Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/05/01/2015-10020/notice-of-availability-of-the-final-four-corners-power-plant-and-navajo-mine-energy-project
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Federal Register :: Notice of Availability of the Final Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Mine Energy Project Environmental Impact Statement
Notice of Availability of the Final Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Mine Energy Project Environmental Impact Statement
A Notice by the Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Office on 05/01/2015
The OSMRE will not issue a final decision on the Proposed Action and Alternatives for a minimum of 30 days from the date that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) publishes this notice in the Federal Register.
80 FR 24965
24965-24967 (3 pages)
2015-10020
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-10020 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-10020
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, et seq. (NEPA) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Four Corners Power Plant (FCPP) and Navajo Mine Energy Project, and is announcing its availability.
People interested in reviewing the FEIS can access the document via OSMRE's Web site at: http://www.wrcc.osmre.gov/​Current_​Initiatives/​FCNAVPRJ/​FCPPEIS.shtm. Copies of the FEIS are available to the public at the OSMRE's Western Region office, located at 1999 Broadway, Suite 3320, Denver, Colorado 80202-5733. Paper and CD copies of the FEIS are also available at the following locations:
BIA Navajo Region—301 West Hill Street, Gallup, NM 87301Start Printed Page 24966
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to allow continued operations of the FCPP and Navajo Mine and operation of the associated transmission lines. The Proposed Action would be consistent with federal Indian trust policies, including, but not limited to, a preference for tribal self-determination and promoting tribal economic development for all tribes affected by the Proposed Action. The FEIS evaluates the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the Proposed Action at the FCPP, the proposed Pinabete Permit area, the existing Navajo Mine Permit area, and the rights-of-way renewals for segments of four transmission lines that transmit power from the FCPP. The public may view information about the Proposed Action on OSMRE's Web site at: http://www.wrcc.osmre.gov/​Current_​Initiatives/​FCNAVPRJ/​FCPPEIS.shtm.
Cooperating agencies for this NEPA process include: the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe.
OSMRE complied with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101, et seq.) (NHPA Section 106) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) concurrent with the NEPA process, including public involvement requirements and consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. Consultation with Tribes and individual Native Americans were conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Department of the Interior (DOI) trust policy as summarized in the FEIS. Consultation is complete and Programmatic Agreements have been signed by the consulting parties. These agreements are included as attachments to the FEIS.
Federal actions related to FCPP and Navajo Mine Energy Project will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including: the Indian Business Site Leasing Act, 25 U.S.C. § 415; the General Right-of-Way Act of 1948, 25 U.S.C. §§ 323-328; the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), 30 U.S.C. §§ 1201-1328; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251-1387; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401-7671q; the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. §§ 3001-3013; and Executive Orders relating to Environmental Justice, Sacred Sites, and Government-to-Government Consultation.
BIA approval of Lease Amendment No.3 for the FCPP, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 415. If approved, the ash disposal area would be expanded within the existing FCPP lease area. There are no additional proposed changes to the FCPP, the switch yard, or any of the transmission lines and ancillary facilities, as part of the Proposed Action.
NTEC proposes to conduct surface coal mining operations within a new 5,659-acre permit area, called the Pinabete Permit area. This proposed permit area lies within the boundaries Start Printed Page 24967of the existing Navajo Mine lease, which is located adjacent to the FCPP on Navajo tribal trust lands. Surface mining operations would occur on an approximately 2,744-acre portion of the proposed Pinabete Permit area, with a total disturbance footprint, including staging areas, of approximately 4,100 acres. The proposed Pinabete Permit area would, in conjunction with the mining of any reserves remaining within the existing Navajo Mine Permit area (Federal SMCRA Permit NM0003F), supply low-sulfur coal to the FCPP at a rate of approximately 5.8 million tons per year. Development of the Pinabete Permit area and associated coal reserves would use surface mining methods, and based on current projected customer needs, would supply coal to FCPP for up to 25 years beginning in 2016. The proposed Pinabete Permit area would include previously permitted but undeveloped coal reserves within Area IV North of the Navajo Mine Lease, and unpermitted and undeveloped coal reserves in a portion of Area IV South of the existing Navajo Mine Lease. Approval of the proposed Pinabete Permit would require several federal actions, including:
Alternatives considered in the FEIS include three different mine plan configurations at Navajo Mine; implementing highwall or longwall mining techniques at the Navajo Mine; two different ash disposal facility configurations at FCPP; conversion of FCPP to a renewable energy plant; implementing carbon capture and storage at FCPP; and use of an off-site coal supply option for FCPP.
In accordance with the CEQ's regulations for implementing NEPA and the DOI's NEPA regulations, OSMRE solicited public comments on the Draft EIS. OSMRE responses to comments are included in Appendix F of the FEIS. Comments on the Draft EIS received from the public were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the FEIS. Public comments resulted in the addition of clarifying text, but did not change any of the impact analyses or significance determinations.
Dated: April 16, 2015 .
Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Control.
[FR Doc. 2015-10020 Filed 4-30-15; 8:45 am]