Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Notices 28861 

be made available via the internet and 

through special publications, for use by 

Government agencies, industry, 

education programs, and the general 

public. We will protect information 

from respondents considered 

proprietary under the Freedom of 

Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its’ 

implementing regulations (43 CFR part 

2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 

250.197, ‘‘Data and information to be 

made available to the public or for 

limited inspection.’’ Responses are 

voluntary. No questions of a ‘‘sensitive’’ 

nature are asked. 

Title of Collection: North American 

Breeding Bird Survey. 

OMB Control Number: 1028–0079. 

Form Number: None. 

Type of Review: Extension of a 

currently approved collection. 

Respondents/Affected Public: 

Individuals. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Respondents: 1,600. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Responses: 2,600. 

Estimated Completion Time per 

Response: 11 minutes. 

Total Estimated Number of Annual 

Burden Hours: 28,600. 

Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. 

Frequency of Collection: Annually. 

Total Estimated Annual Non-hour 

Burden Cost: $141,700. Mileage costs 

are on average $54.50 per response, 

based on approximate 100-mile round 

trip for data collection per response and 

2018 federal mileage rate of $0.545 per 

mile. 

An agency may not conduct or 

sponsor and a person is not required to 

respond to a collection of information 

unless it displays a currently valid OMB 

control number. 

The authorities for this action are the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 

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

John French, 

Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Director. 

[FR Doc. 2018–13274 Filed 6–20–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4338–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Reclamation 

[RR01016000; XXXR4524KK; 

RX.41129361.1010000] 

Notice of Intent To Contract for 

Hydroelectric Power Development on 

the Bureau of Reclamation’s North Unit 

Main Canal, Deschutes Project, 

Madras, Oregon 

AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of intent to accept 

proposals, select lessee(s), and contract 

for hydroelectric power development. 

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation 

(Reclamation) has received a proposal to 

allow hydroelectric power development 

on the North Unit Main Canal (NUMC) 

under a Lease of Power Privilege 

(LOPP). To ensure fair and open 

competition, Reclamation is soliciting 

competing proposals at this time. 

DATES: Submit the written proposal on 

or before November 19, 2018. Late 

proposals will not be considered. 

Delayed delivery to the Regional Power 

Manager’s office due to failures or 

misunderstandings of the entity and/or 

of mail, overnight, or courier services 

will not excuse lateness, and 

accordingly, are advised to provide 

sufficient time for delivery. 

ADDRESSES: Send eight copies of the 

written proposal to Mr. Joseph 

Summers, Regional Power Manager, 

Bureau of Reclamation, 1150 North 

Curtis Road, Suite 100, Boise, ID 83706; 

telephone (208) 378–5290. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Questions regarding proposal 

requirements or technical data available 

for the North Unit Main Canal may be 

directed to Mr. Jake Nink, Bureau of 

Reclamation, 1150 North Curtis Road, 

Suite 100, Boise, ID 83706; telephone 

(208) 378–5090; email jnink@usbr.gov. 

Upon receipt of written request, Mr. 

Nink will also arrange an informational 

meeting and/or site visit with interested 

entities. In this regard, Reclamation 

reserves the right to schedule a single 

meeting and/or visit to address the 

questions of all entities that have 

submitted questions or requested site 

visits. 

Specific information related to 

operations and maintenance of the canal 

system may be obtained from Mr. Mike 

Britton, Bureau of Reclamation, North 

Unit Irrigation District Manager, 2024 

Northwest Beech Street, Madras, OR 

97741; telephone (541) 475–3625; email 

to mbritton@northunit.com. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

General Overview. The North Unit 

Irrigation District (NUID) operates and 

maintains the NUMC on the Deschutes 

Project located in the Deschutes River 

Basin, which supplies irrigation water 

to nearly 59,000 acres of farmland in 

Jefferson County, Oregon. Reclamation 

is considering allowing hydroelectric 

power development on the NUMC 

under a Lease of Power Privilege 

(LOPP). 

A LOPP is a congressionally 

authorized alternative to Federal 

hydroelectric power development. It is 

a contractual right given to a non-federal 

entity to use a Reclamation asset for 

electric power generation consistent 

with Reclamation project purposes. 

Terms of a LOPP shall not exceed 40 

years. General authority under 

Reclamation law for a LOPP includes, 

among others, the Town Sites and 

Power Development Act of 1906 (43 

U.S.C. 522), the Reclamation Project Act 

of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)) (1939 Act), 

and the Bureau of Reclamation Small 

Conduit Hydropower Development and 

Rural Jobs Act of 2013 (Act of August 

9, 2013, 127 Stat. 498). 

Reclamation will be responsible for 

compliance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

related to any project selected for 

consideration pursuant to this Notice of 

Intent. Reclamation will also lead 

necessary consultation with American 

Indian Tribal Governments and 

compliance with the National Historic 

Preservation Act, Endangered Species 

Act, and other related environmental 

regulations for all elements of the 

proposed project. A LOPP may be 

issued only after Reclamation has 

determined that NEPA and any other 

regulatory compliance requirements are 

completed. 

Project Definition and Location 

On August 7, 2017, Reclamation 

received a formal proposal for nonfederal hydroelectric power 

development from Kinet Inc. at 12 sites 

on the NUMC. Kinet Inc. proposes to 

develop these sites utilizing a new 

technology called linear Pelton turbines. 

This solicitation is exclusive to the 

following 12 NUMC sites: 

Site Name—Mile 2 South. 

Latitude Longitude—44.082201– 

121.286401. 

Canal Mile Maker—1.78 

Head (m)—6.1. 

Flow (cms)—20. 

Site Name—Mile 2 North. 

Latitude Longitude—44.086971– 

121.274233. 

Canal Mile Marker—2.11. 

Head (m)—6.1. 

Flow (cms)—20. 

Site Name—Mile 3. 

Latitude Longitude—44.092839– 

121.256296. 

Canal Mile Marker—3.52. 

Head (m)—6.1. 

Flow (cms)—20. 

Site Name—Mile 18. 

Latitude Longitude—44.251184– 

121.128517. 

Canal Mile Marker—18.34. 

Head (m)—6.71. 

Flow (cms)—21. 

Site Name—Mile 19. 


amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
28862 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Notices 

Latitude Longitude—44.2666– 

121.12075. 

Canal Mile Marker—19. 

Head (m)—4.4. 

Flow (cms)—16. 

Site Name Mile—20. 

Latitude Longitude—44.2838– 

121.11471. 

Canal Mile Marker—20. 

Head (m)—5.36. 

Flow (cms)—21. 

Site Name Mile—43. 

Latitude Longitude—44.500374– 

121.154865. 

Canal Mile Marker—45. 

Head (m)—18.2. 

Flow (cms)—7.1. 

Site Name—Mile 48. 

Latitude Longitude—44.5368587– 

121.153547. 

Canal Mile Marker—47.98. 

Head (m)—3.66. 

Flow (cms)—7.2. 

Site Name—Mile 50 East. 

Latitude Longitude—44.571091– 

121.158783. 

Canal Mile Marker—19. 

Head (m)—51. 

Flow (cms)—2.98. 

Site Name—Mile 50 West. 

Latitude Longitude—44.572148– 

121.160127. 

Canal Mile Marker—19. 

Head (m)—3.05. 

Flow (cms)—7.0. 

Site Name—Mile 52 South. 

Latitude Longitude—44.601337– 

121.162522. 

Canal Mile Marker—53.69. 

Head (m)—3.05. 

Flow (cms)—7.0. 

Site Name—Mile 52 North. 

Latitude Longitude—44.603526– 

121.161854. 

Canal Mile Marker—19. 

Head (m)—3.05. 

Flow (cms)—7.0. 

Reclamation notified NUID of the 

Kinet Inc. proposal and solicited NUID’s 

interest in submitting a proposal as a 

preferred entity. In a subsequent letter 

dated September 21, 2017, NUID 

declined interest in hydroelectric power 

development at the proposed sites. As a 

result, Reclamation is soliciting 

proposals for consideration to allow 

hydroelectric power development under 

a LOPP on the NUMC system. 

Fundamental Considerations and 

Requirements 

1. Under this solicitation, 

Reclamation may only issue a LOPP for 

hydroelectric power development at the 

12 identified NUMC sites described 

herein. 

2. Any LOPP terms for hydroelectric 

power development on the NUMC must 

not interfere with existing contractual 

commitments related to operations and 

maintenance of the canal system. The 

lessee (i.e., successful proposing entity) 

will be required to enter into a contract 

with Reclamation. This contract will, (1) 

address requirements related to 

coordination of operations and 

maintenance with Deschutes Project 

stakeholders (including the NUID); and 

(2) stipulate that the lessee will be 

responsible for any increase in 

operations or maintenance costs that are 

attributable to the hydroelectric power 

development. 

3. The lessee would be responsible for 

securing transfer and marketing of the 

power generated by the proposed 

project. 

4. All costs incurred by the United 

States related to a proposed LOPP 

project will be at the expense of the 

lessee. Such costs include management 

and coordination of necessary 

Reclamation activities, provision of 

information, conduct of or assistance 

with regulatory compliance (including 

NEPA), consultation during design 

development and related to operations 

and maintenance under a LOPP, 

development of the LOPP, necessary 

contracts with outside consultants, or 

any other cost for which the government 

would be reimbursed by an applicant or 

the general public. In addition, the 

lessee will be required to make annual 

payments to the United States for the 

use of a government facility in the 

amount of at least 2–3 mills per 

kilowatt-hour of gross energy produced 

by the facility, measured at the 

generator(s). 

5. The LOPP will include provisions 

for the mill rate to increase each year 

commensurate with inflation based on 

the previous 5-year average of the Gross 

Domestic Product (GDP) Price Deflator; 

however, the rate of increase will be 

capped at 5 percent. If the 5-year GDP 

Price Deflator average shows no change 

or deflation, the mill rate will remain 

the same as the previous year’s rate. 

Annual payments to the United States 

will be deposited as a credit to the 

Reclamation fund and project to be 

applied against the total outstanding 

reimbursable repayment obligation for 

reimbursable project construction costs 

of the Deschutes Project pursuant to the 

existing construction cost allocation 

(not applied only against power 

construction costs). If the outstanding 

reimbursable repayment obligation for 

project construction costs is satisfied, 

then the payments will be held as a 

statutory credit for the project or 

program until an eligible reimbursable 

project expense is incurred against 

which the credit can be applied. 

Proposal Content Guidelines 

Interested parties should submit 

proposals specifically addressing the 

following qualifications, capabilities, 

and approach factors. Proposals 

submitted will be evaluated and ranked 

directly based on these factors. 

Additional information may be 

provided at the discretion of those 

submitting proposals. 

(a) Qualifications of Proposing Entity: 

Provide relevant information 

describing/documenting the 

qualifications of the proposing entity to 

plan, design, and implement such a 

project, including, but not limited to: 

• Type of organization. 

• Business history, including length 

of time in business, experience in 

funding, and design and construction of 

similar projects. 

• Industry rating(s) that indicate 

financial soundness and/or technical 

and managerial capability. 

• Experience of key management 

personnel. 

• History of any reorganizations or 

mergers with other companies (if 

applicable). 

• Preference status (as applied to a 

LOPP, the term ‘‘preference entity’’ 

means an entity qualifying for 

preference under Section 9(c) of the 

1939 Act as a municipality, public 

corporation or agency, or cooperative or 

other nonprofit organization financed in 

whole or in part by loans made pursuant 

to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 

as amended). 

• Any other information not already 

requested above or in the following 

evaluation categories that demonstrates 

the interested entity’s organizational, 

technical, and financial ability to 

perform all aspects of the work. 

(b) Proposed Development Plan: 

Describe and provide mapping and 

drawings of proposed facilities and 

equipment comprising the LOPP 

project. Include descriptions and 

locations of structures, turbines, 

penstocks, transmission lines, access 

roads, and other appurtenant facilities. 

Describe proposed capacities and 

general operation of the hydroelectric 

projects to include generation capacity, 

power source and power consumption, 

configuration, turbine generating 

capacity, distribution transmission line 

size and route, and other relevant 

aspects of the project. 

Describe the ability of generation to 

provide ancillary services, such as 

regulation, spinning reserves, and voltampere reactive support, and 

information on the reliability of the 

generation, potential maintenance 

outage schedule, and duration. 


amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Notices 28863 

(c) Proposed Approach to Acquisition 

of Necessary Property Rights: Specify 

plans for acquiring title to or the right 

to occupy and use all lands necessary 

for the proposed development, 

including such additional lands as may 

be required during construction. 

Address lands necessary for electrical 

distribution lines, access roads, and all 

aspects of project development and 

operation and maintenance. 

(d) Long-Term Operation and 

Maintenance: Provide a description 

(with relevant references) of the project 

proponent’s experience in operation and 

maintenance of hydroelectric or similar 

facilities once they are operational and 

over the long-term (i.e., the 40-year lease 

contemplated for the proposed 

development). Identify the 

organizational structure and plan for the 

long-term operation and maintenance of 

the proposed development. Define how 

the proposed development would 

operate in harmony with the NUMC 

system. 

(e) Contractual Arrangements: 

Describe any anticipated contractual 

arrangements with project stakeholders 

of the Deschutes Project, including 

contractual arrangements to utilize 

water rights held by NUID. Define how 

the proposed development would 

operate in harmony with the NUMC 

system. 

(f) Management Plan: Provide a 

management plan to accomplish such 

activities as planning, NEPA 

compliance, LOPP development, design, 

construction, facility testing, start-up of 

hydropower production, and 

preparation of an Emergency Action 

Plan. Prepare schedules of these 

activities as applicable. Describe what 

studies are necessary to accomplish the 

hydroelectric power development and 

how the studies would be implemented. 

(g) Environmental Impact: Discuss 

potential significant adverse impacts 

from the proposed development on 

biophysical or sociocultural resource 

parameters. Of particular concern are 

potential impacts on any protected 

aquatic or terrestrial wildlife species or 

associated protected habitat. Other 

concerns may include, but are not 

limited to, the impact on land use 

adjacent to the proposed development, 

recreation at the surrounding areas, 

cultural resources, and Indian Trust 

assets. Provide information on the types 

and severity of expected impacts and 

proposed methods of resolving or 

mitigating these impacts. 

Describe potential beneficial impacts 

that may be expected from the 

development to include such 

perspectives as energy conservation or 

using available water resources in the 

public interest. 

Describe proposed studies to 

adequately define the extent of the 

adverse and beneficial impacts, 

potential severity, and potential 

alternatives to mitigate impacts. 

(h) Other Study and/or Permit 

Requirements: Describe planned 

response to other applicable regulatory 

requirements, including the National 

Historic Preservation Act, Clean Water 

Act, Endangered Species Act, and state 

and local laws and licensing 

requirements. Also describe any known 

potential for impact on lands or 

resources of American Indian tribes, 

including trust resources. 

(i) Project Development Costs and 

Economic Analysis: Estimate the costs 

of development, including the cost of 

studies to determine feasibility, 

environmental compliance, project 

design, construction, financing, and the 

amortized annual cost of the 

investment. Estimate annual operation 

and maintenance, replacement 

expenses, annual payments to the 

United States, and those potentially 

associated with the Deschutes Project. 

Estimate costs associated with any 

anticipated additional transmission or 

wheeling services. Identify proposed 

methods of financing the project. The 

anticipated return on investment should 

be estimated and an economic analysis 

should be presented that compares the 

present worth of all benefits and the 

costs of the project. 

(j) Performance Guarantee and 

Assumption of Liability: Describe plans 

for (1) providing the government with 

performance bonds or irrevocable letter 

of credit covering completion of the 

proposed project, (2) assuming liability 

for damage to the operational and 

structural integrity of the NUMC or 

other aspects of the Deschutes Project 

caused by construction, operations and/ 

or maintenance of the hydropower 

development, and (3) obtaining general 

liability insurance. 

(k) Other Information: This final 

paragraph is provided for the applicant 

to include additional information 

considered relevant to Reclamation’s 

selection process in this matter. 

Selection of Lessee 

Reclamation will evaluate proposals 

received in response to this published 

notice. Proposals will be ranked 

according to response to the factors 

described in Fundamental 

Considerations and Requirements and 

Proposal Content Guidelines sections of 

this notice. In general, Reclamation will 

give more favorable consideration to 

proposals that (1) are well adapted to 

developing, conserving, and utilizing 

the water resource and protecting 

natural resources; (2) clearly 

demonstrate that the offeror is qualified 

to develop the hydropower facility and 

provide for long-term operation and 

maintenance; and (3) best share the 

economic benefits of the hydropower 

development among parties to the 

LOPP. A proposal will be deemed 

unacceptable if it is inconsistent with 

Deschutes Project purposes, as 

determined by Reclamation. 

Reclamation will give preference to 

those entities that qualify as preference 

entities (as defined under Proposal 

Content Guidelines, item (a), of this 

notice) provided that the preference 

entity is well qualified and their 

proposal is at least as well adapted to 

developing, conserving, and utilizing 

the water and natural resources as other 

submitted proposals. Preference entities 

will be allowed 30 days to improve their 

proposals, if necessary, to be made at 

least equal to a proposal(s) that may 

have been submitted by a nonpreference entity. 

Notice and Time Period To Enter Into 

LOPP 

Reclamation will notify, in writing, all 

entities submitting proposals of 

Reclamation’s decision regarding 

selection of the potential lessee. The 

selected potential lessee will have 15 

months from the date of selection of the 

lessee to sign the preliminary lease, 

complete the requirements set forth in 

the preliminary lease, and to sign the 

LOPP. The lessee will then have up to 

3 years from the date of the preliminary 

lease agreement to the beginning of 

construction. Maximum timeframes for 

construction will be determined by the 

Regional Director. Such timeframes may 

be adjusted for just cause resulting from 

actions and/or circumstances that are 

beyond the control of the lessee. 

Dated: March 22, 2018. 

Lorri J. Gray, 

Regional Director, Pacific Northwest Region. 

[FR Doc. 2018–13363 Filed 6–20–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4332–90–P 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

COMMISSION 

Notice of Receipt of Complaint; 

Solicitation of Comments Relating to 

the Public Interest 

AGENCY: U.S. International Trade 

Commission. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that 

the U.S. International Trade 


amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1