Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2009/09/11/E9-21925.html
Timestamp: 2020-07-03 14:49:00
Document Index: 348783744

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3273', 'art 3261', 'art 3272', 'art 3273', 'art 3261', 'art 3272']

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Salt Wells Energy Projects, Churchill County, NE, 46787-46788 [E9-21925] :: Land Management Bureau :: Department Of The Interior :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of The Interior Land Management Bureau Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Salt Wells Energy Projects, Churchill County, NE, 46787-46788 [E9-21925]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Salt Wells Energy Projects, Churchill County, NE, 46787-46788 [E9-21925]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 175 / Friday, September 11, 2009 / Notices • Consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer will be conducted throughout the planning process. • Consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducted throughout the planning process, as necessary. By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land use plans, predicated on the findings of the EIS. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with policy, and Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as individuals, organizations, or tribes that may be interested or affected by the BLM’s decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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. Jack Hamby, Acting District Manager. [FR Doc. E9–21928 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management cprice-sewell on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES [LLNVC0100000.L91310000.EJ0000. LXSIGEOT0000; MO4500008734; NVN 087795; 09–08807; TAS: 14X5575] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Salt Wells Energy Projects, Churchill County, NE AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Stillwater Field Office, Carson City, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:23 Sep 10, 2009 Jkt 217001 Statement (EIS) for the Salt Wells Energy Projects proposed by Sierra Pacific Power Company (Sierra), Ormat Technologies, Inc. (Ormat), and Vulcan Power Company (Vulcan) that are located in Churchill County, Nevada. Three separate projects are proposed that could result in seven 30–60 megawatt (MW) geothermal power plants with 47 associated wells, pipelines and other facilities near Fallon, Nevada, and a 22-mile, fifty-footwide Right-of-Way (ROW) for a new transmission line with substations to support the existing and new Fallon geothermal power plants. The study area encompassed by the three projects together covers approximately 537 total acres. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process and solicits input on the identification of issues. DATES: The public scoping period will close November 10, 2009. Any public meetings associated with the public scoping will be announced through the local news media and the BLM Web site: www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/ carson_city_field.html at least 15 days prior to each event. Additional formal opportunities for public participation in the EIS process will be provided through comment upon publication of the draft document. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Mail: BLM Stillwater Field Office, Attn: Salt Wells Energy Projects, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701. • Fax: (775) 885–6147. • E-mail: saltwells_eis@blm.gov. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Desna Young (775) 885–6078; or e-mail saltwells_eis@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Stillwater Field Office received separate proposed geothermal utilization plans and applications for facilities construction permits from Ormat and Vulcan, and an electric transmission right-of-way (ROW) application from Sierra, for proposed energy projects covering a combined area of approximately 537 acres in the Salt Wells area about 15 miles east of Fallon, Nevada. Vulcan proposes the development of up to six geothermal power plants and facilities. Ormat proposes the development of one geothermal power plant and associated facilities. Sierra proposes 22 miles of PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46787 above-ground electrical transmission lines, electrical substations, and switching facilities. The BLM determined that because of similar timing, geographic area, and type of action, the BLM will analyze the three proposals in one EIS. The BLM will issue a separate record of decision at the end of the process for each proposed project. The BLM will use information from this scoping process with the utilization plans and ROW proposals to facilitate public involvement and to identify the alternatives to be studied. All lands within the project area are already under lease. The proposed facilities would be sited on a combination of private property and public land managed by the BLM and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). Several proposed well sites are located on Federal geothermal leases in the Carson Lake and Pasture area, currently open to leasing and managed by the BOR, although these lands have been proposed to be transferred to the Nevada State Department of Wildlife. These activities are consistent with the applicable 2001 Carson City Consolidated Resource Management Plan as amended by the 2008 Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan Amendments for Geothermal Resource Leasing in the Western United States. The Fallon Naval Air Station is adjacent to the leased areas in Salt Wells. The Navy has concerns both related to its own geothermal resource program and also related to preserving its airspace for training, and community encroachment issues. The Ormat project proposal includes the construction and operation of a 40 MW binary air-cooled geothermal power plant, 20 geothermal production and injections wells, pipelines, a substation, connection lines to the proposed Sierra transmission line, and access roads on approximately 90 acres of land. BLM has already completed a July 2008 Environmental Assessment in the Ormat Carson Lake Geothermal Exploration Project EA (EA– NV–030–07–006) and has approved 11 of the wells estimated to be necessary for Ormat’s project. The Vulcan project proposal is to construct up to six 30–60 MW binary or double-flash geothermal power plants and associated facilities on approximately 160 acres of land, which could require an estimated 27 geothermal production and injection wells. Each site includes production and injection wells, pipelines, a substation, connection lines to the proposed Sierra transmission line, and access roads. Twenty of these wells have already been approved via two Environmental Assessments for ten E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM 11SEN1 46788 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 175 / Friday, September 11, 2009 / Notices wells each in the Salt Wells Geothermal Drilling EA, EA–NV–030–07–05 of February 2007, and in the Salt Wells Geothermal Drilling Program EA, DOI– BLM–NV–C010–2009–0006–EA of April 2009. The Sierra fifty-foot-wide ROW proposal covers approximately 287 acres and includes construction of a new substation, 22 miles of singlecircuit 230 kV transmission line, four 230 kV switching stations, and two 60 kV transmission lines connecting the proposed new substation to the existing Fallon substation. The EIS will analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the three proposed projects, alternatives, and a no action alternative. The EIS will also identify specific mitigation. The EIS will address issues brought forth through scoping and will be evaluated by an interdisciplinary team of specialists. This EIS is also intended to cover the impacts of operation of the plants and facilities, and thus should be able to support issuance of the site license required under 43 CFR subpart 3273 as well as remaining drilling approvals under 43 CFR subpart 3261, and the utilization plans and facility construction permits under 43 CFR subpart 3272. Key issues likely to be considered in analyzing each proposal and alternatives include: Water resources (including surface and ground water quality, floodplains, wetlands and riparian areas); geology and minerals; air quality; soils; vegetation; wildlife and wildlife habitat (especially related to migratory shorebirds utilizing Carson Lake to the west of the project area); special-status species; range resources; land use and access; recreation; aesthetics (noise and visual; especially in areas of high cultural sensitivity such as the Grimes Point Archeological Site to the north and the Pony Express Trail to the south of the project area); social and economic values; cultural resources; Native American religious concerns (consultation with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe has been ongoing to avoid cultural sites that have been identified by the tribe); hazardous materials; and noxious weeds. Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with policy. Evaluation of cumulative impacts will take into consideration the recentlyconstructed Enel North America geothermal power plant adjacent to the project area to the south. Federal, state, and local agencies and other entities that may be affected by the decisions to be made on the proposed projects are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request, or be requested by the BLM, to participate as a cooperating agency. Written comments may be provided to the BLM at public scoping meetings or may be submitted to the BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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: 43 CFR 3200 and 43 CFR 2800). Teresa J. Knutson, Manager, Stillwater Field Office, BLM Carson City District. [FR Doc. E9–21925 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service [Docket No. MM–2008–MRM–0018] Major Portion Prices and Due Date for Additional Royalty Payments on Indian Gas Production in Designated Areas Not Associated With an Index Zone AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of major portion prices for calendar year 2007. SUMMARY: Final regulations for valuing gas produced from Indian leases, published August 10, 1999, require MMS to determine major portion prices and notify industry by publishing the prices in the Federal Register. The regulations also require MMS to publish a due date for industry to pay additional royalty based on the major portion prices. This notice provides the major portion prices for the 12 months of 2007. DATES: The due date to pay additional royalties based on the major portion prices is November 10, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Barder, Indian Oil and Gas Compliance and Asset Management, MMS; telephone (303) 231–3702; FAX (303) 231–3755; e-mail to John.Barder@mms.gov; or Mike Curry, Indian Oil and Gas Compliance and Asset Management, MMS; telephone (303) 231–3741; FAX (303) 231–3755; e-mail to Michael.Curry@mms.gov. Mailing address: Minerals Management Service, Minerals Revenue Management, Compliance and Asset Management, Indian Oil and Gas Compliance and Asset Management, P.O. Box 25165, MS 396B2, Denver, Colorado 80225–0165. On August 10, 1999, MMS published a final rule titled ‘‘Amendments to Gas Valuation Regulations for Indian Leases,’’ (64 FR 43506) with the effective date January 1, 2000. The gas regulations apply to all gas production from Indian (tribal or allotted) oil and gas leases, except leases on the Osage Indian Reservation. The rule requires that MMS publish major portion prices for each designated area not associated with an index zone for each production month beginning January 2000, along with a due date for additional royalty payments. See 30 CFR 206.174(a)(4)(ii) (2008). If additional royalties are due based on a published major portion price, the lessee must submit an amended Form MMS–2014, Report of Sales and Royalty Remittance, to MMS by the due date. If additional royalties are not paid by the due date, late payment interest, under 30 CFR 218.54, will accrue from the due date until payment is made and an amended Form MMS–2014 is received. The table below lists the major portion prices for all designated areas not associated with an index zone. The due date is 60 days after the publication date of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: cprice-sewell on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES GAS MAJOR PORTION PRICES ($/MMBTU) FOR DESIGNATED AREAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH AN INDEX ZONE MMS-designated areas Jan 2007 Blackfeet Reservation ...................................................................................................... Fort Belknap .................................................................................................................... Fort Berthold .................................................................................................................... Fort Peck Reservation ..................................................................................................... Navajo Allotted Leases in the Navajo Reservation ......................................................... Rocky Boys Reservation ................................................................................................. Ute Allotted Leases in the Uintah and Ouray Reservation* ............................................ VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:23 Sep 10, 2009 Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5.96 6.01 5.93 6.64 5.87 4.87 3.98 E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM Feb 2007 5.86 6.42 7.35 8.92 6.84 5.38 6.29 11SEN1 Mar 2007 6.39 6.24 6.16 9.47 6.77 5.30 6.33 Apr 2007 6.11 6.17 6.66 9.19 6.20 5.22 3.72
[Pages 46787-46788]
[FR Doc No: E9-21925]
[LLNVC0100000.L91310000.EJ0000.LXSIGEOT0000; MO4500008734; NVN 087795;
09-08807; TAS: 14X5575]
the Salt Wells Energy Projects, Churchill County, NE
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Stillwater Field Office,
Carson City, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Salt Wells Energy Projects proposed by Sierra
Pacific Power Company (Sierra), Ormat Technologies, Inc. (Ormat), and
Vulcan Power Company (Vulcan) that are located in Churchill County,
Nevada. Three separate projects are proposed that could result in seven
30-60 megawatt (MW) geothermal power plants with 47 associated wells,
pipelines and other facilities near Fallon, Nevada, and a 22-mile,
fifty-foot-wide Right-of-Way (ROW) for a new transmission line with
substations to support the existing and new Fallon geothermal power
plants. The study area encompassed by the three projects together
covers approximately 537 total acres. This notice announces the
DATES: The public scoping period will close November 10, 2009. Any
public meetings associated with the public scoping will be announced
through the local news media and the BLM Web site: www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field.html at least 15 days prior to each event.
Additional formal opportunities for public participation in the EIS
process will be provided through comment upon publication of the draft
Mail: BLM Stillwater Field Office, Attn: Salt Wells Energy
Projects, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Carson City
District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Desna Young (775) 885-6078; or e-mail
saltwells_eis@blm.gov.
facilities construction permits from Ormat and Vulcan, and an electric
transmission right-of-way (ROW) application from Sierra, for proposed
energy projects covering a combined area of approximately 537 acres in
the Salt Wells area about 15 miles east of Fallon, Nevada. Vulcan
proposes the development of up to six geothermal power plants and
facilities. Ormat proposes the development of one geothermal power
plant and associated facilities. Sierra proposes 22 miles of above-
ground electrical transmission lines, electrical substations, and
switching facilities. The BLM determined that because of similar
timing, geographic area, and type of action, the BLM will analyze the
three proposals in one EIS. The BLM will issue a separate record of
decision at the end of the process for each proposed project. The BLM
will use information from this scoping process with the utilization
plans and ROW proposals to facilitate public involvement and to
identify the alternatives to be studied. All lands within the project
area are already under lease. The proposed facilities would be sited on
a combination of private property and public land managed by the BLM
and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). Several proposed well sites
are located on Federal geothermal leases in the Carson Lake and Pasture
area, currently open to leasing and managed by the BOR, although these
lands have been proposed to be transferred to the Nevada State
Department of Wildlife. These activities are consistent with the
applicable 2001 Carson City Consolidated Resource Management Plan as
amended by the 2008 Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan
Amendments for Geothermal Resource Leasing in the Western United
States. The Fallon Naval Air Station is adjacent to the leased areas in
Salt Wells. The Navy has concerns both related to its own geothermal
resource program and also related to preserving its airspace for
training, and community encroachment issues. The Ormat project proposal
includes the construction and operation of a 40 MW binary air-cooled
geothermal power plant, 20 geothermal production and injections wells,
pipelines, a substation, connection lines to the proposed Sierra
transmission line, and access roads on approximately 90 acres of land.
BLM has already completed a July 2008 Environmental Assessment in the
Ormat Carson Lake Geothermal Exploration Project EA (EA-NV-030-07-006)
and has approved 11 of the wells estimated to be necessary for Ormat's
project. The Vulcan project proposal is to construct up to six 30-60 MW
binary or double-flash geothermal power plants and associated
facilities on approximately 160 acres of land, which could require an
estimated 27 geothermal production and injection wells. Each site
includes production and injection wells, pipelines, a substation,
connection lines to the proposed Sierra transmission line, and access
roads. Twenty of these wells have already been approved via two
Environmental Assessments for ten
[[Page 46788]]
wells each in the Salt Wells Geothermal Drilling EA, EA-NV-030-07-05 of
February 2007, and in the Salt Wells Geothermal Drilling Program EA,
DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2009-0006-EA of April 2009. The Sierra fifty-foot-wide
ROW proposal covers approximately 287 acres and includes construction
of a new substation, 22 miles of single-circuit 230 kV transmission
line, four 230 kV switching stations, and two 60 kV transmission lines
connecting the proposed new substation to the existing Fallon
The EIS will analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts
of the three proposed projects, alternatives, and a no action
alternative. The EIS will also identify specific mitigation. The EIS
will address issues brought forth through scoping and will be evaluated
by an interdisciplinary team of specialists. This EIS is also intended
to cover the impacts of operation of the plants and facilities, and
thus should be able to support issuance of the site license required
under 43 CFR subpart 3273 as well as remaining drilling approvals under
43 CFR subpart 3261, and the utilization plans and facility
construction permits under 43 CFR subpart 3272. Key issues likely to be
considered in analyzing each proposal and alternatives include: Water
resources (including surface and ground water quality, floodplains,
wetlands and riparian areas); geology and minerals; air quality; soils;
vegetation; wildlife and wildlife habitat (especially related to
migratory shorebirds utilizing Carson Lake to the west of the project
area); special-status species; range resources; land use and access;
recreation; aesthetics (noise and visual; especially in areas of high
cultural sensitivity such as the Grimes Point Archeological Site to the
north and the Pony Express Trail to the south of the project area);
social and economic values; cultural resources; Native American
religious concerns (consultation with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
has been ongoing to avoid cultural sites that have been identified by
the tribe); hazardous materials; and noxious weeds. Native American
tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with policy.
Evaluation of cumulative impacts will take into consideration the
recently-constructed Enel North America geothermal power plant adjacent
to the project area to the south.
Federal, state, and local agencies and other entities that may be
affected by the decisions to be made on the proposed projects are
request, or be requested by the BLM, to participate as a cooperating
agency. Written comments may be provided to the BLM at public scoping