Implementation of the Geothermal Sections of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; Public Meeting, 65933-65934 [05-21676]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2005 / Notices initiatives. A mix of restoration approaches will allow the greatest degree of flexibility in the project selection process and will ensure the greatest environmental and socioeconomic benefits. This Draft PEA compares the preferred, blended restoration alternative with alternatives that focus on a single restoration approach, as well as with a no-action alternative in which no restoration is implemented with natural resource damages (NRD) funds. This Draft PEA is part of the restoration planning and implementation phase of the General Electric/Housatonic River Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) case. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 1, 2005. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Draft PEA may be made to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: Veronica Varela, New England Field Office, 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. Written comments or materials regarding the Draft PEA should be sent to the same address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Veronica Varela, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New England Field Office, 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. Interested parties may also call 603–223–2541 or email Veronica_Varela@fws.gov for further information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the period between the late 1930s and the late 1970s, the General Electric Company (GE) facility in Pittsfield, Massachusetts released polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), via the wastewater and storm systems associated with the facility, to the Housatonic River and Silver Lake in Pittsfield. In addition, a number of former oxbows were straightened and filled to alleviate flooding, and subsequently have been found to contain PCB-contaminated soils and fill. The release of PCBs adversely affected natural resources including fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and their habitats, and impacted natural resource-based recreational uses. On October 7, 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Department of Justice; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs; the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of the Attorney General; the U.S. Department of the Interior; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:39 Oct 31, 2005 Jkt 208001 Administration; the City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority; and GE reached a comprehensive agreement concerning the cleanup of GE’s Pittsfield facility, certain off-site properties, and the Housatonic River, and concerning compensation for NRD. The comprehensive agreement was lodged with the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, Springfield, Massachusetts, and approved on October 27, 2000. Under this agreement, GE provided $15.5 million for compensatory restoration activities. Of this amount, $7.75 million (plus interest) will be managed to restore, rehabilitate, replace, or acquire the equivalent of injured natural resources and/or the services they provide to compensate for natural resources adversely affected by PCBs in the Massachusetts watershed of the Housatonic River. The other $7.75 million will be managed under a separate program for compensatory restoration in the Connecticut watershed of the Housatonic River. This Draft PEA examines alternatives for implementing a compensatory restoration program in the Massachusetts portion of the Housatonic River watershed; implementation alternatives in the Connecticut portion will be examined in a later document. The proposed Preferred Alternative in the Draft PEA is a restoration program featuring a mix of restoration approaches, including aquatic restoration, wildlife/terrestrial restoration, enhancement of recreational opportunities, and education/outreach initiatives. A mix of restoration approaches will allow the greatest degree of flexibility in the project selection process and will ensure the greatest environmental and socioeconomic benefits. This Draft PEA compares the preferred, blended restoration alternative with alternatives that focus on a single restoration approach, as well as with a no-action alternative in which no restoration is implemented with NRD funds. Interested members of the public are invited to review and comment on the Draft PEA. Copies of the Draft PEA are available for review at public libraries in the towns of Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Sheffield, and Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Additionally, the Draft PEA will be available for review at the following Web site: https://www.mahousatonicrestoration.org. Written comments will be considered and addressed in the Final PEA as part of the restoration planning process. PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65933 Author: The primary author of this notice is Veronica Varela, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New England Field Office, 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. Authority: The authorities for this action are the NRDAR provisions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Clean Water Act (CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1251–1376), which allow natural resource trustees to bring claims against responsible parties to recover monies and take action to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of natural resources that have been injured by hazardous substances; the CERCLA NRDA regulations (43 CFR Part 11) that guide the allocation and expenditure of NRD recoveries for restoration activities; and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347). Dated: October 18, 2005. Richard O. Bennett, Acting Regional Director, Region 5, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, DOI Authorized Official. [FR Doc. 05–21692 Filed 10–31–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WO–310–06–1310–GEOT] Implementation of the Geothermal Sections of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; Public Meeting Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: A public meeting is being held by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service to solicit suggestions from the public and industry on how to best implement the geothermal provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. DATES: The meeting date is scheduled as follows: November 17, 2005; 1–4 p.m., local time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the following location: Reno Hilton Hotel, 2500 East 2nd Street, Reno, Nevada 89595. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bebout, National Geothermal Program Lead for the BLM at (202) 557–3375 or Bob Fujimoto, Geothermal Lead for the U.S. Forest Service at (503) 808–2430. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting will begin with an overview of the geothermal provisions of the Energy Policy Act. Participants who request to speak will be given a set amount of time to provide suggestions that address E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 65934 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2005 / Notices implementation as well as major areas of interest/concern with the geothermal sections of the Act. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Dated: October 26, 2005. Thomas P. Lonnie, Assistant Director, Minerals, Realty and Resource Protection. [FR Doc. 05–21676 Filed 10–31–05; 8:45 am] Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease MTM 93129 BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO–922–05–1310–FI; COC66816] Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease COC66816 AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management; Interior. Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease. ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2–3(a) and (b)(1), a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease COC66816 for lands in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, was timely filed and was accompanied by all the required rentals accruing from the date of termination. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Land Management, Beverly A. Derringer Chief, Fluid Minerals Adjudication, at 303.239.3765. [MT–922–05–1310–FI–P; (MTM 93129)] Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d), the lessee, Quicksilver Resources Inc. timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease MTM 93129, Hill County, Montana. The lessee paid the required rental accruing from the date of termination, April 1, 2005. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The lessee agrees to new lease terms for rentals and royalties of $10 per acre and 162⁄3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate. The lessee paid the $500 administration fee for the reinstatement of the lease and $155 cost for publishing this Notice. The lessee met the requirements for reinstatement of the lease per Sec. 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188). We are proposing to reinstate the lease, effective the date of termination subject to: • The original terms and conditions of the lease; • The increased rental of $10 per acre; • The increased royalty of 162⁄3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate; and • The $155 cost of publishing this Notice. The lessee has agreed to the amended lease terms for rentals and royalties at rates of $5.00 per acre, or fraction thereof, per year and 16 2/3 percent, respectively. The lessee has paid the required $500 administrative fee and $155 to reimburse the Department for the cost of this Federal Register notice. The lessee has met all the requirements for reinstatement of the lease as set out in Section 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188), and the Bureau of Land Management is proposing to reinstate lease COC66816 effective May 1, 2004, subject to the original terms and conditions of the lease and the increased rental and royalty rates cited above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: November 19, 2004. Beverly A. Derringer, Chief, Fluid Minerals Adjudication. [FR Doc. 05–21739 Filed 10–31–05; 8:45 am] AGENCY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:39 Oct 31, 2005 Jkt 208001 Karen L. Johnson, Chief, Fluids Adjudication Section, BLM Montana State Office, PO Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107, 406–896–5098. Dated: September 22, 2005. Karen L. Johnson, Chief, Fluids Adjudication Section. [FR Doc. 05–21738 Filed 10–31–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–920–1310–01; WYW 146279] Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of proposed reinstatement of terminated oil and gas lease. PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2–3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW146279 from Gulf Exploration LLC for lands in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Land Management, Pamela J. Lewis, Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals Adjudication, at (307) 775–6176. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lessee has agreed to the amended lease terms for rentals and royalties at rates of $10.00 per acre or fraction thereof, per year and 162⁄3 percent, respectively. The lessee has paid the required $500 administrative fee and $166 to reimburse the Department for the cost of this Federal Register notice. The lessee has met all the requirements for reinstatement of the lease as set out in section 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188), and the Bureau of Land Management is proposing to reinstate lease WYW146279 effective October 1, 2004, under the original terms and conditions of the lease and the increased rental and royalty rates cited above. BLM has not issued a valid lease affecting the lands. Pamela J. Lewis, Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals Adjudication. [FR Doc. 05–21740 Filed 10–31–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee; Notice and Agenda for Meeting Minerals Management Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The OCS Policy Committee meeting scheduled for November 15–16, 2005, at the Days Hotel and Conference Center at Dulles in Herndon, Virginia. DATES: Tuesday, November 15, 2005, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, November 16, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ADDRESSES: The Days Hotel and Conference Center at Dulles, 2200 Centreville Road, Herndon, Virginia 20170, telephone (703) 471–6700. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeryne Bryant at Minerals Management E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65933-65934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21676]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-310-06-1310-GEOT]


Implementation of the Geothermal Sections of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005; Public Meeting

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.

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SUMMARY: A public meeting is being held by the Bureau of Land 
Management and the U.S. Forest Service to solicit suggestions from the 
public and industry on how to best implement the geothermal provisions 
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

DATES: The meeting date is scheduled as follows: November 17, 2005; 1-4 
p.m., local time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the following location: Reno 
Hilton Hotel, 2500 East 2nd Street, Reno, Nevada 89595.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bebout, National Geothermal 
Program Lead for the BLM at (202) 557-3375 or Bob Fujimoto, Geothermal 
Lead for the U.S. Forest Service at (503) 808-2430.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting will begin with an overview of 
the geothermal provisions of the Energy Policy Act. Participants who 
request to speak will be given a set amount of time to provide 
suggestions that address

[[Page 65934]]

implementation as well as major areas of interest/concern with the 
geothermal sections of the Act.

    Dated: October 26, 2005.
Thomas P. Lonnie,
Assistant Director, Minerals, Realty and Resource Protection.
[FR Doc. 05-21676 Filed 10-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P

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