Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2023 / Notices 90197 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[BLM_WY_FRN_MO4500173507] 

Notice of Wyoming Resource Advisory 

Council Meeting 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of public meeting. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of 

Land Management’s (BLM’s) Wyoming 

Resource Advisory Council (Council) 

will meet as follows. 

DATES: The Council will participate in a 

business meeting from 9 a.m. till 3:15 

p.m. Mountain Time (MT) and host a 

short field visit to the National Historic 

Trails Center from 3:15 p.m. till 4 p.m. 

MT on January 31, 2024. A virtual 

participation option will be available for 

the business meeting. The meeting and 

field tour are open to the public. 

ADDRESSES: The January 31 business 

meeting will be held at the Casper Field 

Office located at 2987 Prospector Drive, 

Casper, WY 82604. The field tour will 

commence and conclude at the field 

office and include a visit to the National 

Historic Trails Center. Individuals that 

prefer to participate virtually in the 

meeting must register in advance. 

Registration information will be posted 

2 weeks in advance of the meeting on 

the Council’s web page at https://

www.blm.gov/get-involved/resourceadvisory-council/near-you/wyoming. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Azure Hall, BLM Wyoming State Office, 

telephone: (307) 775–6208, email: 

ahall@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 for 

contacting Azure Hall. 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 

Council provides recommendations to 

the Secretary of the Interior concerning 

issues relating to land use planning and 

the management of the public land 

resources located within the State of 

Wyoming. The Council will participate 

in a field tour to the National Historic 

Trails Center. Members of the public are 

welcome on field tours but must 

provide their own transportation and 

meals. Please make requests in advance 

for sign language interpreter services, 

assistive listening devices, or other 

reasonable accommodations. We ask 

that you contact the person listed in the 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section of this notice at least seven (7) 

business days prior to the meeting to 

give the BLM sufficient time to process 

your request. All reasonable 

accommodation requests are managed 

on a case-by-case basis. Agenda topics 

may include updates and discussions on 

statewide planning efforts, district and 

field manager updates, State Director 

comments, and other resource 

management issues the Council may 

raise. The final agenda will be posted on 

the Council’s web page listed above 2 

weeks in advance of the meeting. 

A public comment period will be 

offered at 2:25 p.m. MT. Depending on 

the number of persons wishing to speak 

and the time available, the amount of 

time for oral comments may be limited. 

Written comments for the Council may 

be sent electronically in advance of the 

scheduled meeting to Public Affairs 

Specialist Azure Hall at ahall@blm.gov, 

or in writing to BLM Wyoming/Public 

Affairs, 5353 Yellowstone Rd., 

Cheyenne, WY 82009. All comments 

received will be provided to the 

Council. 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. While the business meeting and 

field tour are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 

4 p.m. MT, they may end earlier or later 

depending on the needs of group 

members. Therefore, members of the 

public interested in a specific agenda 

item or discussion at the meeting should 

schedule their arrival accordingly. 

Detailed minutes for Council meetings 

will be maintained in the BLM 

Wyoming State Office. Minutes will also 

be posted to the Council’s web page at 

https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/ 

resource-advisory-council/near-you/ 

wyoming. 

(Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2) 

Andrew Archuleta, 

BLM Wyoming State Director. 

[FR Doc. 2023–28786 Filed 12–28–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4331–26–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[BLM_CA_FRN_MO 4500161985] 

Notice of Intent To Prepare an 

Environmental Impact Statement for 

the Proposed Control-Silver Peak 

Project, Inyo and Mono Counties, CA 

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) 

California Desert District Office, Palm 

Springs, California, intends to prepare 

an Environmental Impact Statement 

(EIS) to consider the effects of the 

Control-Silver Peak Project (Project) and 

by this notice is announcing the 

beginning of the scoping process to 

solicit public comments and identify 

issues. 

DATES: This notice initiates the publicscoping 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 February 12, 2024. To 

afford the BLM the opportunity to 

consider comments in the draft EIS, 

please ensure your comments are 

received prior to the close of the 45-day 

scoping period or 15 days after the last 

public meeting, whichever is later. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

related to the Control-Silver Peak 

project by any of the following methods: 

• BLM National NEPA Register: 

https://bit.ly/44zSlgq. 

• Email: BLM_CA_CD_TLRR_

ControlSilverPeak@blm.gov. 

• Mail: Control-Silver Peak 

Environmental Impact Statement, 

Bureau of Land Management California 

Desert District Office, 1201 Bird Center 

Drive, Palm Springs CA 92262. 

• Fax: 760–833–7199. 

Documents pertinent to this proposal 

may be examined online at https://

bit.ly/44zSlgq, and in person at: 

• BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu 

Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 93514. 

• BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 S 

Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. 

• BLM California Desert District 

Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm 

Springs, CA 92262. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joan 

Patrovsky, Project Manager, telephone: 

951–214–1775; address: Control-Silver 


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90198 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2023 / Notices 

Peak Project, BLM Desert District Office, 

1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs 

CA 92262; email: jpatrovs@blm.gov. 

Contact Ms. Patrovsky 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 Ms. Patrovsky. 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: 

Purpose and Need for the Proposed 

Action 

The purpose of this Federal action is 

for the BLM is to respond to a right-ofway application from Southern 

California Edison for construction, 

operations, and maintenance of the 

Control-Silver Peak 55 kilovolt (kV) 

transmission line on BLM-managed 

lands, consistent with applicable laws, 

regulations, and policies. The Secretary 

of the Interior is authorized to grant 

rights-of-way on public lands for 

systems for generation, transmission, 

and distribution of electric energy (43 

U.S.C. 1761(a)(4)); the need for the 

BLM’s action is established by this 

delegated authority under Title V of the 

Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act of 1976. 

Preliminary Proposed Action and 

Alternatives 

Southern California Edison is 

proposing to update and reconfigure 

approximately 61 linear miles of two 

existing 55 kV sub-transmission lines 

originally designed and built in the 

1930s. Collectively referred to as the 

Control-Silver Peak Project, the utility 

line spans Inyo and Mono counties and 

the city of Bishop, California. 

The proposed project involves 

approximately 322 acres, of which 

approximately 76 acres are on BLMmanaged public lands, 152 acres are on 

USFS-managed lands, and 94 acres are 

on private, State, and local government 

lands. Updating these transmission lines 

is mandated by the California Public 

Utilities Commission. 

To address existing overhead electric 

line non-compliance with the California 

Public Utilities Commission’s General 

Order 95 and National Electric 

Reliability Corporation reliability 

standards, Southern California Edison 

proposes to conduct the following 

activities: 

• Segment 1—Control Substation to 

west of the city of Bishop (3.4-mile 

segment located on BLM-managed 

lands): The Control-Silver Peak ‘A’ and 

‘C’ 55 kV sub-transmission lines are 

each predominately supported on 

single-circuit lightweight steel poles. 

Optical groundwire and/or all-dielectric 

self-supporting (ADSS) fiber optic cable 

(collectively referred to as 

telecommunication cable) would be 

installed on the same existing poles in 

Segment 1, or ADSS fiber optic cable 

would be installed underground. All 

infrastructure installed in Segment 1 

would be located within an existing 

right-of-way. At Control Substation, 

system protection and 

telecommunications-associated 

equipment would be installed. 

• Segment 2—west of the city of 

Bishop to northwest of the city of 

Bishop (1.4-mile segment not located on 

Federal lands): Each sub-transmission 

line in Segment 2 would be rebuilt 

within the existing rights-of-way. The 

rebuilt 55 kV sub-transmission lines 

would utilize two existing single-circuit 

tubular steel poles (TSPs) and new 

single-circuit wood pole-equivalent 

poles. Approximately 25 single-circuit 

wood pole-equivalents would be 

installed, two existing single-circuited 

tubular steel poles would be modified, 

49 existing poles would be removed, 

conductor lines would be replaced 

along both pole lines, and overhead 

groundwire and optical groundwire 

would be installed on one of the two 

pole lines. 

• Segment 3—northwest of the city of 

Bishop to the California-Nevada border 

(37.2-mile segment located on both 

BLM- and USFS-managed lands): The 

existing sub-transmission poles along 

the two 55 kV transmission routes 

would be replaced by one double-circuit 

sub-transmission line within portions of 

each of the two existing rights-of-way 

and within a new right-of-way. The new 

55 kV sub-transmission infrastructure 

would include double-circuit TSPs, 

double-circuit wood pole-equivalents, 

and single-circuit H-frames. Optical 

groundwire would be installed along the 

length of Segment 3. Approximately 529 

double-circuit wood pole-equivalents 

would be installed; 137 double-circuit 

TSPs would be installed; 8 single-circuit 

TSP H-frames would be installed; 1,508 

existing structures would be removed; 

and conductors would be replaced. 

Optical groundwire and/or fiber optic 

cable would be installed, as well as 

system protection and 

telecommunications-associated 

equipment at White Mountain 

Substation and the Fish Lake Valley 

Metering Station. 

• Segment 4—Chalfant Valley 

between the city of Bishop and the 

community of Hammil (16-mile segment 

located in part on BLM-managed lands): 

Segment 4 consists of the Zack Tap 

portion of the Control-Silver Peak ‘C’ 55 

kV sub-transmission line. All 

infrastructure installed in Segment 4 

would be located within an existing 

right-of-way. Approximately two singlecircuit wood pole-equivalents would be 

installed, two existing single-circuit 

wood poles would be removed, and 

existing sub-transmission and 

distribution conductors would be 

transferred to the replacement poles. 

• Segment 5—Deep Springs Valley 

(2.4-mile segment located in part on 

BLM lands): Segment 5 consists of the 

Deep Spring Tap portion of the ControlSilver Peak ‘A’ 55 kV sub-transmission 

line. One replacement pole would be 

located in a new Federal right-of-way; 

the remaining infrastructure installed in 

Segment 5 would be located within an 

existing easement. Approximately eight 

single-circuit wood pole-equivalents 

would be installed, eight existing singlecircuit wood pole-equivalents would be 

removed, and the existing subtransmission conductor would be 

transferred to the replacement wood 

pole-equivalents. 

A range of reasonable alternatives will 

be developed and analyzed in the EIS 

after considering information received 

during the scoping period. Preliminary 

action alternatives include a 

realignment of the line via California 

State Highway 6 and Nevada State 

Highway 264. The range of reasonable 

alternatives will include a no action 

alternative. Under the no action 

alternative, the BLM and the USFS 

would deny the application, and the 

Control Silver Peak line would remain 

as existing with ongoing maintenance 

activities as needed. The BLM welcomes 

comments on all preliminary 

alternatives as well as suggestions for 

additional alternatives; please indicate 

the purpose of any suggested 

alternative. 

Summary of Expected Impacts 

Preliminary issues for the Project, 

either beneficial or adverse and of 

varying intensity, have been identified 

by BLM personnel and in consultation 

with Federal, State, and local agencies; 

Tribes; and Cooperating Agencies. 

These preliminary issues include 

potential impacts to: 

• Special status wildlife and 

vegetation species; 

• Visual resources; 

• Cultural resources; and 

• Areas of Critical Environmental 

Concern 

The public scoping process will guide 

determination of relevant issues that 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 249 / Friday, December 29, 2023 / Notices 90199 

will influence the scope of the 

environmental analysis, including 

alternatives and mitigation measures. 

The EIS will identify and describe the 

effects of the Proposed Action on the 

human environment. The BLM also 

requests the identification of potential 

impacts that should be analyzed. 

Impacts should be a result of the action; 

therefore, please identify the activity 

along with the potential impact. 

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations 

If approved, the BLM would issue a 

right-of-way grant for BLM-managed 

lands, and the USFS would amend the 

existing transmission easement for the 

Control Silver Peak 55 kV transmission 

line for USFS-managed lands. Other 

Federal, State, and local authorizations 

will be required for the Project. These 

could include authorizations under the 

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 

the Endangered Species Act, the Clean 

Water Act, 14 CFR part 77, 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 the NEPA process, 

including a 45-day comment period on 

the draft EIS. The draft EIS is 

anticipated to be available for public 

review late summer 2024; the final EIS 

is anticipated to be released in fall 2025 

and the Record of Decision in winter 

2025/2026. 

Public Scoping Process 

This notice initiates the scoping 

period. 

The BLM will be holding two public 

scoping meetings and one virtual 

meeting. The in-person public meetings 

will be held at the BLM Bishop Field 

Office—USFS Inyo National Forest 

Office in Bishop, CA. The specific dates 

and times of the in-person and virtual 

scoping meetings will be announced at 

least 15 days in advance through local 

media, a news release, social media, and 

the BLM National NEPA Register (see 

ADDRESSES). Participants must register 

in advance to attend the virtual scoping 

meeting. 

The date(s) and location(s) of any 

additional scoping meetings will be 

announced in advance through local 

media, a BLM-California news release, 

social media, and the BLM National 

NEPA Register (see ADDRESSES). 

Lead and Cooperating Agencies 

The BLM is the lead Federal agency 

for this EIS and the related National 

Historic Preservation Act Section 106 

process. The following have agreed to 

participate in the environmental 

analysis of the Project as Cooperating 

Agencies: USFS Inyo National Forest, 

Inyo County, the Los Angeles 

Department of Water and Power, the 

United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 

and the United States Environmental 

Protection Agency. Additional Federal, 

State, and local agencies; Tribes; and 

eligible stakeholders interested in the 

scoping process may request or be 

requested by the BLM to participate in 

the development of the EIS as a 

Cooperating Agency. 

Responsible Official 

The BLM California State Director is 

the responsible official who will make 

the decisions below. 

Nature of Decisions To Be Made 

The BLM will use the analysis in the 

EIS to inform the following: whether to 

grant, grant with conditions, or deny the 

application for a right-of-way. Pursuant 

to 43 CFR 2805.10, if the BLM issues a 

grant, the BLM decision maker may 

include terms, conditions, and 

stipulations determined to be in the 

public interest. 

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 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 

project will assist the BLM in 

identifying and evaluating impacts to 

such resources. 

The BLM will consult with Indian 

Tribal Nations on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with 

Executive Order 13175, BLM Manual 

Section 1780, and other Departmental 

policies. Tribal concerns, including 

impacts on Indian trust assets and 

potential impacts to cultural resources, 

will be given due consideration. Indian 

Tribal Nations that may be interested in 

or affected by the proposed Project are 

invited to participate in the scoping 

process and may request or be requested 

by the BLM to participate in the 

development of the environmental 

analysis as a cooperating agency. The 

BLM has sent invitations to potentially 

affected Tribal Nations and initiated 

government-to-government consultation 

meetings and intends to continue 

coordination throughout 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 1501.9) 

Karen E. Mouritsen, 

Bureau of Land Management, California State 

Director. 

[FR Doc. 2023–28746 Filed 12–28–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4331–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[BLM_HQ_FRN_MO4500176406] 

Notice of Availability of the Final 

Programmatic Environmental Impact 

Statement for Approval of Herbicide 

Active Ingredients for Use on Public 

Lands 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of availability. 

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) 

announces the availability of the final 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 

for the Approval of Herbicide Active 

Ingredients for Use on Public Lands. 

DATES: The BLM will not issue a 

decision on the proposal for a minimum 

of 30 days after the date that the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

publishes its Notice of Availability 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1