Creek Solar and Battery Storage Project and is currently available at RUS’s website at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/ environmentalstudy/skeleton-creek-EIS. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:36 Mar 12, 2021 Jkt 253001 With this notice, federal and state agencies and federally-recognized Tribes with jurisdiction or special expertise are invited to be cooperating agencies. Such agencies or Tribes may make a request to RUS to be a cooperating agency by contacting the RUS at the email address provided in this notice below. On January 7, 2021 USDA’s Chief Environmental Review and Policy Officer (CERPO) invited federal agencies to cooperate in the preparation of the EIS. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has indicated that they intend to participate as a cooperating agency. Designated cooperating agencies have certain responsibilities to support the NEPA and scoping process, as specified at 40 CFR 1501.6(b). In addition, with this notice RUS invites any affected federal, state, and local agencies; Tribes; and other interested persons to comment on the scope, alternatives, and significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the EIS. The proposed Project is considered an undertaking subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 United States Code 470(f), and its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR 800). Any party wishing to participate directly with RUS as a ‘‘consulting party’’ in NHPA Section 106 review may submit a written request to the RUS email address provided below. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.3(f)(3), RUS will consider, and provide a timely response to, any and all requests for consulting party status. The Project consists of a 250–MW solar array, plus 200–MW/800–MWh storage facility that will utilize PV modules. The Project will be located entirely on privately owned farmland, rural residences, and riparian areas in a rural area in Garfield County, Oklahoma. The Application Area encompasses approximately 12,250 acres. Within the Application Area, construction will occur on an approximately 4,500- to 6,000-acre project area. The Project consists of four major components: PV solar arrays (the main Project footprint), energy storage facilities (batteries, racking, inverters), linear facilities (as further described below), and transmission interconnection facilities (a substation/ switchyard that interconnects to the existing OG&E 345–kV Woodring Substation via an estimated 2- to 4-mile gen-tie). The Applicant entered into a power purchase agreement with Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) for the solar and energy storage project. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14303 WFEC’s objective is to provide safe, adequate, and reliable power to its members at the lowest reasonable cost. The Project will allow the Applicant to provide the additional generation capacity needed by WFEC to achieve these goals and to serve electrical needs within the service territories of their member cooperatives. Among the alternatives that RUS will address in the EIS is the No Action alternative, under which the proposal will not be undertaken or if RUS did not fund the proposed Project, and any reasonable alternatives defined as a result of the scoping process. In the EIS, the effects of the proposal will be compared to the existing conditions in the affected area of the proposal. Public health and safety, environmental impacts, socio-economic, and engineering aspects of the proposal will also be considered in the EIS. As part of its broad environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of the proposal on historic properties in accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA (Section 106) and its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR 800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during NHPA Section 106 review. Accordingly, comments submitted in response to this Notice will inform RUS decisionmaking during NHPA Section 106 review. RUS will use input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of a Draft EIS. The Draft EIS will be filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will be available for public comment 45 days from the date the EPA publishes its Federal Register notice. A Final EIS that considers all comments received will subsequently be prepared. The Final EIS will be available for review and comment for 30 days. Following the 30-day comment period, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the availability of the Draft EIS, the Final EIS, and the ROD will be published in the Federal Register and in local newspapers. Any final action by RUS related to the proposal will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant executive orders and federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in addition to the completion of the environmental review requirements as prescribed in RUS E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM 15MRN1 14304 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 48 / Monday, March 15, 2021 / Notices Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR 1970. Christopher A. McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2021–05255 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda: Wednesday, April 21, 2021; 4:00 p.m. (ET) Notice of Public Meeting of the Maryland Advisory Committee Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a press conference of the Maryland Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene by web conference on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). The purpose of the web press conference to formally release its advisory memorandum on COVID 19 and health disparities in Maryland. DATES: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. (ET). Public Webex Conference Registration Link (video and audio): https://bit.ly/ 2PxPwv7. To Join By Phone Only: Dial 1–800– 360–9505; Access code: 199 730 6650. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Evelyn Bohor at ero@usccr.gov or by phone at 202–921–2212. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This meeting is available to the public through the WebEx link above. If joining only via phone, callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Individuals who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the Service with the call-in number found through registering at the web link provided above for the meeting. Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the respective meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Barbara Delaviez at ero@ usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Programs Unit at (202) 809– 9618. Records and documents discussed khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:36 Mar 12, 2021 Jkt 253001 during the meeting will be available for public viewing as they become available at the www.facadatabase.gov. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s website, www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above phone number or email address. 1. Press Conference: Advisory Memo: COVID 19 and Health Disparities in Maryland 2. Public Comment 3. Adjourn Dated: March 10, 2021. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2021–05292 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Hawai’i Advisory Committee U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) that a teleconference meeting of the Hawai’i Advisory Committee (Committee) to the Commission will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 (Hawaiian Time). The purpose of the meeting will be to review a draft of their report focused on COVID–19 and its impact on Pacific Islander communities. DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. HST. Public Call Information: Dial: 800–367–2403. Conference ID: 5959993. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ana Victoria Fortes, Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at afortes@usccr.gov or by phone at (202) 681–0857. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For copies of meeting documents, email afortes@ usccr.gov. This meeting is available to the public through the following tollfree call-in number: 800–367–2403, conference ID number: 5959993. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over land-line connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877– 8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Western Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 300 North Los Angeles Street, Suite 2010, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or email Ana Victoria Fortes at afortes@usccr.gov. Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing prior to and after the meeting at https:// www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/FACA PublicViewCommitteeDetails?id= a10t0000001gzl0AAA. Please click on ‘‘Committee Meetings’’ tab. Records generated from this meeting may also be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above email or street address. Agenda I. Welcome II. Review Report III. Public Comment IV. Adjournment Dated: March 10, 2021. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2021–05291 Filed 3–12–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Census Bureau Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Quarterly Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization The Department of Commerce will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM 15MRN1

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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 48 (Monday, March 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14302-14304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05255]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket #: RUS-21-ELECTRIC-0004]


NextEra Energy Resources: Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meeting

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

[[Page 14303]]


ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
and hold public scoping meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its intent to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold a virtual 
public scoping meeting in connection with possible impacts related to 
the Skeleton Creek Solar and Battery Storage Project (Project) proposed 
by NextEra Energy Resources (NextEra or Applicant). The Project will 
consist of a 250-megawatt (MW) solar array, plus 200-MW/800-megawatt-
hour (MWh) storage facility using photovoltaic (PV) modules on private 
lands in Garfield County, Oklahoma. NextEra is seeking federal loan 
financing from RUS to support construction of the Project. RUS has 
determined that a loan for the Project would be a federal action and 
is, therefore, subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
review, with RUS as the lead federal agency, for preparation of the 
EIS.

DATES: Written requests to participate as a Cooperating Agency in the 
preparation of the EIS, participate as a Consulting Party in the 
Section 106 consultation process, or to provide comments for 
consideration during the scoping process for the proposed Project must 
be received on or before April 19, 2021. One virtual public scoping 
meeting will be held on March 30, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. EST-9:00 p.m. 
EST. The public scoping meeting will be conducted in a virtual format 
with RUS and NextEra representatives. Attendees will be able to submit 
comments during the virtual public meeting orally or via the chat 
function. The public scoping meeting will be recorded and kept as part 
of the Project record. More information about the virtual public 
scoping meeting can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies.

ADDRESSES: To send comments or request further information, send a 
request to [email protected]. Due to the COVID 
19 epidemic, hard copies of mail will not be accepted.
    All project related information will be posted as it becomes 
available on the RUS' website located at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/environmentalstudy/skeleton-creek-EIS.
    As of this publication, an Alternatives Evaluation Study/Site 
Selection Study has been prepared for the Skeleton Creek Solar and 
Battery Storage Project and is currently available at RUS's website at: 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/environmentalstudy/skeleton-creek-EIS.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, federal and state agencies 
and federally-recognized Tribes with jurisdiction or special expertise 
are invited to be cooperating agencies. Such agencies or Tribes may 
make a request to RUS to be a cooperating agency by contacting the RUS 
at the email address provided in this notice below. On January 7, 2021 
USDA's Chief Environmental Review and Policy Officer (CERPO) invited 
federal agencies to cooperate in the preparation of the EIS. The US 
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has indicated that they intend to 
participate as a cooperating agency. Designated cooperating agencies 
have certain responsibilities to support the NEPA and scoping process, 
as specified at 40 CFR 1501.6(b). In addition, with this notice RUS 
invites any affected federal, state, and local agencies; Tribes; and 
other interested persons to comment on the scope, alternatives, and 
significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the EIS.
    The proposed Project is considered an undertaking subject to review 
under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 
United States Code 470(f), and its implementing regulation, 
``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR 800). Any party wishing 
to participate directly with RUS as a ``consulting party'' in NHPA 
Section 106 review may submit a written request to the RUS email 
address provided below. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.3(f)(3), RUS will 
consider, and provide a timely response to, any and all requests for 
consulting party status.
    The Project consists of a 250-MW solar array, plus 200-MW/800-MWh 
storage facility that will utilize PV modules. The Project will be 
located entirely on privately owned farmland, rural residences, and 
riparian areas in a rural area in Garfield County, Oklahoma. The 
Application Area encompasses approximately 12,250 acres. Within the 
Application Area, construction will occur on an approximately 4,500- to 
6,000-acre project area.
    The Project consists of four major components: PV solar arrays (the 
main Project footprint), energy storage facilities (batteries, racking, 
inverters), linear facilities (as further described below), and 
transmission interconnection facilities (a substation/switchyard that 
interconnects to the existing OG&E 345-kV Woodring Substation via an 
estimated 2- to 4-mile gen-tie).
    The Applicant entered into a power purchase agreement with Western 
Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) for the solar and energy storage 
project. WFEC's objective is to provide safe, adequate, and reliable 
power to its members at the lowest reasonable cost. The Project will 
allow the Applicant to provide the additional generation capacity 
needed by WFEC to achieve these goals and to serve electrical needs 
within the service territories of their member cooperatives.
    Among the alternatives that RUS will address in the EIS is the No 
Action alternative, under which the proposal will not be undertaken or 
if RUS did not fund the proposed Project, and any reasonable 
alternatives defined as a result of the scoping process. In the EIS, 
the effects of the proposal will be compared to the existing conditions 
in the affected area of the proposal. Public health and safety, 
environmental impacts, socio-economic, and engineering aspects of the 
proposal will also be considered in the EIS.
    As part of its broad environmental review process, RUS must take 
into account the effect of the proposal on historic properties in 
accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA (Section 106) and its 
implementing regulation, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR 
800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for 
public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit 
and consider the views of the public during NHPA Section 106 review. 
Accordingly, comments submitted in response to this Notice will inform 
RUS decision-making during NHPA Section 106 review.
    RUS will use input provided by government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public in the preparation of a Draft EIS. The 
Draft EIS will be filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) and will be available for public comment 45 days from the date 
the EPA publishes its Federal Register notice. A Final EIS that 
considers all comments received will subsequently be prepared. The 
Final EIS will be available for review and comment for 30 days. 
Following the 30-day comment period, RUS will prepare a Record of 
Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the availability of the Draft EIS, 
the Final EIS, and the ROD will be published in the Federal Register 
and in local newspapers.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposal will be subject to, 
and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant executive orders and 
federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in 
addition to the completion of the environmental review requirements as 
prescribed in RUS

[[Page 14304]]

Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR 1970.

Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-05255 Filed 3-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P

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