[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 43449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14771]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-610-05-4310-40-P]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Geothermal Leasing for the Truckhaven and Superstition Mountains

AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 
California Desert District, California.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental Impact Statement 
for Geothermal Leasing for Truckhaven and Superstition Mountains.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), and 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
to analyze the proposed leasing of approximately 16,640 acres of BLM-
managed public lands for geothermal exploration, development, and 
utilization in the Truckhaven and Superstition Mountain areas located 
in Western Imperial County, California. The leasing of public lands for 
geothermal resources is consistent with the California Desert Plan. 
Comments are being solicited to help identify significant issues or 
concerns related to the proposed action, determine the scope of issues, 
and identify and refine alternatives to the proposed action.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process. Federal, 
State, and local agencies and the public that may be interested in or 
affected by the BLM's decision for the proposed action are invited to 
participate in the scoping process for the EIS. Scoping meetings to 
encourage and facilitate public participation are proposed to be held 
in San Diego, Anaheim, Long Beach, and El Centro, California. Times and 
locations of the scoping meetings will be announced in the local news 
media. Public scoping will be open for 60 days after the publication of 
this notice.

ADDRESSES: For Comments: In addition to the public scoping meetings, 
the BLM is inviting written comments and suggestions on the proposed 
action and the scope of the analysis. Written comments or requests 
should be received within 60 days after publication and must be 
submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District 
Office, Attn: John Dalton, Truckhaven/Superstition Mountain Geothermal 
Leasing Coordinator, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, 
California 92553. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Dalton at (951) 697-5311, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM has received 11 geothermal lease 
applications for public lands within the Truckhaven and Superstition 
Mountains area in western Imperial County, California. The proposed 
action is to lease these lands under the authority of the Geothermal 
Steam Act of 1970, as Amended. The public lands being considered for 
geothermal leasing are located in the Truckhaven area in sections 2, 
10, and 12 in Township 11 South, Range 9 East, sections 6, 8, 18, 20, 
22, 28, 30, 32, 34 in Township 11 South, Range 10 East , in sections 2, 
10, and 12 in Township 12 South, Range 9 East , and 4, 6, 8, and 10 in 
Township 12 South, Range 10 East, and in the Superstition Mountain area 
in portions of sections 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 in 
Township 14 South, Range 11 East, San Bernardino and Base Meridian.
    Alternatives thus far identified for evaluation in the EIS will 
include: (1) Approving all lease applications (16,640 acres), (2) the 
no action alternative (no leasing), and (3) leasing less than the 
proposed 16,640 acres of public land. The principal issues identified 
thus far for consideration in the EIS include: Native American 
concerns; cumulative impacts considering existing, proposed, and 
potential geothermal projects in the area; cultural resources; 
wildlife; land use conflicts, including recreation, military land use, 
the Salton Sea Authority area planning, development and restoration, 
county land use planning, State request for transfer of land north of 
State Route (SR) 78 and west of SR 86 to California for recreation and 
other public uses; visual resources; and surface water and groundwater 
resources, and sensitive species. The EIS will also address other 
issues such as geology, geothermal resources, vegetation, threatened or 
endangered species, air quality, noise, transportation, human health 
and safety, and socioeconomics as well as any issues raised during the 
scoping process.

    Dated: June 21, 2005.
Linda Hansen,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 05-14771 Filed 7-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P