[Federal Register: August 27, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 166)]
[Notices]
[Page 52778]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27au10-82]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R5-ES-2010-N182; 50120-1113-0000-F2]
Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for Issuance of
an Incidental Take Permit Associated With a Habitat Conservation Plan
for the Beech Ridge Wind Energy Project, Greenbrier and Nicholas
Counties, West Virginia; Re-opening and Extension of Comment Period
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice; re-opening of comment period; extension of comment
period.
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SUMMARY: In response to substantial public interest and requests to
extend the comment period, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
extend the scoping period on a notice of intent to gather information
necessary to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the
proposed issuance of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) permit (incidental
take permit and associated Habitat Conservation Plan) for the Beech
Ridge Wind Energy Project (HCP). Pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), we seek suggestions and information from the public
on the scope of issues and alternatives to be included in the EIS.
Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they have been
incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the
final decision on the permit application.
DATES: The public comment period that closed on August 23, 2010, (75 FR
42767) is reopened and extended until September 23, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Information, written comments, or questions related to the
preparation of the EIS and NEPA process should be submitted to Ms.
Laura Hill, Assistant Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
West Virginia Field Office, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, West Virginia
26241; FAX 304-636-7824; or fw5es_wvfo@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Laura Hill (See ADDRESSES) at 304-
636-6586, extension18. Individuals who are hearing-impaired or speech-
impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8337 for TTY
assistance.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Comments Solicited
On July 22, 2010, we published in the Federal Register (75 FR
42767) a notice of intent to prepare an EIS and a notice of a meeting.
On August 9, 2010, we held a public meeting in Rupert, West Virginia,
to provide information on the proposed action and to solicit comments
and suggestions from the public on the scope of issues and alternatives
to be addressed in the draft EIS. The scoping comment period closed on
August 23, 2010; however, due to substantial public interest in the
proposed action and receipt of requests to extend the comment period,
we are hereby reopening and extending the comment period until
September 23, 2010.
As stated in the July 22, 2010, Federal Register notice, we seek
comments, in particular, concerning: (1) Biological information
concerning the Indiana bat and Virginia big-eared bat, as well as
unlisted bats and birds; (2) relevant data concerning wind power and
bat and bird interactions; (3) additional information concerning the
range, distribution, population size, and population trends of the
Indiana bat and Virginia big-eared bat, as well as unlisted bats and
birds; (4) current or planned activities in the subject area and their
possible impacts on the environment and resources; (5) the presence of
facilities within the project area which are eligible to be listed on
the National Register of Historic Places or whether other historical,
archeological, or traditional cultural properties may be present; (6)
the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects that implementation of any
reasonable alternatives could have on endangered and threatened species
and their habitats, as well as unlisted bats and birds; (7) adequacy
and advisability of proposed minimization and mitigation measures for
ESA listed species and other wildlife; (8) post-construction monitoring
techniques; and (9) identification of any other environmental issues
that we should consider with regard to the proposed development and
permit action.
We welcome written comments from interested parties to ensure that
the full range of issues related to the permit request is identified.
Comments will only be accepted in written form. You may submit written
comments by regular mail, electronic mail, or facsimile transmission
(see ADDRESSES).
All comments and materials we receive, including names and
addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be
released to the public. Comments we receive will be available for
public inspection, by appointments, during normal business hours
(Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the West Virginia Field
Office (see ADDRESSES). Before including your address, phone number, e-
mail 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 may ask us in your comment to withhold personally
identifying information from public review, we can not guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
Background
For background information, please refer to the previous Federal
Register Notice (75 FR 42767) published on July 22, 2010.
Author
The primary author of this notice is Laura Hill, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, West Virginia Field Office.
Authority
The authority for this section is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and National Environmental
Policy Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
Dated: August 23, 2010.
Anthony D. L[eacute]ger,
Acting Regional Director, Region 5, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-21337 Filed 8-26-10; 8:45 am]
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