Notice2023-24744
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Ranegras Plains Energy Center Project, La Paz County, AZ
Primary source
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Published
November 9, 2023
Effective
November 9, 2023
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentLand Management Bureau
Abstract
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office, Yuma, Arizona, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider the effects of the Ranegras Plains Energy Center Project (Project) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. The BLM also announces the segregation of 4,763 acres of public lands from appropriation under the public land laws, including the Mining Law, but not the mineral leasing or materials acts, for a period of 2 years from the date of publication of this notice, subject to valid existing rights. This segregation will facilitate the orderly administration of the public lands while the BLM considers potential solar and battery energy storage development on the described parcels.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77356-77358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24744]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_AZ_FRN_MO4500175810]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and
Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Ranegras Plains Energy Center
Project, La Paz County, AZ
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent and segregation.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma
Field Office, Yuma, Arizona, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) to consider the effects of the Ranegras Plains Energy
Center Project (Project) and by this notice is announcing the beginning
of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.
The BLM also announces the segregation of 4,763 acres of public lands
from appropriation under the public land laws, including the Mining
Law, but not the mineral leasing or materials acts, for a period of 2
years from the date of publication of this notice, subject to valid
existing rights. This segregation will facilitate the orderly
administration of the public lands while the BLM considers potential
solar and battery energy storage development on the described parcels.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS.
The BLM requests that the public submit comments concerning the scope
of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant
information and studies by December 11, 2023. To afford the BLM the
opportunity to consider issues raised by commenters in the Draft EIS,
please ensure your comments are received prior to the close of the 30-
day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever
is later. A virtual public scoping meeting will be held 2 to 3 weeks
after publication of this notice; the meeting date will be announced on
the Project ePlanning website at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
The segregation for the
[[Page 77357]]
public lands identified in this notice takes effect on November 9,
2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues related to the Proposed
Ranegras Plains Energy Center Project by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Website: <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2020050/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2020050/510</a>.
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#67252b2a38263d382435233834080b061527050b0a49000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="70323c3d2f312a2f3322342f231f1c110230121c1d5e171f06">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Mail: BLM Yuma Field Office, Attention: Ranegras Plains
Energy Center Project, 7341 E 30th Street, Yuma, AZ 85365.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at the
Project's ePlanning website: <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2020050/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2020050/510</a> and at the Yuma Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Eysenbach, Project Manager, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8acadb1bbada6aaa9aba088aaa4a5e6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5e3a3b272d3b303c3f3d361e3c323370393128">[email protected]</span></a>, the mailing address above, or by phone at (602)
417-9505. Contact Mr. Eysenbach to have your name added to our mailing
list. 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 for contacting
Mr. Eysenbach. 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed Project location is
approximately 30 miles east of Quartzsite, Arizona, along the south
side of Interstate 10 near the Vicksburg Road exit. The Project would
have a generating capacity of up to 700 megawatts alternating current
and consist of solar photovoltaic modules, a battery energy storage
system, electrical collection lines, a switchyard, operations and
maintenance facilities, access roads, and an 11-mile-long, 500-kilovolt
generation-tie transmission line (gen-tie line) to connect to the
Delaney Colorado River Transmission Ten West Link Series Compensation
Station.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The purpose and need for the action is to respond to Ranegras
Plains Energy Center, LLC's application for a right-of-way (ROW) to
construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a solar photovoltaic and
battery energy storage project and associated facilities on public land
administered by the BLM, consistent with Title V of FLPMA, regulations
at 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 2800, and other applicable laws
and regulations. In making its decision to issue a ROW grant, the BLM
must first consider conformance with existing resource management plans
(43 CFR 1610.5-3).
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The BLM has identified two preliminary alternatives: the No Action
Alternative and the proposed action. The proposed action would
authorize a ROW for development of a solar photovoltaic facility,
battery energy storage system, and gen-tie line on up to 4,763 acres of
BLM-administered public land in La Paz County, Arizona. The entire
project, including the proposed solar array and gen-tie line, also
includes approximately 1,100 acres of Arizona State Trust lands and 1
acre of private lands. The No Action Alternative would deny the ROW
application and the Project. Through comments received in the public
scoping period, the BLM may develop action alternatives that would
reduce impacts to preliminary resource concerns, including wildlife
connectivity, off-highway vehicle recreation and access, and grazing/
rangeland uses. The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary
alternatives as well as suggestions for additional alternatives.
Summary of Expected Impacts
Anticipated impacts from the proposed Project include up to 4,763
acres of ground disturbance for the solar facility, a battery energy
storage system, transmission facilities, operations and maintenance
facilities, access roads, and temporary work areas. Potential impacts
may include a reduction in authorized grazing; vegetation removal;
recreation, access, and land use changes; wildlife and migratory bird
impacts including habitat loss and potential direct mortalities during
construction and operations; visual impacts including glint and glare
and an increase in nighttime brightness; potential impacts to cultural
resources and Native American concerns; and socioeconomic impacts.
Known resources to be addressed in the analysis include, but are not
limited to, air quality; visual resources; environmental justice;
social and economic values; mining and minerals; land uses; Native
American religious concerns; recreation; grazing/rangelands; cultural
resources; wildlife; migratory birds; threatened, endangered, and
sensitive species; soils; water resources; invasive species; and
paleontology. Impact analysis will also consider the cumulative impacts
to natural and cultural resources from reasonably foreseeable future
projects in the area.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested ROW grant, other Federal, State, and
local authorizations would be required for the Project. These may
include authorizations determined through consultation under the
Endangered Species Act (16 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1536 et seq.),
the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), and other laws and
regulations determined to be applicable to the Project.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public
participation consistent with NEPA, including a 45-day comment period
on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is anticipated to be available for
public review in fall 2024, with a record of decision expected in
summer 2025.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping period. The BLM will
hold one virtual public scoping meeting (see the DATES and ADDRESSES
sections above). The meeting date, time, and information on how to
attend will be announced at least 15 days in advance on the Project
ePlanning website at <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2020050/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2020050/510</a> and via news release. Project information and documents
will also be posted on that website. Persons needing assistance
(assistive technology, translators, or other assistance) should contact
Mr. Eysenbach, Project Manager (see contact information above).
Segregation
Regulations at 43 CFR 2804.25(f) allow the BLM to segregate public
lands included in an application for a ROW for solar energy development
from the operation of the public land laws, including the Mining Law,
by publication of a Federal Register notice. The BLM uses this
authority to preserve its ability to approve, approve with
modifications, or deny a proposed ROW, and to facilitate the orderly
administration of the public lands. This segregation is subject to
valid existing rights, including existing mining claims located before
the date of this segregation notice. Licenses, permits, cooperative
agreements, or discretionary land use authorizations of a temporary
nature that would not impact lands identified in this notice may be
allowed with the approval of a BLM authorized officer during the
segregation period. As
[[Page 77358]]
provided in the regulations, the segregation of lands in this notice
will not exceed 2 years from the date of publication unless extended
for up to an additional 2 years through publication of a new notice in
the Federal Register. The segregation period will terminate and the
land will automatically reopen to appropriation under the public land
laws, including the Mining Law, at the earliest of the following dates:
upon issuance of a decision by the authorized officer granting,
granting with modifications, or denying the application for a ROW;
without further administrative action at the end of the segregation
provided for in the Federal Register notice initiating the segregation;
or upon publication of a Federal Register notice terminating the
segregation.
Legal Description for Parcel: The subject lands for the proposed
solar facility are legally described as follows:
Solar Array
Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona
T. 3 N., R. 14 W.,
Secs. 17 and 18;
Sec. 19, lots 1 and 2, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/
4\;
Sec. 20, N\1/2\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
Secs. 21 and 22;
Sec. 23, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
Sec. 25, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
Sec. 26, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
Sec. 27, N\1/2\ and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
Sec. 28, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, and N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
Sec. 35, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\.
T. 3 N., R. 15 W.,
Sec. 12, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\;
Sec. 13, E\1/2\;
Sec. 24, N\1/2\NE\1/4\.
The area described contains 4,674 acres, more or less, derived from
GIS data received from the BLM Arizona State Office, on September 11,
2023.
Substation
Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona
T. 3 N., R. 15 W.,
Sec. 12, NE\1/4\, those portions northerly of the northern
alternative Gen-Tie route.
The area described contains 89 acres, more or less, derived from
GIS data received from the BLM Arizona State Office, on September 11,
2023.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
These Federal agencies have agreed to participate as Cooperating
Agencies under a Memorandum of Understanding to Improve Public Land
Renewable Energy Project Permit Coordination: the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Defense,
Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency. Other
Federal agencies, Tribal Nations, and State and local agencies wishing
to be considered as a Cooperating Agency on this effort, either on the
basis of their jurisdiction by law or special expertise, are invited to
express their interest to Mr. Eysenbach, Project Manager (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Responsible Official
The BLM Arizona State Director is the deciding official for this
notice of segregation. The authorized officer and decision maker for
the Project is the BLM Yuma Field Office Manager.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM will decide whether to approve, approve with
modification(s), or deny issuance of a ROW grant to the applicant for
the proposed Project.
Additional Information
The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed
action and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with
40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already
included in the proposed action or alternatives. Mitigation may include
avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over
time, and compensation; and may be considered at multiple scales,
including the landscape scale.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA process for this
effort to help support compliance with applicable procedural
requirements under the Endangered Species Act and section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36
CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public involvement requirements of Section
106. Information about historic and cultural resources and threatened
and endangered species within the area potentially affected will assist
the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
The BLM will consult with Tribal Nations on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM Manual
Sections 1780, and other Departmental policies. Tribal concerns,
including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State,
and local agencies, along with Tribal Nations and stakeholders that may
be interested in or affected by the proposed Project that the BLM is
evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if
eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the
development of the environmental analysis as a Cooperating Agency.
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: 40 CFR 1501.9)
Gera Ashton,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023-24744 Filed 11-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-12-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.