Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Yahthumb Solar Project, Clark County, Nevada, 55838-55839 [2022-19586]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
55838
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 175 / Monday, September 12, 2022 / Notices
B. Solicitation of Public Comment
This notice is soliciting comments
from members of the public and affected
parties concerning the collection of
information described in section A on
the following:
(1) Whether the proposed collection
of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) If the information will be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information;
(4) Ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(5) Ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on those
who are to respond; including through
the use of appropriate automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
HUD encourages interested parties to
submit comment in response to these
questions.
C. Authority
Section 3507 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
chapter 35.
Anna P. Guido,
Department Reports Management Officer,
Office of the Chief Data Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022–19595 Filed 9–9–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[2231A2100DD/AAKC001030/
A0A501010.999900]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for the Proposed Yahthumb Solar
Project, Clark County, Nevada
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
This notice advises the public
that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA),
as the lead Federal agency, with the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), Nevada Department of
Wildlife (NDOW), Clark County, and the
Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Moapa
Band) as cooperating agencies, intends
to file a draft environmental impact
statement (DEIS) with the EPA for the
proposed Yahthumb Solar Project
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:06 Sep 09, 2022
Jkt 256001
(Project). The DEIS evaluates a
photovoltaic (PV) solar energy
generation and storage project on the
Moapa River Indian Reservation
(Reservation) and a generation
interconnection (gen-tie) line along with
the use of existing access roads located
on the Reservation, Reservation lands
managed by BLM, BLM lands, and
private land. This notice also announces
that the DEIS is now available for public
review and that public meetings will be
held to solicit comments on the DEIS.
DATES: The dates and times of the
virtual public meetings will be
published in the Las Vegas ReviewJournal and Moapa Valley Progress and
on the following website 15 days before
the public meetings:
www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com. In
order to be fully considered, written
comments on the DEIS must arrive no
later than 45 days after EPA publishes
its Notice of Availability in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, hand
carry or telefax written comments to Mr.
Chip Lewis, Regional Environmental
Protection Officer, BIA Western
Regional Office, Branch of
Environmental Quality Services, 2600
North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mail
Room, Phoenix, Arizona 85004–3008.
Comment may also be sent via email to:
chip.lewis@bia.gov or on the Projects
website at
www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com.
Please see the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this notice for
directions on submitting comments. The
public meetings can be joined online
through the Projects website at
www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional
Office, Branch of Environmental Quality
Services at (602) 379–6750 or Mr. Garry
Cantley at (602) 379–6750. Individuals
in the United States who are deaf,
deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
proposed Federal action, taken under 25
U.S.C. 415, is the BIA’s approval of a
solar energy ground lease and associated
agreements entered into by the Moapa
Band with Yahthumb Solar Project, LLC
(Applicant). The agreements provide for
construction, operation and
maintenance (O&M), and eventual
decommissioning of a PV electricity
generation and battery storage facilities
located entirely on the Reservation and
specifically on lands held in trust for
the Moapa Band, in Clark County
Nevada.
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
The PV electricity generation and
battery storage facilities would be
located on up to 1,400 acres within a
1,695-acre lease area on tribal trust land
and would have a capacity of up to 138
megawatts (MW). The solar field and
associated facilities would be in parts of
Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32 in Township
15 South, Range 65 East; Section 1 in
Township 16 South, Range 64 East; and
Section 6 in Township 16 South, Range
65, East Mount Diablo Base Meridian.
Construction of the Project would take
up to 14 months. The electricity
generation and storage facilities are
expected to be operated for up to 56.5
years under the terms of the lease, with
time for construction and
decommissioning.
Major onsite facilities include
multiple blocks of solar PV panels
mounted on fixed tilt or tracking
systems, pad mounted inverters and
transformers, battery storage, access
roads, and O&M facilities. A gen-tie line
approximately 8.5 to 10 miles long
would interconnect the Project to the
regional electrical grid at the existing
Reid-Gardner Substation. This line
would be built within the designated
utility corridor on the Reservation that
is managed by BLM, on BLM-managed
federal land, and on private land near
the existing substation. 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, drawn
from the Band’s existing water rights,
and delivered to the site via temporary
water pipeline or by truck. Access to the
Project will be provided via I–15 to the
existing Ute Road on the Reservation
that would be upgraded as needed.
Secondary access would be provided via
an existing road within the designated
utility corridor that would also be
upgraded as needed.
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 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 Band.
The BIA and BLM will use the EIS to
make decisions on the land lease and
right-of-way applications under their
respective jurisdiction; the EPA may use
the document to make decisions under
its authorities; the Moapa Band may use
the DEIS to make decisions under its
E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM
12SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 175 / Monday, September 12, 2022 / Notices
Environmental Policy Ordinance; and
the USFWS may use the DEIS to support
its decision under the Endangered
Species Act.
Directions for Submitting Comments:
Please include your name, return
address and the caption: ‘‘DEIS
Comments, Proposed Yahthumb Solar
Project’’ on the first page of your written
comments. You may also submit
comments verbally during one of the
virtual public meeting presentations or
provide written comments to the
address listed above in the ADDRESSES
section.
To help protect the public and limit
the spread of the COVID–19 virus,
virtual public meetings will be held,
where team members will provide a
short presentation and remain available
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 on the website
and could join by telephone.
Additionally, the live presentation will
be recorded and made accessible for
viewing throughout the comment
period. The first public meeting will be
held in the afternoon and the second
public meeting will be held in the
evening both by video and telephone
conference. The dates, times, and access
information for the virtual meetings will
be included in notices to be published
in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and
Moapa Valley Progress and on the
project website at
www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com 15
days before the meetings.
Locations Where the DEIS is Available
for Review: The DEIS will be available
for review at: BIA Western Regional
Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 12th
Floor, Suite 210, Phoenix, Arizona; BIA
Southern Paiute Agency, 180 North 200
East, Suite 111, St. George, Utah; and
the BLM Southern Nevada District
Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive,
Las Vegas, Nevada. The DEIS is also
available online at:
www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com.
To obtain an electronic copy of the
DEIS, please provide your name and
address in writing or by voicemail to
Mr. Chip Lewis or Mr. Garry Cantley.
Their contact information is listed in the
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice. Individual paper
copies of the DEIS will be provided only
upon request.
Public Comment Availability: Written
comments, including names and
addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review at the BIA
Western Regional Office, at the mailing
address shown in the ADDRESSES section
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:06 Sep 09, 2022
Jkt 256001
during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except holidays. Before including your
address, telephone 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: This notice is published in
accordance with section 1503.1 of the
Council on Environmental Quality
regulations (40 CFR 1500 et seq.) and
the Department of the Interior
Regulations (43 CFR part 46)
implementing the procedural
requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.), and in accordance with
the exercise of authority delegated to the
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by
part 209 of the Department Manual.
Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022–19586 Filed 9–9–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–BSD–CONC–NPS0034075;
222P103601, PPMVSCS1Y.Y00000,
PPWOBSADC0 (222); OMB Control Number
1024–0268]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Commercial Use
Authorizations
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the National Park Service (NPS) are
proposing to renew an information
collection.
SUMMARY:
Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
November 14, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Please provide a copy of
your comments to the NPS Information
Collection Clearance Officer (ADIR–
ICCO), 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive,
(MS–242) Reston, VA 20191 (mail); or
phadrea_ponds@nps.gov (email). Please
reference OMB Control Number 1024–
0268 in the subject line of your
comments.
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
55839
To
request additional information about
this ICR, contact Samantha Towery,
National Park Service, 12795 West
Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, CO
80228; or by email at Samantha_
Towery@nps.gov; or by telephone at
303–987–6908. Please reference OMB
Control Number 1024–0268 in the
subject line of your comments.
Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point of
contact in the United States. You may
also view the ICR at https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, (PRA, 44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all
information collections require approval
under the PRA.
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.
(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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM
12SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 175 (Monday, September 12, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55838-55839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19586]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[2231A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Yahthumb
Solar Project, Clark County, Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA), as the lead Federal agency, with the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), Clark
County, and the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Moapa Band) as
cooperating agencies, intends to file a draft environmental impact
statement (DEIS) with the EPA for the proposed Yahthumb Solar Project
(Project). The DEIS evaluates a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy
generation and storage project on the Moapa River Indian Reservation
(Reservation) and a generation interconnection (gen-tie) line along
with the use of existing access roads located on the Reservation,
Reservation lands managed by BLM, BLM lands, and private land. This
notice also announces that the DEIS is now available for public review
and that public meetings will be held to solicit comments on the DEIS.
DATES: The dates and times of the virtual public meetings will be
published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Moapa Valley Progress and
on the following website 15 days before the public meetings:
www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com. In order to be fully considered,
written comments on the DEIS must arrive no later than 45 days after
EPA publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: You may mail, email, hand carry or telefax written comments
to Mr. Chip Lewis, Regional Environmental Protection Officer, BIA
Western Regional Office, Branch of Environmental Quality Services, 2600
North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mail Room, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-3008.
Comment may also be sent via email to: [email protected] or on the
Projects website at www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com. Please see the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for directions on
submitting comments. The public meetings can be joined online through
the Projects website at www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Chip Lewis, BIA Western Regional
Office, Branch of Environmental Quality Services at (602) 379-6750 or
Mr. Garry Cantley at (602) 379-6750. Individuals in the United States
who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability
may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications
relay services.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Federal action, taken under 25
U.S.C. 415, is the BIA's approval of a solar energy ground lease and
associated agreements entered into by the Moapa Band with Yahthumb
Solar Project, LLC (Applicant). The agreements provide for
construction, operation and maintenance (O&M), and eventual
decommissioning of a PV electricity generation and battery storage
facilities located entirely on the Reservation and specifically on
lands held in trust for the Moapa Band, in Clark County Nevada.
The PV electricity generation and battery storage facilities would
be located on up to 1,400 acres within a 1,695-acre lease area on
tribal trust land and would have a capacity of up to 138 megawatts
(MW). The solar field and associated facilities would be in parts of
Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32 in Township 15 South, Range 65 East;
Section 1 in Township 16 South, Range 64 East; and Section 6 in
Township 16 South, Range 65, East Mount Diablo Base Meridian.
Construction of the Project would take up to 14 months. The
electricity generation and storage facilities are expected to be
operated for up to 56.5 years under the terms of the lease, with time
for construction and decommissioning.
Major onsite facilities include multiple blocks of solar PV panels
mounted on fixed tilt or tracking systems, pad mounted inverters and
transformers, battery storage, access roads, and O&M facilities. A gen-
tie line approximately 8.5 to 10 miles long would interconnect the
Project to the regional electrical grid at the existing Reid-Gardner
Substation. This line would be built within the designated utility
corridor on the Reservation that is managed by BLM, on BLM-managed
federal land, and on private land near the existing substation. 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, drawn from the Band's
existing water rights, and delivered to the site via temporary water
pipeline or by truck. Access to the Project will be provided via I-15
to the existing Ute Road on the Reservation that would be upgraded as
needed. Secondary access would be provided via an existing road within
the designated utility corridor that would also be upgraded as needed.
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 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 Band.
The BIA and BLM will use the EIS to make decisions on the land
lease and right-of-way applications under their respective
jurisdiction; the EPA may use the document to make decisions under its
authorities; the Moapa Band may use the DEIS to make decisions under
its
[[Page 55839]]
Environmental Policy Ordinance; and the USFWS may use the DEIS to
support its decision under the Endangered Species Act.
Directions for Submitting Comments: Please include your name,
return address and the caption: ``DEIS Comments, Proposed Yahthumb
Solar Project'' on the first page of your written comments. You may
also submit comments verbally during one of the virtual public meeting
presentations or provide written comments to the address listed above
in the ADDRESSES section.
To help protect the public and limit the spread of the COVID-19
virus, virtual public meetings will be held, where team members will
provide a short presentation and remain available 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 on the
website and could join by telephone. Additionally, the live
presentation will be recorded and made accessible for viewing
throughout the comment period. The first public meeting will be held in
the afternoon and the second public meeting will be held in the evening
both by video and telephone conference. The dates, times, and access
information for the virtual meetings will be included in notices to be
published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Moapa Valley Progress and
on the project website at www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com 15 days
before the meetings.
Locations Where the DEIS is Available for Review: The DEIS will be
available for review at: BIA Western Regional Office, 2600 North
Central Avenue, 12th Floor, Suite 210, Phoenix, Arizona; BIA Southern
Paiute Agency, 180 North 200 East, Suite 111, St. George, Utah; and the
BLM Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las
Vegas, Nevada. The DEIS is also available online at:
www.YahthumbSolarProjectEIS.com.
To obtain an electronic copy of the DEIS, please provide your name
and address in writing or by voicemail to Mr. Chip Lewis or Mr. Garry
Cantley. Their contact information is listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individual paper copies of
the DEIS will be provided only upon request.
Public Comment Availability: Written comments, including names and
addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the
BIA Western Regional Office, at the mailing address shown in the
ADDRESSES section during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your
address, telephone 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: This notice is published in accordance with section
1503.1 of the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500
et seq.) and the Department of the Interior Regulations (43 CFR part
46) implementing the procedural requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and in accordance
with the exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary--
Indian Affairs by part 209 of the Department Manual.
Bryan Newland,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2022-19586 Filed 9-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
