Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 217 / Monday, November 13, 2023 / Notices 77605 

ACTION: Notice of information collection; 

request for comment. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

proposes to renew an information 

collection. 

DATES: Interested persons are invited to 

submit comments on or before January 

12, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Send your written 

comments on this information 

collection request (ICR) by mail to 

Darrin King, Information Collection 

Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of 

the Interior, Bureau of Land 

Management, Attention PRA Office, 440 

W 200 S #500, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; 

or by email to BLM_HQ_PRA_

Comments@blm.gov. Please reference 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) Control Number 1004–0165 in 

the subject line of your comments. 

Please note that the electronic 

submission of comments is 

recommended. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To 

request additional information about 

this ICR, contact Kyle Voyles by email 

at kvoyles@blm.gov, or by telephone at 

(435) 688–3274. 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-ofcontact in the United States. The ICR 

may also be viewed at http://

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. The BLM may not 

conduct or sponsor a collection of 

information and a response to a request 

for information is not required unless it 

displays a current 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 

the BLM assess impacts of its 

information collection requirements and 

minimize the public’s reporting burden. 

It also helps the public understand BLM 

information collection requirements and 

ensure requested data are provided in 

the desired format. 

The BLM is especially interested in 

public comment addressing the 

following: 

(1) whether collection of information 

is necessary for the proper performance 

of the functions of the agency, including 

if the information will have practical 

utility; 

(2) determination of the accuracy of 

the BLM’s estimate of the burden for 

collection of information, including 

validity of methodology and 

assumptions used; 

(3) methods to enhance the quality, 

utility, and clarity of information to be 

collected; and 

(4) how the agency can minimize the 

burden of information collection on 

those who respond, including use of 

appropriate automated, electronic, 

mechanical or other technological 

collection techniques or other forms of 

information technology. 

Comments submitted in response to 

this notice are a matter of public record. 

The BLM will include or summarize 

each comment in its 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 to 

withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

Abstract: Land-management agencies 

within the Department of the Interior 

seek information to comply with the 

Federal Cave Resources Protection Act 

(FCRPA), 16 U.S.C. 4301 through 4310 

and the Department’s regulations at 43 

CFR part 37. The FRCPA requires these 

agencies to identify and protect 

‘‘significant’’ caves on Federal lands 

within their respective jurisdictions and 

allows agencies to disclose to the public 

the location of significant caves only in 

limited circumstances. However, the 

FRCPA and BLM regulations also 

authorize certain individuals, 

organizations and governmental 

agencies to request confidential cave 

information. OMB Control Number 

1004–0165 is currently scheduled to 

expire on September 30, 2024. The BLM 

plans to request that OMB renewal this 

OMB control number for an additional 

three (3) years. 

Title of Collection: Cave Management: 

Cave Nominations and Requests for 

Confidential Information (43 CFR part 

37). 

OMB Control Number: 1004–0165. 

Form Number: None. 

Type of Review: Extension of a 

currently approved collection. 

Respondents/Affected Public: 

Governmental agencies and the public 

may submit cave nominations pursuant 

to section 4 of the FCRPA (16 U.S.C. 

4303) and 43 CFR 37.11. Requests for 

confidential information may be 

submitted pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 4304 

and 43 CFR 37.12 by: 

• Federal and state governmental 

agencies; 

• Bona fide educational and research 

institutions; and 

• Individuals and organizations 

assisting a land management agency 

with cave management activities. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Respondents: 28. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Responses: 28. 

Estimated Completion Time per 

Response: Varies from 1 hour to 11 

hours, depending on activity. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Burden Hours: 278. 

Respondent’s Obligation: Required to 

obtain or retain a benefit. 

Frequency of Collection: On occasion. 

Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour 

Burden Cost: None. 

An agency may not conduct or 

sponsor and, notwithstanding any other 

provision of law, a person is not 

required to respond to a collection of 

information unless it displays a 

currently valid OMB control number. 

The authority for this action is the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 

U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). 

Darrin A. King, 

Information Collection Clearance Officer. 

[FR Doc. 2023–24859 Filed 11–9–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–84–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[BLM_NV_FRN_MO4500174054] 

Notice of Intent To Amend the 

Resource Management Plan and 

Prepare an Associated Programmatic 

Environmental Impact Statement for 

the Esmeralda Solar Projects, 

Esmeralda County, Nevada 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of intent. 

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) 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
77606 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 217 / Monday, November 13, 2023 / Notices 

Nevada State Director intends to prepare 

a Resource Management Plan (RMP) 

amendment with an associated 

Programmatic Environmental Impact 

Statement (PEIS) for public lands in 

Esmeralda County, Nevada, and by this 

notice is announcing the beginning of 

the scoping period to solicit public 

comments and identify issues, 

providing the planning criteria for 

public review, and announcing a 

comment period of 30 days. 

DATES: 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 

13, 2023. To afford the BLM the 

opportunity to consider issues raised by 

commenters in the Draft RMP 

Amendment/PEIS, 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. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

on issues and planning criteria related 

to the RMP Amendment and associated 

PEIS by any of the following methods: 

• https://eplanning.blm.gov/ 

eplanning-ui/project/2020804/510. 

• Email: ghelseth@blm.gov. 

• Fax: 775–482–7810. 

• Mail: BLM, Tonopah Field Office, 

P.O. Box 911,1553 South Main Street, 

Tonopah, NV 89049. 

Documents pertinent to this proposal 

may be examined online at https://

eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ 

project/2020804/510. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

further information and/or to have your 

name added to the mailing list, send 

requests to: Perry B. Wickham, Field 

Manager, at telephone (775) 482–7801; 

address P.O. Box 911, 1553 South Main 

Street, Tonopah, NV 89049; or email 

pwickham@blm.gov. 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-ofcontact in the United States. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

document provides notice that the BLM 

Nevada State Director intends to prepare 

an RMP amendment with an associated 

PEIS for the Esmeralda Solar Projects in 

Esmeralda County, Nevada, announces 

the beginning of the scoping process, 

and seeks public input on issues and 

planning criteria. The RMP amendment 

would change the existing 1997 

Tonopah Field Office Record of 

Decision and Approved RMP. The RMP 

amendment is being considered in order 

to change the management direction for 

visual resources and slope in order to 

allow for the consideration of the 

proposed solar development projects. 

The planning area is in Esmeralda 

County, Nevada, and encompasses 

approximately 118,630.90 acres of 

public land. 

Purpose and Need 

The BLM’s purpose for this Federal 

action is to respond to the solar project 

FLPMA right-of-way applications 

submitted under Title V of FLPMA (43 

U.S.C. 1761) and to amend the visual 

and slope management direction in the 

Tonopah RMP in compliance with the 

FLPMA BLM right-of-way regulations 

(43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 

2800) and other applicable Federal and 

State laws and policies. In accordance 

with FLPMA, there is a need to consider 

the long-term needs of future 

generations for renewable and nonrenewable resources in the context of 

the multiple resource objectives in the 

Tonopah RMP planning area. 

Preliminary Alternatives 

Under the No Action alternative, the 

BLM would not amend the visual and 

slope management direction in the 

Tonopah RMP and would not consider 

design features for use in solar 

development projects in the planning 

area. Under the proposed action 

alternative, the BLM would change the 

visual and slope management direction 

in the Tonopah RMP Amendment and 

consider design features for use in 

future analyses of the individual solar 

projects in the planning area. The BLM 

welcomes comments and suggestions for 

additional alternatives. 

Planning Criteria 

The planning criteria guide the 

planning effort and lay the groundwork 

for effects analysis by identifying the 

preliminary issues and their analytical 

frameworks. The planning criteria are 

available for public review and 

comment at the ePlanning website (see 

ADDRESSES). 

Summary of Expected Impacts 

Through this RMP Amendment and 

PEIS, the BLM would change the visual 

and slope management direction in the 

Tonopah RMP Amendment and 

consider best management practices for 

use in future analyses of the individual 

projects. Prior to implementation of the 

individual solar projects, site-specific 

NEPA analysis would be required. 

Preliminary issues for the planning area 

have been identified by BLM personnel 

and from feedback received during early 

engagement conducted for this planning 

effort with Federal, State, and local 

agencies; Tribes; and stakeholders. The 

PEIS will analyze the effects of the 

proposed changes in RMP management 

direction, the cumulative effects of the 

seven proposed solar projects, and the 

implementation of design features on: 

• Air Resources 

• Biological Resources 

• Cultural and Native American 

Concerns 

• Hydrologic Resources 

• Socioeconomics and Environmental 

Justice 

• Visual Resources 

Schedule for the Decision-Making 

Process 

The BLM will provide additional 

opportunities for public participation 

consistent with the NEPA and land use 

planning processes, including a 90-day 

comment period on the Draft RMP 

Amendment/PEIS and concurrent 30- 

day public protest period and 60-day 

Governor’s consistency review on the 

Proposed RMP Amendment. The Draft 

RMP Amendment/PEIS is anticipated to 

be available for public review in the 

winter of 2024 and the Proposed RMP 

Amendment/Final PEIS is anticipated to 

be available for public protest in the 

summer of 2024 with an Approved RMP 

Amendment and Record of Decision in 

late December 2024. 

Public Scoping Process 

Two virtual public meetings will be 

held. The dates of the meetings and 

information on how to participate will 

be announced at least 15 days in 

advance through the ePlanning page 

(see ADDRESSES) and applicable local 

newspapers. 

This notice of intent initiates the 

scoping period and public review of the 

planning criteria, which guide the 

development and analysis of the Draft 

RMP Amendment/PEIS. 

Through the scoping process the BLM 

is requesting input on the scope of the 

environmental analysis, alternatives that 

should be considered, issues that should 

be analyzed, measures to minimize and/ 

or avoid adverse environmental 

impacts, and any other information 

relevant to the proposed area of effect. 

Lead and Cooperating Agencies 

The BLM Battle Mountain District 

Office is the lead agency for this RMP 

Amendment and PEIS. The BLM has 

initially identified the following 

agencies and organizations as potential 

cooperating agencies: Bureau of Indian 

Affairs, Department of the Air Force, 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 217 / Monday, November 13, 2023 / Notices 77607 

Department of Defense, National Park 

Service, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency Region 9, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, U.S. Forest Service, Nevada 

Department of Transportation, Nevada 

Department of Wildlife, Nevada 

Division of Environmental Protection, 

Nevada Division of Minerals, Nevada 

Division of State Lands, Nevada State 

Historic Preservation Office, Esmeralda 

County, and Nye County. Additional 

agencies and organizations may be 

identified as potential cooperating 

agencies to participate in the 

environmental analysis for the RMP 

Amendment/PEIS. 

Responsible Official 

The Nevada State Director is the 

deciding official for this planning effort. 

Nature of Decision To Be Made 

The nature of the decision to be made 

will be the Nevada State Director’s 

selection of land use planning decisions 

for managing BLM-administered lands 

under the principles of multiple use and 

sustained yield in a manner that best 

addresses the purpose and need. 

Interdisciplinary Team 

The BLM will use an interdisciplinary 

approach to develop the plan 

amendment in order to consider the 

variety of resource issues and concerns 

identified. Specialists with expertise in 

the following disciplines will be 

involved in this planning effort: geology 

and soils, vegetation and noxious and 

invasive species, wildlife, hydrology, air 

quality, minerals, paleontology, visual 

resources, cultural resources, 

socioeconomics, public health and 

safety, land use and recreation, special 

designations, and others deemed 

necessary based on the results of the 

scoping process. 

Additional Information 

The BLM will identify, analyze, and 

consider mitigation to address the 

reasonably foreseeable impacts to 

resources from the proposed plan 

amendment and all analyzed reasonable 

alternatives and, in accordance with 40 

CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate 

mitigation measures not already 

included in the proposed plan 

amendment 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 and land use planning 

processes for this planning effort to help 

support compliance with applicable 

procedural requirements under the 

Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 

1536) 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. The information about historic and 

cultural resources and threatened and 

endangered species within the area 

potentially affected by the proposed 

plan will assist the BLM in identifying 

and evaluating impacts to such 

resources. 

The BLM will consult with Indian 

Tribes on a government-to-government 

basis in accordance with Executive 

Order 13175, BLM MS 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 Indian Tribal 

Nations and other stakeholders that may 

be interested in or affected by the 

proposed RMP Amendment and PEIS 

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. The 

BLM intends to hold a series of 

government-to-government consultation 

meetings. The BLM will send invites to 

potentially affected Tribal Nations prior 

to the meetings. The BLM will provide 

additional opportunities for 

government-to-government consultation 

during the NEPA process. 

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 

to withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 

1610.2) 

Jon K. Raby, 

State Director. 

[FR Doc. 2023–24884 Filed 11–9–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4331–21–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[BLM_AK_FRN_MO4500172712; AA–12466] 

Alaska Native Claims Selection 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of decision approving 

lands for conveyance. 

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) hereby provides 

constructive notice that it will issue an 

appealable decision approving 

conveyance of the surface and 

subsurface estates in certain lands to 

Calista Corporation, an Alaska Native 

regional corporation, pursuant to the 

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 

1971 (ANCSA). 

DATES: Any party claiming a property 

interest in the lands affected by the 

decision may appeal the decision in 

accordance with the requirements of 43 

CFR part 4 within the time limits set out 

in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

section. 

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of 

the decision from the Bureau of Land 

Management, Alaska State Office, 222 

West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, 

AK 99513–7504. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Abby Muth, Land Law Examiner, BLM 

Alaska State Office, 907–271–3345, or 

amuth@blm.gov. 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. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As 

required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is 

hereby given that the BLM will issue an 

appealable decision to Calista 

Corporation. The decision approves 

conveyance of the surface and 

subsurface estates in certain lands 

pursuant to ANCSA (43 U.S.C. 1601, et 

seq.). The lands are located in the 

vicinity of Russian Mission, Alaska, and 

are described as: 

Seward Meridian, Alaska 

T. 23 N., R. 65 W., 

Secs. 27 and 28. 

Containing 1,280 acres. 

T. 23 N., R. 66 W., 

Secs. 22 to 27, inclusive; 

Secs. 34, 35, and 36. 

Containing 5,760 acres. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES