[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 56337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27926]



[[Page 56337]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NV-930-1430-ER]


Notice of Intent; NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Amended notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to consider the Toquop Energy Project/Lincoln County 
well field, water pipeline, power plant site, and access road rights-
of-way in southeastern Lincoln County, Nevada and related exchange of 
public land in Lincoln County, Nevada for private land in Washoe 
County, Nevada and to amend the Caliente Management Framework Plan to 
address the proposed exchange of public land in Lincoln County, Nevada 
(to be used in part as the site of the Toquop Energy Project) for 
private land in Washoe County, Nevada.

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SUMMARY: On July 27, 2001, notice was published in the Federal Register 
(Volume 66, Number 145, Page 39193) announcing the intent of the Bureau 
of Land Management to prepare an EIS to consider the Toquop Energy 
Project/Lincoln County well field, water pipeline, and access road 
rights-of-way in southeastern Lincoln County, Nevada. The public 
comment period on the scope of the EIS closed on September 10, 2001. As 
a result of public comments received during the scoping period, the 
Bureau of Land Management intends to incorporate a proposed exchange of 
public land in Lincoln County, Nevada (to be used in part as the site 
of the Toquop Energy Project) for private land in Washoe County, Nevada 
within the scope of the EIS. Previously, the land exchange was being 
considered in a separate environmental assessment. In addition, the 
Bureau of Land Management will prepare an amendment to the Caliente 
Management Framework to address the proposed land exchange.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Bureau of Land 
Management, Gene A. Kolkman, Ely Field Manager, HC 33, Box 33500, Ely, 
Nevada 89301-9408.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Daniel R. Netcher, Team Leader for Lands and 
Minerals, at the above address or telephone (775) 289-1872.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Toquop Energy has proposed an 1100 megawatt 
electrical generation facility fueled by natural gas from the Kern 
River gas pipeline. The facility is proposed to be located at T. 11 S., 
R. 69 E., Section 36, Mount Diablo Meridian. The facility would be 
located on lands which are currently public lands and would be the 
subject of a land exchange. Nevada Land and Resource Company has 
proposed to exchange private land in Washoe County, Nevada for public 
land in Lincoln County, Nevada, a portion of which will be used as the 
site for the power plant. Toquop Energy has submitted an application 
for a Federal Land Policy and Management Act right-of-way for the power 
plant site, road access, well field, and water pipeline access to the 
facility. The Bureau of Land Management will prepare a proposed 
amendment to the Caliente Management Framework Plan to address the land 
exchange. This EIS will evaluate the proposed Management Framework Plan 
amendment, the proposed land exchange and the proposed right-of-way 
action. The EIS will consider a No Action alternative and other 
alternatives including alternate locations and alignment of the well 
field, water pipelines, power plant site, and access road.
    Public Involvement: Public informational meetings for the Toquop 
Energy Project EIS were held July 11, 2001, in Caliente, Nevada and 
July 12, 2001, in Mesquite, Nevada. A scoping meeting for the Toquop 
Energy Project EIS was held August 15, 2001, in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
Public scoping meetings for the Pah Rah/Toquop Land Exchange were held 
July 11, 2001, in Mesquite, Nevada and July 12, 2001, in Reno, Nevada. 
The public is encouraged to provide additional written comments on the 
Bureau of Land Management's intent to prepare a proposed amendment to 
the Caliente Management Framework plan and to address the proposed 
amendment and related land exchange in the EIS for the Toquop Energy 
Project. The comment period for the scoping of the EIS will commence 
with the publication of the Notice. Those who have comments on the EIS 
should respond in writing within 30 days from the date of publication 
of the Notice. The Notice will be distributed by mail on or about the 
date of publication of the Notice in the Notice publication. Release of 
the draft amendment to the Caliente Management Framework Plan and the 
draft EIS regarding the amendment, the related land exchange and the 
Toquop Energy Project will be announced in the local news media, as 
these dates are established.

    Dated: October 4, 2001.
Eric K. Luse,
Associate Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 01-27926 Filed 11-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P