Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2013/12/04/2013-29005.html
Timestamp: 2020-07-02 17:02:20
Document Index: 232704673

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1500', 'arts 1500', 'art 46', 'art 1500', 'arts 1500', 'art 46']

Bald and Golden Eagles; Migratory Birds; Phase I Development of the Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project, 72926-72928 [2013-29005] :: Fish And Wildlife Service :: Department Of The Interior :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of The Interior Fish And Wildlife Service Bald and Golden Eagles; Migratory Birds; Phase I Development of the Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project, 72926-72928 [2013-29005]
Bald and Golden Eagles; Migratory Birds; Phase I Development of the Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project, 72926-72928 [2013-29005]
Download as PDF 72926 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 233 / Wednesday, December 4, 2013 / Notices the time of application to the program in accordance with TSA-approved payment methods. TSA will not issue fee refunds once vetting services have commenced. Further, TSA will not refund the fee, in whole or in part, to individuals who are not approved for participation in the program based upon the results of TSA’s assessment. The TSA Pre✓TM Application Program KTN, and the underlying security threat assessment, are valid for a maximum of five years or until a disqualification occurs. Travelers have the option to renew their enrollment through the TSA Pre✓TM Application Program at the end of the five years by submitting an application and paying the fee. Dated: November 19, 2013. John S. Pistole, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2013–29007 Filed 12–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–05–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R6–MB–2013–N241; FF06M01000– 145–FXMB12310600000] Bald and Golden Eagles; Migratory Birds; Phase I Development of the Chokecherry–Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement of public comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our intent to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Phase I of the Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project. Our draft EIS will analyze the environmental impacts associated with our decision on whether to issue a permit authorizing take of eagles for Phase I of the project. Programmatic eagle take permits are authorized under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), and its implementing regulations. We are requesting public comments on issues that should be addressed in our draft EIS. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process. To ensure consideration in developing the draft EIS, we must receive your electronic or written comments by the close of the scoping period on February 3, 2014. The public is invited to submit comments and resource information by mail or in person, and identify issues or concerns to be considered in the National EMCDONALD on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:09 Dec 03, 2013 Jkt 232001 Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4231–4347) (NEPA) compliance process. The Service will host public scoping meetings, where you may discuss issues with Service staff. The time, date, and specific locations for these meetings will be announced through the Service’s Web site: http://www.fws.gov/mountainprairie/wind/ChokecherrySierraMadre/ index.html as well as via press releases, local newspapers, radio announcements, and other media, at least 10 days prior to the event. If you require reasonable accommodations to attend the meeting, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at least one week before the meeting. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments in writing by one of the following methods. At the top of your letter or in the subject line of your message, please indicate that the comments are ‘‘Chokecherry–Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project Comments.’’ • Email: Comments should be sent to: CCSM_EIS@fws.gov. • U.S. Mail: Written comments should be mailed to Chokecherry–Sierra Madre EIS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie Region, P.O. Box 25486 DFC, Denver, CO 80225. • Hand-Delivery/Courier: Chokecherry–Sierra Madre EIS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service MountainPrairie Region, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80228. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Carlson, (303) 236–4254 (phone); Dave_E_Carlson@fws.gov (email); or Mike Dixon, (303) 236–8132 (phone); Michael_D_Dixon@fws.gov (email). Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individuals during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. The Federal Action II. Background on the Project III. Intergovernmental and Interagency Coordination IV. Alternatives and Related Impacts Under Consideration V. Public Comment Procedures VI. Authorities I. The Federal Action The Service is considering a decision whether to issue a programmatic permit authorizing take of eagles under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act for Phase I of the Chokecherry–Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project (CCSM PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Project or Project) in Carbon County, Wyoming. The Federal decision by the Service whether to issue a permit to take eagles triggers the need for compliance with the NEPA. The Service intends to gather information and prepare a draft EIS. Our draft EIS will analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of Phase I of the Project to support a Service decision to approve or deny an eagle take permit (ETP). The draft EIS will also analyze a reasonable range of alternatives, including a no-action alternative, for the potential issuance of a programmatic ETP. The Project would be situated in an area of alternating sections of private, State, and Federal lands administered lands by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) commonly referred to as the ‘‘checkerboard,’’ and, in 2012, the BLM completed a final EIS (FEIS) to evaluate whether the Project area would be acceptable for development of a wind facility. The Service intends to incorporate by reference information from the BLM FEIS into our environmental analysis in order to avoid redundancy and unnecessary paperwork. Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations authorize incorporation by reference (40 CFR 1502.21, CEQ 40 Most Asked Questions #30; see also 43 CFR 46.135). The decision to incorporate by reference sections from the BLM FEIS into the draft EIS will be based on our evaluation of the BLM FEIS and our consideration of public comments. II. Background on the Project A. Power Company of Wyoming proposal. As proposed by the Power Company of Wyoming, the CCSM Project will consist of two phases of development. When both phases are completed, the CCSM Project will consist of up to 1,000 wind turbines capable of generating a total of 2,000 to 3,000 megawatts (MW). Phase I of the CCSM Project, to which this notice primarily pertains, would consist of approximately 500 wind turbines, a haul road, a quarry to supply materials for road construction, access roads, a rail distribution facility, underground and overhead electrical and communication lines, laydown areas, operation and maintenance facilities, and other supporting infrastructure needed for Phase I to become fully operational. For Phase I, PCW is preparing a detailed eagle conservation plan (ECP) that it intends to submit to the Service to support its application for an ETP. The ECP will identify measures that PCW proposes to undertake to avoid, minimize and E:\FR\FM\04DEN1.SGM 04DEN1 EMCDONALD on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 233 / Wednesday, December 4, 2013 / Notices compensate for potential impacts to bald and golden eagles. To help meet requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, PCW is also preparing an avian protection plan containing measures that PCW proposes to implement to avoid or minimize impacts of the Project on other migratory birds. The Service will consider the information presented in the ECP and avian protection plan when we analyze environmental impacts in our draft EIS. PCW has indicted it will submit a separate plan of development for CCSM Phase II, which will consist of about 500 additional wind turbines (roughly 1500 MW), at a later date. At this time PCW has not determined when development of Phase II of the CCSM project would occur. The Service intends to address impacts of CCSM Phase II (a reasonably foreseeable future action) as cumulative impacts in the draft EIS for Phase I, and will conduct further NEPA review of Phase II if and when a take permit application for Phase II is submitted. The CCSM Project has a proposed life of 30 years, after which, subject to market conditions, the CCSM Project may be repowered as necessary to continue its operations. B. Migratory Birds and Eagle Protections. Raptors and most of other birds in the United States are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703–711). The President’s Executive Order 13186 directs agencies to consider migratory birds in environmental planning by avoiding or minimizing to the extent practicable adverse impacts on migratory bird resources when conducting agency actions, and by ensuring environmental analyses of Federal actions required by NEPA or other established environmental review processes. Bald eagles and golden eagles are provided further protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668–668d) (BGEPA), which prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior, from ‘‘taking’’ eagles, including their parts, nests, or eggs. An eagle take permit authorizes the take of live eagles and their eggs where the take is associated with, but not the purpose of, a human activity or project. The regulations pertaining to eagle take permits can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 22.26. A programmatic take permit authorizes the take of eagles where the take is compatible with the preservation of eagles; where it is necessary to protect an interest in a particular locality; where it is the associated with but not the purpose of an activity; and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:09 Dec 03, 2013 Jkt 232001 where take is unavoidable even though advanced conservation practices are being implemented. The Service will issue programmatic permits for such take only after an applicant has committed to undertake all practical measures to avoid and minimize such take and mitigate anticipated take to the maximum extent achievable to be compatible with the preservation of eagles. C. The BLM’s FEIS. In July 2012, BLM published its FEIS for the Project. The BLM action evaluated in the FEIS was to decide whether the area identified in PCW’s proposal would be acceptable for development of a wind facility in a manner compatible with applicable federal laws. The BLM FEIS included an evaluation of the impacts of issuing the requested rights-of-way (ROW) grants on golden eagles and other raptors and migratory birds based on available data and concluded that the estimated number of raptor fatalities, as well as the impacts of reduced use by passerine birds within the project area, would exceed significance criteria. (pages 4.14–26). On October 9, 2012, BLM published a Record of Decision (ROD) determining that the portions of the area for which PCW seeks ROWs grants ‘‘are suitable for wind energy development and associated facilities and that design features and mitigation measures must be incorporated into any future CCSM wind energy development authorizations.’’ As explained in the ROD, the BLM’s decision does not authorize development of the wind energy project; rather, it allows BLM to accept and evaluate future right-of-way applications subject to the requirements of all future wind energy development described therein (ROD at 6–1). Prior to issuing ROW grants, BLM will prepare additional environmental analyses of site-specific plans of development submitted by PCW. The BLM ROD sets forth a framework for conducting additional detailed NEPA review of PCW’s site-specific plans of development (ROD appendix C). III. Intergovernmental and Interagency Coordination Federal, tribal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders who may be interested in or affected by the Service’s decision on Phase I wind development of the Project, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the Service to participate as a cooperating agency. The Service will conduct consultation with Native American tribes in accordance with applicable laws, PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72927 regulations, and Department of the Interior policy, and tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including Indian trust assets and cultural or religious interests. Interested persons may view information about our environmental review of Phase I of the Project on our Web site, at http://www.fws.gov/ mountain-prairie/wind/ ChokecherrySierraMadre/index.html. The Web site contains information concerning the comment period, during which persons may submit comments, and the locations, dates, and times of public scoping meetings. IV. Alternatives and Related Impacts Under Consideration Our draft EIS will address action alternatives, and direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the action. Alternatives for the Project will, at a minimum, include: (a) An action alternative whereby the Service issues the programmatic take permit with conditions; (b) A no-action alternative, which would result in an eagle permit not being issued; and (c) Any environmentally preferable alternatives that may be identified in accordance with 40 CFR part 1500. The Service’s draft EIS will consider the predicted magnitude of eagle take within the context of regional eagle populations (Bird Conservation Regions, or BCRs). The analysis also will take into account other factors that may warrant protection of smaller or isolated eagle populations within a region. In addition, our draft EIS will consider: • Comprehensive analysis of impacts to eagles that addresses not only the predicted take under BGEPA, but also the individual and cumulative habitat (including foraging and roosting) and prey base impacts that may have adverse population impacts but may not constitute take under the BGEPA; • Potential impacts to migratory birds and their habitats (including thorough fragmentation analysis), and review and analysis of the applicant’s avian protection plan; • Cumulative impacts analyses of eagles and other migratory birds at the local area population scale and at the BCR scale; • Analysis of effects to wintering golden eagles; • Analysis of climate change effects, including effects on eagles, their habitat and their prey, and the effect on other migratory bird resources; • Analysis of effects to eagles and other species as sacred species and as cultural resources. Some tribes and tribal members may consider eagle nests E:\FR\FM\04DEN1.SGM 04DEN1 72928 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 233 / Wednesday, December 4, 2013 / Notices and other areas where eagles are present to be sacred sites addressed in the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996). The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that could influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS and related compliance efforts. The final range of reasonable alternatives and mitigation to be analyzed in the draft EIS will be determined in part by the comments received during the scoping process. V. Public Comment Procedures Request for Comments In accordance with the CEQ’s regulations for implementing NEPA and the DOI’s NEPA regulations, the Service solicits public comments on the scope of the draft EIS, including alternatives, mitigation, cumulative impacts that should be considered, and issues that the draft EIS should address. We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or other interested parties on this notice. Timely comments will be considered by the Service in developing a draft EIS. Written comments, including email comments, should be sent to the Service at the addresses given in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Comments should be specific and pertain only to the issues relating to the proposals. The Service will include all comments in the administrative record. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list to receive future information, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above. If you require reasonable accommodation to attend one of the meetings, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at least one week before the meeting. EMCDONALD on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Availability of Comments The Service will make comments, including name of respondent, address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information, available for public review during normal business hours. 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—will be publicly available. While you can ask VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:09 Dec 03, 2013 Jkt 232001 us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be available for public review to the extent consistent with applicable law. VI. Authorities This notice is published in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508; and the Department of the Interior’s NEPA regulations, 43 CFR part 46. David McGillivary, Acting Assistant Regional Director— Migratory Birds, Mountain-Prairie Region, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. 2013–29005 Filed 12–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs [AAK6006201 134A2100DD AOR3B3030.999900] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wilton Rancheria Fee-toTrust and Casino Project, Sacramento County, California Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as lead agency intends to gather information necessary for preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) in connection with the Wilton Rancheria’s (Tribe) application requesting that the United States acquire land in trust in Sacramento County, California, for the construction and operation of a gaming facility. DATES: Written comments on the scope of the EIS must arrive by January 6, 2014. The public scoping meeting will be held on December 19, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., or until the last public comment is received. ADDRESSES: You may mail or handdeliver written comments to Amy Dutschke, Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Region, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825. Please include your name, return SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 address, and ‘‘NOI Comments, Wilton Rancheria Project’’ on the first page of your written comments. The scoping meeting will be held at the Chabolla Community Center, 600 Chabolla Ave., Galt, California 95632. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Rydzik, Chief, Division of Environmental, Cultural Resource Management and Safety, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pacific Regional Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, Room W–2820, California 95825, telephone (916) 978–6051, email john.rydzik@ bia.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tribe has sumitted an application to the Department requesting the placement of approximately 282 acres of fee land in trust by the United States upon which the Tribe would construct a gaming facility. Accordingly, the proposed action for the Department is the acquisition requested by the Tribe. The proposed fee-to-trust property is located within the City of Galt Sphere of Influence Area in unincorporated Sacramento County, California, north of Twin Cities Road between State Highway 99 and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. The Sacramento County Assessor’s parcel numbers (APNs) for the site are 148–0010–018, 148–0041– 009, 148–0041–006, 148–0041–004, 148–0041–001, 148–0031–007, and 148– 0010–060. The purpose of the proposed action is to improve the economic status of the Tribal government so it can better provide housing, health care, education, cultural programs, and other services to its members. The proposed action encompasses the various Federal approvals which may be required to implement the Tribe’s proposed economic development project, including approval of the Tribe’s fee-to-trust application. The EIS will identify and evaluate issues related to these approvals, and will also evaluate a range of reasonable alternatives. Areas of environmental concern identified for analysis in the EIS include land resources; water resources; air quality; noise; biological resources; cultural/historical/archaeological resources; resource use patterns; traffic and transportation; public health and safety; hazardous materials and hazardous wastes; public services and utilities; socioeconomics; environmental justice; visual resources/aesthetics; and cumulative, indirect, and growthinducing effects. The range of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS may be expanded or reduced based on comments received in response to this notice and at the public scoping E:\FR\FM\04DEN1.SGM 04DEN1
[Pages 72926-72928]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29005]
[FWS-R6-MB-2013-N241; FF06M01000-145-FXMB12310600000]
Bald and Golden Eagles; Migratory Birds; Phase I Development of
the Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project
ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement of public comment period.
intent to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
Phase I of the Chokecherry-Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project. Our draft
EIS will analyze the environmental impacts associated with our decision
on whether to issue a permit authorizing take of eagles for Phase I of
the project. Programmatic eagle take permits are authorized under the
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), and its implementing
regulations. We are requesting public comments on issues that should be
addressed in our draft EIS.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process. To ensure
consideration in developing the draft EIS, we must receive your
electronic or written comments by the close of the scoping period on
February 3, 2014. The public is invited to submit comments and resource
information by mail or in person, and identify issues or concerns to be
considered in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4231-
4347) (NEPA) compliance process.
The Service will host public scoping meetings, where you may
discuss issues with Service staff. The time, date, and specific
locations for these meetings will be announced through the Service's
Web site: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/wind/ChokecherrySierraMadre/index.html as well as via press releases, local
newspapers, radio announcements, and other media, at least 10 days
If you require reasonable accommodations to attend the meeting,
contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at
least one week before the meeting.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments in writing by one of the following
methods. At the top of your letter or in the subject line of your
message, please indicate that the comments are ``Chokecherry-Sierra
Madre Wind Energy Project Comments.''
Email: Comments should be sent to: CCSM_EIS@fws.gov.
U.S. Mail: Written comments should be mailed to
Chokecherry-Sierra Madre EIS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain-
Prairie Region, P.O. Box 25486 DFC, Denver, CO 80225.
Hand-Delivery/Courier: Chokecherry-Sierra Madre EIS, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie Region, 134 Union Blvd.,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Carlson, (303) 236-4254 (phone);
Dave_E_Carlson@fws.gov (email); or Mike Dixon, (303) 236-8132
(phone); Michael_D_Dixon@fws.gov (email). Persons who use a
individuals during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24
I. The Federal Action
III. Intergovernmental and Interagency Coordination
The Service is considering a decision whether to issue a
programmatic permit authorizing take of eagles under the Bald and
Golden Eagle Protection Act for Phase I of the Chokecherry-Sierra Madre
Wind Energy Project (CCSM Project or Project) in Carbon County,
Wyoming. The Federal decision by the Service whether to issue a permit
to take eagles triggers the need for compliance with the NEPA.
The Service intends to gather information and prepare a draft EIS.
Our draft EIS will analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts
of Phase I of the Project to support a Service decision to approve or
deny an eagle take permit (ETP). The draft EIS will also analyze a
reasonable range of alternatives, including a no-action alternative,
for the potential issuance of a programmatic ETP.
The Project would be situated in an area of alternating sections of
private, State, and Federal lands administered lands by the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) commonly referred to as the ``checkerboard,''
and, in 2012, the BLM completed a final EIS (FEIS) to evaluate whether
the Project area would be acceptable for development of a wind
facility. The Service intends to incorporate by reference information
from the BLM FEIS into our environmental analysis in order to avoid
redundancy and unnecessary paperwork. Council for Environmental Quality
(CEQ) regulations authorize incorporation by reference (40 CFR 1502.21,
CEQ 40 Most Asked Questions 30; see also 43 CFR 46.135). The
decision to incorporate by reference sections from the BLM FEIS into
the draft EIS will be based on our evaluation of the BLM FEIS and our
consideration of public comments.
A. Power Company of Wyoming proposal. As proposed by the Power
Company of Wyoming, the CCSM Project will consist of two phases of
development. When both phases are completed, the CCSM Project will
consist of up to 1,000 wind turbines capable of generating a total of
2,000 to 3,000 megawatts (MW).
Phase I of the CCSM Project, to which this notice primarily
pertains, would consist of approximately 500 wind turbines, a haul
road, a quarry to supply materials for road construction, access roads,
a rail distribution facility, underground and overhead electrical and
communication lines, laydown areas, operation and maintenance
facilities, and other supporting infrastructure needed for Phase I to
become fully operational. For Phase I, PCW is preparing a detailed
eagle conservation plan (ECP) that it intends to submit to the Service
to support its application for an ETP. The ECP will identify measures
that PCW proposes to undertake to avoid, minimize and
compensate for potential impacts to bald and golden eagles. To help
meet requirements of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, PCW is also
preparing an avian protection plan containing measures that PCW
proposes to implement to avoid or minimize impacts of the Project on
other migratory birds. The Service will consider the information
presented in the ECP and avian protection plan when we analyze
environmental impacts in our draft EIS.
PCW has indicted it will submit a separate plan of development for
CCSM Phase II, which will consist of about 500 additional wind turbines
(roughly 1500 MW), at a later date. At this time PCW has not determined
when development of Phase II of the CCSM project would occur. The
Service intends to address impacts of CCSM Phase II (a reasonably
foreseeable future action) as cumulative impacts in the draft EIS for
Phase I, and will conduct further NEPA review of Phase II if and when a
take permit application for Phase II is submitted.
The CCSM Project has a proposed life of 30 years, after which,
subject to market conditions, the CCSM Project may be repowered as
necessary to continue its operations.
B. Migratory Birds and Eagle Protections. Raptors and most of other
birds in the United States are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act (16 U.S.C. 703-711). The President's Executive Order 13186 directs
agencies to consider migratory birds in environmental planning by
avoiding or minimizing to the extent practicable adverse impacts on
migratory bird resources when conducting agency actions, and by
ensuring environmental analyses of Federal actions required by NEPA or
other established environmental review processes.
Bald eagles and golden eagles are provided further protection under
the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d) (BGEPA),
which prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the
Interior, from ``taking'' eagles, including their parts, nests, or
eggs. An eagle take permit authorizes the take of live eagles and their
eggs where the take is associated with, but not the purpose of, a human
activity or project. The regulations pertaining to eagle take permits
can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 22.26.
A programmatic take permit authorizes the take of eagles where the
take is compatible with the preservation of eagles; where it is
necessary to protect an interest in a particular locality; where it is
the associated with but not the purpose of an activity; and where take
is unavoidable even though advanced conservation practices are being
implemented. The Service will issue programmatic permits for such take
only after an applicant has committed to undertake all practical
measures to avoid and minimize such take and mitigate anticipated take
to the maximum extent achievable to be compatible with the preservation
C. The BLM's FEIS. In July 2012, BLM published its FEIS for the
Project. The BLM action evaluated in the FEIS was to decide whether the
area identified in PCW's proposal would be acceptable for development
of a wind facility in a manner compatible with applicable federal laws.
The BLM FEIS included an evaluation of the impacts of issuing the
requested rights-of-way (ROW) grants on golden eagles and other raptors
and migratory birds based on available data and concluded that the
estimated number of raptor fatalities, as well as the impacts of
reduced use by passerine birds within the project area, would exceed
significance criteria. (pages 4.14-26).
On October 9, 2012, BLM published a Record of Decision (ROD)
determining that the portions of the area for which PCW seeks ROWs
grants ``are suitable for wind energy development and associated
facilities and that design features and mitigation measures must be
incorporated into any future CCSM wind energy development
authorizations.'' As explained in the ROD, the BLM's decision does not
authorize development of the wind energy project; rather, it allows BLM
to accept and evaluate future right-of-way applications subject to the
requirements of all future wind energy development described therein
(ROD at 6-1).
Prior to issuing ROW grants, BLM will prepare additional
environmental analyses of site-specific plans of development submitted
by PCW. The BLM ROD sets forth a framework for conducting additional
detailed NEPA review of PCW's site-specific plans of development (ROD
Federal, tribal, State, and local agencies, along with other
stakeholders who may be interested in or affected by the Service's
decision on Phase I wind development of the Project, are invited to
requested by the Service to participate as a cooperating agency.
The Service will conduct consultation with Native American tribes
in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Department of the
Interior policy, and tribal concerns will be given due consideration,
including Indian trust assets and cultural or religious interests.
Interested persons may view information about our environmental
review of Phase I of the Project on our Web site, at http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/wind/ChokecherrySierraMadre/index.html.
The Web site contains information concerning the comment period, during
which persons may submit comments, and the locations, dates, and times
of public scoping meetings.
Our draft EIS will address action alternatives, and direct,
indirect, and cumulative impacts of the action. Alternatives for the
Project will, at a minimum, include:
(a) An action alternative whereby the Service issues the
programmatic take permit with conditions;
(b) A no-action alternative, which would result in an eagle permit
not being issued; and
(c) Any environmentally preferable alternatives that may be
identified in accordance with 40 CFR part 1500.
The Service's draft EIS will consider the predicted magnitude of
eagle take within the context of regional eagle populations (Bird
Conservation Regions, or BCRs). The analysis also will take into
account other factors that may warrant protection of smaller or
isolated eagle populations within a region. In addition, our draft EIS
Comprehensive analysis of impacts to eagles that addresses
not only the predicted take under BGEPA, but also the individual and
cumulative habitat (including foraging and roosting) and prey base
impacts that may have adverse population impacts but may not constitute
take under the BGEPA;
Potential impacts to migratory birds and their habitats
(including thorough fragmentation analysis), and review and analysis of
the applicant's avian protection plan;
Cumulative impacts analyses of eagles and other migratory
birds at the local area population scale and at the BCR scale;
Analysis of effects to wintering golden eagles;
Analysis of climate change effects, including effects on
eagles, their habitat and their prey, and the effect on other migratory
bird resources;
Analysis of effects to eagles and other species as sacred
species and as cultural resources. Some tribes and tribal members may
consider eagle nests
and other areas where eagles are present to be sacred sites addressed
in the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996).
issues that could influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS
and related compliance efforts. The final range of reasonable
alternatives and mitigation to be analyzed in the draft EIS will be
determined in part by the comments received during the scoping process.
In accordance with the CEQ's regulations for implementing NEPA and
the DOI's NEPA regulations, the Service solicits public comments on the
scope of the draft EIS, including alternatives, mitigation, cumulative
impacts that should be considered, and issues that the draft EIS should
community, Tribes, industry, or other interested parties on this
notice. Timely comments will be considered by the Service in developing
a draft EIS.
Written comments, including email comments, should be sent to the
Service at the addresses given in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
Comments should be specific and pertain only to the issues relating to
the proposals. The Service will include all comments in the
future information, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT, above.
If you require reasonable accommodation to attend one of the
meetings, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT at least one week before the meeting.
The Service will make comments, including name of respondent,
information, available for public review during normal business hours.
information--will be publicly available. While you can ask us in your
or businesses will be available for public review to the extent
This notice is published in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental
Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500
through 1508; and the Department of the Interior's NEPA regulations, 43
CFR part 46.
Acting Assistant Regional Director--Migratory Birds, Mountain-Prairie
Region, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 2013-29005 Filed 12-3-13; 8:45 am]