Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), 2017-2022 Oil and Gas Leasing Program, 4939-4941 [2015-01756]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 19 / Thursday, January 29, 2015 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [BOEM–2014–0085; MMAA104000] [NPS–SER–CONG–17094; PPSECONGS0/ PPMPSPD1Z.YM00000] Establishment of a New Fee Area at Congaree National Park AGENCY: ACTION: Notice. Congaree National Park in South Carolina plans to collect expanded amenity recreation fees at the Longleaf Campground and Bluff Campground beginning in early 2015. Revenue will be used to cover the cost of collections at the campground and for deferred maintenance in the park. SUMMARY: We will begin collecting fees on July 28, 2015. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Gurniewicz, Chief of Interpretation, Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061; telephone (803) 647–3969; or by email at lauren_gurniewicz@nps.gov. This notice is to comply with Section 804 of the Federal Lands Recration Enhancement Act of 2004 (Pub.L. 108– 447). The act requires agencies to give the public 6 months advance notice of the establishment of a new recreation fee area. Rates at Longleaf Campground will be $10 per night for an individual tent only site with no hook-ups; $20 per night for a group tent only site with no hook-ups. Rates at Bluff Campground will be $5 per night for an individual tent only site with no hook-ups. These fees were determined through a comparability study of similar sites in the area at Federal, state, and private recreation areas and will only be charged at the Longleaf and Bluff campgrounds. In accordance with NPS public involvement guidelines, the park engaged numerous individuals, organizations, and local, state, and Federal government representatives while planning for the implementation of this fee. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Dated: November 21, 2014. Lena McDowall, Associate Director, Business Services. [FR Doc. 2015–01678 Filed 1–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JD–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 Jan 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Notice of Scoping. AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), 2017– 2022 Oil and Gas Leasing Program Consistent with the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), BOEM is announcing its intent to prepare an EIS to inform the decisions that will be taken during the preparation and implementation of the 2017–2022 Oil and Gas Leasing Program (2017–2022 Program). Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) requires the development of an OCS oil and gas leasing program every five years. The 2017–2022 Program must address the size, timing and location of the lease sales to be held under it. Section 18 also requires a multi-step process of consultation and analysis that must be completed before the Secretary of the Interior may approve a new Program. BOEM initiated the 2017–2022 Program process by issuing a request for information and comments (RFI) in June 2014. The remaining process required by section 18 of the OCS Lands Act includes development of a Draft Proposed Program (DPP), a Proposed Program, a Proposed Final Program (PFP), and Secretarial approval of the 2017–2022 Program. The EIS is developed in concert with the 2017–2022 Program documents. The EIS will analyze the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of possible OCS oil and gas activities that could result from lease sales contemplated under the 2017–2022 Program. The scope of the EIS will be based on the DPP after consideration of public input received during the scoping period for the EIS. The DPP includes potential lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico (Western, Central, and a small portion of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas not subject to Congressional moratorium), Atlantic (Mid and South Atlantic Planning Areas), and Alaska (Cook Inlet, Chukchi, and Beaufort Planning Areas) (for details, see the DPP at https://www.boem. gov/Five-Year-Program/). This notice starts the formal scoping process for the EIS under 40 CFR 1501.7 of the Council on Environmental SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4939 Quality (CEQ) regulations and solicits input from the public regarding alternatives to the proposed action, impacting factors, environmental resources and issues of concern in the DPP area, and possible mitigating measures that should be evaluated in the EIS. The purpose of scoping is to determine the appropriate content for a focused and balanced programmatic environmental analysis by (a) ensuring significant issues are identified early and properly studied during development of the Programmatic EIS; (b) identifying alternatives, mitigation measures, and analytic tools; and (c) identifying insignificant issues and narrowing the scope of the EIS. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This NOI informs the public about the start of the EIS preparation process and continues information gathering to be done through formal scoping. This NOI is published early in the environmental review process in furtherance of the goals of NEPA. The comments received during public scoping will help frame and inform the content of the EIS. Alternatives may be developed based on scoping comments. In addition to the No Action alternative required by CEQ regulations (i.e., not adopting a new oil and gas leasing program), other alternatives will be considered in the EIS. On June 16, 2014, BOEM published a RFI concerning the preparation of the 2017–2022 Program. Based on the input received in response to the RFI, BOEM is releasing the DPP concurrently with this NOI. The Draft EIS will be released in about one year from the date of the NOI to coincide with the release of the Proposed Program. Stakeholders are encouraged to go to www.boemoceaninfo.com for additional information about the EIS and the 2017– 2022 Program. Scoping Process: BOEM is aware of many of the key issues, concerns, and potential conflicts to be considered in the EIS for the 2017–2022 Program. Some of these concerns were reflected in responses to the RFI. Additional national and regional issues and concerns may be identified and addressed as a result of input received during the scoping period initiated by this NOI. Therefore, BOEM invites the public to submit comments during the EIS scoping process to assist BOEM in drafting the EIS. We recommend that you provide scientific information, technical data, or anecdotal evidence, etc., to support your comments. Specifically, BOEM seeks focused input, including input in geospatial format as we intend to use geospatial information E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 4940 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 19 / Thursday, January 29, 2015 / Notices as much as possible in the EIS analyses. BOEM requests that to the extent possible, geospatial information be provided in .kml, .kmz, or other ESRIcompatible geographic information system format, or through a clearlydrawn image on a map with coordinates. To support this spatially focused scoping process, BOEM invites the public to access our interactive EIS geospatial portal (https:// www.csawebmap.com/boemoceaninfo/), a Web site that allows the user to view maps, visualize available data, and identify specific areas of concern. You can then submit any resulting product through www.regulations.gov as an attachment to your comments. We ask that you provide a rationale for any alternatives and demarcate any recommended inclusions, exclusions, or deferrals as clearly as possible. The more specific your comments and information are (e.g. geographic areas, timing, known scientific information, etc.), the more they will assist BOEM to frame the scope of the EIS. BOEM will also be providing information and the opportunity for public comment at scoping meetings in locations near the BOEM planning areas included in the DPP. BOEM’s scoping meetings will be held using an open house format in larger cities, including Anchorage, AK, and a facilitated group format in all other Alaska locations. The open house format allows members of the public to come to a meeting any time during meeting hours at their convenience to view information, discuss the Programmatic EIS and scoping process with BOEM staff, and provide scoping input. In the facilitated group format, each attendee in a group will have opportunity to express input while a BOEM facilitator moderates and helps to focus input. The following scoping meetings are planned for the Programmatic EIS. • Washington, DC Æ February 9, 2015; Embassy Suites Washington DC Convention Center, 900 10th Street NW., Washington, DC; 2:00–7:00 p.m.; valet parking at no charge to meeting attendees • Alaska Æ February 9, 2015; Westmark Hotel and Conference Center, 813 Noble Street, Fairbanks, Alaska; 7:00– 10:00 p.m. Æ February 11, 2015, Ninilchik School, 15735 Sterling Highway, Ninilchik, Alaska; 7:00–10:00 p.m. Æ February 12, 2015, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers, 144 North Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska; 7:00–10:00 p.m. Æ February 16, 2015; Kisik VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 Jan 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 Community Center, 2230 2nd Avenue, Nuiqsut, Alaska; 7:00– 10:00 p.m. Æ February 17, 2015; Inupiat Heritage Center, 5421 North Star Street, Barrow, Alaska; 7:00–10:00 p.m. Æ February 18, 2015; Kaktovik Community Center, 2051 Barter Avenue, Kaktovik, Alaska; 7:00– 10:00 p.m. Æ February 19, 2015; R. James Community Center, Wainwright, Alaska; 7:00–10:00 p.m. Æ February 23, 2015; Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly Chambers, 163 Lagoon Street, Kotzebue, Alaska; 7:00–10:00 p.m. Æ February 24, 2015; Kali School, 1029 Qasigiakik Street, Point Lay, Alaska; 7:00–10:00 p.m. Æ February 25, 2015; City Qalgi Center, City of Point Hope, Alaska; 7:00–10:00 p.m. Æ March 2, 2015; Anchorage Marriott Downtown, 820 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska; 3:00–7:00 p.m. • Atlantic Æ February 11, 2015; Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, 777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, Virginia; 3:00–7:00 p.m.; validated participant parking at hotel Æ February 17, 2015; Blockade Runner, 275 Waynick Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina; 3:00– 7:00 p.m.; free parking Æ February 19, 2015; Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, Florida; 3:00–7:00 p.m.; validated participant parking at hotel Æ March 9, 2015; Loews Annapolis, 126 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland; 3:00–7:00 p.m.; validated participant parking at hotel Æ March 11, 2015; Wyndham Garden Mount Pleasant/Charleston 1330 Stuart Engals Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC; 3:00–7:00 p.m.; free parking • Gulf of Mexico Æ February 23, 2015; Houston Marriott West Loop Hotel, 1750 W. Loop South Freeway, Houston, Texas; 3:00–7:00 p.m.; $5 parking at hotel Æ February 25, 2015; University of New Orleans, Lindy C. Boggs International Conference Center, 2045 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 248, New Orleans, Louisiana; 3:00–7:00 p.m.; free parking Æ February 26, 2015; Mobile Marriott Hotel, 3101 Airport Boulevard, Mobile, Alabama; 3:00–7:00 p.m.; free parking Cooperating Agencies: BOEM invites other Federal agencies and state, tribal, PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and local governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS. Pursuant to CEQ regulations and guidelines, qualified agencies and governments are those with ‘‘jurisdiction by law or special expertise.’’ Potential cooperating agencies and governments should consider their authority and capacity to assume the responsibilities of a cooperating agency and remember that an agency’s role as a cooperating agency in the environmental analysis neither enlarges nor diminishes their authority in the NEPA process. BOEM will provide potential cooperating agencies with a written summary of expectations for cooperating agencies, including schedules, milestones, responsibilities, scope and expected detail of cooperating agencies’ contributions, and availability of predecisional information. BOEM anticipates this summary will form the basis for a Cooperating Agency Agreement between BOEM and any cooperating agency. Agencies should also consider the ‘‘Factors for Determining Cooperating Agency Status’’ in CEQ’s January 30, 2002, Memorandum for the Heads of Federal Agencies: Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. This document is available on the Web site, www.boemoceaninfo.com. BOEM, as lead agency, does not plan to provide financial assistance to cooperating agencies. Even if an organization is not a cooperating agency, opportunities will exist to provide information and comments to BOEM during the normal public input stages of the NEPA process. For further information about cooperating agencies, please contact Mr. Geoffrey L. Wikel at (703) 787–1283. Public Comment: All interested parties, including Federal, state, tribal, and local governments, and others, may submit written comments on the scope of the EIS, significant issues that should be addressed, alternatives that should be considered, potential mitigation measures, and the types of oil and gas activities of interest (for example, gas in shallow water) in OCS Planning Areas included in the DPP. Written scoping comments may be submitted in one of the following ways: 1. Mailed in an envelope labeled ‘‘Scoping Comments for the 2017–2022 Proposed Oil and Gas Leasing Program Programmatic EIS’’ and mailed (or hand delivered) to Mr. Geoffrey L. Wikel, Acting Chief, Division of Environmental Assessment, Office of Environmental Program (HM 3107), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 381 Elden St. Herndon, VA 20170–4817, telephone E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 19 / Thursday, January 29, 2015 / Notices (703) 787–1283. Written scoping comments may also be hand delivered at a scoping meeting to the BOEM official in charge. 2. Through the Regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https:// www.regulations.gov and under the Search tab, in the space provided, type in Docket ID: BOEM–2014–0085 to submit comments and to view other comments already submitted. Information on using www.regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the links under the box entitled ‘‘Are you new to this site?’’ 3. The Programmatic EIS Web site, www.boemoceaninfo.com, contains program related information, other links, and a geospatial portal you can use to make maps that can then be attached to comments submitted via www.regulations.gov or by mail. Scientific papers, data, and maps can accompany comments as attachments. Comments that provide scientific information, geospatial or other data, or anecdotal evidence, etc., to support your input are most useful. It is BOEM practice to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents available for public review. BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name and address as part of your submittal. Individual respondents may request that BOEM withhold their names and/or addresses from the public record, but BOEM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state your preference prominently at the beginning of your comment. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. DATES: Comments should be submitted by March 30, 2015 to the address specified above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the 2017–2022 EIS, the submission of comments, or BOEM’s policies associated with this notice, please contact Mr. Geoffrey L. Wikel, Acting Chief, Division of Environmental Assessment, Office of Environmental Program, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (HM 3107), 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170–4817, telephone (703) 787–1283. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 Jan 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 Authority: This NOI to prepare the 2017– 2022 EIS is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) implementing the provisions of NEPA. Dated: January 7, 2015. Abigail Ross Hopper, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2015–01756 Filed 1–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM–2014–0096; MAA104000] Notice of Availability (NOA) of and Request for Comments on the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017–2022 (DPP) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments. AGENCY: BOEM is announcing the availability of and requests comments on the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017–2022 (DPP). This draft proposal is for the 2017–2022 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program that will succeed the current 2012–2017 Program. The DPP provides the basis for gathering information and conducting analyses to inform the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on which areas to include for further leasing consideration in the 2017–2022 Program. Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) specifies a multi-step process of consultation and analysis that must be completed before the Secretary may approve a new Five-Year Program. The required steps following this notice include the development of a Proposed Program (PP), Proposed Final Program (PFP), and Secretarial approval. In conjunction with this notice, BOEM is publishing a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the 2017– 2022 Program, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). DATES: Please submit comments and information to BOEM no later than March 30, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Five-Year Program Manager, at (703) 787–1613. SUMMARY: Public Comment Procedure BOEM will accept comments in one of two formats: Federal internet commenting system or regular mail. BOEM’s preference is to receive PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4941 comments via the internet commenting system. Comments should be submitted using only one of these formats, and include full names and addresses of the individual submitting the comment(s). Comments submitted by other means may not be considered. BOEM will not consider anonymous comments. BOEM will make available for public inspection all comments submitted by organizations and businesses, or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of organizations or businesses, subject to the limitations described in this Notice with respect to personal information and proprietary/ privileged/confidential information. BOEM’s practice is to make comments, including the names and addresses of individuals, available for public review. An individual commenter may ask that BOEM withhold from the public record his or her name, home address, or both, and BOEM will honor such a request to the extent allowable by law. If individuals submit comments and desire withholding of such information, they must so state prominently at the beginning of their submission. In order to ensure security and confidentiality of proprietary information to the maximum extent possible, BOEM requests that proprietary information only be sent by mail. In addition to prominently stating that proprietary information is contained in a comment at the beginning of the submission, comments should be sent in a plain outer envelope with an inner envelope stating that proprietary information is contained within. Commenting via Internet Internet comments should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. BOEM requests that commenters follow these instructions to submit their comments via this Web site: (1) In the search tab on the main page, search for BOEM–2014–0096. (2) Locate the document, then click the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ link either on the Search Results page or the Document Details page. This will display the Web comment form. (3) Enter the submitter information and type the comment on the Web form. Attach any additional files (up to 10MB). (Please do not provide proprietary or confidential comments via the Internet.) (4) After typing the comment, click the ‘‘Preview Comment’’ link to review. Once satisfied with the comment, click the ‘‘Submit’’ button to send the comment. E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4939-4941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01756]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[BOEM-2014-0085; MMAA104000]


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), 2017-2022 Oil and Gas Leasing 
Program

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) and Notice of Scoping.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
BOEM is announcing its intent to prepare an EIS to inform the decisions 
that will be taken during the preparation and implementation of the 
2017-2022 Oil and Gas Leasing Program (2017-2022 Program). Section 18 
of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) 
requires the development of an OCS oil and gas leasing program every 
five years. The 2017-2022 Program must address the size, timing and 
location of the lease sales to be held under it. Section 18 also 
requires a multi-step process of consultation and analysis that must be 
completed before the Secretary of the Interior may approve a new 
Program. BOEM initiated the 2017-2022 Program process by issuing a 
request for information and comments (RFI) in June 2014. The remaining 
process required by section 18 of the OCS Lands Act includes 
development of a Draft Proposed Program (DPP), a Proposed Program, a 
Proposed Final Program (PFP), and Secretarial approval of the 2017-2022 
Program.
    The EIS is developed in concert with the 2017-2022 Program 
documents. The EIS will analyze the potential direct, indirect, and 
cumulative impacts of possible OCS oil and gas activities that could 
result from lease sales contemplated under the 2017-2022 Program. The 
scope of the EIS will be based on the DPP after consideration of public 
input received during the scoping period for the EIS. The DPP includes 
potential lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico (Western, Central, and a 
small portion of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas not subject 
to Congressional moratorium), Atlantic (Mid and South Atlantic Planning 
Areas), and Alaska (Cook Inlet, Chukchi, and Beaufort Planning Areas) 
(for details, see the DPP at https://www.boem.gov/Five-Year-Program/).
    This notice starts the formal scoping process for the EIS under 40 
CFR 1501.7 of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations 
and solicits input from the public regarding alternatives to the 
proposed action, impacting factors, environmental resources and issues 
of concern in the DPP area, and possible mitigating measures that 
should be evaluated in the EIS. The purpose of scoping is to determine 
the appropriate content for a focused and balanced programmatic 
environmental analysis by (a) ensuring significant issues are 
identified early and properly studied during development of the 
Programmatic EIS; (b) identifying alternatives, mitigation measures, 
and analytic tools; and (c) identifying insignificant issues and 
narrowing the scope of the EIS.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This NOI informs the public about the start 
of the EIS preparation process and continues information gathering to 
be done through formal scoping. This NOI is published early in the 
environmental review process in furtherance of the goals of NEPA. The 
comments received during public scoping will help frame and inform the 
content of the EIS. Alternatives may be developed based on scoping 
comments. In addition to the No Action alternative required by CEQ 
regulations (i.e., not adopting a new oil and gas leasing program), 
other alternatives will be considered in the EIS.
    On June 16, 2014, BOEM published a RFI concerning the preparation 
of the 2017-2022 Program. Based on the input received in response to 
the RFI, BOEM is releasing the DPP concurrently with this NOI. The 
Draft EIS will be released in about one year from the date of the NOI 
to coincide with the release of the Proposed Program. Stakeholders are 
encouraged to go to www.boemoceaninfo.com for additional information 
about the EIS and the 2017-2022 Program.
    Scoping Process: BOEM is aware of many of the key issues, concerns, 
and potential conflicts to be considered in the EIS for the 2017-2022 
Program. Some of these concerns were reflected in responses to the RFI. 
Additional national and regional issues and concerns may be identified 
and addressed as a result of input received during the scoping period 
initiated by this NOI. Therefore, BOEM invites the public to submit 
comments during the EIS scoping process to assist BOEM in drafting the 
EIS. We recommend that you provide scientific information, technical 
data, or anecdotal evidence, etc., to support your comments. 
Specifically, BOEM seeks focused input, including input in geospatial 
format as we intend to use geospatial information

[[Page 4940]]

as much as possible in the EIS analyses. BOEM requests that to the 
extent possible, geospatial information be provided in .kml, .kmz, or 
other ESRI-compatible geographic information system format, or through 
a clearly-drawn image on a map with coordinates. To support this 
spatially focused scoping process, BOEM invites the public to access 
our interactive EIS geospatial portal (https://www.csawebmap.com/boemoceaninfo/), a Web site that allows the user to view maps, 
visualize available data, and identify specific areas of concern. You 
can then submit any resulting product through www.regulations.gov as an 
attachment to your comments. We ask that you provide a rationale for 
any alternatives and demarcate any recommended inclusions, exclusions, 
or deferrals as clearly as possible. The more specific your comments 
and information are (e.g. geographic areas, timing, known scientific 
information, etc.), the more they will assist BOEM to frame the scope 
of the EIS.
    BOEM will also be providing information and the opportunity for 
public comment at scoping meetings in locations near the BOEM planning 
areas included in the DPP. BOEM's scoping meetings will be held using 
an open house format in larger cities, including Anchorage, AK, and a 
facilitated group format in all other Alaska locations. The open house 
format allows members of the public to come to a meeting any time 
during meeting hours at their convenience to view information, discuss 
the Programmatic EIS and scoping process with BOEM staff, and provide 
scoping input. In the facilitated group format, each attendee in a 
group will have opportunity to express input while a BOEM facilitator 
moderates and helps to focus input. The following scoping meetings are 
planned for the Programmatic EIS.

 Washington, DC
    [cir] February 9, 2015; Embassy Suites Washington DC Convention 
Center, 900 10th Street NW., Washington, DC; 2:00-7:00 p.m.; valet 
parking at no charge to meeting attendees
 Alaska
    [cir] February 9, 2015; Westmark Hotel and Conference Center, 813 
Noble Street, Fairbanks, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 11, 2015, Ninilchik School, 15735 Sterling Highway, 
Ninilchik, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 12, 2015, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers, 
144 North Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 16, 2015; Kisik Community Center, 2230 2nd Avenue, 
Nuiqsut, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 17, 2015; Inupiat Heritage Center, 5421 North Star 
Street, Barrow, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 18, 2015; Kaktovik Community Center, 2051 Barter 
Avenue, Kaktovik, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 19, 2015; R. James Community Center, Wainwright, 
Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 23, 2015; Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly 
Chambers, 163 Lagoon Street, Kotzebue, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 24, 2015; Kali School, 1029 Qasigiakik Street, Point 
Lay, Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] February 25, 2015; City Qalgi Center, City of Point Hope, 
Alaska; 7:00-10:00 p.m.
    [cir] March 2, 2015; Anchorage Marriott Downtown, 820 West 7th 
Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska; 3:00-7:00 p.m.
 Atlantic
    [cir] February 11, 2015; Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, 777 Waterside 
Drive, Norfolk, Virginia; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; validated participant parking 
at hotel
    [cir] February 17, 2015; Blockade Runner, 275 Waynick Boulevard, 
Wilmington, North Carolina; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; free parking
    [cir] February 19, 2015; Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 
East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, Florida; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; validated 
participant parking at hotel
    [cir] March 9, 2015; Loews Annapolis, 126 West Street, Annapolis, 
Maryland; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; validated participant parking at hotel
    [cir] March 11, 2015; Wyndham Garden Mount Pleasant/Charleston 1330 
Stuart Engals Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; free 
parking
 Gulf of Mexico
    [cir] February 23, 2015; Houston Marriott West Loop Hotel, 1750 W. 
Loop South Freeway, Houston, Texas; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; $5 parking at hotel
    [cir] February 25, 2015; University of New Orleans, Lindy C. Boggs 
International Conference Center, 2045 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 248, New 
Orleans, Louisiana; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; free parking
    [cir] February 26, 2015; Mobile Marriott Hotel, 3101 Airport 
Boulevard, Mobile, Alabama; 3:00-7:00 p.m.; free parking

    Cooperating Agencies: BOEM invites other Federal agencies and 
state, tribal, and local governments to consider becoming cooperating 
agencies in the preparation of the EIS. Pursuant to CEQ regulations and 
guidelines, qualified agencies and governments are those with 
``jurisdiction by law or special expertise.'' Potential cooperating 
agencies and governments should consider their authority and capacity 
to assume the responsibilities of a cooperating agency and remember 
that an agency's role as a cooperating agency in the environmental 
analysis neither enlarges nor diminishes their authority in the NEPA 
process. BOEM will provide potential cooperating agencies with a 
written summary of expectations for cooperating agencies, including 
schedules, milestones, responsibilities, scope and expected detail of 
cooperating agencies' contributions, and availability of predecisional 
information. BOEM anticipates this summary will form the basis for a 
Cooperating Agency Agreement between BOEM and any cooperating agency. 
Agencies should also consider the ``Factors for Determining Cooperating 
Agency Status'' in CEQ's January 30, 2002, Memorandum for the Heads of 
Federal Agencies: Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural 
Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. This document is 
available on the Web site, www.boemoceaninfo.com. BOEM, as lead agency, 
does not plan to provide financial assistance to cooperating agencies. 
Even if an organization is not a cooperating agency, opportunities will 
exist to provide information and comments to BOEM during the normal 
public input stages of the NEPA process. For further information about 
cooperating agencies, please contact Mr. Geoffrey L. Wikel at (703) 
787-1283.
    Public Comment: All interested parties, including Federal, state, 
tribal, and local governments, and others, may submit written comments 
on the scope of the EIS, significant issues that should be addressed, 
alternatives that should be considered, potential mitigation measures, 
and the types of oil and gas activities of interest (for example, gas 
in shallow water) in OCS Planning Areas included in the DPP.
    Written scoping comments may be submitted in one of the following 
ways:
    1. Mailed in an envelope labeled ``Scoping Comments for the 2017-
2022 Proposed Oil and Gas Leasing Program Programmatic EIS'' and mailed 
(or hand delivered) to Mr. Geoffrey L. Wikel, Acting Chief, Division of 
Environmental Assessment, Office of Environmental Program (HM 3107), 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 381 Elden St. Herndon, VA 20170-
4817, telephone

[[Page 4941]]

(703) 787-1283. Written scoping comments may also be hand delivered at 
a scoping meeting to the BOEM official in charge.
    2. Through the Regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https://www.regulations.gov and under the Search tab, in the space provided, 
type in Docket ID: BOEM-2014-0085 to submit comments and to view other 
comments already submitted. Information on using www.regulations.gov, 
including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, 
and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is 
available through the links under the box entitled ``Are you new to 
this site?''
    3. The Programmatic EIS Web site, www.boemoceaninfo.com, contains 
program related information, other links, and a geospatial portal you 
can use to make maps that can then be attached to comments submitted 
via www.regulations.gov or by mail. Scientific papers, data, and maps 
can accompany comments as attachments.
    Comments that provide scientific information, geospatial or other 
data, or anecdotal evidence, etc., to support your input are most 
useful.
    It is BOEM practice to make comments, including names and addresses 
of respondents available for public review. BOEM does not consider 
anonymous comments. Please include your name and address as part of 
your submittal. Individual respondents may request that BOEM withhold 
their names and/or addresses from the public record, but BOEM cannot 
guarantee that it will be able to do so. If you wish your name and/or 
address to be withheld, you must state your preference prominently at 
the beginning of your comment. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

DATES:  Comments should be submitted by March 30, 2015 to the address 
specified above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the 2017-2022 EIS, 
the submission of comments, or BOEM's policies associated with this 
notice, please contact Mr. Geoffrey L. Wikel, Acting Chief, Division of 
Environmental Assessment, Office of Environmental Program, Bureau of 
Ocean Energy Management (HM 3107), 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170-
4817, telephone (703) 787-1283.

    Authority:  This NOI to prepare the 2017-2022 EIS is published 
pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) implementing the 
provisions of NEPA.

    Dated: January 7, 2015.
Abigail Ross Hopper,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2015-01756 Filed 1-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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