Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas Lease Sale 224 for 2008, 7070-7074 [E7-2498]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
7070
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 14, 2007 / Notices
The authority for this order is 43 CFR
8364.1(a) and 9268.3(d).
Dated: January 9, 2007.
Sandra A. Meyers,
Field Office Manager.
[FR Doc. E7–2415 Filed 2–13–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CA–330–1220–MA]
Notice of Temporary Restriction Order
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
ycherry on PROD1PC64 with PRELIMS
Interior.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), Arcata Field Office will establish
temporary restrictions pursuant to the
Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR
8341.2 and 8364.1, to implement
interim management guidelines for
certain BLM-administered public lands
hereafter referred to as ‘‘Lost Coast
Headlands,’’ located in Township 2
North, Range 3 West, portions of
Sections 13 and 24, Humboldt County,
California. Lost Coast Headlands
consists of approximately 400 acres and
is located along the coastal bluffs
approximately 6 miles southwest of
Ferndale, CA. These restrictions are
needed on a temporary basis until a
Resource Management Plan (RMP)
Amendment, which will be initiated in
2007, is completed for the area. The area
is now open to dispersed recreation
with an emphasis on accommodating
pedestrian and equestrian access to the
coastline. The temporary restrictions are
as follows:
The area will be open to day use, from
one hour before sunrise to one hour
after sunset; overnight camping,
campfires, firearms use, and archery use
will not be allowed; and motorized
vehicle use off maintained roads and
parking areas will not be allowed.
Employees, agents, and permitees of
the BLM may be exempt from these
restrictions for administrative and
emergency purposes only.
Penalties include a fine not to exceed
$1,000 and/or imprisonment not to
exceed 12 months, and violators may be
subject to the enhanced penalties under
18 U.S.C. 3571 and 18 U.S.C. 3581.
These restrictions are necessary to (1)
Protect aquatic and terrestrial species
from the effects of unregulated impacts,
(2) ensure public safety, (3) reduce the
potential for wildfires in this wildland
urban interface, and (4) minimize
inadvertent trespass onto adjoining
private property. They will remain in
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:27 Feb 13, 2007
Jkt 211001
effect until the RMP Amendment, with
full public participation, is completed.
DATES: These temporary restrictions will
be effective on March 16, 2007 and once
they are posted at the designated site
location and the BLM Arcata Field
Office.
ADDRESSES: Maps and supporting
documentation are available for review
at the following location: Bureau of
Land Management, Arcata Field Office,
1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA, 95521.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynda J. Roush, BLM, Arcata Field
Manager, 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata,
CA 95521. Ms. Roush may also be
contacted by telephone: (707) 825–2300.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM
recently acquired two parcels, totaling
approximately 400 acres, thanks to the
cooperative effort and funding by the
California Coastal Conservancy and The
Conservation Fund as a third party
cooperator. The parcels cover
approximately 3 miles of rugged coastal
bluffs and include 2 small beach areas
at the mouths of Guthrie Creek and
Fleener Creek. Located at the south end
of the area is a small parking area and
hiking/equestrian trail that provides
access to the beach. At the north end of
the area, another parking area exists
with a beach access trail to be
constructed during the summer of 2006.
A considerable amount of public
scoping occurred during the acquisition
process. During the scoping, adjoining
residents and ranchers and other
members of the public expressed
concerns regarding trespassing onto
private property, safety of the public
and adjacent residents related to
firearms use, and the increased fire
danger that would occur from overnight
camping and associated campfires. The
BLM assured these neighboring owners
that their concerns would be addressed
in a comprehensive plan for the area
that incorporated full public
involvement.
The BLM will limit use of the Lost
Coast Headlands to daytime access, that
is, beginning one hour before sunrise
and ending one hour after sunset.
Motorized vehicles will be limited to
use along the county road and
designated parking areas. These two
temporary restrictions will provide
interim protection for a threatened
species, the Northern California
Steelhead, and its aquatic habitat and
associated riparian vegetation. By taking
this interim action, the BLM contributes
to the conservation of a threatened
species in accordance with Section
7(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act,
16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(1). The camping and
campfire restriction will also reduce the
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
potential for wildfires, which could
otherwise occur in this area of flashy
fuels (dry grass). The temporary firearms
and archery use restrictions are needed
to prevent accidents and ensure public
safety in this relatively small public
land area, due to the proximity of these
lands to residences and cattle pastures.
Inadvertent trespass onto adjoining
private lands will be reduced.
These temporary restrictions will be
posted in the BLM Arcata Field Office
and at places near and/or within the
affected public lands.
Dated: December 18, 2006.
Donald Holmstrom,
Assistant Arcata Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E7–2420 Filed 2–13–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Eastern
Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas
Lease Sale 224 for 2008
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Call for Information and
Nominations/Notice of Intent (Call/NOI)
to Prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The purpose of the Call/NOI
is to gather information on oil and gas
leasing, exploration, and development
that might result from an OCS oil and
gas lease sale tentatively scheduled in
early 2008. As mandated in the recently
enacted Gulf of Mexico Energy Security
Act (GOMESA) of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–
432, December 20, 2006), MMS shall
offer a portion of the ‘‘181 Area,’’
located in the Eastern Planning Area,
more than 125 miles from Florida for oil
and gas leasing. The NOI seeks input for
scoping a SEIS.
DATES: Comments must be received no
later than March 16, 2007 at the address
specified below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information on this Call, please contact
Mr. Carrol Williams, Minerals
Management Service, Gulf of Mexico
OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
70123–2394, telephone (504) 736–2803.
For information on the NOI, you may
contact Mr. Dennis Chew, Gulf of
Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood
Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
70123–2394, telephone (504) 736–2793.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
recently enacted Gulf of Mexico Energy
Security Act (GOMESA) of 2006, (Pub.
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
ycherry on PROD1PC64 with PRELIMS
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 14, 2007 / Notices
L. 109–432, December 20, 2006),
mandated MMS to offer a portion of the
‘‘181 Area’’ located in the newly defined
Eastern Planning Area, more than 125
miles from Florida, and west of the
Military Mission Line (86 degrees, 41
minutes West longitude) for oil and gas
leasing ‘‘as soon as practicable, but not
later than 1 year, after the date of
enactment of this Act.’’ The Act
mandates offering this area
‘‘notwithstanding the omission of the
181 Area * * * from any outer
Continental Shelf leasing program under
section 18 of the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344).’’
However, this action is not exempted
from other legal requirements, such as
the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) or the Coastal Zone
Management Act. The MMS has decided
to prepare a supplemental EIS to the
original Sale 181 Area EIS (2001) in
order to address these requirements.
The earliest MMS would be able to meet
these requirements and offer this area
would be approximately March 2008.
To meet the 1-year requirement of the
Act, this sale should be held no later
than December 2007; however, MMS
feels that it is in the best interests of all
parties, including the American public
as owners of these resources, that MMS
take the time necessary to fully comply
with all pertinent laws, rules and
regulations and allow the public an
opportunity to participate in the NEPA
process. It also is more economical and
efficient for the government and
industry to hold this sale in conjunction
with Central Gulf of Mexico Sale 206 at
the same time and location. The area to
be offered in Sale 224 is small,
approximately 130 tracts. Recent Central
Gulf sales have offered over 4,000 tracts.
The logistics of holding a sale are
intensive and relatively costly;
therefore, it makes sense to hold the
smaller sale in conjunction with a larger
sale. Additionally, holding Sale 224 in
conjunction with Sale 206 would help
ensure that a sufficient number of
companies would be represented in
bidding, which may enhance the
number of bids and possibly the
revenue generated by more competitive
bidding.
This Call/NOI is the initial step in the
prelease process for the sale. The SEIS
associated with this NOI will update the
environmental and socioeconomic
analyses in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil
and Gas Lease Sale 181 Final EIS (OCS
EIS/EA MMS 2001–051) which
addressed the original ‘‘Sale 181 Area.’’
The MMS plans to complete National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), OCS
Lands Act, and Coastal Zone
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:27 Feb 13, 2007
Jkt 211001
Management Act (CZMA) coverage for
the proposed lease sale.
Call for Information and Nominations
1. Authority
This Call is published pursuant to the
OCSLA as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331–
1356), and the regulations issued
thereunder (30 CFR part 256).
2. Purpose of Call
The purpose of the Call is to gather
information for the following tentatively
scheduled OCS Lease Sale in a portion
of the ‘‘181 Area’’:
Lease Sale, OCS Planning Area:
Lease Sale 224, Eastern GOM
(portion).
Tentative Lease Sale Date:
March 2008.
Information on oil and gas leasing,
exploration, development and
production within this portion of the
Eastern Planning Area is sought from all
interested parties. This early planning
and consultation step is important for
ensuring that all interests and concerns
are communicated to the Department of
the Interior for future decisions in the
leasing process pursuant to the OCSLA
and regulations at 30 CFR part 256.
This Call is in response to the
mandate for a lease sale contained in the
GOMESA. Final delineation of this area
for possible leasing will be made at a
later date and in compliance with
applicable laws including all
requirements of the NEPA, CZMA and
OCSLA. Established Departmental
procedures will be employed.
3. Description of Area
The general area of this Call
encompasses about 134 unleased blocks
covering approximately 584,817 acres in
that portion of the ‘‘181 Area’’ that is
west of the Military Mission Line and
more than 125 miles from Florida. A
standard Call for Information Map
depicting this portion of the Eastern
Planning Area is available without
charge from: Minerals Management
Service, Public Information Unit (MS
5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard,
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394, or
telephone: 1–800–200–GULF. The map
is also available via the MMS Web site
at https://www.mms.gov.
4. Instructions on Call
Comments must be received no later
than 30 days following publication of
this document in the Federal Register in
envelopes labeled ‘‘Comments on the
Call for Information and Nominations
for Proposed Lease Sale 224 for 2008,’’
submitted to the Gulf of Mexico
Region’s Leasing Activities Section
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7071
(Attention: Mr. Carrol Williams) at the
previously noted address.
The standard Call for Information
Map delineates the Call area, all of
which has been identified by the MMS
as having potential for the discovery of
accumulations of oil and gas.
Comments are sought from all
interested parties about particular
geological, environmental (including
natural disasters), biological,
archaeological and socioeconomic
conditions or conflicts, or other
information that might bear upon the
potential leasing and development of
this area. Comments are also sought on
possible conflicts between future OCS
oil and gas activities that may result
from the proposed lease sale and State
Coastal Management Programs (CMP’s).
If possible, these comments should
identify specific CMP policies of
concern, the nature of the conflict
foreseen, and steps that the MMS could
take to avoid or mitigate the potential
conflict. Comments may be in terms of
broad areas or restricted to particular
blocks of concern. Those submitting
comments are requested to list block
numbers or outline the subject area on
the standard Call for Information Map.
5. Use of Information From Call
Information submitted in response to
this Call will be used for several
purposes. First, comments on possible
environmental effects and potential use
conflicts will be used in the analysis of
environmental conditions in and near
the Call area. Comments on
environmental and other use conflicts
will be used to make a preliminary
determination of the potential
advantages and disadvantages of oil and
gas exploration and development to the
region and the Nation. A second
purpose for this Call is to use the
comments collected in the scoping
process to develop proposed actions and
alternatives. Third, comments may be
used in developing lease terms and
conditions to ensure environmentally
safe offshore operations, and, fourth,
comments may be used to assess
potential conflicts between offshore gas
and oil activities and a State CMP.
6. Existing Information
The MMS routinely assesses the
status of information acquisition efforts
and the quality of the information base
for potential decisions on a tentatively
scheduled lease sale. An extensive
environmental studies program has been
underway in the GOM since 1973. The
emphasis, including continuing studies,
has been on ‘‘environmental analysis’’
of biologically sensitive habitats,
physical oceanography, ocean-
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
7072
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 14, 2007 / Notices
circulation modeling, and ecological
effects of oil and gas activities. In
response to impacts from Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, the MMS is funding
studies regarding hurricane risks to
onshore structures and their
surrounding communities and
environment. Socioeconomic profiles of
communities with a high concentration
of OCS-related activity will assess the
social and environmental impacts of the
2005 hurricanes. These studies will also
evaluate the effects of hurricane-related
employment shifts on onshore labor and
coastal communities. In addition, MMS
recently awarded a number of studies to
determine the impact of Hurricane Ivan
on offshore oil and gas structures. These
studies were designed to analyze and
assess the damage to structures and
pipelines, determine the effectiveness of
current design standards and pollutionprevention systems, and develop
recommendations for potential changes
to industry standards and MMS
regulations, if needed. Results of these
studies will also apply to the impacts of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and future
hurricanes.
You may obtain a complete listing of
available study reports and information
for ordering copies from the Public
Information Unit referenced above. You
may also order the reports for a fee, from
the U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Technical Information Service,
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield,
Virginia 22161, or telephone (703) 605–
6000 or (800) 553–6847. In addition,
you may obtain a program status report
for continuing studies in this area from
the Chief, Environmental Sciences
Section (MS 5430), Minerals
Management Service, Gulf of Mexico
OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
70123–2394, or telephone (504) 736–
2752, or via the MMS Web site at
https://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/
regulate/environ/studiesprogram.html.
7. Tentative Schedule
MILESTONES FOR PROPOSED LEASE SALE 224 FOR 2008
NOI to Prepare a SEIS ......................................................................................................................................
Call for Information and Nominations ................................................................................................................
Comments received on Call/NOI .......................................................................................................................
Scoping Meetings ...............................................................................................................................................
Area Identification Decision ...............................................................................................................................
Draft SEIS published ..........................................................................................................................................
Public Hearings on Draft SEIS ..........................................................................................................................
Final SEIS ..........................................................................................................................................................
Proposed Notice and Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination ................................................
Final Notice of Sale ............................................................................................................................................
Tentative Lease Sale Date ................................................................................................................................
and production in the proposed lease
sale area.
Notice of Intent to Prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement
1. Authority
The NOI is published pursuant to the
regulations (40 CFR 1501.7)
implementing the provisions of the
NEPA of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq. (1988)).
ycherry on PROD1PC64 with PRELIMS
2. Purpose of Notice of Intent
Pursuant to the regulations
implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA, MMS is announcing its intent
to prepare a SEIS on an oil and gas lease
sale tentatively scheduled in early 2008
in the Eastern GOM offshore the States
of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and
Florida. The SEIS will update the
analyses in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil
and Gas Lease Sale 181 Final
Environmental Impact Statement (OCS
EIS/EA MMS 2001–051). The NOI also
serves to announce the scoping process
for this SEIS. Throughout the scoping
process, Federal, State, and local
government agencies, and other
interested parties have the opportunity
to aid MMS in determining the
significant issues and alternatives for
analysis in the SEIS. The SEIS analysis
will focus on the potential
environmental effects of oil and natural
gas leasing, exploration, development,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:27 Feb 13, 2007
Jkt 211001
February 2007.
February 2007.
March 2007.
March 2007.
March 2007.
June–July 2007.
August–September 2007.
October–November 2007.
5 months before lease sale.
1 month before lease sale.
March 2008 (Lease Sale 224).
contact Mr. Chew by telephone at (504)
736–2793.
3. Supplemental Information
As mandated in the recently enacted
Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of
2006, MMS shall offer the ‘‘181 Area’’
for oil and gas leasing pursuant to the
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43
U.S.C. 1331 et seq.). In October 2007,
proposed Lease Sale 205 would offer the
portion of the ‘‘181 Area’’ located in the
Central Planning Area, and this is being
addressed by a separate EIS. The MMS
is proposing to prepare a SEIS to
address the proposed lease sale in the
remaining portion of the ‘‘181 Area.’’
(see map). The resource estimates and
scenario information for the SEIS
analyses will be presented as a range
that would encompass the resources and
activities estimated for the proposed
lease sale. At the completion of this
SEIS process, a decision will be made
for the proposed sale in 2008. This SEIS
will supplement the Gulf of Mexico
OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 181 Final
Environmental Impact Statement (OCS
EIS/EA MMS 2001–051), which
addressed the original ‘‘181 Area.’’ For
more information on the SEIS, you may
contact Dennis Chew, Gulf of Mexico
OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard, MS 5410, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123–2394 or e-mail
environment@mms.gov. You may also
4. Cooperating Agency
The MMS invites other Federal
agencies and State, tribal, and local
governments to consider becoming
cooperating agencies in the preparation
of the SEIS. We invite qualified
government entities to inquire about
cooperating agency status for the SEIS.
Following the 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 note that an agency’s role in the
environmental analysis neither enlarges
nor diminishes the final decisionmaking
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. The MMS anticipates this
summary will form the basis for a
Memorandum of Understanding
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 14, 2007 / Notices
ycherry on PROD1PC64 with PRELIMS
5. Comments
Federal, State, and local government
agencies, and other interested parties
are requested to send their written
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:27 Feb 13, 2007
Jkt 211001
comments on the scope of the SEIS,
significant issues that should be
addressed, and alternatives that should
be considered in one of the following
three ways:
1. Electronically using MMS’s Public
Connect on-line commenting system at
https://ocsconnect.mms.gov. From the
Public Connect ‘‘Welcome’’ screen,
search for ‘‘Lease Sale 224 SEIS’’ or
select it from the ‘‘Projects Open for
Comment’’ menu.
2. In written form enclosed in an
envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on the
Lease Sale 224 SEIS’’ 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 30 days from the publication
of this NOI.
of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.),
the MMS will hold public scoping
meetings in Louisiana and Florida on
the SEIS for the tentatively scheduled
2008 oil and gas leasing proposal in the
Eastern Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of
these meetings will be to solicit
comments on the scope of the SEIS.
The public scoping meetings are
scheduled as follows:
• Thursday, March 1, 2007, New
World Landing, 600 South Palafox
Street, Pensacola, Florida, 3 p.m. and 7
p.m.
• Wednesday, March 7, 2007, Larose
Civic Center, Larose Regional Park,
Larose, Louisiana, 7 p.m.
For further information about the
scoping meetings contact Minerals
Management Service, Gulf of Mexico
OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
70123–2394, Mr. Dennis Chew,
telephone (504) 736–2793.
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings on
the Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement
Summary: Pursuant to the regulations
implementing the procedural provisions
Dated: February 8, 2007.
R.M. ‘‘Johnnie’’ Burton,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4725
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
EN14FE07.001</GPH>
between MMS and each cooperating
agency. Agencies 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: 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
provide financial assistance to
cooperating agencies. Yet, even if an
organization is not a cooperating
agency, opportunities exist to provide
information and comments to MMS
during the normal public input phases
of the NEPA/SEIS process. If further
information about cooperating agencies
is needed, please contact Mr. Dennis
Chew at (504) 736–2793.
7073
7074
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 14, 2007 / Notices
[FR Doc. E7–2498 Filed 2–13–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
60-Day Notice of Intention To Request
Clearance of Collection of Information;
Opportunity for Public Comment
The Department of the Interior,
National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
ycherry on PROD1PC64 with PRELIMS
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Under provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5
CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record
Keeping Requirements, the National
Park Service (NPS) invites public
comments on an extension of a
currently approved collection of
information (OMB# 1024–0029).
DATES: Public comments will be
accepted on or before April 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Jo A.
Pendry, Concession Program Manager,
National Park Service, 1849 C Street,
NW., (2410), Washington, DC 20240; email: jo_pendry@nps.gov. All responses
to this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
approval. All comments will become a
matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jo
A. Pendry, Concessions Program
Manager, National Park Service, 1849 C
Street, NW., (2410), Washington, DC
20240. Phone: 202/513–7144; Fax: 202/
371–2090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Concessioner Annual Financial
Report.
Bureau Form Number(s): 10–356, 10–
356a, 10–356b.
OMB Control Number: 1024–0029.
Expiration Date of Approval: April 30,
2007.
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 requires that the
Secretary of the Interior exercise
authority in a manner consistent with a
reasonable opportunity for a
concessioner to realize a profit on his
operation as a whole commensurate
with the capital invested and the
obligations assumed. It also requires
that franchise fees be determined with
consideration to the opportunity for net
profit in relation to both gross receipts
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:27 Feb 13, 2007
Jkt 211001
and capital invested. The financial
information being colleted is necessary
to provide insight into and knowledge
of the concessioner’s operation so that
this authority can be exercised and
franchise fees determined in a timely
manner and without an undue burden
on the concessioner. This program will
measure performance in meeting goals
as required by the 1995 Government
Performance and Results Act.
Comments are invited on: (1) The
practical utility of the information being
gathered; (2) the accuracy of the burden
hour estimate; (3) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4)
ways to minimize the burden to
respondents, including use of
automated information collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Before including your
address, phone number, e-mail address,
or other personal identifying
information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire
comment—including your personal
identifying information—may be made
publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to
withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Frequency of Collection: Annually.
Description of Respondents: National
Park Service concessioners.
Total Annual Responses: 500.
Estimate of Burden: Approximately 20
hours per response.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,800.
Total Non-hour Cost Burden: None.
Dated: January 8, 2007.
Leonard E. Stowe,
NPS, Information Collection Clearance
Officer.
[FR Doc. 07–656 Filed 2–13–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–53–M
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
60-Day Notice of Intention To Request
Clearance of Collection Information;
Opportunity for Public Comment
The Department of the Interior,
National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice of request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Under provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5
CFR Part 1320, Reporting and Record
Keeping Requirements, the National
Park Service (NPS) invites public
comments on an extension of a
currently approved collection of
information (OMB #1024–0231).
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Public comments will be
accepted on or before April 16, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Jo A.
Pendry, Concession Program Manager,
National Park Service, 1849 C Street,
NW., (2410), Washington, DC 20240; email: jo_pendry@nps.gov; All responses
to this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
approval. All comments will become a
matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jo
A. Pendry, Concession Program
Manager, National Park Service, 1849 C
St., NW., (2410), Washington, DC 20240.
Phone: 202–513–7144; Fax: 202–371–
2090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Concession Contract—36 CFR
51.
Form Number(s): None.
OMB Control Number: 1024–0231.
Expiration Date of Approval: April 30,
2007.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
Description of Need: The information
is being collected to meet the
requirements of Sections 403(7) and (8)
of the NPS Concessions Management
Improvement Act of 1998 (the Act),
concerning the granting of a preferential
right to renew a concession contract,
Section 405 of the Act, regarding the
construction of capital improvements by
concessioners, and Section 414 of the
Act, regarding recordkeeping
requirements of concessioners. The
information will be used by the agency
in considering appeals concerning
preferred offeror determinations, agency
review and approval of construction
projects and determinations with regard
to the leasehold surrender interest value
of such projects, and when necessary,
agency review of a concessioner’s books
and records related to its activities
under a concession contract. This
program will also measure performance
in meeting goals as required by the 1995
Government Performance and Results
Act.
Comments are invited on: (1) The
practical utility of the information being
gathered; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s burden hour estimate; (3) ways
to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden to respondents, including use of
automated information collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Before including your
address, phone number, e-mail address,
or other personal identifying
information in your comment, you
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\14FEN1.SGM
14FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7070-7074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2498]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil
and Gas Lease Sale 224 for 2008
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Call for Information and Nominations/Notice of Intent (Call/
NOI) to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The purpose of the Call/NOI is to gather information on oil
and gas leasing, exploration, and development that might result from an
OCS oil and gas lease sale tentatively scheduled in early 2008. As
mandated in the recently enacted Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act
(GOMESA) of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-432, December 20, 2006), MMS shall offer
a portion of the ``181 Area,'' located in the Eastern Planning Area,
more than 125 miles from Florida for oil and gas leasing. The NOI seeks
input for scoping a SEIS.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than March 16, 2007 at the
address specified below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on this Call, please
contact Mr. Carrol Williams, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of
Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2803. For information on the NOI, you
may contact Mr. Dennis Chew, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood
Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-
2793.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The recently enacted Gulf of Mexico Energy
Security Act (GOMESA) of 2006, (Pub.
[[Page 7071]]
L. 109-432, December 20, 2006), mandated MMS to offer a portion of the
``181 Area'' located in the newly defined Eastern Planning Area, more
than 125 miles from Florida, and west of the Military Mission Line (86
degrees, 41 minutes West longitude) for oil and gas leasing ``as soon
as practicable, but not later than 1 year, after the date of enactment
of this Act.'' The Act mandates offering this area ``notwithstanding
the omission of the 181 Area * * * from any outer Continental Shelf
leasing program under section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands
Act (43 U.S.C. 1344).'' However, this action is not exempted from other
legal requirements, such as the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) or the Coastal Zone Management Act. The MMS has decided to
prepare a supplemental EIS to the original Sale 181 Area EIS (2001) in
order to address these requirements. The earliest MMS would be able to
meet these requirements and offer this area would be approximately
March 2008. To meet the 1-year requirement of the Act, this sale should
be held no later than December 2007; however, MMS feels that it is in
the best interests of all parties, including the American public as
owners of these resources, that MMS take the time necessary to fully
comply with all pertinent laws, rules and regulations and allow the
public an opportunity to participate in the NEPA process. It also is
more economical and efficient for the government and industry to hold
this sale in conjunction with Central Gulf of Mexico Sale 206 at the
same time and location. The area to be offered in Sale 224 is small,
approximately 130 tracts. Recent Central Gulf sales have offered over
4,000 tracts. The logistics of holding a sale are intensive and
relatively costly; therefore, it makes sense to hold the smaller sale
in conjunction with a larger sale. Additionally, holding Sale 224 in
conjunction with Sale 206 would help ensure that a sufficient number of
companies would be represented in bidding, which may enhance the number
of bids and possibly the revenue generated by more competitive bidding.
This Call/NOI is the initial step in the prelease process for the
sale. The SEIS associated with this NOI will update the environmental
and socioeconomic analyses in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease
Sale 181 Final EIS (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2001-051) which addressed the
original ``Sale 181 Area.'' The MMS plans to complete National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), OCS Lands Act, and Coastal Zone
Management Act (CZMA) coverage for the proposed lease sale.
Call for Information and Nominations
1. Authority
This Call is published pursuant to the OCSLA as amended (43 U.S.C.
1331-1356), and the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR part 256).
2. Purpose of Call
The purpose of the Call is to gather information for the following
tentatively scheduled OCS Lease Sale in a portion of the ``181 Area'':
Lease Sale, OCS Planning Area:
Lease Sale 224, Eastern GOM (portion).
Tentative Lease Sale Date:
March 2008.
Information on oil and gas leasing, exploration, development and
production within this portion of the Eastern Planning Area is sought
from all interested parties. This early planning and consultation step
is important for ensuring that all interests and concerns are
communicated to the Department of the Interior for future decisions in
the leasing process pursuant to the OCSLA and regulations at 30 CFR
part 256.
This Call is in response to the mandate for a lease sale contained
in the GOMESA. Final delineation of this area for possible leasing will
be made at a later date and in compliance with applicable laws
including all requirements of the NEPA, CZMA and OCSLA. Established
Departmental procedures will be employed.
3. Description of Area
The general area of this Call encompasses about 134 unleased blocks
covering approximately 584,817 acres in that portion of the ``181
Area'' that is west of the Military Mission Line and more than 125
miles from Florida. A standard Call for Information Map depicting this
portion of the Eastern Planning Area is available without charge from:
Minerals Management Service, Public Information Unit (MS 5034), 1201
Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, or
telephone: 1-800-200-GULF. The map is also available via the MMS Web
site at https://www.mms.gov.
4. Instructions on Call
Comments must be received no later than 30 days following
publication of this document in the Federal Register in envelopes
labeled ``Comments on the Call for Information and Nominations for
Proposed Lease Sale 224 for 2008,'' submitted to the Gulf of Mexico
Region's Leasing Activities Section (Attention: Mr. Carrol Williams) at
the previously noted address.
The standard Call for Information Map delineates the Call area, all
of which has been identified by the MMS as having potential for the
discovery of accumulations of oil and gas.
Comments are sought from all interested parties about particular
geological, environmental (including natural disasters), biological,
archaeological and socioeconomic conditions or conflicts, or other
information that might bear upon the potential leasing and development
of this area. Comments are also sought on possible conflicts between
future OCS oil and gas activities that may result from the proposed
lease sale and State Coastal Management Programs (CMP's). If possible,
these comments should identify specific CMP policies of concern, the
nature of the conflict foreseen, and steps that the MMS could take to
avoid or mitigate the potential conflict. Comments may be in terms of
broad areas or restricted to particular blocks of concern. Those
submitting comments are requested to list block numbers or outline the
subject area on the standard Call for Information Map.
5. Use of Information From Call
Information submitted in response to this Call will be used for
several purposes. First, comments on possible environmental effects and
potential use conflicts will be used in the analysis of environmental
conditions in and near the Call area. Comments on environmental and
other use conflicts will be used to make a preliminary determination of
the potential advantages and disadvantages of oil and gas exploration
and development to the region and the Nation. A second purpose for this
Call is to use the comments collected in the scoping process to develop
proposed actions and alternatives. Third, comments may be used in
developing lease terms and conditions to ensure environmentally safe
offshore operations, and, fourth, comments may be used to assess
potential conflicts between offshore gas and oil activities and a State
CMP.
6. Existing Information
The MMS routinely assesses the status of information acquisition
efforts and the quality of the information base for potential decisions
on a tentatively scheduled lease sale. An extensive environmental
studies program has been underway in the GOM since 1973. The emphasis,
including continuing studies, has been on ``environmental analysis'' of
biologically sensitive habitats, physical oceanography, ocean-
[[Page 7072]]
circulation modeling, and ecological effects of oil and gas activities.
In response to impacts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the MMS is
funding studies regarding hurricane risks to onshore structures and
their surrounding communities and environment. Socioeconomic profiles
of communities with a high concentration of OCS-related activity will
assess the social and environmental impacts of the 2005 hurricanes.
These studies will also evaluate the effects of hurricane-related
employment shifts on onshore labor and coastal communities. In
addition, MMS recently awarded a number of studies to determine the
impact of Hurricane Ivan on offshore oil and gas structures. These
studies were designed to analyze and assess the damage to structures
and pipelines, determine the effectiveness of current design standards
and pollution-prevention systems, and develop recommendations for
potential changes to industry standards and MMS regulations, if needed.
Results of these studies will also apply to the impacts of Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita and future hurricanes.
You may obtain a complete listing of available study reports and
information for ordering copies from the Public Information Unit
referenced above. You may also order the reports for a fee, from the
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service,
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, or telephone (703)
605-6000 or (800) 553-6847. In addition, you may obtain a program
status report for continuing studies in this area from the Chief,
Environmental Sciences Section (MS 5430), Minerals Management Service,
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123-2394, or telephone (504) 736-2752, or via the MMS Web
site at https://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/
studiesprogram.html.
7. Tentative Schedule
Milestones for Proposed Lease Sale 224 for 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOI to Prepare a SEIS...................... February 2007.
Call for Information and Nominations....... February 2007.
Comments received on Call/NOI.............. March 2007.
Scoping Meetings........................... March 2007.
Area Identification Decision............... March 2007.
Draft SEIS published....................... June-July 2007.
Public Hearings on Draft SEIS.............. August-September 2007.
Final SEIS................................. October-November 2007.
Proposed Notice and Coastal Zone Management 5 months before lease sale.
Consistency Determination.
Final Notice of Sale....................... 1 month before lease sale.
Tentative Lease Sale Date.................. March 2008 (Lease Sale
224).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement
1. Authority
The NOI is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7)
implementing the provisions of the NEPA of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq. (1988)).
2. Purpose of Notice of Intent
Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA, MMS is announcing its intent to prepare a SEIS on an oil and
gas lease sale tentatively scheduled in early 2008 in the Eastern GOM
offshore the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
The SEIS will update the analyses in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas
Lease Sale 181 Final Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA MMS
2001-051). The NOI also serves to announce the scoping process for this
SEIS. Throughout the scoping process, Federal, State, and local
government agencies, and other interested parties have the opportunity
to aid MMS in determining the significant issues and alternatives for
analysis in the SEIS. The SEIS analysis will focus on the potential
environmental effects of oil and natural gas leasing, exploration,
development, and production in the proposed lease sale area.
3. Supplemental Information
As mandated in the recently enacted Gulf of Mexico Energy Security
Act of 2006, MMS shall offer the ``181 Area'' for oil and gas leasing
pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et
seq.). In October 2007, proposed Lease Sale 205 would offer the portion
of the ``181 Area'' located in the Central Planning Area, and this is
being addressed by a separate EIS. The MMS is proposing to prepare a
SEIS to address the proposed lease sale in the remaining portion of the
``181 Area.'' (see map). The resource estimates and scenario
information for the SEIS analyses will be presented as a range that
would encompass the resources and activities estimated for the proposed
lease sale. At the completion of this SEIS process, a decision will be
made for the proposed sale in 2008. This SEIS will supplement the Gulf
of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 181 Final Environmental Impact
Statement (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2001-051), which addressed the original ``181
Area.'' For more information on the SEIS, you may contact Dennis Chew,
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, MS 5410, New
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 or e-mail environment@mms.gov. You may
also contact Mr. Chew by telephone at (504) 736-2793.
4. Cooperating Agency
The MMS invites other Federal agencies and State, tribal, and local
governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the
preparation of the SEIS. We invite qualified government entities to
inquire about cooperating agency status for the SEIS. Following the
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 note that an agency's role in the environmental
analysis neither enlarges nor diminishes the final decisionmaking
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. The MMS anticipates this
summary will form the basis for a Memorandum of Understanding
[[Page 7073]]
between MMS and each cooperating agency. Agencies 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: 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 provide financial assistance
to cooperating agencies. Yet, even if an organization is not a
cooperating agency, opportunities exist to provide information and
comments to MMS during the normal public input phases of the NEPA/SEIS
process. If further information about cooperating agencies is needed,
please contact Mr. Dennis Chew at (504) 736-2793.
5. Comments
Federal, State, and local government agencies, and other interested
parties are requested to send their written comments on the scope of
the SEIS, significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives
that should be considered in one of the following three ways:
1. Electronically using MMS's Public Connect on-line commenting
system at https://ocsconnect.mms.gov. From the Public Connect
``Welcome'' screen, search for ``Lease Sale 224 SEIS'' or select it
from the ``Projects Open for Comment'' menu.
2. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on
the Lease Sale 224 SEIS'' 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 30 days from the
publication of this NOI.
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings on the Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement
Summary: Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural
provisions of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the MMS will hold
public scoping meetings in Louisiana and Florida on the SEIS for the
tentatively scheduled 2008 oil and gas leasing proposal in the Eastern
Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of these meetings will be to solicit
comments on the scope of the SEIS.
The public scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:
Thursday, March 1, 2007, New World Landing, 600 South
Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007, Larose Civic Center, Larose
Regional Park, Larose, Louisiana, 7 p.m.
For further information about the scoping meetings contact Minerals
Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, Mr. Dennis Chew,
telephone (504) 736-2793.
Dated: February 8, 2007.
R.M. ``Johnnie'' Burton,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14FE07.001
[[Page 7074]]
[FR Doc. E7-2498 Filed 2-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
