Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western and Central Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2009-2012, 51654-51657 [E7-17737]
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51654
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 174 / Monday, September 10, 2007 / Notices
Number of
respondents
Number of
responses per
respondent
Annual Program Performance Report .........................................................
Activities & Accomplishments ......................................................................
Performance outcomes ................................................................................
Expenses .....................................................................................................
Budget ..........................................................................................................
Priority statements & objectives ..................................................................
Advisory Council Report ..............................................................................
57
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
57
1
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
1
26
(20)
(3)
(1)
(1)
(1)
10
1,482
(1,140)
(171)
(57)
(57)
(57)
570
Total ......................................................................................................
114
........................
..........................
2,052
Written comments and
recommendations concerning the
proposed information collection should
be sent by October 10, 2007 to:
SAMHSA Desk Officer, Human
Resources and Housing Branch, Office
of Management and Budget, New
Executive Office Building, Room 10235,
Washington, DC 20503; due to potential
delays in OMB’s receipt and processing
of mail sent through the U.S. Postal
Service, respondents are encouraged to
submit comments by fax to: 202–395–
6974.
Dated: August 31, 2007.
Elaine Parry,
Acting Director, Office of Program Services.
[FR Doc. E7–17764 Filed 9–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162–20–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS),
Western and Central Gulf of Mexico
(GOM), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for
Years 2009–2012
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Call for Information and
Nominations/Notice of Intent (Call/NOI)
to Prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
ebenthall on PRODPC61 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On April 28, 2006, MMS
issued a Call for 11 lease sales in the
Western and Central GOM planning
areas included in the draft proposed
2007–2012 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing
Program. After that Call the Congress
enacted a mandate, in the Gulf of
Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006
(GOMESA) (Pub. L. 109–432, December
20, 2006), that MMS offer, as soon as
practicable, approximately 5.8 million
acres located in the southeastern part of
the Central Planning Area (CPA)
referred to as the ‘‘181 South Area.’’
Central GOM Sale 208 (March 2009)
will be the first sale to include the ‘‘181
South Area.’’ The purpose of this Call is
to gather information on oil and gas
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leasing, exploration, and development
that might result from the four Central
GOM OCS oil and gas lease sales
tentatively scheduled in 2009–2012, in
particular regarding the ‘‘181 South
Area.’’ The purpose of this NOI is to
announce MMS’s intent to prepare a
SEIS on the four Central and three
Western GOM OCS oil and gas lease
sales tentatively scheduled in 2009–
2012. Comments received in response to
the NOI will assist MMS in developing
the scope of the SEIS.
DATES: Comments on the Call must be
received no later than October 10, 2007
and comments on the NOI must be
received no later than October 25, 2007
at the addresses 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 (MS 5422), New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123–2394, telephone (504)
736–2803. For information on the NOI,
you may contact Mr. Dennis Chew,
Minerals Management Service, Gulf of
Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood
Park Boulevard (MS 5412), New
Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394,
telephone (504) 736–2793.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
GOMESA, (Pub. L. 109–432, December
20, 2006), mandated MMS to offer
approximately 5.8 million acres in the
CPA (formerly the ‘‘181 South Area’’
was an area under Congressional
moratoria and Presidential withdrawal
for oil and gas leasing ‘‘as soon as
practicable after the date of enactment
of this Act.’’ This Call/NOI is the initial
step in the prelease process for a sale
within that 181 South Area. To fully
comply with all pertinent laws, rules,
and regulations and to allow the public
an adequate opportunity to participate
in the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) process, the earliest MMS
would be able to offer this area would
be March 2009.
The SEIS will update the
environmental and socioeconomic
analyses in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil
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Hours per
response
Total hour
burden
and Gas Lease Sales: 2007–2012;
Western Planning Area Sales 204, 207,
210, 215, and 218; Central Planning
Area Sales 205, 206, 208, 213, 216, and
222, Final Environmental Impact
Statement (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007–
018) (Multisale EIS) and will address
the addition of the ‘‘181 South Area.’’
Call for Information and Nominations
1. Authority
This Call is published pursuant to the
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
(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 sales:
Lease sale, OCS planning area
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
208,
213,
216,
222,
Central
Central
Central
Central
GOM
GOM
GOM
GOM
......................
......................
......................
......................
Sale
year
2009
2010
2011
2012
Information on oil and gas leasing,
exploration, development, and
production within this portion of the
CPA 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 within GOMESA to offer
additional acreage in the southeastern
portion of the Central Planning Area as
depicted on the map at the end of this
notice. Leasing within this area will be
in compliance with applicable laws
including all requirements of the NEPA,
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)
and OCSLA. Established Departmental
procedures will be employed.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 174 / Monday, September 10, 2007 / Notices
3. Description of Area
The general area of this Call covers
approximately 5.8 million acres in the
Central GOM planning area, south of the
Sale 181 Area. The area is south of
eastern Alabama and western Florida;
the nearest point of land is 125 miles
northwest in Louisiana. A standard Call
for Information Map depicting this
portion of the CPA is available without
charge from the Minerals Management
Service, Public Information Office (MS
5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard,
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394, or
by telephone at 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 for Proposed 2009–
2012 Lease Sales in the Central Gulf of
Mexico,’’ submitted to the Gulf of
Mexico OCS 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 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
potential conflicts between future OCS
oil and gas activities that may result
from the proposed lease sales and State
Coastal Management Programs (CMPs).
If possible, these comments should
identify specific CMP policies of
concern, the nature of the conflict
foreseen, and steps that 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 State CMPs.
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, oceancirculation 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 are assessing 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, the
MMS has 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 Office 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
ebenthall on PRODPC61 with NOTICES
Call for Information and Nominations ....................................................................................................................
NOI to Prepare a SEIS ...............................................................................................................................................
Comments Received on Call/NOI ............................................................................................................................
Scoping Meetings ......................................................................................................................................................
Area Identification Decision .....................................................................................................................................
Draft SEIS Published .................................................................................................................................................
Public Hearings on Draft SEIS .................................................................................................................................
Final SEIS Published ................................................................................................................................................
Proposed Notice of Sale and Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination .........................................
Final Notice of Sale ..................................................................................................................................................
Notice of Intent To Prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement
implementing the provisions of the
NEPA of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq. (1988)).
1. Authority
2. Purpose of Notice of Intent
The NOI is published pursuant to the
regulations (40 CFR 1501.7)
Pursuant to the regulations
implementing the procedural provisions
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51655
August 2007.
August 2007.
September–October 2007.
October 2007.
October–November 2007.
April 2008.
May–June 2007.
October 2008.
5 months before lease sale.
1 month before lease sale.
of NEPA, MMS is announcing its intent
to prepare a SEIS on oil and gas lease
sales tentatively scheduled in 2009–
2012 in the Western and Central GOM
offshore the States of Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama. The SEIS
will update the analyses in the
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 174 / Monday, September 10, 2007 / Notices
Multisale EIS. 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 ‘‘181 South
Area,’’ and any new information
available since the publication of the
Multisale EIS.
In an effort to reevaluate and improve
the scenarios for OCS lease sales
presented in its NEPA documents, the
MMS is also using this scoping
opportunity to solicit input on previous
forecasts and present methods of
forecasting[TZ (LD)8] exploration and
development activity, pipeline landfalls,
and onshore waste disposal sites.
Federal, state, and local government
agencies; industry; and the public are
encouraged to comment on recently
published reports prepared by MMS.
These reports can be found at https://
www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/
environ/nepa/nepaprocess.html.
ebenthall on PRODPC61 with NOTICES
3. Supplemental Information
As mandated in the recently enacted
GOMESA, MMS shall offer the ‘‘181
South Area’’ for oil and gas leasing
pursuant to the OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1331
et seq.). In March 2009, proposed Lease
Sale 208 would be the first CPA sale to
offer the ‘‘181 South Area.’’ The MMS
is proposing to prepare a SEIS to
address the addition of the ‘‘181 South
Area’’ and any new information
available since the publication of the
Multisale EIS. 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 any of the seven
proposed lease sales. At the completion
of this SEIS process, a decision will be
made for proposed Central Sale 208
(2009) and Western Sale 210 (2009).
This SEIS will supplement the Gulf of
Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales:
2007–2012; Western Planning Area
Sales 204, 207, 210, 215, and 218;
Central Planning Area Sales 205, 206,
208, 213, 216, and 222, Final
Environmental Impact Statement (OCS
EIS/EA MMS 2007–018). For more
information on the SEIS, you may
contact Dennis Chew, Minerals
Management Service, Gulf of Mexico
OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard (MS 5412), New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123–2394, or by e-mail at
environment@mms.gov. You may also
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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 on 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, the
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
the availability of pre-decisional
information. The MMS anticipates this
summary will form the basis for a
Memorandum of Understanding
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/cooperatingagency
memofactors.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,
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significant issues that should be
addressed, alternatives that should be
considered, and scenario development
in one of the following two ways:
1. In written form enclosed in an
envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on the
Supplemental 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.
2. Electronically to the MMS e-mail
address: environment@mms.gov.
Comments should be submitted no
later than 45 days from the publication
of this NOI.
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings on
the Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement
Pursuant to the regulations
implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.), the
MMS will hold public scoping meetings
in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama on
the SEIS for the tentatively scheduled
2009–2012 oil and gas leasing proposal
in the Western and Central GOM. While
the purpose of these meetings will be to
solicit comments on the scope of the
SEIS, MMS is also using this
opportunity to solicit input on previous
forecasts and current forecasting
methods of exploration and
development activity, pipeline landfalls,
and onshore waste disposal sites
associated with OCS lease sales.
Federal, state, and local government
agencies; industry; and the public are
encouraged to comment on recently
published reports prepared by MMS.
These reports can be found at https://
www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/
environ/nepa/nepaprocess.html.
The public scoping meetings are
scheduled as follows:
• Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Larose
Civic Center, Larose Regional Park,
Larose, Louisiana, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 10, 2007, The
Woods Auditorium in the Energy, Coast
and Environment Building at the
Louisiana State University Campus,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1 p.m.
• Thursday, October 11, 2007,
Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water
Street, Mobile, Alabama, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, October 11, 2007,
Marriott Houston Intercontinental at
George Bush Intercontinental, 18700
John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Houston,
Texas, 1 p.m.
For further information about the
scoping meetings, contact Mr. Dennis
Chew, Minerals Management Service,
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201
Elmwood Park Boulevard (MS 5412),
E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 174 / Monday, September 10, 2007 / Notices
Dated: August 24, 2007.
Randall B. Luthi,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
[FR Doc. E7–17737 Filed 9–7–07; 8:45 am]
average number of respondents, the
words that should be added at the end
are ‘‘and 4750 non-respondents’’. Under
the heading Estimated average number
of responses, the answer should be:
8,794 responses (4,044 respondents and
4,750 non-respondents). Under the
heading Estimated average time burden
per respondent, the information that
should be added should read ‘‘Nonrespondents: 1 minute/respondent’’.
Under the heading Estimated total
annual reporting burden, the
information should be 1,144 hours. If
you have any questions or concerns
regarding this matter, please contact Mr.
Leonard E. Stowe, NPS, Information
Collection Clearance Office, 1849 C St.,
NW., (2605), Washington, DC 20240; or
via fax at 202/371–1427; or via e-mail at
leonardlstowe@nps.gov.
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
30-Day Notice of Submission of Study
Package to the Office of Management
and Budget; Opportunity for Public
Comment (OMB #1024–xxxx, ‘‘2007
National Park Service Comprehensive
Survey of the American Public’’)
Department of the Interior,
National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
ebenthall on PRODPC61 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5
CFR Part 1320, Reporting and
Recordkeeping Requirements, the
National Park Service (NPS) invites
public comments on a proposed new
collection of information (OMB# 1024–
xxxx). The 30-Day Federal Register
Notice for this collection of information
was published on August 28, 2007
(Volume 72, Number 166, Pages 49303–
49305). There are a few corrections that
need to be added to the previous
publication of this Federal Register
Notice. Under the heading Estimated
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Dated: August 30, 2007.
Leonard E. Stowe,
NPS, Information Collection Clearance Office.
[FR Doc. 07–4413 Filed 9–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–M
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability of a Record of
Decision (ROD) on the Final General
Management Plan/Environmental
Impact Statement (FGMP/EIS), Castillo
de San Marcos National Monument
SUMMARY: The National Park Service
(NPR) announces the availability of the
ROD on the FGMP/EIS for Castillo de
San Marcos National Monument,
Florida.
On June 11, 2007, the Regional
Director, NPS, Southeast Region,
approved the ROD for the project. As
soon as practicable, the NPS will begin
to implement the FGMP/EIS, described
as the Preferred Alternative contained in
the FGMP/EIS issued on May 4, 2007.
The approved plan will enhance
opportunities for visitors to interact
with and appreciate the national
monument’s resources while providing
for the preservation and protection of
the park’s resources when implemented.
The approved alternative will enhance
the visitor experience by removing some
modern intrusions from the Castillo and
from the exterior landscapes. The visitor
center authorized by Public Law 108–
480, pending availability and approval
of capital and operational funding,
E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM
10SEN1
EN10SE07.000</GPH>
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394,
telephone (504) 736–2793.
51657
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 174 (Monday, September 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51654-51657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western and Central Gulf of Mexico
(GOM), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2009-2012
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: On April 28, 2006, MMS issued a Call for 11 lease sales in the
Western and Central GOM planning areas included in the draft proposed
2007-2012 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. After that Call the Congress
enacted a mandate, in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006
(GOMESA) (Pub. L. 109-432, December 20, 2006), that MMS offer, as soon
as practicable, approximately 5.8 million acres located in the
southeastern part of the Central Planning Area (CPA) referred to as the
``181 South Area.'' Central GOM Sale 208 (March 2009) will be the first
sale to include the ``181 South Area.'' The purpose of this Call is to
gather information on oil and gas leasing, exploration, and development
that might result from the four Central GOM OCS oil and gas lease sales
tentatively scheduled in 2009-2012, in particular regarding the ``181
South Area.'' The purpose of this NOI is to announce MMS's intent to
prepare a SEIS on the four Central and three Western GOM OCS oil and
gas lease sales tentatively scheduled in 2009-2012. Comments received
in response to the NOI will assist MMS in developing the scope of the
SEIS.
DATES: Comments on the Call must be received no later than October 10,
2007 and comments on the NOI must be received no later than October 25,
2007 at the addresses 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 (MS 5422), New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2803. For information on the
NOI, you may contact Mr. Dennis Chew, Minerals Management Service, Gulf
of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (MS 5412), New
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2793.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GOMESA, (Pub. L. 109-432, December 20,
2006), mandated MMS to offer approximately 5.8 million acres in the CPA
(formerly the ``181 South Area'' was an area under Congressional
moratoria and Presidential withdrawal for oil and gas leasing ``as soon
as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act.'' This Call/NOI
is the initial step in the prelease process for a sale within that 181
South Area. To fully comply with all pertinent laws, rules, and
regulations and to allow the public an adequate opportunity to
participate in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process,
the earliest MMS would be able to offer this area would be March 2009.
The SEIS will update the environmental and socioeconomic analyses
in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2007-2012; Western
Planning Area Sales 204, 207, 210, 215, and 218; Central Planning Area
Sales 205, 206, 208, 213, 216, and 222, Final Environmental Impact
Statement (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-018) (Multisale EIS) and will address
the addition of the ``181 South Area.''
Call for Information and Nominations
1. Authority
This Call is published pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act (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 sales:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sale
Lease sale, OCS planning area year
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sale 208, Central GOM........................................... 2009
Sale 213, Central GOM........................................... 2010
Sale 216, Central GOM........................................... 2011
Sale 222, Central GOM........................................... 2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information on oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, and
production within this portion of the CPA 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 within GOMESA to offer
additional acreage in the southeastern portion of the Central Planning
Area as depicted on the map at the end of this notice. Leasing within
this area will be in compliance with applicable laws including all
requirements of the NEPA, Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and OCSLA.
Established Departmental procedures will be employed.
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3. Description of Area
The general area of this Call covers approximately 5.8 million
acres in the Central GOM planning area, south of the Sale 181 Area. The
area is south of eastern Alabama and western Florida; the nearest point
of land is 125 miles northwest in Louisiana. A standard Call for
Information Map depicting this portion of the CPA is available without
charge from the Minerals Management Service, Public Information Office
(MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-
2394, or by telephone at 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 for Proposed 2009-2012
Lease Sales in the Central Gulf of Mexico,'' submitted to the Gulf of
Mexico OCS 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 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 potential conflicts between
future OCS oil and gas activities that may result from the proposed
lease sales and State Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). If possible,
these comments should identify specific CMP policies of concern, the
nature of the conflict foreseen, and steps that 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 State
CMPs.
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-
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 are
assessing 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, the MMS has 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 Office
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
Call for Information and August 2007.
Nominations.
NOI to Prepare a SEIS.......... August 2007.
Comments Received on Call/NOI.. September-October 2007.
Scoping Meetings............... October 2007.
Area Identification Decision... October-November 2007.
Draft SEIS Published........... April 2008.
Public Hearings on Draft SEIS.. May-June 2007.
Final SEIS Published........... October 2008.
Proposed Notice of Sale and 5 months before lease sale.
Coastal Zone Management
Consistency Determination.
Final Notice of Sale........... 1 month before lease sale.
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 oil and gas
lease sales tentatively scheduled in 2009-2012 in the Western and
Central GOM offshore the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Alabama. The SEIS will update the analyses in the
[[Page 51656]]
Multisale EIS. 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 ``181 South Area,'' and any new
information available since the publication of the Multisale EIS.
In an effort to reevaluate and improve the scenarios for OCS lease
sales presented in its NEPA documents, the MMS is also using this
scoping opportunity to solicit input on previous forecasts and present
methods of forecasting[TZ (LD)8] exploration and development activity,
pipeline landfalls, and onshore waste disposal sites. Federal, state,
and local government agencies; industry; and the public are encouraged
to comment on recently published reports prepared by MMS. These reports
can be found at https://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/nepa/
nepaprocess.html.
3. Supplemental Information
As mandated in the recently enacted GOMESA, MMS shall offer the
``181 South Area'' for oil and gas leasing pursuant to the OCSLA (43
U.S.C. 1331 et seq.). In March 2009, proposed Lease Sale 208 would be
the first CPA sale to offer the ``181 South Area.'' The MMS is
proposing to prepare a SEIS to address the addition of the ``181 South
Area'' and any new information available since the publication of the
Multisale EIS. 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 any of the seven proposed lease
sales. At the completion of this SEIS process, a decision will be made
for proposed Central Sale 208 (2009) and Western Sale 210 (2009).
This SEIS will supplement the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease
Sales: 2007-2012; Western Planning Area Sales 204, 207, 210, 215, and
218; Central Planning Area Sales 205, 206, 208, 213, 216, and 222,
Final Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-018). For
more information on the SEIS, you may contact Dennis Chew, Minerals
Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard (MS 5412), New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, or by e-mail at
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 on 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, the 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 the
availability of pre-decisional information. The MMS anticipates this
summary will form the basis for a Memorandum of Understanding 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, alternatives
that should be considered, and scenario development in one of the
following two ways:
1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on
the Supplemental 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.
2. Electronically to the MMS e-mail address: environment@mms.gov.
Comments should be submitted no later than 45 days from the
publication of this NOI.
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings on the Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement
Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.), the MMS will hold public scoping
meetings in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama on the SEIS for the
tentatively scheduled 2009-2012 oil and gas leasing proposal in the
Western and Central GOM. While the purpose of these meetings will be to
solicit comments on the scope of the SEIS, MMS is also using this
opportunity to solicit input on previous forecasts and current
forecasting methods of exploration and development activity, pipeline
landfalls, and onshore waste disposal sites associated with OCS lease
sales. Federal, state, and local government agencies; industry; and the
public are encouraged to comment on recently published reports prepared
by MMS. These reports can be found at https://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/
regulate/environ/nepa/nepaprocess.html.
The public scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Larose Civic Center, Larose
Regional Park, Larose, Louisiana, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007, The Woods Auditorium in the
Energy, Coast and Environment Building at the Louisiana State
University Campus, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1 p.m.
Thursday, October 11, 2007, Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64
South Water Street, Mobile, Alabama, 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 11, 2007, Marriott Houston
Intercontinental at George Bush Intercontinental, 18700 John F. Kennedy
Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 1 p.m.
For further information about the scoping meetings, contact Mr.
Dennis Chew, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region,
1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (MS 5412),
[[Page 51657]]
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2793.
Dated: August 24, 2007.
Randall B. Luthi,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN10SE07.000
[FR Doc. E7-17737 Filed 9-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
