[Federal Register: February 10, 2010 (Volume 75, Number = 27)] [Notices] =20 [Page 6698-6699] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10fe10-101] =20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCAD070000, L91310000.EI0000] =20 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for=20 the Proposed West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area,=20 Imperial County, CA, and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act=20 (NEPA) of 1969, as amended and the Federal Land Policy and Management=20 Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) El Centro=20 Field Office, El Centro, California, intends to prepare an=20 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider an amendment to the=20 California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan to identify whether=20 lands within the West Chocolate Mountains area should be made available=20 for geothermal, solar, or wind energy development. By this notice the=20 BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit=20 public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS and=20 possible plan amendment. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing=20 until March 12, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping=20 meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local=20 media and the BLM Web site at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.= html&log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd.html.=20 In order to be considered in the Draft EIS, all comments must be=20 received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the=20 last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional=20 opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft=20 EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria=20 related to the West Chocolate Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation by=20 any of the following methods:Web site: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.= html&log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd.html. E-mail: cawestchocolate@ca.blm.gov= . Fax: (951) 697-5299. Mail: ATTN: John Dalton, BLM California Desert District=20 Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California=20 92553-9046. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the=20 California Desert District Office or the BLM's California State Office,=20 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have=20 your name added to our mailing list, contact John Dalton, telephone=20 (951) 697-5311; address BLM California Desert District Office, 22835=20 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553-9046; e-mail=20 cawestchocloate@ca.blm.gov= . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The focus of the EIS is to assess whether=20 the 21,300 acres of BLM-managed lands within the West Chocolate=20 Mountains Renewable Energy Evaluation Area should be made available for=20 renewable energy development, including [[Page 6699]] geothermal leasing, solar energy rights-of-way (ROWs), and wind energy=20 ROWs. Through the analysis contained within the EIS, the BLM will=20 consider whether all, a portion of, or no lands within the area should=20 be leased for geothermal exploration and development, solar energy=20 development through ROWs, or wind energy development through ROWs. The approximately 21,300 acres of Federal lands that are the=20 subject of this analysis are located in an area bordered by the=20 Imperial/Riverside County line on the north, the Chocolate Mountains=20 Aerial Bombing and Gunnery Range on the east, the Imperial Sand Dunes=20 Recreation Area on the south, and the Imperial Valley agricultural belt=20 on the west. The area is also east of the community of Niland and=20 northeast of El Centro, California. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant=20 issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,=20 including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS.=20 The BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Threatened and=20 endangered species, special status species, vegetation communities,=20 special area designations, visual resources, water quality and=20 quantity, and areas of high potential for renewable energy development.=20 By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR=20 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land use=20 plans, predicated on the findings of the EIS. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to=20 satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National=20 Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR=20 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted,=20 and Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets, will be=20 given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with=20 other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM's=20 decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping=20 process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to=20 participate as a cooperating agency. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or=20 other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be=20 aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying=20 information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can=20 ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying=20 information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be=20 able to do so. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, California. [FR Doc. 2010-2841 Filed 2-9-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-40-P