[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35452-35453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16784]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NV-050-01-5101-ER-F329; N-11028, N-74762, N-74763, N-74764]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
a Proposed Gas Fired Electric Power Plant and Ancillary Facilities in 
Clark and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, and Notice of Public Meetings

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

[[Page 35453]]


ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and notice of EIS public scoping meetings for 
construction of a gas fired, water cooled, electric power plant and 
ancillary facilities (Meadow Valley Generating Project) in the Moapa 
Valley area of Clark County and ancillary facilities in both Clark and 
Lincoln Counties, Nevada.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Vegas 
Field Office, will be directing the preparation of an EIS and 
conducting public scoping meetings for the Meadow Valley Generating 
Project to assess the potential impacts of rights-of-way (ROW), a 
conveyance, or a commercial lease for a proposed power-generating 
facility and ROW for the proposed associated ancillary facilities in 
Clark and Lincoln Counties.
    The proposed Meadow Valley Generating Project includes a nominal 
1,100-megawatt power-generating facility in Moapa Valley and an 
approximate 19.3-mile, 500 kV alternating current transmission line to 
interconnect the generating facility to the existing Nevada Power 
Company's Crystal Substation in Clark County. Natural gas would be 
supplied by an approximate 0.8-mile, 20-inch diameter natural gas 
supply line from a tie-in point with the BLM authorized and existing 
Kern River Transmission system in Clark County. Water facilities will 
include a 0.8-mile, 20-inch diameter wastewater discharge line to 
agricultural lands located northeast of the generating facility in 
Clark County; a 17.5-mile, 20-inch diameter water pipeline in Clark and 
Lincoln Counties with approximately twelve, one-acre well sites in 
Lincoln County, and a new 8.5-mile, 20-inch diameter water pipeline 
running parallel to BLM authorized and existing Moapa Valley Water 
District's water pipelines extending from the Bowman Reservoir to the 
Meadow Valley Generating Project site. Additional electric facilities 
include a nine-mile 69kV transmission line, a 10MVA Substation, and 
approximately nine-miles of 34.5 kV (maximum) distribution line 
maintained by the Lincoln County Power District in Clark and Lincoln 
Counties. There would be a relocation of the existing water and 
electrical transmission lines that currently traverse the generating 
facility site to the southern boundary of the site in Clark County. The 
BLM will require a bond in accordance with 43 CFR 2803.1-4.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Meadow Valley project area is located in 
the southeastern part of Nevada in Lincoln and Clark Counties, Nevada. 
The area is accessible by Interstate 15 and State Highway 168. There 
are existing dirt roads throughout the area to provide access to the 
proposed project area. Ancillary facilities are located in a variety of 
settings, including upland and flat terrain.
    The proposed power generating facility development area encompasses 
approximately 155 acres of public lands. The legal description of the 
public land proposed to be available for the power generating facility 
is:

Mount Diablo Meridian, Clark County, Nevada

T.14 S., R. 66 E.,
    Sec. 28, SW\1/4\, except the E\1/2\ NE\1/4\ NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\.

containing 155 acres more or less.

    The legal description of the public land for the ancillary ROW 
facilities (electrical transmission lines, water, and gas pipelines) is 
not provided here due to the length of the legal description. However, 
maps of the proposed project are available for viewing at the Bureau of 
Land Management, Las Vegas Field Office, 4765 Vegas Drive, Las Vegas, 
NV 89108.

Preliminary Issues

    Tentatively identified issues of concern include threatened and 
endangered species, water resources, wilderness, visual resources, 
wildlife, cultural resources, and land use.

Possible Alternatives

    The EIS will analyze the Proposed Actions and No Action 
Alternative. Other alternatives may include modifying proposed 
locations of roads and linear ROW, analyzing a smaller output facility 
and cooling options, and a conveyance or commercial lease of the public 
lands for the power plant site.

Decisions To Be Made

    The Record of Decision to the EIS is whether to grant ROW for the 
power plant and ancillary facilities, or to convey or commercially 
lease the public land for the power plant site.

Public Scoping Meetings

    Three public scoping meetings are planned. The meetings will 
provide the public an opportunity to present comments or issues that 
will be addressed in the EIS. The meetings will be held in an ``open 
house format'' beginning at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 9:00 p.m. At 7:00 
p.m., the EIS process will be explained. An opportunity will be given 
for verbal comments specific to the proposal and written comments can 
also be submitted.
    Meetings have been scheduled for the following locations:

Monday, July 23, 2001, at the Clark County Government Center, ETD Room 
3, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89155
Tuesday, July 24, 2001, at the Moapa Courthouse, 1340 East Hwy 168, 
Moapa, NV 89025
Wednesday, July 25, 2001, at the Caliente City Hall Council Chambers, 
100 Depot Ave, Caliente, NV 89008

Public Input Requested

    Comments concerning the Proposed Actions and EIS should address 
issues to be considered, feasible alternatives to examine, possible 
mitigation, and information relevant to, or having a bearing on the 
Proposed Action.

Comment Dates

    The comment period for scoping the EIS will commence with the 
publication of this notice. Those having concerns, issues, or 
alternatives they would like to see addressed in the EIS should respond 
with written comments within 30 days from the date of this notice. This 
Scoping Notice will be distributed by mail on or about the date of this 
notice.
    All comments received at the public scoping meetings or through 
written comments submitted will aid the BLM in identifying alternatives 
and assuring all issues are analyzed in the environmental impact 
statement.

ADDRESSES: Information and a copy of this Notice of Intent for the 
Meadow Valley EIS can be obtained by either writing to or visiting the 
Bureau of Land Management, Las Vegas Field Office, 4765 Vegas Drive, 
Las Vegas, Nevada 89108.
    Comments and issues on the proposed EIS should be mailed to 
Jacqueline Gratton, Project Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Las 
Vegas Field Office, 4765 Vegas Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89108, or at e-
mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Gratton, (702) 647-5054, or 
at e-mail [email protected].

    Dated: June 22, 2001.
Rex Wells,
Acting Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 01-16784 Filed 7-3-01; 8:45 am]
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