[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 99 (Thursday, May 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30982-30983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10922]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVS01000. L51010000.ER0000. LVRWF1906190. 19X; MO#4500144064]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Proposed 
Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, the Department of Interior has prepared a Record 
of Decision (ROD) to authorize a right-of-way and amend the 1998 Las

[[Page 30983]]

Vegas Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Gemini Solar Project, and 
by this notice, is announcing the availability of the ROD. This 
constitutes the Final Decision of the Department of the Interior and is 
effective immediately. The ROD is not subject to administrative appeal.

DATES: The Secretary of the Department of Interior signed the ROD on 
May 8, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are available for public inspection at the 
Southern Nevada District Office, Bureau of Land Management, 4701 N 
Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130, or via the internet at the 
project's ePlanning page at https://go.usa.gov/xntTQ.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Pay, Energy & Infrastructure 
Project Manager, telephone 702-515-5284; address 4701 North Torrey 
Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-2301; email 
[email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business 
hours. The FRS 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 applicant, Solar Partners XI, LLC 
(Arevia) proposed to construct, operate, maintain and decommission a 
690 megawatt photovoltaic solar electric generating facility and 
associated generation tie-line and access road facilities on 
approximately 7,100 acres of federal lands administered by the BLM 
approximately 33 miles northeast of Las Vegas and directly south of the 
Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada.
    On June 7, 2019, the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft RMP 
Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Gemini 
Solar Project published in the Federal Register (84 FR 26701), which 
provided for a 90-day public comment period. The BLM held two public 
meetings. The public comment period closed September 5, 2019. The BLM 
received 114 substantive letters containing 1,147 individual 
substantive comments during the 90-day public comment period. The 
comments focused on range of alternatives; Mojave desert tortoise; 
bighorn sheep and migratory birds; threecorner milkvetch, other 
sensitive plants and native vegetation communities; Old Spanish 
National Historic Trail; change to Visual Resource Management Class; 
impacts to recreation; drainage impacts and hydrologic changes, 
erosion, and dust; and tribal concern.
    On December 27, 2019, a NOA of the Proposed RMP Amendment and Final 
EIS for the Gemini Solar Project published in the Federal Register (84 
FR 71455), which initiated a 30-day public protest period and a 60-day 
Governor's consistency review. The BLM received five (5) protests on 
the proposed land use plan amendment, the BLM considered each protest 
letter in its decision. The Protest Resolution Report was completed on 
March 6, 2020 and is available for public inspection as the addresses 
listed above. On March 6, 2020, BLM received a written response from 
the Governor's office with no inconsistencies identified.
    After environmental analysis, consideration of public comments, and 
application of pertinent Federal laws, it is the decision of the 
Department of the Interior to authorize the Gemini Solar Project in 
Clark County, Nevada, and amend the 1998 Las Vegas RMP by selecting the 
Hybrid Alternative, which was the agency's Preferred Alternative in the 
Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS. Approval of these decisions 
constitutes the final decision of the Department of the Interior and, 
in accordance with the regulations at 43 CFR 4.410(a)(3), is not 
subject to appeal under Departmental regulations at 43 CFR part 4. Any 
challenge to these decisions, including the BLM Authorized Officer's 
issuance of the right-of-way as approved by this decision, must be 
brought in the Federal district court.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Jon K. Raby,
Nevada State Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-10922 Filed 5-20-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P