[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57567-57568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24246]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Salmon-Challis National Forest; Idaho; Big Creek Geothermal 
Leasing Proposal

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Salmon-Challis National Forest will prepare an 
environmental impact statement to analyze the potential effects of 
geothermal development on approximately 5,600 acres. The decision will 
be whether to proceed with geothermal leasing and, if so, under what 
stipulations.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by October 26, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected in May, 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected in September, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Big Creek Geothermal EIS Project, 
Salmon-Challis National Forest, 1206 South Challis Street, Salmon, ID 
83467. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 208-756-5151.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Hopkins, Minerals Program 
Manager, via email at [email protected]. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received applications for 
leasing approximately 5,600 acres of Salmon-Challis National Forest 
(SCNF) lands for exploration and development for geothermal energy 
production. The SCNF must decide whether these lands are available for 
leasing by the BLM and, if so, under what stipulations for protection 
of surface resources. The entire area plus an additional approximately 
100 acres for power transmission will be considered in the analysis in 
the event of future similar interest.

Proposed Action

    Approximately 5,600 acres of the SCNF lands within the project area 
would be allocated as open to geothermal leasing subject to existing 
laws, regulations, formal orders and stipulations attached to the lease 
form, and the terms and conditions of the standard lease form. 
Stipulations proposed include: No surface occupancy; controlled surface 
use; and timing limitations.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The Forest Service, Salmon-Challis National Forest, is the lead 
agency in this analysis.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official is the Forest Supervisor of the Salmon-
Challis National Forest.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decision will be whether to implement the action as proposed, 
implement an alternative which allows leasing under different 
stipulations or conditions, or not to implement the action. If the 
decision is to authorize leasing, that decision with associated 
stipulations and conditions will become an amendment to the Salmon-
Challis National Forest Plan or will become a part of the Revised 
Forest Plan.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. The complete 
Proposed Action, with accompanying maps and descriptions of proposed 
stipulations, will be posted at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/scnf/landmanagement/projects.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly

[[Page 57568]]

articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however.

    Dated: September 17, 2015.
Charles A. Mark,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-24246 Filed 9-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P