Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western and Central Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2007-2012, 66971-66972 [E6-19486]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 222 / Friday, November 17, 2006 / Notices comments. Please include your name and return address in your email message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your email message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home address from the administrative record. We will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law. There may also be other circumstances in which we would withhold from the administrative record a respondent’s identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. We will not, however, 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. Background: Due to the reduction in quality and acreage and the rapid development of xeric (bare, scrub-like areas with sandy soils, open canopies) upland communities, the sand skink is reportedly declining throughout most of its range. By some estimates, as much as 90 percent of the scrub ecosystem has already been lost to residential development and conversion to agriculture, primarily citrus groves. Applicant’s Proposal: The applicant is requesting take of 3.7 acres of occupied sand skink habitat incidental to the construction of a shopping center (Hancock Commons) on 13.96 acres in Lake County, Florida. Hancock Commons is located south of State Road 50 and East of Hancock Road, in Section 27, Township 22 South, Range 26 East, near Clermont. The proposed Hancock Commons development will consist of approximately 38,100 square feet of shopping center space that will support a bank, a fast-food restaurant, a sit-down restaurant, and retail sale. Currently, the property consists primarily of xeric oak forest with scattered open patches of sand and a disturbed area along the western boundary. The Applicant proposes to mitigate for 3.7 acres of impacts by purchasing a ±43-acre parcel in Polk County, FL, within the boundaries of the Lake Wales Ridge. This property is being referred to as the Eddinger Mitigation Property and is located south of State Road 60, west VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:31 Nov 16, 2006 Jkt 211001 of Walk-in-the-Water Road, in Section 6, Township 31 South, Range 29 East. This property consists of three tax parcels, the northern two of which are being utilized to mitigate for the impacts associated with the Hancock Commons development. The Service has determined that the Applicant’s proposal, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, will have a minor or negligible effect on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the ITP is a ‘‘loweffect’’ project and qualifies for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6 Appendix 1). This preliminary information may be revised based on our review of public comments that we receive in response to this notice. Low-effect HCPs are those involving (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species and their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. We will evaluate the HCP and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). If we determine that the application meets those requirements, we will issue the ITP for incidental take of the sand skink. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP complies with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. We will use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, in the final analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ITP. Authority: We provide this notice under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: November 6, 2006. David L. Hankla, Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office. [FR Doc. E6–19442 Filed 11–16–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western and Central Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2007–2012 Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66971 Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Public Hearings. ACTION: SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on tentatively scheduled 2007–2012 oil and gas leasing proposals in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico (GOM), off the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Authority: The NOA and notice of public hearings is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1988)). Federal regulations allow for several proposals to be analyzed in one EIS (40 CFR 1502.4). Since each sale proposal and projected activities are very similar each year for each sale area, the MMS has prepared a single EIS (multisale EIS) for the five Western and six Central GOM lease sales scheduled for 2007–2012 in the draft proposed OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program: 2007–2012. The multisale approach is intended to focus the NEPA process for individual sales on the differences between the proposed sales and on new issues and information. The multisale EIS will eliminate the repetitive issuance of complete draft and final EIS’s for each sale area. The resource estimates and scenario information for the EIS analyses will be presented as a range that would encompass the resources and activities estimated for any of the eleven proposed lease sales. Although this EIS addresses eleven proposed lease sales, at the completion of this EIS process, decisions will be made only for proposed Lease Sale 204 in the Western Planning Area (WPA), and proposed Lease Sale 205 in the Central Planning Area (CPA). Subsequent to these first sales, a NEPA review will be conducted for each of the other proposed lease sales in the 2007–2012 Leasing Program. Formal consultation with other Federal agencies, the affected states, and the public will be carried out to assist in the determination of whether or not the information and analyses in the original multisale EIS are still valid. These consultations and NEPA reviews will be completed before decisions are made on the subsequent sales. EIS Availability: To obtain a single, printed or CD–ROM copy of the draft EIS, you may contact the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 114, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394 (1–800–200– SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM 17NON1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 66972 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 222 / Friday, November 17, 2006 / Notices GULF). An electronic copy of the draft EIS is available at the MMS’s Internet Web site at https://www.gomr.mms.gov/ homepg/regulate/environ/nepa/ nepaprocess.html. Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent copies of the draft EIS. To find out which libraries, and their locations, have copies of the draft EIS for review, you may contact the MMS’s Public Information Office or visit the MMS Internet Web site at https:// www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/ environ/libraries.html. Public Hearings: The MMS will hold public hearings to receive comments on the draft EIS. The public hearings are scheduled as follows: • December 5, 2006, Wyndham Greenspoint, 12400 Greenspoint Drive, Houston, Texas, 1 p.m. • December 5, 2006, Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water Street, Mobile, Alabama, 7 p.m. • December 6, 2006, Hampton Inn and Suites New Orleans-Elmwood, 5150 Mounes Street, Harahan, Louisiana, 1 p.m. • December 6, 2006, Florida, Marriott Bay Point Resort, 4000 Marriott Drive, Panama City, Florida, 7 p.m. • December 7, 2006, Larose Civic Center, Larose Regional Park, Larose, Louisiana, 7 p.m. If you wish to testify at a hearing, you should register one hour prior to the meeting. Each hearing will briefly recess when all speakers have had an opportunity to testify. If there are no additional speakers, the hearing will adjourn immediately after the recess. Written statements submitted at a hearing will be considered part of the hearing record. If you are unable to attend the hearings, you may submit written statements. Comments: Federal, State, local government agencies, and other interested parties are requested to send their written comments on the draft EIS in one of the following three ways: 1. Electronically using MMS’s new Public Connect on-line commenting system at https://ocsconnect.mms.gov. This is the preferred method for commenting. From the Public Connect ‘‘Welcome’’ screen, search for ‘‘WPA and CPA Multisale EIS 2007–2012’’ or select it from the ‘‘Projects Open for Comment’’ menu. 2. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on the Multisale EIS’’ and mailed (or hand carried) to the Regional Supervisor, Leasing and Environment (MS 5410), Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:31 Nov 16, 2006 Jkt 211001 3. Electronically to the MMS e-mail address: environment@mms.gov. Comments should be submitted no later than 45 days from the publication of this NOA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minerals Management Service, Mr. Dennis Chew, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394, (504) 736–2793. Dated: November 6, 2006. Robert P. LaBelle, Acting Associate Director for, Offshore Minerals Management. [FR Doc. E6–19486 Filed 11–16–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service 30-Day Notice of Submission to Office of Management and Budget; Opportunity for Public Comment National Park Service, Department of the Interior. AGENCY: Notice and request for comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: Under provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites comments on a currently approved collection of information (OMB Control #1024–0125). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the NPS request to renew this information collection, but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments within 30 days of the date on which this notice is published in the Federal Register. Public comments on the proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) will be accepted for thirty days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments directly to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior, (OMB #1024–0125) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB by fax at 202/ 395–6566, or by electronic mail at OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov. Please also send a copy of your comments to Ms. Jo A. Pendry, Concession Program Manager, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW. (2410), Washington, DC 20240, or electronically to jo_pendry@nps.gov. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Jo A. Pendry, phone: 202–513–7156, fax: 202–371–2090, or at the address above. You are entitled to a copy of the entire ICR package free-of-charge. The National Park Service published the 60day Federal Register notice to solicit comments on this proposed information collection on July 10, 2006, on page 38895. There were no public comments received as a result of publishing in the Federal Register a 60-day Notice of Intention to Request Clearance of Information Collection for this survey. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Submission of Offers in Response to Concession Opportunities. OMB Control Number: 1024–0125. Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2006. Type of request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Description of Need: The regulations at 36 CFR part 51 primarily implement Title IV of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105– 391 or the Act), which provides new legislative authority, policies and requirements for the solicitation, award and administration of NPS concession contracts. The regulations require the submission of offers by parties interested in applying for an NPS concession contract. NPS has submitted a request to OMB to renew approval of the collection of information in 5 CFR part 1320 and Sections 403(4), (5), (7), and (8) of the Act regarding the submission of offers in response to a concession opportunity. NPS is requesting a 3-year term of approval for this information collection activity. Bureau Form Number: None. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Description of Respondents: Persons or entities seeking a National Park Service concession contract. Total Annual Responses: 240. Estimate of Burden: Approximately 56 hours per response. Total Annual Burden Hours: 76,800. Total Non-hour Cost Burden: $1,120,000. Specific requirements regarding the information that must be submitted by offerors in response to a prospectus issued by NPS are contained in sections 403(4), (5), (7), and (8) of the Act. Send comments on (1) The need for this collection; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden, including the use of automated collection techniques or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\17NON1.SGM 17NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 222 (Friday, November 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66971-66972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19486]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western and Central Gulf of 
Mexico, Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2007-2012

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement and Public Hearings.

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

SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has prepared a draft 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on tentatively scheduled 2007-2012 
oil and gas leasing proposals in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico 
(GOM), off the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

    Authority: The NOA and notice of public hearings is published 
pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) implementing the 
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1988)).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal regulations allow for several 
proposals to be analyzed in one EIS (40 CFR 1502.4). Since each sale 
proposal and projected activities are very similar each year for each 
sale area, the MMS has prepared a single EIS (multisale EIS) for the 
five Western and six Central GOM lease sales scheduled for 2007-2012 in 
the draft proposed OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program: 2007-2012. The 
multisale approach is intended to focus the NEPA process for individual 
sales on the differences between the proposed sales and on new issues 
and information. The multisale EIS will eliminate the repetitive 
issuance of complete draft and final EIS's for each sale area. The 
resource estimates and scenario information for the EIS analyses will 
be presented as a range that would encompass the resources and 
activities estimated for any of the eleven proposed lease sales. 
Although this EIS addresses eleven proposed lease sales, at the 
completion of this EIS process, decisions will be made only for 
proposed Lease Sale 204 in the Western Planning Area (WPA), and 
proposed Lease Sale 205 in the Central Planning Area (CPA). Subsequent 
to these first sales, a NEPA review will be conducted for each of the 
other proposed lease sales in the 2007-2012 Leasing Program. Formal 
consultation with other Federal agencies, the affected states, and the 
public will be carried out to assist in the determination of whether or 
not the information and analyses in the original multisale EIS are 
still valid. These consultations and NEPA reviews will be completed 
before decisions are made on the subsequent sales.
    EIS Availability: To obtain a single, printed or CD-ROM copy of the 
draft EIS, you may contact the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of 
Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood 
Park Boulevard, Room 114, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-

[[Page 66972]]

GULF). An electronic copy of the draft EIS is available at the MMS's 
Internet Web site at https://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/
nepa/nepaprocess.html. Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been 
sent copies of the draft EIS. To find out which libraries, and their 
locations, have copies of the draft EIS for review, you may contact the 
MMS's Public Information Office or visit the MMS Internet Web site at 
https://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/libraries.html.
    Public Hearings: The MMS will hold public hearings to receive 
comments on the draft EIS. The public hearings are scheduled as 
follows:
     December 5, 2006, Wyndham Greenspoint, 12400 Greenspoint 
Drive, Houston, Texas, 1 p.m.
     December 5, 2006, Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water 
Street, Mobile, Alabama, 7 p.m.
     December 6, 2006, Hampton Inn and Suites New Orleans-
Elmwood, 5150 Mounes Street, Harahan, Louisiana, 1 p.m.
     December 6, 2006, Florida, Marriott Bay Point Resort, 4000 
Marriott Drive, Panama City, Florida, 7 p.m.
     December 7, 2006, Larose Civic Center, Larose Regional 
Park, Larose, Louisiana, 7 p.m.
    If you wish to testify at a hearing, you should register one hour 
prior to the meeting. Each hearing will briefly recess when all 
speakers have had an opportunity to testify. If there are no additional 
speakers, the hearing will adjourn immediately after the recess. 
Written statements submitted at a hearing will be considered part of 
the hearing record. If you are unable to attend the hearings, you may 
submit written statements.
    Comments: Federal, State, local government agencies, and other 
interested parties are requested to send their written comments on the 
draft EIS in one of the following three ways:
    1. Electronically using MMS's new Public Connect on-line commenting 
system at https://ocsconnect.mms.gov. This is the preferred method for 
commenting. From the Public Connect ``Welcome'' screen, search for 
``WPA and CPA Multisale EIS 2007-2012'' or select it from the 
``Projects Open for Comment'' menu.
    2. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on 
the Multisale EIS'' and mailed (or hand carried) to the Regional 
Supervisor, Leasing and Environment (MS 5410), Minerals Management 
Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New 
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394.
    3. Electronically to the MMS e-mail address: environment@mms.gov. 
Comments should be submitted no later than 45 days from the publication 
of this NOA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minerals Management Service, Mr. 
Dennis Chew, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, (504) 736-2793.

    Dated: November 6, 2006.
Robert P. LaBelle,
Acting Associate Director for, Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. E6-19486 Filed 11-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P

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