[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 136 (Monday, July 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17470]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-060-65-5101-10-B045, CA-31587]

 

Intent To Consider an Amendment to the California Desert 
Conservation Area Plan of 1980 and To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the California Desert District of 
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), pursuant to regulatory procedures 
for land use planning under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976 (43 CFR 1610.5-S), intends to consider an amendment to the 
California Desert Conservation Area Plan for the purpose of identifying 
public land areas which may be suitable for wind energy development and 
to analyze the impacts of any proposed amendment and alternatives in an 
environmental impact statement (EIS). The primary purpose of this 
notice is to seek the public's assistance in identifying planning 
issues and concerns to be addresses in the plan amendment. This notice 
also satisfies the requirements of Section 102(2)(c) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 which calls for a 30-day public 
scoping period for EISs to enable the public to identify environmental 
and other issues to be addressed in the EIS.

DATES: Written comments on this proposed plan amendment and associated 
EIS will be accepted on or before August 12, 1994. The public is also 
invited to make comments at the following public scoping meetings:

Tues., July 26, 1994
    Recreation Hall, 6:30 p.m., Junction of ``O'' and Barstow Streets, 
Mojave, California
Wed., July 27, 1994
    Recreation District Gym, 6:30 p.m., 410 West D St., Tehachapi, 
California
Thur., July 28, 1994
    Weldon School, 6:30 p.m., Hwy 178 and Fay Ranch Rd., Weldon, 
California
Tues., August 9, 1994
    Ed Oakly Hall, 6:30 p.m., Twin Oaks, California

    A fourth public scoping meeting will also be held. Date and 
location is to be announced.

ADDRESSES: Please mail comments, issues and concerns to Ahmed Mohsen, 
Team Leader, Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Resource Area, 300 
S. Richmond Rd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555, Attn: Wind Energy PA/EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ahmed Moshen, Environmental Coordinator, at the above address (619) 
375-7125.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CDCA Plan Amendment/Environmental Impact 
Statement will study approximately 66,200 acres of public lands in the 
Mojave-Tehachapi Pass area in Kern County to determine the area's 
suitability for potential wind energy development.
    The study was initiated after the BLM was approached by several 
energy companies interested in future development of public lands for 
wind energy.
    BLM's Ridgecrest Resource Area, California Desert District, agreed 
to begin the administrative and environmental process contingent on the 
following: (1) A regional, ecosystem-based approach to defining the 
area of study, (2) long-term planning decisions rather than case-by-
case approach, (3) a preparation of a plan amendment and an 
environmental impact statement (PA/EIS), (4) development is not 
guaranteed and will be based on the results of the PA/EIS and (5) the 
project proponents (Proponents) would fund the entire planning process.
    Based on these conditions, BLM and the Proponents signed an 
agreement, early in 1993, to begin the process. Based on experience 
with wind energy development in the 1980s, BLM staff drew boundaries 
that encompassed both BLM and non-BLM administered lands in the general 
area. BLM held a competitive bid in September 1993, which brought 
$825,000 to the U.S. Treasury. Five companies successfully bid on 
approximately 24,000 acres. Successful wind energy bidders receive a 
preference right to file an application for the parcel(s) within the 
study area. If after completion of the EIS a parcel(s) is determined 
suitable, BLM will process the application.
    Applications for parcels found unsuitable will be rejected. This 
preference right provides the necessary site control required by the 
California Public Utilities Commission.
    Last year, BLM sent letters to adjacent landowners and placed 
notices in three local newspapers and the Federal Register. BLM also 
formed a Technical Review Team (TRT) that included representation of 
local residents, environmental groups, Heritage, outdoor activities/
hunting, ranching/grazing and economic interests to help coordinate the 
study. The TRT has been meeting since July 1993 on a monthly basis and 
will be assisting BLM as needed throughout the process. These meetings 
are held every second Tuesday of each month and are open to the public.

    Dated: July 12, 1994.
Lee Delaney,
Resource Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-17470 Filed 7-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M