[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54676-54677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21603]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCAD070000, L91310000, E10000]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the West 
Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area and California 
Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment, Imperial County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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[[Page 54677]]

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved Amendment to the California 
Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan for the West Chocolate Mountains 
Renewable Energy Evaluation Area (REEA) located in Imperial County, 
California. The BLM California State Director signed the ROD on August 
12, 2013, which constitutes the BLM's final decision.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/Approved Amendment to the CDCA Plan are 
available upon request from the Field Manager, BLM El Centro Field 
Office, 1661 S 4th Street, El Centro, CA 92243; California Desert 
District Office at 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, 
CA; or via the Internet at the following Web site: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/nepa/wcm.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra McGinnis, BLM Project Manager, 
telephone 916-978-4427; address 2800 Cottage Way Suite W-1623, 
Sacramento, CA 95825; 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 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 Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and Proposed Plan Amendment (PA) for the REEA analyzed the 
potential environmental impacts of making available approximately 
20,762 acres of BLM-managed surface lands in the REEA for testing and 
developing solar and wind energy facilities and for leasing 
approximately 19,162 acres of Federal mineral estate for geothermal 
energy testing and development near Niland, California. The Final EIS 
also analyzed the potential environmental impacts of approving a 
pending geothermal lease application in the REEA.
    The purpose of the proposed action was to facilitate appropriate 
development of geothermal, solar, and wind energy in the REEA and make 
appropriate land use plan decisions regarding the location, 
development, and management of those resources. The Final EIS/Proposed 
PA fully analyzed six alternatives. The preferred alternative and the 
BLM's final decision is Alternative 6--Geothermal Development Emphasis 
with Moderate Solar Development and No Wind Development. Selection of 
this alternative amends the CDCA Plan to identify areas in the REEA as 
suitable for geothermal leasing and development and solar energy 
development, subject to constraints related to the presence of 
sensitive resources. Standard stipulations as well as a stipulation for 
groundwater usage to require preparation of a Water Supply Assessment 
under California Code Sec. Sec.  10910-10915 are included. In addition, 
renewable energy development that would require high water usage will 
not be allowed. The CDCA Plan is also amended to identify the REEA as 
unsuitable for wind energy development. Additionally, lands east of the 
Coachella Canal will have a disturbance cap of 10 percent. BLM lands 
west of the Coachella Canal are identified as a Solar Energy Zone. 
Finally, a noncompetitive Federal geothermal lease application is 
approved; however, before development of the lease is authorized, site 
specific NEPA analysis will be required. The Notice of Availability of 
the Final EIS/Proposed PA for the REEA was published in the Federal 
Register December 14, 2012 (77 FR 74479 and 77 FR 71446), which 
initiated a 30-day protest period for the proposed amendment to the 
CDCA Plan. During this time no protests were submitted. Simultaneously 
with the protest period, the Governor of California conducted a 
consistency review of the proposed CDCA Plan amendment to identify any 
inconsistencies with State or local plan, policies or programs; no 
inconsistencies were identified.
    The agency decision to authorize a geothermal lease is an 
implementation decision and is appealable under 43 CFR part 4. Any 
party adversely affected by the leasing decision may appeal within 30 
days of publication of this Notice of Availability pursuant to 43 CFR 
part 4, subpart E. The appeal must be filed with the BLM at 2800 
Cottage Way Suite W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825 as well as the Regional 
Solicitor Pacific Southwest Region, U.S. Department of Interior, 2800 
Cottage Way, E-1712, Sacramento, CA 95825. Please consult the 
appropriate regulations (43 CFR part 4, subpart E) for further appeal 
requirements.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6.

Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-21603 Filed 9-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P