Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 243 / Thursday, December 17, 2020 / Notices 81953

Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. Ch. 3A § 181), as receive, will be available for public regulation, take of certain species listed amended, (41 Stat. 437, Pub. L. 66–146). inspection online in Docket No. FWS– as threatened is also prohibited (16 R8–ES–2020–0142 at http:// U.S.C. 1533(d); 50 CFR 17.31). Amy Lueders, www.regulations.gov. Regulations governing the permitted Southwest Region Director, Interior Region Submitting Comments: To send exception for allowable incidental take 6, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. written comments, please use one of the of endangered and [FR Doc. 2020–27752 Filed 12–16–20; 8:45 am] following methods and identify to are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32. For more BILLING CODE 4333–15–P which document your comments are in about the Federal conservation reference—the ITP application, draft HCP program, go to http://www.fws.gov/ HCP, or NEPA compliance endangered/esa-library/pdf/hcp.pdf. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR documentation. • National Environmental Policy Act Fish and Wildlife Service Internet: Submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov under Compliance [Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2020–0142; Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2020–0142. The proposed permit issuance triggers FXES1120800000–201–FF08ENVS00] • U.S. Mail: Public Comments the need for compliance with the NEPA. Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R8– The draft catex documentation was Receipt of Incidental Take Permit ES–2020–0142; U.S. Fish and Wildlife prepared to determine if issuance of an Application and Draft Low-Effect Service Headquarters, MS: PRB/3W, ITP, based on the draft HCP, would Plan, and Draft 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA individually or cumulatively have only NEPA Compliance Documentation, for 22041–3803. a minor or negligible effect on the the Gamebird Substation Expansion in For more information, see Public species covered in the HCP, and would Pahrump, Nye County, Nevada Comments and Public Availability of therefore qualify as a low-effect HCP AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Comments under SUPPLEMENTARY eligible for a categorical exclusion from Interior. INFORMATION. further environmental analysis under ACTION: Notice of availability of the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen NEPA. proposed low-effect habitat W. Knowles, Field Supervisor, Southern Proposed Action conservation plan, and NEPA Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, by Under the proposed action, the compliance documentation; request for phone at 702–515–5244 or via the Service would issue an ITP to the comment. Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. applicant for a period of 4 years for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and certain covered activities (described U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Wildlife Service, announce the receipt below) related to the expansion of the announce the receipt and availability of and availability of an application for an existing Gamebird Substation. The an application submitted by GridLiance incidental take permit (ITP) under the applicant has requested an ITP for one West, LLC (applicant), for a 4-year Act (ESA) and an covered species, the Mojave desert incidental take permit (ITP) under associated draft low-effect habitat tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), which section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered conservation plan (HCP). Additionally, was, and remains as listed under the Species Act, as amended (ESA; 16 consistent with the requirements of the ESA as threatened in April 1990. U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Application for the National Environmental Policy Act permit requires the preparation of an Habitat Conservation Plan Area (NEPA), we have prepared a draft low- HCP with measures to avoid, minimize, effect screening form and environmental The geographic scope of the draft and mitigate the impacts of incidental action statement supporting our habitat conservation plan (HCP) area take of endangered or threatened species preliminary determination that the encompasses 18.2 acres in Nye County, to the maximum extent practicable. The proposed permit action qualifies for a Nevada, where the expansion will applicant prepared the draft Low Effect categorical exclusion under NEPA. occur. HCP for the Gamebird Substation GridLiance West, LLC has applied for an Expansion pursuant to section Covered Activities ITP under the ESA for the Gamebird 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA. FWS The proposed section 10(a) ITP would Substation Expansion in Pahrump, Nye consideration of issuing an ITP also allow incidental take of one covered County, Nevada. The ITP would requires evaluation of its potential species from covered activities in the authorize the take of one species impacts on the natural and human proposed HCP area. The applicant is incidental to the development and environment in accordance with NEPA. requesting incidental take authorization construction of the project. We invite FWS has prepared a low-effect for covered activities, including site the public and local, State, Tribal, and screening form and environmental preparation, geotechnical drilling, Federal agencies to comment on the action statement (categorical exclusion, associated infrastructure development, permit application, proposed low-effect or catex documentation), pursuant to expansion of the substation, and the HCP, and NEPA categorical exclusion NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its installation of a 230-kilovolt (kV) determination documentation. Before implementing regulations in the Code of transmission line to connect the issuing the requested ITP, we will take Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR substation to an existing 230-kV into consideration any information that 1501.4, to preliminarily determine if the transmission line that runs from we receive during the public comment proposed HCP qualifies as a low-effect Pahrump to the Sloan Canyon Switch. period. HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion. The applicant has proposed to DATES: We must receive your written minimize and mitigate for the direct comments on or before January 19, Background impacts to desert tortoises and its 2021. Except for permitted exceptions, habitat in the HCP area through the ADDRESSES: section 9 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1538 et following measures: Obtaining Documents: The documents seq.) prohibits the taking of fish and 1. Implementing a worker this notice announces, as well as any wildlife species listed as endangered environmental awareness training comments and other materials that we under section 4 of the ESA; by program;

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2. Setting speed limits to avoid While you can request in your comment SUMMARY: In this notice, the Office of collisions with tortoise; that we withhold your personal Self-Governance (OSG) establishes the 3. Having an approved biologist identifying information from public deadline for Indian Tribes/consortia to ensure implementation of minimization review, we cannot guarantee that we submit completed applications to begin measures, monitor covered activities to will be able to do so. All submissions participation in the Tribal self- avoid collisions, and clear the work site from organizations or businesses, and governance program in fiscal year 2022 and materials, vehicles, and equipment from individuals identifying themselves or calendar year 2022. of tortoises before work activity; as representatives or officials of DATES: Completed application packages 4. Requiring pre-movement vehicle organizations or businesses, will be must be received by the Director, Office and equipment inspections by workers; made available for public disclosure in of Self-Governance, by March 1, 2021. 5. Installing temporary tortoise their entirety. ADDRESSES: Application packages for exclusion fencing around substation Next Steps inclusion in the applicant pool should area; be sent to Sharee M. Freeman, Director, 6. Conducting pre-construction Issuance of an incidental take permit Office of Self-Governance, Department clearance surveys and translocation by is a Federal proposed action subject to of the Interior, Mail Stop 3624–MIB, an approved biologist; compliance with NEPA and section 7 of 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 7. Developing a plan for spill the ESA. We will evaluate the 20240. prevention and control, with application, associated documents, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. countermeasures; any public comments we receive during Kenneth D. Reinfeld, Office of Self- 8. Implementing proper waste this comment period to determine Governance, Telephone (202) 821–7107, management and disposal actions; whether the application meets the [email protected]. 9. Developing a fire management plan; requirements of section 10(a) of the and ESA. If we determine that those SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the 10. Implementing certain weed requirements are met, we will conduct Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994 management efforts. an intra-Service consultation under (Pub. L. 103–413), as amended by the The proposed action will result in the section 7 of the ESA for the Federal Practical Reforms and Other Goals to permanent loss of moderate-quality action for the potential issuance of an Reinforce the Effectiveness of Self- habitat in Nye County, Nevada. In ITP. If the intra-Service consultation Governance and Self-Determination Act addition to the minimization measures, confirms that issuance of the ITP will of 2019–2020 or the PROGRESS for the applicant will make a one-time not jeopardize the continued existence Indian Tribes Act (Pub. L. 116–180), contribution of $26,500, payable to the of any endangered or threatened Section 402(b)(1)(A), the Secretary, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation species, or destroy or adversely modify acting through the Director of the Office (NFWF), to offset the impacts of critical habitat, we will issue a permit of Self-Governance, may select not more permanent Mojave desert tortoise to the applicant for the incidental take than 50 new Indian Tribes per year from habitat loss and habitat modification of of the covered species. those eligible Tribes. See 25 U.S.C. about 18.2 acres. 5362(b)(1). Authority The Tribal Self-Governance Act, as No-Action Alternative We provide this notice under section amended by the PROGRESS for Indian Under the No-Action Alternative, the 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act (16 Tribes Act, mandates that copies of the Service would not issue an ITP to the U.S.C. 1539(c) and its implementing funding agreements be sent at least 90 applicant, and the draft HCP would not regulations (50 CFR 17.32), and NEPA days before the proposed effective date be implemented. Under this alternative, (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NEPA to each Indian Tribe that is served by the applicant may choose not to implementing regulations (40 CFR the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ agency that construct the facility or would do so in 1501.4). is serving the Tribe that is a party to the a manner presumed not to result in the funding agreement. Initial negotiations take of ESA-listed species. Glen W. Knowles, with a Tribe/consortium located in a Field Supervisor, Southern Nevada Fish and region and/or agency that has not Public Comments Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, previously been involved with self- We request data, comments, new Las Vegas, Nevada. governance negotiations will take information, or suggestions from the [FR Doc. 2020–27705 Filed 12–16–20; 8:45 am] approximately 2 months from start to public, other concerned governmental BILLING CODE 4333–15–P finish. Agreements for an October 1 to agencies, the scientific community, September 30 funding year need to be Tribes, industry, or any other interested signed and submitted by July 1. party on permit application, draft HCP, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Agreements for a January 1 to December and associated documents. If you wish 31 need to be signed and submitted by Bureau of Indian Affairs to comment, you may submit comments October 1. by any of the methods in ADDRESSES. [212A2100DD/AAKC001030/ Eligibility To Participate in Self- Public Availability of Comments A0A51010.999900] Governance Any comments we receive will The Department will be initiating a become part of the decision record Notice of Deadline for Submitting negotiated rulemaking to develop associated with this action. Before Completed Applications To Begin regulations to meet the requirements of including your address, phone number, Participation in the Tribal Self- Section 101 of the newly enacted email address, or other personal Governance Program in Fiscal Year PROGRESS Act. To be eligible to identifying information in your 2022 or Calendar Year 2022 participate in self-governance, an Indian comment, you should be aware that AGENCY: Office of Self-Governance, Tribe must: your entire comment—including your Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. (1) Successfully complete the personal identifying information—might planning phase described in section ACTION: Notice of application deadline. be made publicly available at any time. 402(d) of the Tribal Self-Governance Act

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