Stream Protection Rule; Draft Environmental Impact Statement, 42535-42536 [2015-17307]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 2015 / Notices limited to, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods), wars, riots, acts of terrorism, fires, strikes, civil disorder, or other events of a similar nature. In case of such events, bidders should call (504) 736–0557, or access the BOEM Web site at https:// www.boem.gov, for information regarding any changes. Dated: July 8, 2015. Abigail Ross Hopper, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2015–17632 Filed 7–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [MMAA 104000] Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf, Western Planning Area Oil and Gas Lease Sale 246 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision for Proposed Western Planning Area (WPA) Lease Sale 246, which is analyzed in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2015– 2016; WPA Lease Sales 246 and 248; Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: BOEM has prepared a Record of Decision for proposed oil and gas WPA Lease Sale 246, which is scheduled for August 19, 2015. The proposed lease sale is in the Gulf of Mexico’s WPA off the states of Texas and Louisiana. Proposed WPA Lease Sale 246 is the fourth WPA lease sale scheduled in the OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012–2017. In making its decision, BOEM considered two alternatives to the proposed action, the potential impacts as presented in the WPA 246 and 248 Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and all comments received throughout the National Environmental Policy Act process. The Western Planning Area 246 and 248 Supplemental EIS evaluated the environmental and socioeconomic impacts for proposed Western Planning Area Lease Sale 246. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the WPA 246 and 248 Supplemental EIS, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) evaluated three alternatives that are summarized below: Alternative A—The Proposed Action: This is BOEM’s preferred alternative. This alternative would offer for lease all srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:59 Jul 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 unleased blocks within the proposed WPA lease sale area for oil and gas operations with the following exception: Whole and partial blocks within the boundary of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. All unleased whole and partial blocks in the WPA that BOEM will offer for leasing in proposed WPA Lease Sale 246 are listed in the document ‘‘List of Blocks Available for Leasing,’’ which is included in the Final Notice of Sale 246 Package. The proposed WPA lease sale area encompasses nearly all of the WPA’s 28.58 million acres. As of February 2015, approximately 21.9 million acres of the proposed WPA lease sale area were unleased. The estimated amount of resources projected to be developed as a result of this proposal is 0.116–0.200 billion barrels of oil (BBO) and 0.538–0.938 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas. Alternative B—Exclude the Unleased Blocks Near the Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features: This alternative would offer for lease all unleased blocks within the proposed WPA lease sale area, as described for the proposed action (Alternative A), but it would exclude from leasing any unleased blocks subject to the Topographic Features Stipulation. The estimated amount of resources projected to be developed under this alternative is 0.116–0.200 BBO and 0.538–0.938 Tcf of gas, which is the same as is estimated for Alternative A. The number of blocks that would not be offered under Alternative B represent only a small percentage of the total number of blocks to be offered under Alternative A; therefore, it is expected that the levels of oil and gas activity and related environmental impact for Alternative B would be essentially the same as those projected for a WPA proposed action. Alternative C—No Action: This alternative is the cancellation of proposed WPA Lease Sale 246 and is identified as the environmentally preferable alternative. After careful consideration, BOEM has selected the proposed action, identified as BOEM’s preferred alternative (Alternative A) in the WPA 246 and 248 Supplemental EIS. BOEM’s selection of the preferred alternative meets the purpose and need for the proposed action, as identified in the WPA 246 and 248 Supplemental EIS, and will result in orderly resource development with protection of the human, marine, and coastal environments, while also ensuring that the public receives an equitable return for these resources. Record of Decision (ROD) Availability: To obtain a single printed or CD copy PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42535 of the ROD for proposed WPA Lease Sale 246, you may contact BOEM, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (GM 323A), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394 (1–800–200– GULF). An electronic copy of the ROD is available on BOEM’s Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. Additional Information: For more information on the ROD, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (GM 623E), New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394. You may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at 504–736–3233. Authority: This Notice of Availability is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR part 1503) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 4321 et seq.). Dated: July 8, 2015. Abigail Ross Hopper, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2015–17606 Filed 7–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement [Docket ID: OSM–2010–0021; S1D1 SS08011000SX064A000156S180110; S2D2 SS08011000SX064A00015X501520] Stream Protection Rule; Draft Environmental Impact Statement Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability; Draft Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed stream protection rule is available for public review and comment. SUMMARY: Electronic or written comments: We will accept electronic or written comments on or before September 15, 2015. DATES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. The Docket ID for the DEIS is OSM–2010–0021. Please follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Mail/Hand-Delivery/Courier: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\17JYN1.SGM 17JYN1 42536 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 2015 / Notices Enforcement, Administrative Record, Room 252 SIB, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240. Please include the appropriate Docket ID: OSM–2010–0021 for the DEIS. You may review the proposed rule, the draft environmental impact statement, and the draft regulatory impact analysis online at www.osmre.gov. You also may review these documents in person at the location listed below and at the addresses listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Administrative Record, Room 101 SIB, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240, 202–208– 4264 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Ferguson, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington DC 20240. Telephone: 202–208–2802. Email: rferguson@osmre.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background The DEIS evaluates the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of the proposed stream protection rule and its alternatives. Significant advances in scientific knowledge and mining and reclamation techniques have occurred in the more than 30 years that have elapsed since the enactment of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., and the adoption of federal regulations implementing that law. The primary purpose of the proposed stream protection rule is to update our regulations and provide regulatory certainty to industry using these advances in scientific knowledge to minimize the adverse impacts of surface coal mining operations on surface water, groundwater, fish, wildlife, and related environmental values, with particular emphasis on protecting or restoring streams and aquatic ecosystems. How do I comment on the DEIS? In accordance with 43 CFR 46.435(a) and 40 CFR 1503.1(a)(4), we invite the public to provide written comments on the DEIS during the 60-day comment period. Please see ADDRESSES and DATES for more information. We will review and consider all comments submitted to www.regulations.gov or to the office listed under ADDRESSES by the close of the comment period (see DATES). We cannot ensure that comments received after the close of the comment period or VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:59 Jul 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 at a location other than the office and Web site listed under ADDRESSES will be included in the docket for this DEIS or considered in the development of a final EIS. Please include the Docket ID ‘‘OSM– 2010–0021’’ at the beginning of all comments on the DEIS. Your comments should refer to a specific portion of the DEIS (citation to the chapter, section, page, paragraph, and sentence to which your comment applies would be helpful), be confined to issues pertinent to the DEIS, explain the reason for any recommended change or objection, and include supporting data when appropriate. Before including your address, phone number, or other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personally identifiable information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. You may review the proposed rule, the draft environmental impact statement, and the draft regulatory impact analysis online at the Web sites listed in ADDRESSES or in person at the headquarters office location listed in ADDRESSES and at the following OSMRE regional, field, and area office locations: Appalachian Regional Office, Three Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220, Phone: (412) 937–2828 Mid-Continent Regional Office, William L. Beatty Federal Building, 501 Belle Street, Room 216, Alton, Illinois 62002, Phone: (618) 463–6460 Western Regional Office, 1999 Broadway, Suite 3320, Denver, Colorado 80201, Phone: (303) 844– 1401 Charleston Field Office, 1027 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, West Virginia 25301, Phone: (304) 347–7158 Knoxville Field Office, 710 Locust Street, 2nd floor, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902, Phone: (865) 545– 4103 Lexington Field Office, 2675 Regency Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40503, Phone: (859) 260–3900 Beckley Area Office, 313 Harper Park Drive, Beckley, West Virginia 25801, Phone: (304) 255–5265 Harrisburg Area Office, 215 Limekiln Road, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania 17070, Phone: (717) 730–6985 Albuquerque Area Office, 100 Sun Avenue NE., Pan American Building, Suite 330, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109, Phone: (505) 761–8989 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 Casper Area Office, Dick Cheney Federal Building, 150 East B Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601, Phone: (307) 261–6550 Birmingham Field Office, 135 Gemini Circle, Suite 215, Homewood, Alabama 35209, Phone: (205) 290– 7282 Tulsa Field Office, 1645 South 101st East Avenue, Suite 145, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74128, Phone: (918) 581– 6430 In addition, a limited number of CD copies of the DEIS are available upon request. You may obtain a CD by contacting the person identified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list to receive future information on the EIS, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Public Hearings We will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule and the draft environmental impact statement in the following cities: Charleston, West Virginia; Denver, Colorado; Lexington, Kentucky; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri. OSMRE representatives will provide information on the proposed rule at each hearing. A court reporter will be available at each hearing to record your comments if you wish to provide input in this fashion. The docket for this rulemaking will include a written summary of each hearing and the transcript provided by the court reporter. We will announce arrangements, specific locations, dates, and times for each hearing in a Federal Register notice published at least 7 days before each hearing. If you are a disabled individual who needs reasonable accommodation to attend a public hearing, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT after we publish notice of the specific hearing locations and dates. Dated: July 7, 2015. Sterling Rideout, Assistant Director, Program Support. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.1. [FR Doc. 2015–17307 Filed 7–16–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–05–P E:\FR\FM\17JYN1.SGM 17JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42535-42536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17307]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

[Docket ID: OSM-2010-0021; S1D1 SS08011000SX064A000156S180110; S2D2 
SS08011000SX064A00015X501520]


Stream Protection Rule; Draft Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability; Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

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

SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSMRE), are announcing that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for the proposed stream protection rule is available for public 
review and comment.

DATES: Electronic or written comments: We will accept electronic or 
written comments on or before September 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. The Docket 
ID for the DEIS is OSM-2010-0021. Please follow the online instructions 
for submitting comments.
    Mail/Hand-Delivery/Courier: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation 
and

[[Page 42536]]

Enforcement, Administrative Record, Room 252 SIB, 1951 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240. Please include the appropriate Docket 
ID: OSM-2010-0021 for the DEIS.
    You may review the proposed rule, the draft environmental impact 
statement, and the draft regulatory impact analysis online at 
www.osmre.gov. You also may review these documents in person at the 
location listed below and at the addresses listed under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Administrative 
Record, Room 101 SIB, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20240, 202-208-4264

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Ferguson, Office of Surface 
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Interior, 
1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington DC 20240. Telephone: 202-208-
2802. Email: rferguson@osmre.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The DEIS evaluates the direct, indirect, and cumulative 
environmental impacts of the proposed stream protection rule and its 
alternatives. Significant advances in scientific knowledge and mining 
and reclamation techniques have occurred in the more than 30 years that 
have elapsed since the enactment of the Surface Mining Control and 
Reclamation Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq., and the adoption of 
federal regulations implementing that law. The primary purpose of the 
proposed stream protection rule is to update our regulations and 
provide regulatory certainty to industry using these advances in 
scientific knowledge to minimize the adverse impacts of surface coal 
mining operations on surface water, groundwater, fish, wildlife, and 
related environmental values, with particular emphasis on protecting or 
restoring streams and aquatic ecosystems.

How do I comment on the DEIS?

    In accordance with 43 CFR 46.435(a) and 40 CFR 1503.1(a)(4), we 
invite the public to provide written comments on the DEIS during the 
60-day comment period. Please see ADDRESSES and DATES for more 
information. We will review and consider all comments submitted to 
www.regulations.gov or to the office listed under ADDRESSES by the 
close of the comment period (see DATES). We cannot ensure that comments 
received after the close of the comment period or at a location other 
than the office and Web site listed under ADDRESSES will be included in 
the docket for this DEIS or considered in the development of a final 
EIS.
    Please include the Docket ID ``OSM-2010-0021'' at the beginning of 
all comments on the DEIS. Your comments should refer to a specific 
portion of the DEIS (citation to the chapter, section, page, paragraph, 
and sentence to which your comment applies would be helpful), be 
confined to issues pertinent to the DEIS, explain the reason for any 
recommended change or objection, and include supporting data when 
appropriate. Before including your address, phone number, or other 
personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personally identifiable 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you may 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    You may review the proposed rule, the draft environmental impact 
statement, and the draft regulatory impact analysis online at the Web 
sites listed in ADDRESSES or in person at the headquarters office 
location listed in ADDRESSES and at the following OSMRE regional, 
field, and area office locations:

Appalachian Regional Office, Three Parkway Center, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15220, Phone: (412) 937-2828
Mid-Continent Regional Office, William L. Beatty Federal Building, 501 
Belle Street, Room 216, Alton, Illinois 62002, Phone: (618) 463-6460
Western Regional Office, 1999 Broadway, Suite 3320, Denver, Colorado 
80201, Phone: (303) 844-1401
Charleston Field Office, 1027 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, West 
Virginia 25301, Phone: (304) 347-7158
Knoxville Field Office, 710 Locust Street, 2nd floor, Knoxville, 
Tennessee 37902, Phone: (865) 545-4103
Lexington Field Office, 2675 Regency Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40503, 
Phone: (859) 260-3900
Beckley Area Office, 313 Harper Park Drive, Beckley, West Virginia 
25801, Phone: (304) 255-5265
Harrisburg Area Office, 215 Limekiln Road, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania 
17070, Phone: (717) 730-6985
Albuquerque Area Office, 100 Sun Avenue NE., Pan American Building, 
Suite 330, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109, Phone: (505) 761-8989
Casper Area Office, Dick Cheney Federal Building, 150 East B Street, 
Casper, Wyoming 82601, Phone: (307) 261-6550
Birmingham Field Office, 135 Gemini Circle, Suite 215, Homewood, 
Alabama 35209, Phone: (205) 290-7282
Tulsa Field Office, 1645 South 101st East Avenue, Suite 145, Tulsa, 
Oklahoma 74128, Phone: (918) 581-6430

    In addition, a limited number of CD copies of the DEIS are 
available upon request. You may obtain a CD by contacting the person 
identified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    If you would like to be placed on the mailing list to receive 
future information on the EIS, please contact the person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Public Hearings

    We will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule and the draft 
environmental impact statement in the following cities: Charleston, 
West Virginia; Denver, Colorado; Lexington, Kentucky; Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri. OSMRE representatives will 
provide information on the proposed rule at each hearing. A court 
reporter will be available at each hearing to record your comments if 
you wish to provide input in this fashion. The docket for this 
rulemaking will include a written summary of each hearing and the 
transcript provided by the court reporter.
    We will announce arrangements, specific locations, dates, and times 
for each hearing in a Federal Register notice published at least 7 days 
before each hearing. If you are a disabled individual who needs 
reasonable accommodation to attend a public hearing, please contact the 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT after we publish 
notice of the specific hearing locations and dates.

    Dated: July 7, 2015.
Sterling Rideout,
Assistant Director, Program Support.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.1.
[FR Doc. 2015-17307 Filed 7-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-05-P
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