Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project, 73481-73482 [05-23933]

Download as PDF 73481 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 237 / Monday, December 12, 2005 / Notices Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; fax: 202–395–6974. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Eddins, Reports Management Officer, AYO, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410; email Wayne_Eddins@HUD.gov; or Lillian Deitzer at Lillian_L_Deitzer@HUD.gov or telephone (202) 708–2374. This is not a toll-free number. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Mr. Eddins or Ms. Deitzer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has submitted to OMB a request for approval of the information collection described below. This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affecting agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: (1) 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; (2) evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. This notice also lists the following information: Title of Proposal: Single Family Premium Collection Subsystem— Periodic (SFPCS–P). OMB Approval Number: 2502–0536. Form Numbers: None. Description of the Need for the Information and Its Proposed Use: The SFPCS–P is used to collect monthly mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) from mortgagees. The Credit Reform Act of 1990 requires FHA to report case level mortgage insurance payment information for each endorsement. In addition, 24 CFR 203.264 requires mortgagees to pay monthly MIP’s and 24 CFR 203.269 requires that the MIP’s be remitted Electronically. Frequency of Submission: On occasion, Monthly. Number of respondents Reporting Burden .............................................................................................. Total Estimated Burden Hours: 5,670. Status: Extension of a currently approved collection. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. Dated: December 2, 2005. Wayne Eddins, Departmental Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E5–7175 Filed 12–9–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–72–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–920–09–1320–EL, WYW164826] Coal Lease Exploration License, WY AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of invitation for coal exploration license. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 CFR 3410, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in its program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Campbell County, WY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:51 Dec 09, 2005 Jkt 208001 Annual responses 3,150 12 T. 43 N., R. 71 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming Sec. 23: Lots 1 through 16; Sec. 26: Lots 1 through 16; Sec. 35: Lots 1 through 16. Containing 1976.69 acres, more or less. All of the coal in the above-described land consists of unleased Federal coal within the Powder River Basin Known Coal Leasing Area. The purpose of the exploration program is to obtain coal structure and quality data and to assess the reserves contained in a potential lease. The proposed exploration program is fully described and will be conducted pursuant to an exploration plan to be approved by the Bureau of Land Management. ADDRESSES: Copies of the exploration plan are available for review during normal business hours in the following offices (serialized under number WYW164826): Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003; and, Bureau of Land Management, Casper Field Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604. The written notice should be sent to the following addresses: Ark Land Company, Attn: Michael Lincoln, P.O. Box 460, Hanna, WY 82327, and the Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, Branch of Solid Minerals, Attn: Julie Weaver, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of invitation will be published in ‘‘The News-Record’’ of Gillette, WY, once each week for two consecutive weeks beginning the week of December PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 × Hours per response = 0.15 Burden hours 5,670 12, 2005, and in the Federal Register. Any party electing to participate in this exploration program must send written notice to both the Bureau of Land Management and Ark Land Company, as provided in the ADDRESSES section above, no later than thirty days after publication of this invitation in the Federal Register. The foregoing is published in the Federal Register pursuant to 43 CFR 3410.2–1(c)(1). Dated: October 25, 2005. Alan Rabinoff, Deputy State Director, Minerals and Lands. [FR Doc. E5–6974 Filed 12–9–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–030–1310–DB] Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project, Rawlins, Wyoming. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Atlantic Rim Natural E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM 12DEN1 73482 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 237 / Monday, December 12, 2005 / Notices Gas Development Project DEIS. The DEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of a proposed natural gas development and production operation on the 270,080 acre Atlantic Rim project area. The area is located within the administrative jurisdiction of the BLM Rawlins Field Office, and runs in an arc between Rawlins and Baggs in Townships 12–20 North, Ranges 89–93 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Carbon County, Wyoming. DATES: The DEIS will be available for review and comment for 60 calendar days starting on the date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM can best utilize your comments and resource information submissions within the 60 day review period provided above. ADDRESSES: A copy of the DEIS has been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies and to interested parties. The document may be available electronically on the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/ state_info/planning.htm. If you are interested in viewing material referenced or posted to the BLM Web site, please contact the Rawlins Field Office as to its availability. Copies of the DEIS will be available for public inspection at the following locations: • Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003. • Bureau of Land Management, Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. Third Street, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Mr. David Simons, Project Lead, BLM Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. Third Street, Rawlins, WY 82301. Requests for information may be sent electronically to: rawlins_wymail@blm.gov with ‘‘Attention: Atlantic Rim DEIS Information Request’’ in the subject line. Mr. Simons may also be reached at (307) 328–4328. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anadarko Petroleum is lead proponent for a proposal to explore for and develop natural gas resources from coal and other formations in the Atlantic Rim project area. Petroleum Development Corporation (PEDCO), Merit Energy Company, and Double Eagle Petroleum and Mining Company are also participating in this proposal. The companies propose to drill up to 2,000 wells, 1800 completed to coal formations and 200 to other geologic targets for natural gas. Over approximately the next 20 years, the Operators propose to explore for and VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:51 Dec 09, 2005 Jkt 208001 develop the oil and gas resources held through their existing leases within the Atlantic Rim Project Area. Life-ofProject is expected to be 30 to 50 years. Well density completed in coal formations would usually be 8 wells per 640 acre section of land; wells in other geologic formations would be spaced no tighter than 4 wells per section. This proposal arises from the results of exploratory drilling under an interim drilling plan. Prior to preparation of the Atlantic Rim EIS, 6 exploratory plans of development (pods) of up to 24 wells each were completed in areas believed to have potential for commercial quantities of natural gas within the project area. Approximately 325 oil and gas wells have been drilled or approved for drilling within the Atlantic Rim project area; up to 2,000 additional wells could be drilled over the next 20 years. The BLM published its Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project in the Federal Register on June 26, 2001. Based upon issues and concerns identified during scoping and throughout the NEPA process, the Atlantic Rim DEIS focuses on impacts to air quality, biological and physical resources, transportation, socioeconomics, and cumulative effects. In compliance with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended, the DEIS includes a biological assessment for the purpose of identifying endangered or threatened species which may be affected by the Proposed Action. The Atlantic Rim DEIS analyzed four alternatives in detail: 1. The Proposed Action Alternative, as described below; 2. The No Action Alternative, which means the project as proposed would be rejected by the BLM; 3. Alternative A—Phased development; and, 4. Alternative B—Special protection of sensitive resources. The agency’s preferred alternative is Alternative B. The Atlantic Rim DEIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action (development of 2,000 natural gas wells), principally including the construction of access roads, pipelines, and other ancillary facilities (gas processing plant, compressor stations, water disposal sites, etc.). In the No Action alternative, BLM would reject the proposed action, as submitted. Alternative A analyzes the sequential development of the Atlantic Rim proposed action in three phases. The development period for each phase would be 6 to 7 years over the 20 year PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 period envisioned in the proposed action. For Alternative B, development would occur as in the proposed action, but would be intensively mitigated or limited where sensitive resource values exist or overlap. Examples of sensitive resources include threatened, endangered, and sensitive wildlife; fish and plant species; fragile soils; and unique cultural values. How To Submit Comments The BLM welcomes your comments on the Atlantic Rim DEIS. Comments may be submitted as follows: 1. Comments may be electronically mailed to rawlins_wymail@blm.gov. Please submit electronic comments with ‘‘Attn: Atlantic Rim Project Manager’’ in the subject line and avoid using special characters and any form of encryption. Please do not include any attachments, as the BLM e-mail security system will not accept them. If you do not receive a confirmation from our system that your comment has been received, please contact Mr. David Simons, Project Lead, Rawlins Field Office, (307) 328–4328. 2. Written comments may be mailed or delivered to the BLM at: Atlantic Rim DEIS, Project Manager, Bureau of Land Management Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. Third Street, P.O. Box 2407, Rawlins, WY 82301. The BLM will only accept comments on the Atlantic Rim DEIS if they are submitted using one of the methods described above. To be given consideration by BLM, all DEIS comment submittals must include the commenter’s name and street address. Our practice is to make comments, including the names and street addresses of each respondent, available for public review at the BLM office listed above during business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. Your comments may be disclosed as part of the EIS process. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold any information from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. We will not consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Dated: October 25, 2005. Alan L. Kesterke, Associate State Director. [FR Doc. 05–23933 Filed 12–9–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM 12DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 237 (Monday, December 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73481-73482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23933]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY-030-1310-DB]


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project, 
Rawlins, Wyoming.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Atlantic Rim Natural

[[Page 73482]]

Gas Development Project DEIS. The DEIS analyzes the environmental 
consequences of a proposed natural gas development and production 
operation on the 270,080 acre Atlantic Rim project area. The area is 
located within the administrative jurisdiction of the BLM Rawlins Field 
Office, and runs in an arc between Rawlins and Baggs in Townships 12-20 
North, Ranges 89-93 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Carbon County, 
Wyoming.

DATES: The DEIS will be available for review and comment for 60 
calendar days starting on the date the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The 
BLM can best utilize your comments and resource information submissions 
within the 60 day review period provided above.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the DEIS has been sent to affected Federal, State, 
and local government agencies and to interested parties. The document 
may be available electronically on the following Web site: https://
www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/state_info/planning.htm. If you are 
interested in viewing material referenced or posted to the BLM Web 
site, please contact the Rawlins Field Office as to its availability.
    Copies of the DEIS will be available for public inspection at the 
following locations:
     Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 
Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003.
     Bureau of Land Management, Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. 
Third Street, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Mr. David Simons, Project Lead, BLM 
Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. Third Street, Rawlins, WY 82301. Requests 
for information may be sent electronically to: rawlins_wymail@blm.gov 
with ``Attention: Atlantic Rim DEIS Information Request'' in the 
subject line. Mr. Simons may also be reached at (307) 328-4328.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anadarko Petroleum is lead proponent for a 
proposal to explore for and develop natural gas resources from coal and 
other formations in the Atlantic Rim project area. Petroleum 
Development Corporation (PEDCO), Merit Energy Company, and Double Eagle 
Petroleum and Mining Company are also participating in this proposal. 
The companies propose to drill up to 2,000 wells, 1800 completed to 
coal formations and 200 to other geologic targets for natural gas. Over 
approximately the next 20 years, the Operators propose to explore for 
and develop the oil and gas resources held through their existing 
leases within the Atlantic Rim Project Area. Life-of-Project is 
expected to be 30 to 50 years. Well density completed in coal 
formations would usually be 8 wells per 640 acre section of land; wells 
in other geologic formations would be spaced no tighter than 4 wells 
per section.
    This proposal arises from the results of exploratory drilling under 
an interim drilling plan. Prior to preparation of the Atlantic Rim EIS, 
6 exploratory plans of development (pods) of up to 24 wells each were 
completed in areas believed to have potential for commercial quantities 
of natural gas within the project area. Approximately 325 oil and gas 
wells have been drilled or approved for drilling within the Atlantic 
Rim project area; up to 2,000 additional wells could be drilled over 
the next 20 years.
    The BLM published its Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the 
Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project in the Federal Register on 
June 26, 2001. Based upon issues and concerns identified during scoping 
and throughout the NEPA process, the Atlantic Rim DEIS focuses on 
impacts to air quality, biological and physical resources, 
transportation, socio-economics, and cumulative effects. In compliance 
with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended, the DEIS 
includes a biological assessment for the purpose of identifying 
endangered or threatened species which may be affected by the Proposed 
Action.
    The Atlantic Rim DEIS analyzed four alternatives in detail:
    1. The Proposed Action Alternative, as described below;
    2. The No Action Alternative, which means the project as proposed 
would be rejected by the BLM;
    3. Alternative A--Phased development; and,
    4. Alternative B--Special protection of sensitive resources.
    The agency's preferred alternative is Alternative B.
    The Atlantic Rim DEIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action 
(development of 2,000 natural gas wells), principally including the 
construction of access roads, pipelines, and other ancillary facilities 
(gas processing plant, compressor stations, water disposal sites, 
etc.). In the No Action alternative, BLM would reject the proposed 
action, as submitted. Alternative A analyzes the sequential development 
of the Atlantic Rim proposed action in three phases. The development 
period for each phase would be 6 to 7 years over the 20 year period 
envisioned in the proposed action. For Alternative B, development would 
occur as in the proposed action, but would be intensively mitigated or 
limited where sensitive resource values exist or overlap. Examples of 
sensitive resources include threatened, endangered, and sensitive 
wildlife; fish and plant species; fragile soils; and unique cultural 
values.

How To Submit Comments

    The BLM welcomes your comments on the Atlantic Rim DEIS. Comments 
may be submitted as follows:
    1. Comments may be electronically mailed to rawlins_
wymail@blm.gov. Please submit electronic comments with ``Attn: Atlantic 
Rim Project Manager'' in the subject line and avoid using special 
characters and any form of encryption. Please do not include any 
attachments, as the BLM e-mail security system will not accept them. If 
you do not receive a confirmation from our system that your comment has 
been received, please contact Mr. David Simons, Project Lead, Rawlins 
Field Office, (307) 328-4328.
    2. Written comments may be mailed or delivered to the BLM at: 
Atlantic Rim DEIS, Project Manager, Bureau of Land Management Rawlins 
Field Office, 1300 N. Third Street, P.O. Box 2407, Rawlins, WY 82301.
    The BLM will only accept comments on the Atlantic Rim DEIS if they 
are submitted using one of the methods described above. To be given 
consideration by BLM, all DEIS comment submittals must include the 
commenter's name and street address.
    Our practice is to make comments, including the names and street 
addresses of each respondent, available for public review at the BLM 
office listed above during business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), 
Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. Your comments may 
be disclosed as part of the EIS process. Individual respondents may 
request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold any information from 
public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 
you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written 
comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. 
We will not consider anonymous comments. All submissions from 
organizations or businesses will be made available for public 
inspection in their entirety.

    Dated: October 25, 2005.
Alan L. Kesterke,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 05-23933 Filed 12-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
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