[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 77 (Friday, April 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21760-21762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08469]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[212A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900253G]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Chuckwalla Solar Projects on the Moapa River Indian Reservation, 
Clark County, Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

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

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency in 
cooperation with the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Moapa Band), Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM), and other agencies, intend to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate the development 
of the Chuckwalla Solar Projects (Projects) on Moapa River Indian 
Reservation (Reservation) tribal lands. This notice announces the 
beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify potential issues related to the EIS. The BIA requests comments 
concerning the scope of the analysis, and identification of relevant 
information, studies, and analyses. It also announces that two public 
scoping meetings will be held virtually or in person to identify 
potential issues, alternatives, and mitigation to be considered in the 
EIS.

DATES: All comments must be received by May 3, 2021. The draft 
environmental impact statement is scheduled for October 2021 and the 
final environmental impact statement is scheduled for January 2022 with 
a Record of Decision in March 2022.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mr. Chip Lewis, BIA Western 
Regional Office, 2600 North Central Avenue, 4th Floor Mailroom, 
Phoenix, Arizona 85004. Comments may also be sent via email to 
[email protected] or on the Projects website at 
www.ChuckwallaSolarProjectsEIS.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chip Lewis, BIA; telephone: (602) 379-
6750; email: [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 of the Proposed Action

    The proposed Federal action, taken under 25 U.S.C. 415, is BIA's 
approval of the solar energy ground lease and related agreements 
entered into by the Moapa Band with EDF Renewables Development, Inc. 
(EDFR or Applicant). The agreements provide for construction, operation 
and maintenance (O&M), and decommissioning of up to 700 megawatts (MWs) 
from up to four solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation 
facilities located entirely on the Reservation and specifically on 
lands held in trust by the United States for the Moapa Band.
    In addition, two transmission generation interconnection (gen-tie) 
lines would be constructed to interconnect the Projects to the regional 
electrical grid. Portions of these lines would cross lands managed by 
BLM within a designated utility corridor on the Reservation and BLM 
land. The BIA and BLM would approve rights-of-way (ROWs) authorizing 
the construction and operation of the transmission lines.
    The purposes of the proposed Projects are, among other things, to: 
(1) Help to provide a long-term, diverse, and viable economic revenue 
base and job opportunities for the Moapa Band; (2) meet the terms of 
the existing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for the output of the 
Projects; (3) help Nevada and neighboring states to meet their State 
renewable energy needs; and (4) allow the Moapa Band, in partnership 
with the Applicant, to optimize the use of the lease site while 
maximizing the potential economic benefit to the Tribe.

Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives

    The Applicant plans to develop up to four solar projects 
collectively referred to as the Projects on the Reservation in Clark 
County, Nevada. The four solar projects would total up to 700 MWs of 
solar energy generation, each using photovoltaic (PV) technology and 
incorporating battery energy storage systems (BESS).
    The proposed Chuckwalla solar generating facilities would be 
constructed entirely within the Reservation within a lease study area 
of approximately 6,400 acres of tribal trust land. These lands are in 
the southeast corner of the Reservation on lands set aside by the Moapa 
Band for the Projects. The solar fields and associated facilities would 
be in Sections 13, 14, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36; Township 
16 South, Range 65 East; Mount Diablo Base Meridian.
    Major components of each solar site would include multiple blocks 
of solar

[[Page 21761]]

PV panels mounted on tracking systems, H-beam or pad mounted inverters, 
transformers, collection lines, BESS, Projects substation, and O&M 
facilities. The four separate projects would include: Chuckwalla 1A--a 
200 MW project; Chuckwalla 1B--a 50 MW project; Chuckwalla 2--a 200 MW 
project; and Chuckwalla 3--a 250 MW project.
    Chuckwalla 1A and 1B would be built at the same time as the first 
phase. Chuckwalla 2 and Chuckwalla 3 would be built separately in 
subsequent phases. Construction of each phase is expected to take 
approximately 18 to 20 months.
    Two gen-tie lines approximately 10 to 12 miles long would 
interconnect the Projects to the regional electrical grid--one to the 
existing Harry Allen substation and one to the existing Crystal 
Substation. These lines would be built parallel to one another for most 
of their length; approximately 4.5 miles would be in the designated 
utility corridor on the Reservation that is managed by BLM and BLM 
land.
    Access to the Chuckwalla sites would be provided via I-15 to the 
Valley of Fire Highway to an existing 2.5-mile road on the Reservation 
paralleling its southern border that would be upgraded as needed. Water 
for each phase will be needed during construction for dust control and 
a minimal amount will be needed during operations for administrative/
sanitary water use and panel washings. The water supply for the 
Projects would be leased from the Moapa Band and delivered to the site 
via temporary water pipeline or by truck.
    The Applicant is expected to operate each of the energy facilities 
for up to 35 years under the terms of the solar leases with the Moapa 
Band. Each project is expected to be built to meet its corresponding 
PPA for the output of the Projects.
    The EIS will focus on the Proposed Action as described above at the 
location on the Reservation selected by the Moapa Band. It will 
evaluate the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Additional 
viable alternatives may be identified in response to issues raised 
during the scoping process.

Summary of Expected Impacts

    Potential impacts to be addressed in the EIS analysis may include, 
but would not be limited to, impacts on water resources, biological 
resources, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, 
Native American religious concerns, aesthetics, and traffic. In 
addition to those resource topics identified above, Federal, State, and 
local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or 
affected by the BIA's decision on the proposed Projects, are invited to 
participate in the scoping process to identify additional issues to be 
addressed.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    In addition to the land lease and ROWs to be approved by BIA and 
the ROWs to be approved by BLM, the Projects would also require other 
permits and authorizations. These could include a Utility Environmental 
Protection Act (UEPA) permit from the Public Utilities Commission of 
Nevada and/or dust control and special use permits from Clark County.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    The EIS will provide a framework for BIA and BLM to make 
determinations and to decide whether to take the aforementioned Federal 
actions. The Records of Decision (RODs) to be issued by the BIA and BLM 
are currently scheduled for March 2022.

Public Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. Two public scoping meetings will be 
conducted either virtually or in person to further describe the 
Projects and identify potential issues and alternatives to be 
considered in the EIS. If in person, one public scoping meeting will be 
held on the Reservation and the other public scoping meeting will be 
held in Las Vegas, Nevada. If held virtually, the public meetings can 
be joined online through the Projects website at 
www.ChuckwallaSolarProjectsEIS.com. Those unable to live stream the 
presentation would be able to access the meeting presentation on the 
project website and could join by telephone. Additionally, the live 
presentation will be recorded and made accessible for viewing 
throughout the scoping period. During either the in-person or virtual 
meetings, a short presentation will be made and team members will be 
present to discuss and answer questions. The PowerPoint presentation 
will be posted to the Projects website and printed copies will be made 
available at the BLM Las Vegas Field Office and the Moapa River Indian 
Reservation Tribal Hall prior to the meetings. The dates of the public 
scoping meetings will be included in notices to be posted in the Las 
Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Moapa Valley Progress 15 days 
before the meetings.
    Please include your name, return address, and the caption ``EIS, 
Chuckwalla Solar Projects,'' on the first page of any written comments. 
You may also submit comments at the public scoping meetings.

Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and 
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

    Interested parties are invited to identify potential alternatives, 
issues to be analyzed, mitigation measures, and other information to be 
considered in the EIS.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    BIA will prepare the EIS in cooperation with the Moapa Band, BLM, 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(USFWS), and possibly the National Park Service (NPS) and Nevada 
Department of Wildlife (NDOW). The resulting EIS will aim to: (1) 
Provide agency decision makers, the Moapa Band, and the general public 
with a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of the proposed 
development of the solar field on the Reservation; (2) describe the 
cumulative impacts of increased development on the Reservation; and (3) 
identify and propose mitigation measures that would minimize or prevent 
significant adverse impacts.

Decision Maker

    This notice is published in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.9 of the 
Council of Environmental Quality regulations and 43 CFR 46.235 of the 
Department of the Interior Regulations implementing the procedural 
requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and in accordance 
with the exercise of authority delegated to the Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by part 209 of the Department 
Manual.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The BIA and the BLM decisions, if approved, would assist in 
addressing the management objectives in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(Title II, Section 211) and Secretarial Order 3285A1 (March 11, 2009) 
that established the development of environmentally responsible 
renewable energy as a priority for the Department of the Interior.
    Because the BIA has a jurisdictional trust responsibility over 
Indian lands and the BLM has land management responsibilities under 
FLPMA, the Projects is a major Federal action and must comply with the 
National

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Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
Because most of the Projects would be located on tribal trust lands, 
the BIA is the lead federal agency. The Moapa Band, BLM, EPA, NPS, 
NDOW, and USFWS may be cooperating agencies on the EIS for the 
Projects. The BIA and BLM will use this EIS to make their respective 
decisions and the other cooperating parties will use this information 
to support their analyses and decisions, as needed. 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 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.

Bryan Newland,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2021-08469 Filed 4-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P