[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61164-61165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24508]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NV-040-07-5101-ER-F344; N-78091]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for a Proposed Coal-Fired Electric Power Generating Plant in 
Eastern White Pine County, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, a Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(Final EIS) has been prepared by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 
Ely Field Office for the White Pine Energy Station (WPES) and is now 
available. This document evaluates the environmental effects of 
constructing a coal-fired electric power generating plant (up to 1,600-
megawatts) and associated features on public lands in White Pine 
County, Nevada.

DATES: The Final EIS will be available for review until November 3, 
2008, which is 30 days following the date the EPA published their 
notice in the Federal Register, [73 FR 57620].

ADDRESSES: The Final EIS and associated documents will be available for 
review in hard copy and on compact disk at the following locations:
--University of Nevada-Reno, Getchell Library, Government Publication 
Dept., Reno, NV 89507
--Washoe County Library, 301 South Center Street, Reno, NV 89501
--White Pine County Library, 950 Campton Street, Ely, NV 89301
--Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89119

    A limited number of copies of the document will be available at the 
following BLM offices:

--Elko Field Office, 3900 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801
--Carson City Field Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 
89701
--Ely Field Office, 702 North Industrial Way, Ely, NV 89301-9408
--Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89502-7147
--Washington Office of Public Affairs, 18th and C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20240

[[Page 61165]]

    The entire document can also be reviewed or downloaded at the Ely 
BLM Field Office Web site http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/ely_field_office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris Metcalf, 775-289-1852.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS addresses alternatives to 
resolve the following major issues: ground water, air quality, visual 
resources, biological resources, and socioeconomic effects.
    The Proposed Action includes the following actions: coal-fired 
power plant site right-of-way (ROW), transmission line alignment and 
substations ROW, well field and water line ROW, railroad spur ROW, and 
access roads ROW. The Proposed Action includes the following project 
actions and features: issue ROWs for White Pine Energy Station 
construction and operation and subsequently arrange for the sale of the 
power plant site to White Pine Energy Associates; construct, operate, 
and maintain an up to 1,600-megawatt (maximum) coal-fired electric 
power generating plant using hybrid cooling systems with an expected 
commercial life of 50 years or longer; develop a well field in the 
Steptoe Valley Hydrographic Basin to meet the water needs of the power 
plant; construct a new rail spur from the Nevada Northern Railway to 
the power plant site to supply coal; develop the linear infrastructure 
necessary to connect the power plant to the new water source, to 
existing electric transmission lines serving the region, and to provide 
site access; and implement a seeding project to enhance the grazing and 
wildlife value of 700 to 900 acres.
    The BLM issued the Notice of Availability of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Coal-Fired Electric Power 
Generating Plant in Eastern White Pine County and Notice of Public 
Meetings; Nevada, in the Federal Register on April 20, 2007, with a 60-
day public comment period. The BLM held two public meetings, one in 
Ely, Nevada and one in Reno, Nevada. At the request of environmental 
group representatives, BLM held an informational meeting in Las Vegas, 
Nevada. In preparing the Final EIS BLM responded to more than 514 
comments received during the Draft EIS public review period. Comment 
responses and resultant changes in the impact analysis are documented 
in the Final EIS. The BLM will prepare a Record of Decision for the EIS 
30 days following EPA's publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

John F. Ruhs,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E8-24508 Filed 10-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P