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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Land Management Bureau

NV ID: [NV-040-07-5101-ER-F344; N-78091]

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of availability.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Coal-Fired Electric Power Generating Plant in Eastern White Pine County, NV

DATES: The Final EIS will be available for review until November 3, 2008, which is 30 days following the date the EPA published their notice in the Federal Register, [73 FR 57620].

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) has been prepared by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Ely Field Office for the White Pine Energy Station (WPES) and is now available. This document evaluates the environmental effects of constructing a coalfired electric power generating plant (up to 1,600 megawatts) and associated features on public lands in White Pine County, Nevada.

SUMMARY: Proposed Coal-Fired Electric Power Generating Plant in Eastern White Pine County, NV,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Final EIS addresses alternatives to resolve the following major issues: ground water, air quality, visual resources, biological resources, and socioeconomic effects.

The Proposed Action includes the following actions: coalfired power plant site rightofway (ROW), transmission line alignment and substations ROW, well field and water line ROW, railroad spur ROW, and access roads ROW. The Proposed Action includes the following project actions and features: issue ROWs for White Pine Energy Station construction and operation and subsequently arrange for the sale of the power plant site to White Pine Energy Associates; construct, operate, and maintain an up to 1,600megawatt (maximum) coalfired electric power generating plant using hybrid cooling systems with an expected commercial life of 50 years or longer; develop a well field in the Steptoe Valley Hydrographic Basin to meet the water needs of the power plant; construct a new rail spur from the Nevada Northern Railway to the power plant site to supply coal; develop the linear infrastructure necessary to connect the power plant to the new water source, to existing electric transmission lines serving the region, and to provide site access; and implement a seeding project to enhance the grazing and wildlife value of 700 to 900 acres.

The BLM issued the Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed CoalFired Electric Power Generating Plant in Eastern White Pine County and Notice of Public Meetings; Nevada, in the Federal Register on April 20, 2007, with a 60 day public comment period. The BLM held two public meetings, one in Ely, Nevada and one in Reno, Nevada. At the request of environmental group representatives, BLM held an informational meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. In preparing the Final EIS BLM responded to more than 514 comments received during the Draft EIS public review period. Comment responses and resultant changes in the impact analysis are documented in the Final EIS. The BLM will prepare a Record of Decision for the EIS 30 days following EPA's publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
John F. Ruhs,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E824508 Filed 101408; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310HCP

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Doris Metcalf, 775-289-1852.