About The SEIS
The proposed Federal action, taken under 25 U.S.C. § 415, is BIA’s approval of the expansion of an approved 850-acre solar energy ground lease to 2,200 acres entered into by the Moapa Band with Arrow Canyon Solar, LLC (Applicant), a subsidiary of EDF Renewables (EDFR). The lease and associated agreements provide for construction, O&M, and decommissioning of a 200- MW alternating current solar PV electricity generation facility located entirely on the Reservation and specifically on lands held in trust by BIA for the Moapa Band.
The off-site linear ancillary facilities associated with the Project (gen-tie line, access road, and water pipeline) were approved previously by a BLM Record of Decision (ROD) and the BLM issued ROWs for these facilities. They would be developed as specified in those previous approvals, so would not need to be reevaluated in the SEIS.
Therefore, the SEIS will focus on the solar field on the Reservation including the expansion of the site, addition of battery energy storage (BES), and any modifications to technology, construction techniques, or operations. The objectives of the SEIS will be to (1) provide agency decision makers, the Moapa Band, and the general public with a comprehensive understanding of the impacts associated with proposed expansion of the solar field on the Reservation; (2) describe the cumulative impacts of increased development on the Reservation; and (3) identify and propose mitigation measures that would minimize or prevent significant adverse impacts. Consistent with these objectives, the SEIS will analyze the proposed expansion of the solar field and its features and the No Action Alternative. Other alternatives may be identified in response to issues raised during the scoping process.