Readers Note: For a period of time WIMS will be posting the full daily REGTrak report to test interest in this product. Please notify your colleagues and trade association managers of the availability of this report and the Environmental Federal Register Blog. If we get a good response or corporate sponsor advertising we will continue the service.
Each day between 7:00 - 7:30 AM EST we post all nationally applicable announcements from U.S. EPA and major environmental announcements from all other agencies. More details (click here).
Thank you.
Federal Register
Vol. 73, No. 193
Friday, October 3, 2008
Vol. 73, No. 193
Friday, October 3, 2008
There are 6 announcements in this issue
1. ALL - NM. EPA. EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Meeting of the Science Advisory Board Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC); SAB Environmental Economics Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting to review EPA's revised Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses
2. ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2009-2012; Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
3. ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208 in the Central Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico
4. ENERGY/Nuclear, LAND - ND/Comment Extension. NRC. Extension of Public Comment Period on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities
5. TOXICS - NM. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) . Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting
6. ENERGY - ND. DOE. Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Lands in 39 States, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use or Equivalent Plans and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement
CODES USED: THE FOLLOWING CODES ARE USED TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF ANNOUNCEMENT & ISSUE AREA.
REPORTING FORMAT: ISSUE CODE - TYPE CODE. AGENCY. ANNOUNCEMENT.
ISSUE CODES: AIR - Air; ALL - Cross-Media, ecosystems, Env. Justice; CLIMATE - Climate Change, Global Warming; DRINK - Drinking Water, SDWA, Underground Injection; ENERGY - Energy; GLAKES - Great Lakes; HAZ - Hazardous Waste, RCRA, HSWA, DOT/RSPA, Some Nuclear (NRC); LAND - Land Use, Forests; P2 - Pollution Prevention, Sustainability, Recycling, Pjt. XL; REMED - Remediation, Brownfields, Superfund; TANKS - AST, UST; TOXICS = Toxics, TRI, TSCA, Pesticides, Risks, RTK; TRANSPORT - Transportation; SOLID - Solid Waste, RCRA Subtitle D; WATER - Surface Water, NPS, NPDES, Wetlands; WILDLIFE = Wildlife, Biodiversity, Endangered Species.
TYPE CODES: ANPR - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; FR - Final Rule; FRD - Direct final rule; FRI - Interim final rule; ICR - Information Collection Request; ND - Notice of data, information, reports, etc. availability; NF - Notice of Fuding Opportunity; NM - Notice of Meeting; NS - Notice of administrative/court settlement; PR - Proposed Rule; ROD - Record of decision.
ANNOUNCEMENT 1
Subject: ALL - NM. EPA. EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Meeting of the Science Advisory Board Environmental Economics Advisory Committee (EEAC); SAB Environmental Economics Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting to review EPA's revised Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 57621]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8724-6]
EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Meeting of
the Science Advisory Board Environmental Economics Advisory Committee
(EEAC)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is
announcing a public meeting of the SAB Environmental Economics Advisory
Committee (EEAC) to review EPA's revised Guidelines for Preparing
Economic Analyses.
DATES: The meeting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern
Time) on October 23, 2008 and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 24,
2008.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the SAB Conference Center
located at 1025 F Street, NW., Suite 3705, Washington, DC 20004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing
further information regarding the public meeting and call-in numbers
may contact Dr. Holly Stallworth, Designated Federal Officer (DFO),
U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office by telephone/voice mail at
(202) 343-9867, or via e-mail at stallworth.holly@epa.gov. The SAB
mailing address is: U.S. EPA, Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. General information
about the SAB, as well as any updates concerning the meeting announced
in this notice, may be found in the SAB Web site at http://www.epa.gov/
sab.
[Notices]
[Page 57621]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8724-6]
EPA Science Advisory Board; Notification of a Public Meeting of
the Science Advisory Board Environmental Economics Advisory Committee
(EEAC)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is
announcing a public meeting of the SAB Environmental Economics Advisory
Committee (EEAC) to review EPA's revised Guidelines for Preparing
Economic Analyses.
DATES: The meeting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern
Time) on October 23, 2008 and from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 24,
2008.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the SAB Conference Center
located at 1025 F Street, NW., Suite 3705, Washington, DC 20004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing
further information regarding the public meeting and call-in numbers
may contact Dr. Holly Stallworth, Designated Federal Officer (DFO),
U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office by telephone/voice mail at
(202) 343-9867, or via e-mail at stallworth.holly@epa.gov. The SAB
mailing address is: U.S. EPA, Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. General information
about the SAB, as well as any updates concerning the meeting announced
in this notice, may be found in the SAB Web site at http://www.epa.gov/
sab.
ACCESS THE COMPLETE PUBLISHED ANNOUNCEMENT IN HTML OR PDF FORMATS AT:
ANNOUNCEMENT 2
Subject: ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2009-2012; Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 57649]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central
Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease
Sales for Years 2009-2012
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The MMS has prepared a SEIS on oil and gas lease sales
tentatively scheduled in 2009-2012 in the CPA and WPA offshore the
States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. As mandated in
the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) (Pub. L. 109-
432, December 20, 2006), MMS shall offer, as soon as practicable,
approximately 5.8 million acres located in the southeastern part of the
CPA (``181 South Area''). The CPA Sale 208 (March 2009) will be the
first sale to include the ``181 South Area.'' The SEIS analyzed newly
available information for the potential environmental effects of oil
and natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in
the ``181 South Area.''
Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40
CFR 1503) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
(1988)).
[Notices]
[Page 57649]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central
Planning Area (CPA) and Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease
Sales for Years 2009-2012
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The MMS has prepared a SEIS on oil and gas lease sales
tentatively scheduled in 2009-2012 in the CPA and WPA offshore the
States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. As mandated in
the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) (Pub. L. 109-
432, December 20, 2006), MMS shall offer, as soon as practicable,
approximately 5.8 million acres located in the southeastern part of the
CPA (``181 South Area''). The CPA Sale 208 (March 2009) will be the
first sale to include the ``181 South Area.'' The SEIS analyzed newly
available information for the potential environmental effects of oil
and natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in
the ``181 South Area.''
Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40
CFR 1503) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
(1988)).
ANNOUNCEMENT 3
Subject: ENERGY - ND. DOI/Minerals Management Service. Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208 in the Central Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 57649-57650]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208 in the Central
Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for
Proposed Sale 208.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The MMS announces the availability of the proposed Notice of
Sale for proposed Sale 208 in the CPA. This Notice is published
pursuant to 30 CFR 256.29(c) as a matter of information to the public.
With regard to oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the
Interior, pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act, provides the
affected States the opportunity to review the proposed Notice. The
proposed Notice sets forth the proposed terms and conditions of the
sale, including minimum bids, royalty rates, and rentals.
DATES: Comments on the size, timing, or location of proposed Sale 208
are due from the affected States within 60 days
following their receipt of the proposed Notice. The final Notice of
Sale will be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior
to the date of bid opening. Bid opening is currently scheduled for
March 18, 2009.
[Notices]
[Page 57649-57650]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 208 in the Central
Planning Area (CPA) in the Gulf of Mexico
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for
Proposed Sale 208.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The MMS announces the availability of the proposed Notice of
Sale for proposed Sale 208 in the CPA. This Notice is published
pursuant to 30 CFR 256.29(c) as a matter of information to the public.
With regard to oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the
Interior, pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act, provides the
affected States the opportunity to review the proposed Notice. The
proposed Notice sets forth the proposed terms and conditions of the
sale, including minimum bids, royalty rates, and rentals.
DATES: Comments on the size, timing, or location of proposed Sale 208
are due from the affected States within 60 days
following their receipt of the proposed Notice. The final Notice of
Sale will be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior
to the date of bid opening. Bid opening is currently scheduled for
March 18, 2009.
ANNOUNCEMENT 4
Subject: ENERGY/Nuclear, LAND - ND/Comment Extension. NRC. Extension of Public Comment Period on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 57687-57688]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Extension of Public Comment Period on the Draft Generic
Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling
Facilities
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Extension of public comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice revises a notice published on September 19, 2008,
in the Federal Register (73 FR 54435), which announced, in part, that
the public comment period for the NRC's draft Generic Environmental
Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities (Draft
GEIS) closes on October 7, 2008. The purpose of this notice is to
extend the public comment period on the draft GEIS to November 7, 2008.
DATES: The NRC recently has held public meetings on the Draft GEIS in
Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as part of the public
comment process for the Draft GEIS. Additionally, members of the public
have been submitting written comments on the Draft GEIS since the
initial notice of availability was published on July 28, 2008 (73 FR
43795). In response to multiple requests received at the public
meetings and in writing, the comment period on the Draft GEIS is being
extended to November 7, 2008. The NRC will consider comments received
or postmarked after that date to the extent practical. Written comments
should be submitted as described in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice.
ADDRESSES: Members of the public are invited and encouraged to submit
comments on the Draft GEIS to the Chief, Rulemaking, Directives, and
Editing Branch, Mailstop: T6-D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001. The NRC encourages comments submitted
electronically to be sent to NRCREP.Resource@nrc.gov. Please include
``Uranium Recovery GEIS'' in the subject line when submitting written
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the NRC's
NEPA process, or the environmental review process related to the Draft
GEIS, please contact James Park, Project Manager, Division of Waste
Management and Environmental Protection (DWMEP), Mail Stop T-8F5, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, 20555-001, by phone at 1
(800) 368-5642, extension 6935. For general or technical information
associated with the safety and licensing of uranium milling facilities,
please contact William Von Till, Branch Chief, Uranium Recovery Branch,
DWMEP, Mail Stop T-8F5, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555-0001, by phone at 1 (800) 368-5642, extension 0598.
[Notices]
[Page 57687-57688]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Extension of Public Comment Period on the Draft Generic
Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling
Facilities
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Extension of public comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice revises a notice published on September 19, 2008,
in the Federal Register (73 FR 54435), which announced, in part, that
the public comment period for the NRC's draft Generic Environmental
Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities (Draft
GEIS) closes on October 7, 2008. The purpose of this notice is to
extend the public comment period on the draft GEIS to November 7, 2008.
DATES: The NRC recently has held public meetings on the Draft GEIS in
Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as part of the public
comment process for the Draft GEIS. Additionally, members of the public
have been submitting written comments on the Draft GEIS since the
initial notice of availability was published on July 28, 2008 (73 FR
43795). In response to multiple requests received at the public
meetings and in writing, the comment period on the Draft GEIS is being
extended to November 7, 2008. The NRC will consider comments received
or postmarked after that date to the extent practical. Written comments
should be submitted as described in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice.
ADDRESSES: Members of the public are invited and encouraged to submit
comments on the Draft GEIS to the Chief, Rulemaking, Directives, and
Editing Branch, Mailstop: T6-D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001. The NRC encourages comments submitted
electronically to be sent to NRCREP.Resource@nrc.gov. Please include
``Uranium Recovery GEIS'' in the subject line when submitting written
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the NRC's
NEPA process, or the environmental review process related to the Draft
GEIS, please contact James Park, Project Manager, Division of Waste
Management and Environmental Protection (DWMEP), Mail Stop T-8F5, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, 20555-001, by phone at 1
(800) 368-5642, extension 6935. For general or technical information
associated with the safety and licensing of uranium milling facilities,
please contact William Von Till, Branch Chief, Uranium Recovery Branch,
DWMEP, Mail Stop T-8F5, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555-0001, by phone at 1 (800) 368-5642, extension 0598.
ANNOUNCEMENT 5
Subject: TOXICS - NM. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) . Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of Meeting
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 57732]
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of
Meeting
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public
Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that a meeting of the
Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will be held on
October 27-28, 2008, in room 648 at 810 Vermont Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC, The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each
day. The meeting is open to the public.
The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs on adverse health effects that may be associated
with exposure to ionizing radiation, and to make recommendations on
proposed standards and guidelines regarding VA benefit claims based
upon exposure to ionizing radiation.
The major items on the agenda will be discussions of medical and
scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing
radiation. On the basis of the discussions, the Committee may make
recommendations to the Secretary concerning the relationship of certain
diseases exposured to ionizing radiation. The October 28 session will
include planning for future Committee activities and assignment of
tasks among members.
An open forum for verbal statements from the public will be
available for 30 minutes in the afternoon each day. People wishing to
make oral statements before the Committee will be accommodated on a
first-come, first-served basis and will be provided three minutes per
statement.
Members of the public wishing to attend should contact Ms. Bernice
Green at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Compensation and Pension
Service, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, by phone at
(202) 461-9723, or by fax at (202) 275-1728. Individuals should submit
written questions or prepared statements for the Committee's review to
Ms. Green at least five days prior to the meeting. The Committee may
ask those who submit material for clarification prior to its
consideration.
[Notices]
[Page 57732]
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards; Notice of
Meeting
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public
Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that a meeting of the
Veterans' Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards will be held on
October 27-28, 2008, in room 648 at 810 Vermont Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC, The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each
day. The meeting is open to the public.
The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs on adverse health effects that may be associated
with exposure to ionizing radiation, and to make recommendations on
proposed standards and guidelines regarding VA benefit claims based
upon exposure to ionizing radiation.
The major items on the agenda will be discussions of medical and
scientific papers concerning the health effects of exposure to ionizing
radiation. On the basis of the discussions, the Committee may make
recommendations to the Secretary concerning the relationship of certain
diseases exposured to ionizing radiation. The October 28 session will
include planning for future Committee activities and assignment of
tasks among members.
An open forum for verbal statements from the public will be
available for 30 minutes in the afternoon each day. People wishing to
make oral statements before the Committee will be accommodated on a
first-come, first-served basis and will be provided three minutes per
statement.
Members of the public wishing to attend should contact Ms. Bernice
Green at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Compensation and Pension
Service, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, by phone at
(202) 461-9723, or by fax at (202) 275-1728. Individuals should submit
written questions or prepared statements for the Committee's review to
Ms. Green at least five days prior to the meeting. The Committee may
ask those who submit material for clarification prior to its
consideration.
ANNOUNCEMENT 6
Subject: ENERGY - ND. DOE. Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal
Lands in 39 States, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use or Equivalent Plans and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement
[Federal Register: October 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 193)]
[Notices]
[Page 57613-57616]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal
Lands in 39 States, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use or Equivalent Plans
and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery and
Energy Reliability (OE).
ACTION: Advance Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 368(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the Act),
Public Law 109-58 (August 8, 2005), directs the Secretaries of
Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, and the Interior (Secretaries)
to identify corridors (Section 368 corridors) on Federal lands in 39
States, other than the 11 contiguous Western States (Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming) (11 Western States) that might be used for
oil, gas and hydrogen pipelines and electricity transmission and
distribution facilities. Section 368 further requires the Secretaries
to identify these Section 368 corridors by August 8, 2009, and schedule
prompt action to designate and incorporate the Section 368 corridors
into applicable land use or equivalent plans. The designation must
specify the centerline, width and compatible uses of the Section 368
corridors.
In proposing how and where to designate Section 368 corridors, the
Secretaries must take into account the need for upgraded and new
electricity transmission and distribution facilities to (1) Improve
reliability; (2) relieve congestion; and (3) enhance the capability of
the national grid to deliver electricity. The Section 368 corridor
designations would not authorize development but would serve as a
planning tool to identify the preferred locations for siting potential
energy transport projects in the future.
DOE, the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) (the Agencies)
intend to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS),
entitled Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in 39 States
(DOE/EIS-0406), to identify any environmental impacts that may result
from the proposed action of designating Section 368 corridors and
incorporating them into applicable land use or equivalent plans. The
Agencies also will identify the environmental impacts from the range of
reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. DOE and DOI, through
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), intend to be co-lead agencies for
this effort; USDA, through the United States Forest Service (FS), and
DOD intend to participate as cooperating agencies.
DOE is issuing this Advance Notice of Intent (ANOI), pursuant to 10
CFR 1021.311(b), in order to request early comments and suggestions
from Federal and State agencies, Tribal and local governments, the
public, and other interested parties. Comments and suggestions will
assist the Agencies in identifying the location of potential Section
368 corridors on Federal lands in 39 States, the preliminary range of
reasonable alternatives, screening criteria, and the potential
environmental impacts related to the Agencies' designation of Section
368 corridors on Federal land in 39 States. The early comments on the
potential location of Section 368 corridors will inform DOE's decision
on where to hold scoping meetings.
Because the proposed action may involve actions in a floodplain or
wetland, the draft PEIS would include a floodplain and wetlands
assessment, as required by 10 CFR 1022, and the final PEIS or agency
records of decision would include a floodplain statement of findings.
The Agencies will prepare the PEIS in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality's
NEPA implementing regulations, 40 CFR 1500-1508; DOE's NEPA
implementing regulations promulgated pursuant to NEPA, 10 CFR 1021;
BLM's planning regulations, 43 CFR 1600; and applicable FS planning
regulations to amend land use plans.
DATES: The public comment period for this ANOI starts with the
publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue
until December 2, 2008. Comments received or postmarked after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. The Agencies plan to
issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) for this PEIS following analysis of
comments and suggestions received on the ANOI. After the NOI is issued,
the Agencies will conduct public scoping meetings to assist in further
defining the scope of the PEIS and to identify significant issues to be
addressed. The dates and locations of all scoping meetings will be
announced in the NOI, subsequent Federal Register notices, and in local
media.
ADDRESSES: Comments or suggestions on the scope of the PEIS and the
proposed action should be sent to: Brian Mills at the U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20), 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; phone 202-586-8267;
facsimile at 202-586-8008; or by electronic mail at
Brian.Mills@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request further information about
this PEIS, the public scoping meetings, or to be placed on the PEIS
distribution list, use any of the methods listed under ADDRESSES above.
For general information on the DOE NEPA process please contact: Carol
M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-20),
U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20585-0103; phone 202-586-4600; leave a message at 800-472-2756; or
facsimile at 202-586-7031. Further information about this effort,
including maps showing Federal lands and existing infrastructure, may
be found on the project Web site at eastcorridoreis.anl.gov.
[Notices]
[Page 57613-57616]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement for the Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal
Lands in 39 States, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use or Equivalent Plans
and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery and
Energy Reliability (OE).
ACTION: Advance Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 368(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the Act),
Public Law 109-58 (August 8, 2005), directs the Secretaries of
Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Energy, and the Interior (Secretaries)
to identify corridors (Section 368 corridors) on Federal lands in 39
States, other than the 11 contiguous Western States (Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming) (11 Western States) that might be used for
oil, gas and hydrogen pipelines and electricity transmission and
distribution facilities. Section 368 further requires the Secretaries
to identify these Section 368 corridors by August 8, 2009, and schedule
prompt action to designate and incorporate the Section 368 corridors
into applicable land use or equivalent plans. The designation must
specify the centerline, width and compatible uses of the Section 368
corridors.
In proposing how and where to designate Section 368 corridors, the
Secretaries must take into account the need for upgraded and new
electricity transmission and distribution facilities to (1) Improve
reliability; (2) relieve congestion; and (3) enhance the capability of
the national grid to deliver electricity. The Section 368 corridor
designations would not authorize development but would serve as a
planning tool to identify the preferred locations for siting potential
energy transport projects in the future.
DOE, the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) (the Agencies)
intend to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS),
entitled Designation of Energy Corridors on Federal Land in 39 States
(DOE/EIS-0406), to identify any environmental impacts that may result
from the proposed action of designating Section 368 corridors and
incorporating them into applicable land use or equivalent plans. The
Agencies also will identify the environmental impacts from the range of
reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. DOE and DOI, through
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), intend to be co-lead agencies for
this effort; USDA, through the United States Forest Service (FS), and
DOD intend to participate as cooperating agencies.
DOE is issuing this Advance Notice of Intent (ANOI), pursuant to 10
CFR 1021.311(b), in order to request early comments and suggestions
from Federal and State agencies, Tribal and local governments, the
public, and other interested parties. Comments and suggestions will
assist the Agencies in identifying the location of potential Section
368 corridors on Federal lands in 39 States, the preliminary range of
reasonable alternatives, screening criteria, and the potential
environmental impacts related to the Agencies' designation of Section
368 corridors on Federal land in 39 States. The early comments on the
potential location of Section 368 corridors will inform DOE's decision
on where to hold scoping meetings.
Because the proposed action may involve actions in a floodplain or
wetland, the draft PEIS would include a floodplain and wetlands
assessment, as required by 10 CFR 1022, and the final PEIS or agency
records of decision would include a floodplain statement of findings.
The Agencies will prepare the PEIS in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); the Council on Environmental Quality's
NEPA implementing regulations, 40 CFR 1500-1508; DOE's NEPA
implementing regulations promulgated pursuant to NEPA, 10 CFR 1021;
BLM's planning regulations, 43 CFR 1600; and applicable FS planning
regulations to amend land use plans.
DATES: The public comment period for this ANOI starts with the
publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue
until December 2, 2008. Comments received or postmarked after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. The Agencies plan to
issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) for this PEIS following analysis of
comments and suggestions received on the ANOI. After the NOI is issued,
the Agencies will conduct public scoping meetings to assist in further
defining the scope of the PEIS and to identify significant issues to be
addressed. The dates and locations of all scoping meetings will be
announced in the NOI, subsequent Federal Register notices, and in local
media.
ADDRESSES: Comments or suggestions on the scope of the PEIS and the
proposed action should be sent to: Brian Mills at the U.S. Department
of Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20), 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; phone 202-586-8267;
facsimile at 202-586-8008; or by electronic mail at
Brian.Mills@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request further information about
this PEIS, the public scoping meetings, or to be placed on the PEIS
distribution list, use any of the methods listed under ADDRESSES above.
For general information on the DOE NEPA process please contact: Carol
M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-20),
U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20585-0103; phone 202-586-4600; leave a message at 800-472-2756; or
facsimile at 202-586-7031. Further information about this effort,
including maps showing Federal lands and existing infrastructure, may
be found on the project Web site at eastcorridoreis.anl.gov.
