[Federal Register: July 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 143)]
[Notices]
[Page 43449]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jy05-106]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CA-610-05-4310-40-P]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
Geothermal Leasing for the Truckhaven and Superstition Mountains
AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
California Desert District, California.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental Impact Statement
for Geothermal Leasing for Truckhaven and Superstition Mountains.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), and 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
to analyze the proposed leasing of approximately 16,640 acres of BLM-
managed public lands for geothermal exploration, development, and
utilization in the Truckhaven and Superstition Mountain areas located
in Western Imperial County, California. The leasing of public lands for
geothermal resources is consistent with the California Desert Plan.
Comments are being solicited to help identify significant issues or
concerns related to the proposed action, determine the scope of issues,
and identify and refine alternatives to the proposed action.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process. Federal,
State, and local agencies and the public that may be interested in or
affected by the BLM's decision for the proposed action are invited to
participate in the scoping process for the EIS. Scoping meetings to
encourage and facilitate public participation are proposed to be held
in San Diego, Anaheim, Long Beach, and El Centro, California. Times and
locations of the scoping meetings will be announced in the local news
media. Public scoping will be open for 60 days after the publication of
this notice.
ADDRESSES: For Comments: In addition to the public scoping meetings,
the BLM is inviting written comments and suggestions on the proposed
action and the scope of the analysis. Written comments or requests
should be received within 60 days after publication and must be
submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District
Office, Attn: John Dalton, Truckhaven/Superstition Mountain Geothermal
Leasing Coordinator, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley,
California 92553. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to
John_Dalton@ca.blm.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Dalton at (951) 697-5311,
John_Dalton@ca.blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM has received 11 geothermal lease
applications for public lands within the Truckhaven and Superstition
Mountains area in western Imperial County, California. The proposed
action is to lease these lands under the authority of the Geothermal
Steam Act of 1970, as Amended. The public lands being considered for
geothermal leasing are located in the Truckhaven area in sections 2,
10, and 12 in Township 11 South, Range 9 East, sections 6, 8, 18, 20,
22, 28, 30, 32, 34 in Township 11 South, Range 10 East , in sections 2,
10, and 12 in Township 12 South, Range 9 East , and 4, 6, 8, and 10 in
Township 12 South, Range 10 East, and in the Superstition Mountain area
in portions of sections 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 in
Township 14 South, Range 11 East, San Bernardino and Base Meridian.
Alternatives thus far identified for evaluation in the EIS will
include: (1) Approving all lease applications (16,640 acres), (2) the
no action alternative (no leasing), and (3) leasing less than the
proposed 16,640 acres of public land. The principal issues identified
thus far for consideration in the EIS include: Native American
concerns; cumulative impacts considering existing, proposed, and
potential geothermal projects in the area; cultural resources;
wildlife; land use conflicts, including recreation, military land use,
the Salton Sea Authority area planning, development and restoration,
county land use planning, State request for transfer of land north of
State Route (SR) 78 and west of SR 86 to California for recreation and
other public uses; visual resources; and surface water and groundwater
resources, and sensitive species. The EIS will also address other
issues such as geology, geothermal resources, vegetation, threatened or
endangered species, air quality, noise, transportation, human health
and safety, and socioeconomics as well as any issues raised during the
scoping process.
Dated: June 21, 2005.
Linda Hansen,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 05-14771 Filed 7-26-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P