[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25011-25013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08718]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[BLM_NV_FRN_MO4500167453]


Notice of Intent To Amend the Las Vegas Resource Management Plan 
and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Golden 
Currant Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada 
State Director intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan amendment 
(RMPA) with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Golden Currant Solar Project and by this notice is announcing the 
beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify 
issues, and is providing the planning criteria for public review.

DATES: The BLM requests the public submit comments concerning the scope 
of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant 
information, and studies by June 9, 2023. To afford the BLM the 
opportunity to consider issues raised by commenters in the RMPA/EIS, 
please ensure your comments are received prior to the close of the 45-
day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever 
is later.
    The BLM will conduct two public scoping meetings (virtually):
     May 10, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Pacific Time, Virtual via Zoom. 
Registration is required. To register in advance for this webinar, 
visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TTSUwNMlRvquIS0d5kV2rA.
     May 11, 2023, 6-8 p.m. Pacific Time, Virtual via Zoom. 
Registration is required. To register in advance for this webinar, 
visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1aKVxTCHShWKugCNOSQCvw.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to the Golden Currant Solar Project by any of the following 
methods:
     Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/project/2021533/510.
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: BLM, Las Vegas Field Office, Attn: Golden Currant 
Solar Project, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at the 
project ePlanning page: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019523/510 and at the Southern Nevada District Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Headen, Project Manager, 
telephone (702) 515-5206; address 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las 
Vegas, NV 89130-2301; email [email protected]. Contact 
Ms. Headen to have your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in 
the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a 
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services for contacting Ms. Headen. 
Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services 
offered within their country to make international calls to the point-
of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
Nevada State Director intends to prepare an RMPA with an associated EIS 
for the Golden Currant Solar Project, announces the beginning of the 
scoping process, and seeks public input on issues and planning 
criteria. The RMPA is being considered to allow the BLM to evaluate the 
Golden Currant Solar Project, which would require amending the existing 
1998 Las Vegas Resource Management Plan (RMP).
    The proposed project and planning area is in Clark County, 
southeast of the Town of Pahrump and approximately 40 miles west of Las 
Vegas. The proposed project encompasses approximately 4,456 acres of 
public lands.
    In August 2021, Noble Solar LLC submitted an updated right-of-way 
application to the BLM Las Vegas Field Office for the Golden Currant 
Solar Project (Project) requesting authorization to construct, operate, 
maintain, and eventually decommission a 400-megawatt photovoltaic solar 
electric generating facility, battery storage facilities, associated 
generation tie-line, and access road facilities. The electricity 
generated would be conveyed to the Trout Canyon Substation located 
north of the project site via a generation (gen-tie) transmission line. 
Construction for the facilities is estimated to take approximately 12 
months. The lands within the proposed project area were segregated, 
subject to valid existing rights, for a term of two years beginning 
July 5, 2022, with publication of the Notice of Segregation in the 
Federal Register.
    The scope of this land use planning process does not include 
addressing the evaluation or designation of areas of critical 
environmental concern (ACECs), and the BLM is not soliciting ACEC 
nominations as part of this process.

Purpose and Need

    The BLM's purpose and need for this Federal action is to respond to 
right-of-way applications submitted by Noble Solar LLC under title V of 
FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1761) to construct, operate, maintain, and 
decommission a solar generation power plant and ancillary facilities on 
approximately 4,456 acres of BLM land in Clark County, Nevada, in 
compliance with FLPMA, BLM right-of-way regulations, the BLM NEPA 
Handbook (BLM 2008), U.S. Department of the Interior NEPA regulations, 
and other applicable Federal and State laws and policies. In accordance 
with FLPMA, public lands are to be managed for multiple uses that takes 
into account the long-term needs of future generations for renewable 
and non-renewable resources. The BLM is authorized to grant rights-of-
way on public lands for systems of generation, transmission, and 
distribution of electrical energy (FLPMA section 501(a)(4)). The 
preliminary purpose and need also includes an amendment to the 1998 Las 
Vegas RMP to realign designated utility corridors that

[[Page 25012]]

currently traverse the proposed project area.

Preliminary Alternatives

    The Proposed Action is to approve rights-of-way to Noble Solar LLC 
to construct, operate, and eventually decommission the proposed solar 
project and associated facilities with the potential to generate 400 
megawatts of alternating current energy on 4,456 acres of BLM 
administered lands. The Proposed Action also includes an amendment to 
the 1998 Las Vegas RMP to realign designated utility corridors that 
currently traverse the proposed project area.
    West-Wide Energy Corridor Segment # 224-225, established under 
authority of Section 368 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, traverses 
the central portion of the project area from east to west. In addition, 
a BLM Southern Nevada District designated utility corridor, established 
by the RMP, also traverses the central portion of the project area. Per 
43 CFR 1610.5-3, the project must be in conformance with the RMP; 
therefore, a plan amendment to modify both utility corridors by 
realigning them outside of the Golden Currant Solar Project area would 
be required.
    Additional action alternatives have not been identified to date but 
would be developed by taking into consideration comments and input 
submitted during the application evaluation determination process and 
scoping.
    Under the No Action Alternative BLM would not issue a right-of-way 
grant for the solar project and associated facilities. The proposed 
Project would not be constructed, and existing land uses in the project 
area would continue. Additionally, the BLM would not undertake an RMPA 
to realign utility corridors. The BLM welcomes comments on all 
preliminary alternatives as well as suggestions for additional 
alternatives.

Planning Criteria

    The planning criteria guide the planning effort and lay the 
groundwork for effects analysis by identifying the preliminary issues 
and their analytical frameworks. Preliminary issues for the planning 
area have been identified by BLM personnel and from early engagement 
conducted for this planning effort with Federal, State, and local 
agencies; Tribes; and other stakeholders. The BLM has identified 
preliminary issues for this planning effort's analysis. The planning 
criteria are available for public review and comment at the ePlanning 
website (see ADDRESSES).

Summary of Expected Impacts

    The analysis in the EIS will be focused on the proposed solar 
project and associated facilities, including battery storage and 
transmission line construction. The BLM evaluated the proposed Project 
application per the variance process described in the Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development in Six 
Southwestern States. Through this process, the BLM completed public 
outreach and coordination with agencies and Indian Tribal Nations 
specific to the proposed Project. From the input received, the expected 
impacts from construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of 
the solar project, associated facilities, and the RMP amendment could 
include:
     Potential desert tortoise habitat disturbance and changes 
in genetic connectivity habitat from construction of the proposed 
facilities;
     Potential effects to cultural resources in the project 
area from construction activities;
     Potential effects to basin groundwater resources from the 
proposed construction water needs for the Project;
     Potential socioeconomic impacts from the proposed Project 
to local communities;
     Potential air quality impacts from proposed construction 
activities;
     Potential impacts to vegetation species from construction, 
operations, and decommissioning of the Project and associated 
facilities;
     Potential effects to the recreational opportunities and 
public use of the proposed Project area due to construction and 
operations of the solar facility;
     Potential effects to the Old Spanish National Historic 
Trail; and
     Potential cumulative effects from other reasonably 
foreseeable actions in the area.
    Preliminary issues for the Project have been identified by the BLM, 
other Federal agencies, the State, local agencies, Tribes, and the 
public during the variance process. The following resources, or 
resource uses, have potential issues that will need to be analyzed in 
detail in the EIS: vegetation and soils, threatened and endangered 
species, air quality and climate, cultural and historic resources, 
water resources, access to public lands, socioeconomics, public health 
and safety, and proximity to Old Spanish National Historic Trail, and 
other reasonably foreseeable effects from other projects in the area. 
Habitat for the federally listed desert tortoise is in this project 
area.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    Along with a BLM right-of-way grant as required under 43 CFR 
2801.9, Noble Solar LLC anticipates needing the following 
authorizations and permits for the proposed project: Biological Opinion 
and Incidental Take Permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 
Section 404 Permit from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Wildlife Special 
Purpose permit from Nevada Department of Wildlife; Nevada Division of 
Environmental Protection Stormwater and Groundwater Discharge permits 
and Temporary in Waterways Work permit; Nevada Public Utilities 
Commission Permit to Construct; Nevada Division of Water Resources 
water rights modification permits; Nevada State Fire Marshal Hazardous 
Materials Storage permit; and Clark County permits, as necessary. 
Further details on these permitting requirements may be found in the 
Plan of Development for the Golden Currant Solar Project.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public 
participation consistent with the NEPA and land use planning processes, 
including a 90-day comment period on the Draft RMPA/EIS and a 
concurrent 30-day public protest period and 60-day Governor's 
consistency review on the Proposed RMPA and Final EIS. The Draft RMPA/
EIS is anticipated to be available for public review in early 2024, and 
the Proposed RMPA and Final EIS is anticipated to be available for 
public protest in the summer of 2024 with an Approved RMPA and Record 
of Decision in the fall of 2024.

Public Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping period and public 
review of the planning criteria, which guide the development and 
analysis of the Draft RMPA/EIS.
    The BLM will be holding two virtual scoping meetings (see DATES and 
ADDRESSES sections earlier). The specific date(s) and location(s) of 
any additional scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in 
advance through the project ePlanning web page: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/project/2021533/510.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives and mitigation measures, and to guide the 
process for developing the EIS. Federal, State, and local

[[Page 25013]]

agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or 
affected by the BLM's decision on this project, are invited to 
participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be 
requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. The BLM 
encourages comments concerning the proposed Golden Currant Solar 
Project and RMPA, possible measures to minimize and/or avoid adverse 
environmental impacts, and any other information relevant to the 
Proposed Action.
    The BLM also requests assistance with identifying potential 
alternatives to the Proposed Action. As alternatives should resolve an 
issue with the Proposed Action, please indicate the purpose of the 
suggested alternative. In addition, the BLM requests the identification 
of potential issues that should be analyzed. Issues should be a result 
of the Proposed Action or Alternatives; therefore, please identify the 
activity along with the potential issues.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The BLM Las Vegas Field Office is the lead Federal agency for this 
RMPA and EIS and the related National Historic Preservation Act section 
106 process. The following have agreed to participate in the 
environmental analysis of the Project as Cooperating Agencies: Clark 
County Department of Aviation, Nye County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nevada Department of 
Wildlife, and Nevada Division of Emergency Management. Twenty-one 
entities declined or did not respond to the BLM's offer to participate 
in the Project as a Cooperating Agency. Federal, State, and local 
agencies, Tribes, and stakeholders interested in the scoping process 
may request or be requested by the BLM, if eligible, to participate in 
the development of the EIS as a Cooperating Agency.

Responsible Official

    The Nevada State Director is the deciding official for this 
planning effort and proposed Golden Currant Solar Project.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The nature of the decision to be made will be the State Director's 
selection of land use planning decisions for managing BLM-administered 
lands under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield in a 
manner that best addresses the purpose and need.
    The BLM will decide whether to grant, grant with conditions, or 
deny the right of way application. Pursuant to 43 CFR 2805.10, if the 
BLM issues right-of-way grant(s), the BLM decision maker may include 
terms, conditions, and stipulations determined to be in the public 
interest.

Interdisciplinary Team

    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the EIS 
in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns 
identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines 
will be involved in this process: air quality, archaeology, botany, 
climate change, environmental justice, fire and fuels, geology/mineral 
resources, hazardous materials, hydrology, invasive/non-native species, 
lands and realty, National Conservation Lands, National Trails System, 
public health and safety, recreation/transportation, socioeconomics, 
soils, visual resources, and wildlife.

Additional Information

    The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address 
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed 
action and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with 
40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already 
included in the proposed action or alternatives. Mitigation may include 
avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over 
time, and compensation; and may be considered at multiple scales, 
including the landscape scale.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA and land use planning 
processes for this planning effort to help support compliance with 
applicable procedural requirements under the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1536) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public 
involvement requirements of section 106. The information about historic 
and cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the 
area potentially affected by the proposed plan amendment will assist 
the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
    The BLM will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780, 
and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Tribal trust 
assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with Indian 
Tribal Nations, and other stakeholders that may be interested in or 
affected by the proposed action that the BLM is evaluating, are invited 
to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or 
be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the 
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. The BLM intends to hold 
a series of government-to-government consultation meetings. The BLM 
will send invitations to potentially affected Indian Tribal Nations 
prior to the meetings. The BLM will provide additional opportunities 
for government-to-government consultation during the NEPA process.
    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 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2, and 2800.)

Jon K. Raby,
Nevada State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023-08718 Filed 4-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-21-P