DRECP Proposed LUPA and Final EIS RESPONSES TO COMMENTS

Transcription

1 B7-1 October 2015

2 B7-2 October 2015

3 B7-3 October 2015

4 B7-4 October 2015

5 B7-5 October 2015

6 B7-6 October 2015

7 Response to Comment Letter B7 California State Lands Commission Cy R. Oggins March 9, 2015 DRECP Proposed LUPA and Final EIS B7-1 Thank you for your comment. Following release of the Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) and Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), and in response to public comments received from a diverse group of stakeholders, the Renewable Energy Action Team (REAT) agencies (i.e., Bureau of Land Management [BLM], U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], California Energy Commission [CEC], and California Department of Fish and Wildlife [CDFW]) have adjusted the planning process and are employing a phased approach for the DRECP: one phase addressing BLM lands and another phase addressing non-federal lands. Under Phase I of the DRECP, the DRECP Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment (LUPA) and Final EIS addresses land uses, including renewable energy and transmission development, on BLM-administered land only. B7-2 See response B7-1. No change in the document is required as a result of this comment. B7-3 Comment noted. No change in the document is required as a result of this comment. Volume II, Section II , lists the goals and objectives of Lands and Realty, including continuing to implement the land exchange program with the State of California. B7-4 California State Land Commission s (CSLC s) comment that the preferred alternative represents the alternative that would allow the CSLC to maximize revenue-generating potential on its existing school lands while providing for the conservation of covered species and habitats is noted. No change in the document is required as a result of this comment. B7-5 As noted in response B7-1, this addresses land uses, including renewable energy and transmission development, on BLM-administered land only. As such, the language highlighted in the comment no longer appears in the document. However, the CSLC s comment clarifying the distinction between sovereign and school lands is noted. B7-6 The figures and text of the document have been updated where appropriate to reflect the revised CSLC acreages as requested. B7-7 Comment noted. The Final EIS uses the best available data; however, as noted in response B7-1, this Final EIS addresses land uses, including renewable energy and transmission development, on BLM-administered land only. B7-7 October 2015

8 B7-8 Comment noted. The Final EIS addresses land uses, including renewable energy and transmission development, on BLM-administered land only. B7-9 Site specific management plans for resources will be developed for each Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) unit to address protection of the specific values of those units. The BLM will follow national guidance for management of NLCS units found in Manual MS All known mineral sites and valid existing rights were reviewed prior to land use designation decisions to avoid and minimize potential impacts to access and use. Additional analysis of state and private lands will be conducted under Phase II of the DRECP. B7-10 Please see response B7-9. B7-11 The BLM concurs with the proposed text changes recommended by the CSLC and Volume III, Chapter III.15, Mineral Resources, has been revised. B7-12 No change in the document is required as a result of this comment. B7-8 October 2015