Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Chuckwalla Solar Projects on the Moapa River Indian Reservation, Clark County, Nevada, 21760-21762 [2021-08469]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 77 / Friday, April 23, 2021 / Notices
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Dated: April 19, 2021.
Jeffrey Caine,
Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Customs and
Border Protection.
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[212A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.
999900253G]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Chuckwalla Solar Projects on the
Moapa River Indian Reservation, Clark
County, Nevada
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA), as lead agency in cooperation
with the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians
(Moapa Band), Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), and other agencies,
intend to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) that will
evaluate the development of the
Chuckwalla Solar Projects (Projects) on
Moapa River Indian Reservation
(Reservation) tribal lands. This notice
announces the beginning of the scoping
process to solicit public comments and
identify potential issues related to the
EIS. The BIA requests comments
concerning the scope of the analysis,
and identification of relevant
information, studies, and analyses. It
also announces that two public scoping
meetings will be held virtually or in
person to identify potential issues,
alternatives, and mitigation to be
considered in the EIS.
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SUMMARY:
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All comments must be received
by May 3, 2021. The draft
environmental impact statement is
scheduled for October 2021 and the
final environmental impact statement is
scheduled for January 2022 with a
Record of Decision in March 2022.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Mr. Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional
Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th
Floor Mailroom, Phoenix, Arizona
85004. Comments may also be sent via
email to Chip.Lewis@bia.gov or on the
Projects website at
www.ChuckwallaSolarProjectsEIS.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chip Lewis, BIA; telephone: (602) 379–
6750; email: Chip.Lewis@bia.gov.
Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8
a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need of the Proposed
Action
The proposed Federal action, taken
under 25 U.S.C. 415, is BIA’s approval
of the solar energy ground lease and
related agreements entered into by the
Moapa Band with EDF Renewables
Development, Inc. (EDFR or Applicant).
The agreements provide for
construction, operation and
maintenance (O&M), and
decommissioning of up to 700
megawatts (MWs) from up to four solar
photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation
facilities located entirely on the
Reservation and specifically on lands
held in trust by the United States for the
Moapa Band.
In addition, two transmission
generation interconnection (gen-tie)
lines would be constructed to
interconnect the Projects to the regional
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DATES:
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electrical grid. Portions of these lines
would cross lands managed by BLM
within a designated utility corridor on
the Reservation and BLM land. The BIA
and BLM would approve rights-of-way
(ROWs) authorizing the construction
and operation of the transmission lines.
The purposes of the proposed Projects
are, among other things, to: (1) Help to
provide a long-term, diverse, and viable
economic revenue base and job
opportunities for the Moapa Band; (2)
meet the terms of the existing Power
Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for the
output of the Projects; (3) help Nevada
and neighboring states to meet their
State renewable energy needs; and (4)
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.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
The Applicant plans to develop up to
four solar projects collectively referred
to as the Projects on the Reservation in
Clark County, Nevada. The four solar
projects would total up to 700 MWs of
solar energy generation, each using
photovoltaic (PV) technology and
incorporating battery energy storage
systems (BESS).
The proposed Chuckwalla solar
generating facilities would be
constructed entirely within the
Reservation within a lease study area of
approximately 6,400 acres of tribal trust
land. These lands are in the southeast
corner of the Reservation on lands set
aside by the Moapa Band for the
Projects. The solar fields and associated
facilities would be in Sections 13, 14,
22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36;
Township 16 South, Range 65 East;
Mount Diablo Base Meridian.
Major components of each solar site
would include multiple blocks of solar
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PV panels mounted on tracking systems,
H-beam or pad mounted inverters,
transformers, collection lines, BESS,
Projects substation, and O&M facilities.
The four separate projects would
include: Chuckwalla 1A—a 200 MW
project; Chuckwalla 1B—a 50 MW
project; Chuckwalla 2—a 200 MW
project; and Chuckwalla 3—a 250 MW
project.
Chuckwalla 1A and 1B would be built
at the same time as the first phase.
Chuckwalla 2 and Chuckwalla 3 would
be built separately in subsequent
phases. Construction of each phase is
expected to take approximately 18 to 20
months.
Two gen-tie lines approximately 10 to
12 miles long would interconnect the
Projects to the regional electrical grid—
one to the existing Harry Allen
substation and one to the existing
Crystal Substation. These lines would
be built parallel to one another for most
of their length; approximately 4.5 miles
would be in the designated utility
corridor on the Reservation that is
managed by BLM and BLM land.
Access to the Chuckwalla sites would
be provided via I–15 to the Valley of
Fire Highway to an existing 2.5-mile
road on the Reservation paralleling its
southern border that would be upgraded
as needed. Water for each phase will be
needed during construction for dust
control and a minimal amount will be
needed during operations for
administrative/sanitary water use and
panel washings. The water supply for
the Projects would be leased from the
Moapa Band and delivered to the site
via temporary water pipeline or by
truck.
The Applicant is expected to operate
each of the energy facilities for up to 35
years under the terms of the solar leases
with the Moapa Band. Each project is
expected to be built to meet its
corresponding PPA for the output of the
Projects.
The EIS will focus on the Proposed
Action as described above at the
location on the Reservation selected by
the Moapa Band. It will evaluate the
Proposed Action and the No Action
Alternative. Additional viable
alternatives may be identified in
response to issues raised during the
scoping process.
Summary of Expected Impacts
Potential impacts to be addressed in
the EIS analysis may include, but would
not be limited to, impacts on water
resources, biological resources,
threatened and endangered species,
cultural resources, Native American
religious concerns, aesthetics, and
traffic. In addition to those resource
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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 Projects, are invited to
participate in the scoping process to
identify additional issues to be
addressed.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the land lease and
ROWs to be approved by BIA and the
ROWs to be approved by BLM, the
Projects would also require other
permits and authorizations. These could
include a Utility Environmental
Protection Act (UEPA) permit from the
Public Utilities Commission of Nevada
and/or dust control and special use
permits from Clark County.
Schedule for the Decision-Making
Process
The EIS will provide a framework for
BIA and BLM to make determinations
and to decide whether to take the
aforementioned Federal actions. The
Records of Decision (RODs) to be issued
by the BIA and BLM are currently
scheduled for March 2022.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the EIS. Two public
scoping meetings will be conducted
either virtually or in person to further
describe the Projects and identify
potential issues and alternatives to be
considered in the EIS. If in person, one
public scoping meeting will be held on
the Reservation and the other public
scoping meeting will be held in Las
Vegas, Nevada. If held virtually, the
public meetings can be joined online
through the Projects website at
www.ChuckwallaSolarProjectsEIS.com.
Those unable to live stream the
presentation would be able to access the
meeting presentation on the project
website and could join by telephone.
Additionally, the live presentation will
be recorded and made accessible for
viewing throughout the scoping period.
During either the in-person or virtual
meetings, a short presentation will be
made and team members will be present
to discuss and answer questions. The
PowerPoint presentation will be posted
to the Projects website and printed
copies will be made available at the
BLM Las Vegas Field Office and the
Moapa River Indian Reservation Tribal
Hall prior to the meetings. The dates of
the public scoping meetings will be
included in notices to be posted in the
Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas ReviewJournal, and Moapa Valley Progress 15
days before the meetings.
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Please include your name, return
address, and the caption ‘‘EIS,
Chuckwalla Solar Projects,’’ on the first
page of any written comments. You may
also submit comments at the public
scoping meetings.
Request for Identification of Potential
Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed
Action
Interested parties are invited to
identify potential alternatives, issues to
be analyzed, mitigation measures, and
other information to be considered in
the EIS.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
BIA will prepare the EIS in
cooperation with the Moapa Band, BLM,
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), and possibly the National
Park Service (NPS) and Nevada
Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 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 development of
the solar field 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.
Decision Maker
This notice is published in
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.9 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.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BIA and the BLM decisions, if
approved, would assist in addressing
the management objectives in the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Title II,
Section 211) and Secretarial Order
3285A1 (March 11, 2009) that
established the development of
environmentally responsible renewable
energy as a priority for the Department
of the Interior.
Because the BIA has a jurisdictional
trust responsibility over Indian lands
and the BLM has land management
responsibilities under FLPMA, the
Projects is a major Federal action and
must comply with the National
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 77 / Friday, April 23, 2021 / Notices
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Because
most of the Projects would be located on
tribal trust lands, the BIA is the lead
federal agency. The Moapa Band, BLM,
EPA, NPS, NDOW, and USFWS may be
cooperating agencies on the EIS for the
Projects. The BIA and BLM will use this
EIS to make their respective decisions
and the other cooperating parties will
use this information to support their
analyses and decisions, as needed. It is
important that reviewers provide their
comments at such times and in such
manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the
environmental impact statement.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record for this
proposed action. Comments submitted
anonymously will be accepted and
considered, however.
Bryan Newland,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian
Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021–08469 Filed 4–22–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
[18XD4523WT DWT000000.000000
DS64950000 DP.64920; OMB Control
Number 1090–0008]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; E-Government Website
Customer Satisfaction Surveys
Office of Strategic Employee
and Organization Development, Federal
Consulting Group, Office of the
Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Federal Consulting Group is proposing
to renew an information collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before June 22,
2021.
ADDRESSES: Send your written
comments to Federal Consulting Group
(FCG), Attention: Lucy Adams, 1849 C
St. NW, MS 4344, Washington, DC
20240–0001, or via email to Luciana_
adams@ios.doi.gov. Individuals
providing comments should reference
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Customer Satisfaction Surveys (OMB ID:
1090–0008).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request additional information or copies
of the form(s) and instructions, please
write to the Federal Consulting Group,
Attention: Lucy Adams, 1849 C St. NW,
MS 4344, Washington, DC 20240–0001,
by telephone at 202–513–7679, or via
email to Luciana_adams@ios.doi.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1), all information collections
require approval under the PRA. We
may not conduct, or sponsor and you
are not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
As part of our continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we invite the public and other
Federal agencies to comment on new,
proposed, revised, and continuing
collections of information. This helps us
assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize
the public’s reporting burden. It also
helps the public understand our
information collection requirements and
provide the requested data in the
desired format.
We are especially interested in public
comment addressing the following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether or not the
information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the
burden for this collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize
the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to
respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or
summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. 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
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to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Abstract: The Office of Management
and Budget regulation at 5 CFR 1320,
which implements the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), require that
interested members of the public and
affected agencies have an opportunity to
comment on information collection and
recordkeeping activities [see 5 CFR
1320.8(d)].
This information collection activity
provides a means to consistently assess,
benchmark, and improve customer
satisfaction with Federal government
agency websites within the Executive
Branch. The Federal Consulting Group
of the Department of the Interior serves
as the executive agent for this
methodology and has partnered with
ForeSee to offer this assessment to
federal agencies.
ForeSee is a leader in customer
satisfaction and customer experience
management on the web and related
media. Its methodology (Customer
Experience Analytics or CXA) is a
derivative of one of the most respected,
credible, and well known measures of
customer satisfaction in the country,
The ForeSee CXA methodology
combines survey data and a patented
econometric model to precisely measure
the customer satisfaction of website
users, identify specific areas for
improvement, and determine the impact
of those improvements on customer
satisfaction and future customer
behaviors.
The ultimate purpose of ForeSee CXA
is to help improve the quality of goods
and services available to American
citizens, including those from the
Federal government.
The E-Government website Customer
Satisfaction Surveys will be completed
subject to the Privacy Act of 1974,
Public Law 93–579, December 31, 1974
(5 U.S.C. 522a). The agency information
collection will be used solely for the
purpose of the survey. The contractor
will not be authorized to release any
agency information upon completion of
the survey without first obtaining
permission from the Federal Consulting
Group and the participating agency. In
no case shall any new system of records
containing privacy information be
developed by the Federal Consulting
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contractor collecting the data. In
addition, participating Federal agencies
may only provide information used to
randomly selected respondents from
among established systems of records
provided for such routine uses.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 77 (Friday, April 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21760-21762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08469]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[212A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900253G]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Chuckwalla Solar Projects on the Moapa River Indian Reservation,
Clark County, Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency in
cooperation with the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Moapa Band), Bureau
of Land Management (BLM), and other agencies, intend to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate the development
of the Chuckwalla Solar Projects (Projects) on Moapa River Indian
Reservation (Reservation) tribal lands. This notice announces the
beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and
identify potential issues related to the EIS. The BIA requests comments
concerning the scope of the analysis, and identification of relevant
information, studies, and analyses. It also announces that two public
scoping meetings will be held virtually or in person to identify
potential issues, alternatives, and mitigation to be considered in the
EIS.
DATES: All comments must be received by May 3, 2021. The draft
environmental impact statement is scheduled for October 2021 and the
final environmental impact statement is scheduled for January 2022 with
a Record of Decision in March 2022.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mr. Chip Lewis, BIA Western
Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mailroom,
Phoenix, Arizona 85004. Comments may also be sent via email to
[email protected] or on the Projects website at
www.ChuckwallaSolarProjectsEIS.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chip Lewis, BIA; telephone: (602) 379-
6750; email: [email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need of the Proposed Action
The proposed Federal action, taken under 25 U.S.C. 415, is BIA's
approval of the solar energy ground lease and related agreements
entered into by the Moapa Band with EDF Renewables Development, Inc.
(EDFR or Applicant). The agreements provide for construction, operation
and maintenance (O&M), and decommissioning of up to 700 megawatts (MWs)
from up to four solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation
facilities located entirely on the Reservation and specifically on
lands held in trust by the United States for the Moapa Band.
In addition, two transmission generation interconnection (gen-tie)
lines would be constructed to interconnect the Projects to the regional
electrical grid. Portions of these lines would cross lands managed by
BLM within a designated utility corridor on the Reservation and BLM
land. The BIA and BLM would approve rights-of-way (ROWs) authorizing
the construction and operation of the transmission lines.
The purposes of the proposed Projects are, among other things, to:
(1) Help to provide a long-term, diverse, and viable economic revenue
base and job opportunities for the Moapa Band; (2) meet the terms of
the existing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for the output of the
Projects; (3) help Nevada and neighboring states to meet their State
renewable energy needs; and (4) 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.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The Applicant plans to develop up to four solar projects
collectively referred to as the Projects on the Reservation in Clark
County, Nevada. The four solar projects would total up to 700 MWs of
solar energy generation, each using photovoltaic (PV) technology and
incorporating battery energy storage systems (BESS).
The proposed Chuckwalla solar generating facilities would be
constructed entirely within the Reservation within a lease study area
of approximately 6,400 acres of tribal trust land. These lands are in
the southeast corner of the Reservation on lands set aside by the Moapa
Band for the Projects. The solar fields and associated facilities would
be in Sections 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36; Township
16 South, Range 65 East; Mount Diablo Base Meridian.
Major components of each solar site would include multiple blocks
of solar
[[Page 21761]]
PV panels mounted on tracking systems, H-beam or pad mounted inverters,
transformers, collection lines, BESS, Projects substation, and O&M
facilities. The four separate projects would include: Chuckwalla 1A--a
200 MW project; Chuckwalla 1B--a 50 MW project; Chuckwalla 2--a 200 MW
project; and Chuckwalla 3--a 250 MW project.
Chuckwalla 1A and 1B would be built at the same time as the first
phase. Chuckwalla 2 and Chuckwalla 3 would be built separately in
subsequent phases. Construction of each phase is expected to take
approximately 18 to 20 months.
Two gen-tie lines approximately 10 to 12 miles long would
interconnect the Projects to the regional electrical grid--one to the
existing Harry Allen substation and one to the existing Crystal
Substation. These lines would be built parallel to one another for most
of their length; approximately 4.5 miles would be in the designated
utility corridor on the Reservation that is managed by BLM and BLM
land.
Access to the Chuckwalla sites would be provided via I-15 to the
Valley of Fire Highway to an existing 2.5-mile road on the Reservation
paralleling its southern border that would be upgraded as needed. Water
for each phase will be needed during construction for dust control and
a minimal amount will be needed during operations for administrative/
sanitary water use and panel washings. The water supply for the
Projects would be leased from the Moapa Band and delivered to the site
via temporary water pipeline or by truck.
The Applicant is expected to operate each of the energy facilities
for up to 35 years under the terms of the solar leases with the Moapa
Band. Each project is expected to be built to meet its corresponding
PPA for the output of the Projects.
The EIS will focus on the Proposed Action as described above at the
location on the Reservation selected by the Moapa Band. It will
evaluate the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Additional
viable alternatives may be identified in response to issues raised
during the scoping process.
Summary of Expected Impacts
Potential impacts to be addressed in the EIS analysis may include,
but would not be limited to, impacts on water resources, biological
resources, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources,
Native American religious concerns, aesthetics, and traffic. 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 Projects, are invited to
participate in the scoping process to identify additional issues to be
addressed.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the land lease and ROWs to be approved by BIA and
the ROWs to be approved by BLM, the Projects would also require other
permits and authorizations. These could include a Utility Environmental
Protection Act (UEPA) permit from the Public Utilities Commission of
Nevada and/or dust control and special use permits from Clark County.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The EIS will provide a framework for BIA and BLM to make
determinations and to decide whether to take the aforementioned Federal
actions. The Records of Decision (RODs) to be issued by the BIA and BLM
are currently scheduled for March 2022.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. Two public scoping meetings will be
conducted either virtually or in person to further describe the
Projects and identify potential issues and alternatives to be
considered in the EIS. If in person, one public scoping meeting will be
held on the Reservation and the other public scoping meeting will be
held in Las Vegas, Nevada. If held virtually, the public meetings can
be joined online through the Projects website at
www.ChuckwallaSolarProjectsEIS.com. Those unable to live stream the
presentation would be able to access the meeting presentation on the
project website and could join by telephone. Additionally, the live
presentation will be recorded and made accessible for viewing
throughout the scoping period. During either the in-person or virtual
meetings, a short presentation will be made and team members will be
present to discuss and answer questions. The PowerPoint presentation
will be posted to the Projects website and printed copies will be made
available at the BLM Las Vegas Field Office and the Moapa River Indian
Reservation Tribal Hall prior to the meetings. The dates of the public
scoping meetings will be included in notices to be posted in the Las
Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Moapa Valley Progress 15 days
before the meetings.
Please include your name, return address, and the caption ``EIS,
Chuckwalla Solar Projects,'' on the first page of any written comments.
You may also submit comments at the public scoping meetings.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
Interested parties are invited to identify potential alternatives,
issues to be analyzed, mitigation measures, and other information to be
considered in the EIS.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
BIA will prepare the EIS in cooperation with the Moapa Band, BLM,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), and possibly the National Park Service (NPS) and Nevada
Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 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
development of the solar field 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.
Decision Maker
This notice is published in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.9 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.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BIA and the BLM decisions, if approved, would assist in
addressing the management objectives in the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(Title II, Section 211) and Secretarial Order 3285A1 (March 11, 2009)
that established the development of environmentally responsible
renewable energy as a priority for the Department of the Interior.
Because the BIA has a jurisdictional trust responsibility over
Indian lands and the BLM has land management responsibilities under
FLPMA, the Projects is a major Federal action and must comply with the
National
[[Page 21762]]
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Because most of the Projects would be located on tribal trust lands,
the BIA is the lead federal agency. The Moapa Band, BLM, EPA, NPS,
NDOW, and USFWS may be cooperating agencies on the EIS for the
Projects. The BIA and BLM will use this EIS to make their respective
decisions and the other cooperating parties will use this information
to support their analyses and decisions, as needed. It is important
that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner
that they are useful to the agency's preparation of the environmental
impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the
close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the
reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered, however.
Bryan Newland,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-08469 Filed 4-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
