Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska Region, Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 for Year 2007, 54406-54408 [05-18281]
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54406
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 14, 2005 / Notices
RESPONDENTS’ ESTIMATED ANNUAL BURDEN HOURS—Continued
Annual
number of
responses
30 CFR parts 210 and 216
Reporting requirement
Burden hours
per response
.25 hour (Manual) ...........
216.57 ................................
(a) Any operator of an offshore Facility Measurement
Point * * * must file a Production Allocation
Schedule Report (Form MMS–4058) * * *.
(b) You must submit a Production Allocation Schedule Report, Form MMS–4058, for each calendar
month * * *.
(c) MMS must receive your Form MMS–4058 * * *.
(1) Electronically * * *.
(2) Other than electronically * * *.
§ 216.57 Stripper royalty rate reduction notification ...
Annual burden
hours
3,120
780
Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010–0090
(expires October 31, 2007).
* * * Operators who have been granted a reduced
royalty rate(s) * * * must submit a Stripper Royalty Rate.
Reduction Notification (Form MMS–4377) to MMS
* * *.
Total ............................
.....................................................................................
Estimated Annual Reporting and
Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-hour’’ Cost
Burden: Reporters require access to the
Internet through a subscription to an
Internet provider service. The annual
subscription is estimated at $240 per
reporter.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) provides that an
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and
a person is not required to respond to,
a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Comments: Before submitting an ICR
to OMB, PRA Section 3506(c)(2)(A)
requires each agency ‘‘* * * to provide
notice * * * and otherwise consult
with members of the public and affected
agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information * * *.’’
Agencies must specifically solicit
comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is
necessary for the agency to perform its
duties, including whether the
information is useful; (b) evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d)
minimize the burden on the
respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
The PRA also requires agencies to
estimate the total annual reporting
‘‘non-hour cost’’ burden to respondents
or recordkeepers resulting from the
collection of information. We have not
identified non-hour cost burdens for
this information collection. If you have
costs to generate, maintain, and disclose
VerDate Aug<18>2005
16:17 Sep 13, 2005
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.........................................
this information, you should comment
and provide your total capital and
startup cost components or annual
operation, maintenance, and purchase
of service components. You should
describe the methods you use to
estimate major cost factors, including
system and technology acquisition,
expected useful life of capital
equipment, discount rate(s), and the
period over which you incur costs.
Capital and startup costs include,
among other items, computers and
software you purchase to prepare for
collecting information; monitoring,
sampling, and testing equipment; and
record storage facilities. Generally, your
estimates should not include equipment
or services purchased: (i) Before October
1, 1995; (ii) to comply with
requirements not associated with the
information collection; (iii) for reasons
other than to provide information or
keep records for the Government; or (iv)
as part of customary and usual business
or private practices.
We will summarize written responses
to this notice and address them in our
ICR submission for OMB approval,
including appropriate adjustments to
the estimated burden. We will provide
a copy of the ICR to you without charge
upon request. The ICR also will be
posted on our Web site at https://
www.mrm.mms.gov/Laws_R_D/
FRNotices/FRInfColl.htm.
Public Comment Policy: We will post
all comments in response to this notice
on our Web site at https://
www.mrm.mms.gov/Laws_R_D/
FRNotices/FRInfColl.htm. We also will
make copies of the comments available
for public review, including names and
addresses of respondents, during regular
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310,401
76,631
business hours at our offices in
Lakewood, Colorado. Upon request, we
will withhold an individual
respondent’s home address from the
public record, as allowable by law.
There also may be circumstances in
which we would withhold a
respondent’s identity, as allowable by
law. If you request that we withhold
your name and/or address, state your
request prominently at the beginning of
your comment. However, we will not
consider anonymous comments. We
will make all submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
MMS Information Collection
Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202)
208–7744.
Dated: August 29, 2005.
Lucy Querques Denett,
Associate Director for Minerals Revenue
Management.
[FR Doc. 05–18161 Filed 9–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska
Region, Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas
Lease Sale 193 for Year 2007
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare
an environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: A Call for Information and
Nominations was published in the
E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM
14SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 14, 2005 / Notices
Federal Register on February 9, 2005.
The Call area was identical to the
program area chosen by the Secretary
for leasing consideration in the 5-Year
Program for 2002–2007—approximately
34 million acres located offshore the
coast of Alaska at a distance from shore
ranging from 8 nautical miles to 200
nautical miles. Water depths range from
32 feet to 230 feet; a small portion of the
northeast corner of the Chukchi Sea area
drops to approximately 3,000 feet.
Scoping meetings will then be held as
needed in appropriate locations.
The response to the February 2005
Call for Information for the Chukchi Sea
Planning Area indicated a broader
industry interest than envisioned in the
‘‘special’’ sale process outlined in the
Federal Register notice. Instead of
nominating a small ‘‘focused’’ area,
industry commenters proposed
consideration of a substantial portion of
the planning area. MMS has concluded
that consideration of such a large area
has merit in light of the significant
resource potential and the
Administration’s goal to expedite
exploration of domestic energy
resources. However, consideration of
such a proposal warrants a more
extensive National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) review than
contemplated under the ‘‘special’’ sale
process that MMS initially considered.
Therefore, MMS will initiate a process
to prepare a comprehensive ‘‘areawide’’
Chukchi Sea EIS. As a result, however,
it may not be possible to complete such
an EIS in time to allow a sale during the
current program. Nonetheless, MMS
will initiate the process at this time to
preserve the Secretary’s options.
Commencement of the consultative
process in the near future will allow the
Secretary to consider a Chukchi lease
sale either at the end of the 2002–2007
Program or early in the schedule for the
next 5-Year Program for 2007–2012, but
only if such a proposed sale is adopted
in the next 5-year program. The decision
whether to include such a sale will be
made during the process of developing
the 5-Year Program for 2007–2012.
Our first action to initiate the NEPA
review is to issue this NOI. Scoping
meetings will then be held as needed in
appropriate locations.
DATES: Comments must be received no
later than October 31, 2005 in envelopes
labeled ‘‘Comments on the Notice of
Intent to Prepare an EIS for Proposed
Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193 included in
the 5-Year Program 2002–2007.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Please call David Johnston at (907) 334–
5273 in MMS’s Alaska OCS Region
regarding questions on the NOI.
VerDate Aug<18>2005
16:17 Sep 13, 2005
Jkt 205001
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement
1. Authority
The NOI is published pursuant to the
regulations (40 CFR 1501.7)
implementing the provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
(1988)) (NEPA).
2. Purpose of Notice of Intent
Pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR
1501.7) implementing the procedural
provisions of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), MMS is
announcing its intent to prepare an EIS
for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease
Sale 193, which is identified in the 5Year Program (July 2002 through June
2007). The EIS analysis will focus on
the potential environmental effects of
the sale, exploration, development and
production in the areas selected to be
considered for leasing. This NOI also
serves to announce the initiation of the
scoping process for this EIS. Throughout
the scoping process, Federal, State,
Tribal, and local governments and other
interested parties aid MMS in
determining the significant issues,
potential alternatives, mitigating
measures and alternatives to be
analyzed in the EIS and the possible
need for additional information.
Alternatives to the proposals that may
be considered are to delay the sale;
modify the size, area, or terms of the
sale; or cancel the sale. These and any
additional alternatives developed
through the scoping and analytical
process will be considered in the salespecific decision process. Scoping is
intended to solicit input on the scope of
the EIS—specifically the issues,
alternatives, and mitigation measures.
Scoping meetings will be held, as
needed, in appropriate locations that
MMS will announce at a later date.
3. Instructions on Notice of Intent
Federal, state, tribal, and local
governments and other interested
parties are requested to send their
written comments on the scope of the
EIS, significant issues that should be
addressed, and potential alternatives
and mitigating measures that should be
considered to the Regional Supervisor,
Leasing and Environment, Alaska OCS
Region. Comments should be enclosed
in an envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on
the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS on
Proposed Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193
included in the 5-Year Program, 2002–
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54407
2007.’’ Comments are due no later than
October 31, 2005.
If you wish to comment on this
decision or provide scoping comments
on the EIS, you may submit your
comments by any one the following
methods:
• You may mail comments to: Alaska
OCS Region, Minerals Management
Service, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite
500, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503–5823,
https://www.mms.gov/alaska.
• You may also comment via e-mail
to ChukchiSeaSale193@mms.gov. Please
submit Internet comments as an ASCII
file avoiding the use of special
characters and any form of encryption.
Please also include ‘‘Attn: Sale 193
EIS’’, in the subject line, and your name
and return address in your Internet
message. If you do not receive a
confirmation from the system that we
have received your Internet message,
contact us directly at (907) 334–5207.
• Finally, you may hand-deliver
comments to the address above.
Our practice is to make comments,
including names and addresses of
respondents, available for public review
during regular business hours.
Individual respondents may request that
we withhold their address from the
rulemaking record, which we will honor
to the extent allowable by law. There
also may be circumstances in which we
would withhold a respondent’s identity,
as allowable by law. If you wish us to
withhold your name and/or address,
you must state this prominently at the
beginning of your comment. However,
we will not consider anonymous
comments. We will make all
submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
4. Cooperating Agency
The Department of the Interior invites
other Federal, state, tribal, and local
governments to consider becoming
cooperating agencies in the preparation
of the EIS. We invite qualified
government entities to inquire about
cooperating agency status for this lease
sale EIS. Per guidelines from the
Council of Environmental Quality
(CEQ), qualified agencies and
governments are those with
‘‘jurisdiction by law or special
expertise.’’ Potential cooperating
agencies should consider their authority
and capacity to assume the
responsibilities of a cooperating agency
and to remember that your role in the
environmental analysis neither enlarges
nor diminishes the final decision
E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM
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54408
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 14, 2005 / Notices
making authority of any other agency
involved in the NEPA process. Upon
request, MMS will provide potential
cooperating agencies with a written
summary of ground rules for
cooperating agencies, including time
schedules and critical action dates,
milestones, responsibilities, scope and
detail of cooperating agencies’
contributions, and availability of predecisional information. MMS
anticipates this summary will form the
basis for a Memorandum of
Understanding between the MMS and
each cooperating agency. You should
also consider the ‘‘Factors for
Determining Cooperating Agency
Status’’ in Attachment 1 to CEQ’s
January 30, 2002, Memorandum for the
Heads of Federal Agencies on
Cooperating Agencies in Implementing
the Procedural Requirements of The
National Environmental Policy Act. A
copy of this document is available at:
(https://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/
cooperating/
cooperatingagenciesmemorandum.html)
and (https://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/
cooperating/
cooperatingagencymemofactors.html).
The MMS, as the lead agency, will not
be providing financial assistance to
cooperating agencies. Even if your
organization is not a cooperating
agency, you will continue to have
opportunities to provide information
and comments to MMS during the
normal public input phases of the
NEPA/EIS process. MMS will also
consult with Tribal governments on a
Government-to-Government basis. If you
would like further information about
cooperating agencies, please contact Mr.
Paul Stang, Regional Supervisor,
Leasing and Environment, at the address
noted above or by phone at (907) 334–
5230.
5. Existing Information
The MMS has acquired a substantial
amount of information, including that
gained through the use of traditional
knowledge, on the issues and concerns
related to oil and gas leasing in the
Chukchi Sea. Much of this information
has been developed as a result of past
lease sales and Environmental Impact
Statements in the Chukchi Sea. In
addition, an extensive environmental,
social, and economic studies program
has been underway in this area since
1975 in Alaska. The emphasis has been
on geologic mapping, environmental
characterization of biologically-sensitive
habitats, endangered whales and marine
mammals, physical oceanography,
ocean-circulation modeling, and
ecological and socio-cultural effects of
oil and gas activities.
VerDate Aug<18>2005
16:17 Sep 13, 2005
Jkt 205001
Information on the studies program,
completed studies, and a program status
report for continuing studies in this area
may be obtained from the Chief,
Environmental Studies Section, Alaska
OCS Region, by telephone request at
(907) 334–5280, or by written request at
the address stated under NOI comments
above. A request may also be made via
the Alaska Region Web site at https://
www.mms.gov/alaska/ref/pubindex/
pubsindex.htm.
Dated: August 30, 2005.
Francis Hodsoll,
Acting Director, Minerals Management
Service.
[FR Doc. 05–18281 Filed 9–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
Submission for OMB Review:
Comment Request
September 1, 2005.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has
submitted the following public
information collection request (ICR) to
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and approval in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13,
44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of this
ICR, with applicable supporting
documentation, may be obtained by
contacting Darrin King on 202–693–
4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or
email: king.darrin@dol.gov.
Comments should be sent to Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the
Employment Standards Administration
(ESA), Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC
20503, 202–395–7316 (this is not a tollfree number), within 30 days from the
date of this publication in the Federal
Register.
The OMB is particularly interested in
comments which:
• Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
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Frm 00059
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
Agency: Employment Standards
Administration.
Type of Review: Extension of
currently approved collection.
Title: Construction Recordkeeping
and Reporting.
OMB Number: 1215–0163.
Frequency: Annually.
Type of Response: Recordkeeping;
Reporting; and Third party disclosure.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit and Not-for-profit institutions.
Number of Respondents: 178,487.
Annual Reponses: 178,487.
Average Response Time: Varies.
Total Annual Burden Hours:
1,710,325.
Total Annualized Capital/Startup
Costs: $0.
Total Annual Costs (Operating/
Maintaining Systems or Purchasing
Services): $0.
Description: 41 CFR chapter 60 sets
out the purpose and scope of the
affirmative action requirements for
construction contractors. Accordingly,
contractors should implement the
specific affirmative action steps in
accordance with 41 CFR 60–4.3(a)7. The
recordkeeping and reporting by Federal
and Federally assisted construction
contractors and subcontractors is
necessary to substantiate their
compliance with nondiscrimination and
affirmative action contractual
obligations.
Darrin A. King,
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05–18214 Filed 9–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–CM–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training
Administration
Proposed Information Collection
Request Submitted for Public
Comment and Recommendations;
ETA–204 Experience Rating Report
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as
part of its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork and respondent burden,
conducts a preclearance consultation
program to provide the general public
and Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on proposed
and/or continuing collections of
E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM
14SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54406-54408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18281]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska Region, Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas
Lease Sale 193 for Year 2007
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact
statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: A Call for Information and Nominations was published in the
[[Page 54407]]
Federal Register on February 9, 2005. The Call area was identical to
the program area chosen by the Secretary for leasing consideration in
the 5-Year Program for 2002-2007--approximately 34 million acres
located offshore the coast of Alaska at a distance from shore ranging
from 8 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles. Water depths range from 32
feet to 230 feet; a small portion of the northeast corner of the
Chukchi Sea area drops to approximately 3,000 feet. Scoping meetings
will then be held as needed in appropriate locations.
The response to the February 2005 Call for Information for the
Chukchi Sea Planning Area indicated a broader industry interest than
envisioned in the ``special'' sale process outlined in the Federal
Register notice. Instead of nominating a small ``focused'' area,
industry commenters proposed consideration of a substantial portion of
the planning area. MMS has concluded that consideration of such a large
area has merit in light of the significant resource potential and the
Administration's goal to expedite exploration of domestic energy
resources. However, consideration of such a proposal warrants a more
extensive National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review than
contemplated under the ``special'' sale process that MMS initially
considered. Therefore, MMS will initiate a process to prepare a
comprehensive ``areawide'' Chukchi Sea EIS. As a result, however, it
may not be possible to complete such an EIS in time to allow a sale
during the current program. Nonetheless, MMS will initiate the process
at this time to preserve the Secretary's options. Commencement of the
consultative process in the near future will allow the Secretary to
consider a Chukchi lease sale either at the end of the 2002-2007
Program or early in the schedule for the next 5-Year Program for 2007-
2012, but only if such a proposed sale is adopted in the next 5-year
program. The decision whether to include such a sale will be made
during the process of developing the 5-Year Program for 2007-2012.
Our first action to initiate the NEPA review is to issue this NOI.
Scoping meetings will then be held as needed in appropriate locations.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than October 31, 2005 in
envelopes labeled ``Comments on the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS
for Proposed Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193 included in the 5-Year Program
2002-2007.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please call David Johnston at (907)
334-5273 in MMS's Alaska OCS Region regarding questions on the NOI.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
1. Authority
The NOI is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7)
implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1988)) (NEPA).
2. Purpose of Notice of Intent
Pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) implementing the
procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), MMS is announcing its intent to prepare an
EIS for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, which is identified
in the 5-Year Program (July 2002 through June 2007). The EIS analysis
will focus on the potential environmental effects of the sale,
exploration, development and production in the areas selected to be
considered for leasing. This NOI also serves to announce the initiation
of the scoping process for this EIS. Throughout the scoping process,
Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments and other interested
parties aid MMS in determining the significant issues, potential
alternatives, mitigating measures and alternatives to be analyzed in
the EIS and the possible need for additional information. Alternatives
to the proposals that may be considered are to delay the sale; modify
the size, area, or terms of the sale; or cancel the sale. These and any
additional alternatives developed through the scoping and analytical
process will be considered in the sale-specific decision process.
Scoping is intended to solicit input on the scope of the EIS--
specifically the issues, alternatives, and mitigation measures. Scoping
meetings will be held, as needed, in appropriate locations that MMS
will announce at a later date.
3. Instructions on Notice of Intent
Federal, state, tribal, and local governments and other interested
parties are requested to send their written comments on the scope of
the EIS, significant issues that should be addressed, and potential
alternatives and mitigating measures that should be considered to the
Regional Supervisor, Leasing and Environment, Alaska OCS Region.
Comments should be enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on the
Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS on Proposed Chukchi Sea Lease Sale
193 included in the 5-Year Program, 2002-2007.'' Comments are due no
later than October 31, 2005.
If you wish to comment on this decision or provide scoping comments
on the EIS, you may submit your comments by any one the following
methods:
You may mail comments to: Alaska OCS Region, Minerals
Management Service, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage,
Alaska, 99503-5823, https://www.mms.gov/alaska.
You may also comment via e-mail to
ChukchiSeaSale193@mms.gov. Please submit Internet comments as an ASCII
file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
Please also include ``Attn: Sale 193 EIS'', in the subject line, and
your name and return address in your Internet message. If you do not
receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your
Internet message, contact us directly at (907) 334-5207.
Finally, you may hand-deliver comments to the address
above.
Our practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of
respondents, available for public review during regular business hours.
Individual respondents may request that we withhold their address from
the rulemaking record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by
law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold a
respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold
your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the
beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous
comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
4. Cooperating Agency
The Department of the Interior invites other Federal, state,
tribal, and local governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies
in the preparation of the EIS. We invite qualified government entities
to inquire about cooperating agency status for this lease sale EIS. Per
guidelines from the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ), qualified
agencies and governments are those with ``jurisdiction by law or
special expertise.'' Potential cooperating agencies should consider
their authority and capacity to assume the responsibilities of a
cooperating agency and to remember that your role in the environmental
analysis neither enlarges nor diminishes the final decision
[[Page 54408]]
making authority of any other agency involved in the NEPA process. Upon
request, MMS will provide potential cooperating agencies with a written
summary of ground rules for cooperating agencies, including time
schedules and critical action dates, milestones, responsibilities,
scope and detail of cooperating agencies' contributions, and
availability of pre-decisional information. MMS anticipates this
summary will form the basis for a Memorandum of Understanding between
the MMS and each cooperating agency. You should also consider the
``Factors for Determining Cooperating Agency Status'' in Attachment 1
to CEQ's January 30, 2002, Memorandum for the Heads of Federal Agencies
on Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of
The National Environmental Policy Act. A copy of this document is
available at: (https://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/cooperating/
cooperatingagenciesmemorandum.html) and (https://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/
regs/cooperating/cooperatingagencymemofactors.html).
The MMS, as the lead agency, will not be providing financial
assistance to cooperating agencies. Even if your organization is not a
cooperating agency, you will continue to have opportunities to provide
information and comments to MMS during the normal public input phases
of the NEPA/EIS process. MMS will also consult with Tribal governments
on a Government-to-Government basis. If you would like further
information about cooperating agencies, please contact Mr. Paul Stang,
Regional Supervisor, Leasing and Environment, at the address noted
above or by phone at (907) 334-5230.
5. Existing Information
The MMS has acquired a substantial amount of information, including
that gained through the use of traditional knowledge, on the issues and
concerns related to oil and gas leasing in the Chukchi Sea. Much of
this information has been developed as a result of past lease sales and
Environmental Impact Statements in the Chukchi Sea. In addition, an
extensive environmental, social, and economic studies program has been
underway in this area since 1975 in Alaska. The emphasis has been on
geologic mapping, environmental characterization of biologically-
sensitive habitats, endangered whales and marine mammals, physical
oceanography, ocean-circulation modeling, and ecological and socio-
cultural effects of oil and gas activities.
Information on the studies program, completed studies, and a
program status report for continuing studies in this area may be
obtained from the Chief, Environmental Studies Section, Alaska OCS
Region, by telephone request at (907) 334-5280, or by written request
at the address stated under NOI comments above. A request may also be
made via the Alaska Region Web site at https://www.mms.gov/alaska/ref/
pubindex/pubsindex.htm.
Dated: August 30, 2005.
Francis Hodsoll,
Acting Director, Minerals Management Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18281 Filed 9-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
