[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65401-65403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26350]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAZ910000.L13400000.DT0000.LXSS058A0000]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Restoration Design Energy Project and Proposed 
Resource Management Plan Amendments, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality and the 
Department of the Interior (DOI) regulations implementing NEPA, and the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona State Office has prepared 
Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendments and a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Restoration Design Energy 
Project (RDEP) and by this notice is announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the 
conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's 
Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions 
and wishes to file a protest must file the protest within 30 days of 
the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice 
of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the RDEP Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS have 
been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies; 
tribes; and other stakeholders. Copies of the Proposed RMP Amendments/
Final EIS are available for public inspection at the BLM Arizona State 
Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004. The 
Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS can also be downloaded from the 
project's Web site at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/energy/arra_solar.htm. All protests must be in writing and mailed to one of the 
following addresses:

Regular Mail: BLM Director (WO210), Attention: Brenda Williams, P.O. 
Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383
Overnight Mail: BLM Director (WO210), Attention: Brenda Williams, 20 M 
Street SE., Room 2134 LM, Washington, DC 20003
    Publication of the Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS NOA does not 
trigger a formal public comment period. The BLM, however, may choose to 
review any comments submitted following the publication of the Proposed 
RMP Amendments/Final EIS NOA and use the comments to inform the records 
of decision (RODs). Individuals should note that the BLM will consider 
such comments only to the extent practicable and will not respond to 
comments individually. Comments may be submitted by the following 
methods:
    Email: [email protected],
    Fax: Attn: Lane Cowger, 602-417-9452;
    Mail or other delivery service: BLM Arizona State Office, 
Attention: Restoration Design Energy Project, One North Central Avenue, 
Suite 800, Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Pedrick, BLM Project Manager; 
telephone: 602-417-9235; mail: One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, 
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427; or email: [email protected]. Persons who 
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a

[[Page 65402]]

day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RDEP supports the Secretary of the 
Interior's goals to build America's new energy future and to protect 
and restore treasured landscapes. The purpose of the RDEP is to conduct 
statewide planning that fosters environmentally responsible production 
of renewable energy and allows the permitting of future renewable 
energy development projects to proceed in a more efficient and 
standardized manner. The RDEP would amend BLM land use plans to 
identify lands across Arizona that are most suitable for renewable 
energy development, including solar and wind energy technologies, and 
to establish a baseline set of environmental protection measures for 
such projects. The BLM is proposing to identify Renewable Energy 
Development Areas (REDAs), which are BLM-administered lands that are 
suitable for the development of solar and wind energy facilities. It is 
also proposing to establish one new Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) with a 
priority for utility-scale (greater than 20 megawatts) solar energy 
development. This new proposed SEZ is in addition to two existing SEZs 
identified in the October 12, 2012, ROD for the Solar Energy 
Programmatic Final EIS.
    The proposed REDAs and proposed new SEZ for Arizona include 
disturbed sites and lands with low resource sensitivity and few 
environmental conflicts. Additionally, the BLM proposes to establish 
unified management actions, design features, and best management 
practices applicable to renewable energy development on BLM-
administered lands in Arizona.
    The REDAs would identify where renewable energy development is 
likely to be compatible with resource objectives and would be suitable 
for the development of utility- or distributed-scale solar and wind 
energy facilities. The SEZ would be prioritized for utility-scale solar 
energy development.
    The Final EIS evaluates six action alternatives and the No Action 
Alternative. Alternative 1 identifies approximately 298,400 acres of 
potential REDAs on BLM-administered land that are disturbed sites or 
lands with low resource sensitivity. Alternative 1 seeks to provide 
maximum flexibility for locating small- to large-scale projects without 
consideration of other physical constraints, such as distance to 
transmission or load. Alternative 2 seeks to reduce environmental 
impacts by only including the potential REDAs identified in Alternative 
1 that are within 5 miles of designated utility corridors and existing 
or approved transmission lines. Under Alternative 2, approximately 
213,500 acres of BLM-administered lands would be identified as REDAs. 
Alternative 3 seeks to reduce disturbance and environmental impacts by 
identifying approximately 106,800 acres of potential REDAs that are 
near the point of demand, such as cities, towns, or industrial centers. 
Alternative 4 seeks to address potential water issues by instituting 
specific design features for 298,400 acres of potential REDAs to avoid 
impacts on sensitive watersheds, groundwater supply, and water quality. 
Alternative 5 focuses on opportunities to facilitate renewable energy 
development through land tenure adjustments by identifying about 25,500 
acres of potential REDAs on BLM-administered lands identified as 
suitable for disposal through prior planning processes. Alternative 6 
was developed through a collaborative process among the BLM, 
cooperating agencies, tribes, collaborating partners, stakeholders, and 
the public. Alternative 6 identifies about 222,800 acres of potential 
REDAs within 5 miles of designated utility corridors and existing 
transmission lines or near a point of demand, includes design features 
to protect water resources, and provides for land tenure adjustment of 
lands previously identified for disposal.
    The BLM is also proposing to identify the Agua Caliente SEZ to 
facilitate the development of utility-scale solar energy projects. The 
proposed SEZ was developed based on a screening process that included 
the following criteria: Available large contiguous parcels of BLM land 
(greater than 2,500 acres); proximity to transmission; limited known 
environmental or cultural constraints; proximity to roads and 
infrastructure; and proximity to existing solar energy developments. 
Based on input from cooperating agencies, tribes, and the public, the 
Final EIS analyzes four footprints for the proposed Agua Caliente SEZ: 
2,550 acres, 2,760 acres, 6,770 acres, and 20,600 acres. The agency's 
preferred alternative is Alternative 6, with 222,800 acres of REDA and 
a 2,550-acre SEZ.
    The BLM proposes to amend the following BLM RMPs: Bradshaw-
Harquahala RMP (2010); Arizona Strip Field Office RMP (2008); Kingman 
Resource Area RMP (1995); Lake Havasu Field Office RMP (2007); Lower 
Sonoran RMP (2012); Phoenix RMP (1988); Safford District RMP (1991); 
and Yuma Field Office RMP (2010). Additionally, the BLM would amend the 
Yuma Field Office RMP through a separate ROD to identify the Agua 
Caliente SEZ, identify SEZ-specific design features, change the Visual 
Resource Management (VRM) class from VRM Class III to VRM Class IV for 
lands within the 2,550-acre proposed SEZ, and remove the Special 
Recreation Management Area designation and Wildlife Habitat Management 
Area allocations from within the SEZ.
    This EIS provides the necessary analysis to support the amendment 
of land use plans. This EIS will not eliminate the need for site-
specific environmental review for future renewable energy development 
proposals. The BLM will make decisions on a case-by-case basis whether 
to authorize specific renewable energy development projects. 
Applications for proposed solar and wind energy development projects 
are processed as right-of-way (ROW) authorizations under Title V of 
FLPMA and 43 CFR part 2800. The processing of solar and wind energy 
development ROW applications must comply with the BLM's planning, 
environmental, and ROW regulatory requirements. When the BLM considers 
an application, the BLM decision-maker must determine if the proposal 
would conform to the applicable land use plan (43 CFR, 1610.5-3, 516 DM 
11.5) and what level or type of environmental documentation is 
required. Analysis of proposed solar and wind energy development 
projects must comply with NEPA and Council on Environmental Quality and 
DOI NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508; 43 CFR part 46). The 
public would have opportunities to participate and comment during the 
NEPA process. The BLM would retain the discretion to deny solar and 
wind energy ROW applications based on site-specific issues and 
concerns, even in an area identified as a REDA, a SEZ, or otherwise 
available for application in the existing land use plan. The BLM would 
still consider renewable energy development proposals outside of a REDA 
or SEZ on a case-by-case basis using applicable state and national 
policy direction and guidance from existing land use plan decisions.
    The Final EIS analyzes impacts of the alternatives on land use 
authorizations; military airspace; air quality; minerals/geology and 
soils; farm lands (prime or unique); water quality and quantity; 
floodplains, wetlands, and riparian zones; vegetation (including 
invasive, nonnative species); wildlife; migratory birds; BLM-designated 
sensitive animal and plant species; cultural resources; Native American 
religious concerns;

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paleontological resources; visual resources; livestock grazing; 
recreation; special designations (including areas of critical 
environmental concern and wilderness); lands with wilderness 
characteristics; national scenic and historic trails; noise; public 
health and safety and fire management; hazardous or solid waste; social 
and economic values; and environmental justice.
    Throughout development of the RDEP, the BLM has engaged 10 
cooperating agencies, State and local governments, tribes, the Arizona 
Resource Advisory Council, and other stakeholders in order to obtain 
input on defining the REDAs and general information on the desired 
renewable energy footprint in Arizona.
    On February 17, 2012, the BLM published a Draft EIS for the 
Restoration Design Energy Project and Draft RMP Amendments (77 FR 
9694). Public comments were accepted through May 16, 2012. More than 
3,300 comments were received. The public, as well as some cooperating 
agencies, offered suggestions on how the BLM could improve the proposed 
footprint of the Agua Caliente SEZ, refine the screening process for 
the REDAs, and conduct additional analysis on the conditions of the 
disturbed sites. All comments were considered and incorporated as 
appropriate into the Proposed RMP Amendments and Final EIS. Public 
comments resulted in the addition of a new Agua Caliente SEZ footprint 
and refined boundaries for proposed REDAs.
    Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM 
regarding the Final EIS may be found in the ``Dear Reader'' letter of 
the Final EIS for the Restoration Design Energy Project and at 43 CFR 
1610.5-2. Email and faxed protests will not be accepted as valid 
protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter 
by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by the close of the 
protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider the email 
or faxed protest as an advance copy, and the protest will receive full 
consideration. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance 
notification, please direct faxed protests to the attention of the BLM 
protest coordinator at 202-245-0028 and emails to [email protected].
    All protests, including the follow-up letter to emails or faxes, 
must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth 
in the ADDRESSES section above.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying 
information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1503.1, 1506.6, 1506.10, and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Deborah Stevens,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-26350 Filed 10-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P