Notice of Availability of a Revised Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Pinedale Anticline Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Project, Sublette County, WY, 73877-73879 [E7-24955]
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mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 248 / Friday, December 28, 2007 / Notices
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. However, under OMB
regulations, the BLM may continue to
conduct or sponsor this information
collection while it is pending at OMB.
On June 21, 2006, the BLM published a
notice in the Federal Register (71 FR
35698) requesting comment on this
information collection. The comment
period ended on August 21, 2006. The
BLM received no comments. You may
obtain copies of the collection of
information and related forms and
explanatory material by contacting the
BLM Information Collection Clearance
Officer at the telephone number listed
in the ADDRESSES section below.
DATES: The OMB is required to respond
to this request within 60 days but may
respond after 30 days. Submit your
comments to OMB at the address below
by January 28, 2008 to receive
maximum consideration.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments and
suggestions on this ICR to the Desk
Officer for the Department of the
Interior at OMB–OIRA at (202) 395–
6566 (fax) or
OIRA_DOCKET@OMB.eop.gov (e-mail).
Please provide a copy of your comments
to Alexandra Ritchie, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, Bureau of
Land Management, at U.S. Department
of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management, Mail Stop 401LS, 1849 C
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.
Additionally, you may contact
Alexandra Ritchie regarding this ICR at
(202) 452–0388 (phone); (202) 653–5287
(fax); or Alexandra_Ritchie@blm.gov (email).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
program-related questions, contact
Alzata L. Ransom, Realty Use Group, on
(202) 452–7772 (Commercial or FTS).
Persons who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8330, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, to contact Ms.
Ransom. For questions regarding this
ICR or the information collection
process, contact Alexandra Ritchie by
phone, mail, fax, or e-mail (see
ADDRESSES).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB
Control Number: 1004–0009.
Title: Land Use Application and
Permit, 43 CFR 2920.
Bureau Form Number: 2920–1.
Type of Request: Extension of
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Private Citizens,
Businesses, and State and Local
Governments.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:27 Dec 27, 2007
Jkt 214001
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses: 519.
Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour
per response for land use authorizations
that will cause little or no damage to the
public lands and resources; 120 hours
for authorizations that may cause
considerable damage or disturbance to
the public lands and resources.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 1,709.
Abstract: The BLM uses the
information to allow State and local
governments, businesses, and private
citizens to use, occupy, or develop the
public lands under certain conditions.
Land uses that may be authorized are:
agricultural development, residential
(under certain conditions), recreation
concessions (under certain conditions),
and business, industrial, and
commercial. The types of land uses
include commercial filming, advertising
displays, commercial or noncommercial
croplands, apiaries, livestock, holding
or feeding areas not related to grazing
permits and leases, harvesting of native
or introduced species, temporary or
permanent facilities for commercial
purposes (does not include mining
claims), ski resorts, construction
equipment storage sites, assembly yards,
oil rig stacking sites, mining claim
occupancy if the residential structures
are not incidental to the mining
operation, and water pipelines and well
pumps related to irrigation and nonirrigation facilities.
We estimate that it will take a
respondent 1 hour to complete an
application for a land use authorization
that will cause little or no damage or
disturbance to the public lands and
resources. Ninety-eight percent of land
use authorization respondents are in
this category. It will take a respondent
120 hours to complete an application for
complex land use authorization
proposals that will cause considerable
damage or disturbance to the public
lands and resources. Two percent of
land use authorization respondents are
in this category. The majority of the
complex land use authorizations are
from the major motion picture film
industry. The BLM did not receive any
responses in this last category during
the current collection period. The
average annual application processing
fee for this entire collection (complex
and less complex authorization
proposals) is $148,933.28.
We again specifically request your
comments on the following:
1. Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
functioning of the BLM, including
whether the information will have
practical utility;
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73877
2. The accuracy of BLM’s estimate of
the burden of collecting the information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
3. The quality, utility and clarity of
the information we collect; and
4. How to minimize the burden of
collecting the information on those who
are to respond, including the use of
appropriate automated electronic,
mechanical, or other forms of
information technology.
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. 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 OMB in your comment to
withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that it will be done.
Dated: December 21, 2007.
Alexandra Ritchie,
Bureau of Land Management, Information
Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E7–25217 Filed 12–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–84–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY–100–05–1310–DB]
Notice of Availability of a Revised Draft
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Pinedale Anticline
Oil and Gas Exploration and
Development Project, Sublette County,
WY
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) of 1969,
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
announces the availability of a Revised
Draft Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement for long-term
development of natural gas resources in
the Pinedale Anticline Project Area
(PAPA).
The BLM released a Draft
Supplemental Impact Statement (DSEIS)
on December 15, 2006. The comment
period for the DSEIS closed on April 6,
2007. Based upon public comments,
BLM is reissuing a Revised Draft
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (RDSEIS) to include the
analysis of two additional alternatives.
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mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
73878
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 248 / Friday, December 28, 2007 / Notices
The RDSEIS includes the three
alternatives that were analyzed in the
original draft: the no action, proposed
action, and the BLM preferred
alternative. It also includes two
additional alternatives: One based upon
the comments BLM received from oil
and gas proponents and the State of
Wyoming Game and Fish; and an
additional alternative which analyzes
full field development with current
wildlife timing stipulations in place.
The first added alternative analyzes
the effects of continued development
activities during winter under relaxed
wildlife timing stipulations within a
core area of the PAPA. In addition,
leases on the East and West flanks of the
PAPA are proposed to be placed in
suspense to offset affected winter
habitat in the core development areas. A
wildlife matrix and mitigation fund has
been incorporated into this alternative
to address on and off-site mitigation.
The second added alternative
analyzes the effects of full field
development with wildlife timing
stipulations carried forward from the
2000 PAPA ROD and subsequent PAPA
decision documents. This alternative
would allow for the development of
4399 wells, the level of development
currently considered necessary to
effectively recover the oil and gas
resources.
In addition to the two new
alternatives, the RDSEIS will analyze
pace of development. This analysis will
show levels of impact associated with
the number of rigs operating at any one
time in the PAPA.
DATES: This notice initiates the public
comment process. The BLM can best use
public input if comments and resources
information are submitted within 45
days of the publication of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Please send written
comments or resource information to
the Bureau of Land Management,
Pinedale Field Office, Caleb Hiner,
Project Manager, 432 East Mill Street,
P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming
82941. Electronic mail may be sent to:
WYMail_PAPA_YRA@blm.gov. The
RDSEIS will be posted at https://
www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/
pfodocs/anticline/seis.html when
available. Your response is important
and will be considered in the
environmental analysis process. If you
do respond, we will keep you informed
of decisions resulting from this analysis.
Please note that public comments and
information submitted regarding this
project including names, e-mail
addresses and street addresses of the
respondents will be available for public
review and disclosure at the above
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:27 Dec 27, 2007
Jkt 214001
address during regular business hours
(7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except holidays). Before
including your address, phone number,
e-mail address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, be advised 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 from public review your
personal identifying information, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bureau of Land Management, Caleb
Hiner, Project Manager, 1625 West Pine,
P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming
82941. Mr. Hiner may also be reached
by telephone at (307) 367–5352, or by
sending an electronic message to:
caleb_hiner@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM
released a Draft SEIS on December 15,
2006, based on a proposal received for
long-term development of natural gas
resources in the PAPA from Questar
Exploration and Production (Questar),
Shell Exploration and Production
Company (Shell), and Ultra Resources
Inc. (Ultra). The Operators proposed to
conduct year round drilling and
completions in Concentrated
Development Areas within a Core
Development Area (coinciding with the
Anticline Crest) in the PAPA. In 2000,
the PAPA Record of Decision (ROD) for
development on the PAPA established
seasonal restrictions on natural gas
development to minimize adverse
effects on wintering big game and sage
grouse during breeding and nesting. The
Operators proposed an additional 4,399
wells on approximately 10-acre bottom
hole spacing from an additional 250
well pads to effectively recover the
mineral resource. The proposed
development included construction of
new well pads and substantial
expansion of existing well pads to allow
for multiple wells drilled from a pad.
The PAPA ROD established
restrictions on when oil and gas
development activities may occur. The
NEPA document did not include
analysis of the potential impacts of oil
and gas development activities
(specifically drilling and completions)
to big game on crucial winter ranges
during the period of November 15
through April 30.
The air quality impact analysis
considered a total of 900 wells drilled
with 700 producing well pads. The
PAPA ROD stated that if the level of
development exceeds that analyzed in
the Draft EIS, BLM would conduct
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
additional environmental analysis.
There are currently approximately 460
producing wells in the PAPA. In
addition, the BLM has determined that
there is a need for new pipeline
corridors between the PAPA and
processing plants in southwestern
Wyoming. Therefore, the RDSEIS will
also include analysis of new corridors.
In addition, specific analysis is included
in the RDSEIS for two additional gas
sales pipelines from the PAPA, one to
the Granger and Blacks Fork gas plants
and one from the PAPA to the Opal and
Pioneer gas plants.
The BLM has identified the following
resources that may be adversely
impacted by the proposal: Surface and
ground water resources; air quality;
wildlife and their habitats; reclamation;
visual resources; transportation; noxious
weed control; grazing, cultural and
paleontological resources; wetland and
riparian resources; threatened and
endangered animal and plant species;
and socioeconomic resources.
The BLM conducted NEPA analysis
and issued a ROD for the Pinedale
Anticline Oil and Gas Exploration and
Development Project in July 2000. The
BLM conducted this analysis in
response to increasing numbers of
operators requesting approval to drill
and develop gas wells on the Pinedale
Anticline. The NEPA document
analyzed three alternatives with
different levels of required mitigation
and for each alternative there were three
exploration and development scenarios
based on the density and distribution of
well pad development. The PAPA ROD
established protection of big game
crucial winter ranges from oil and gas
developments (well drilling and
completion) during the winter months.
The PAPA ROD provided that the
BLM could grant limited exceptions to
this winter closure period based on
current conditions such as presence of
wintering animals or depth of snow
cover. However, each exception was to
be made on a case-by-case basis
(annually) and usually with the
requirement that should winter
conditions prevail, those activities
would cease.
Starting in the winter 2002–2003, the
BLM authorized Questar Exploration
and Development Company (Questar) to
continue gas development operations at
one well pad within big game crucial
winter range with the requirement that
Questar work closely with the Wyoming
Game and Fish Department in its study
of impacts to the Sublette Mule Deer. In
November 2004, the BLM issued a
Decision Record allowing Questar to
expand their development activities in
crucial mule deer winter range during
E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 248 / Friday, December 28, 2007 / Notices
winter while continuing to support the
Sublette Mule Deer Study (Questar
Year-Round Drilling Proposal
Environmental Assessment, November
2004).
Since then other operators within the
Pinedale Anticline have expressed
interest in conducting gas development
activities including year-round drilling
within big game crucial winter range. In
the summer of 2005, Anschutz, Shell,
and Ultra submitted a proposal to the
BLM for year-round drilling
demonstration project on three well
pads within their leaseholds during one
year. In September 2005, BLM issued a
Decision Record to allow them to
proceed (ASU Year-Round Drilling
Demonstration Project, September
2005). The Decision Record allowed
each of the three operators to drill yearround on one well pad each on crucial
winter range during the winter of 2005–
2006. The result of that project led the
Operators to the current proposal and to
BLM’s determination that a
Supplemental EIS is necessary. The
PAPA encompasses approximately
198,034 acres of primarily Federal lands
(nearly 80 percent), and state and
private land. Approximately 83 percent
of the mineral estate underlying the
PAPA is federally-owned.
James K. Murkin,
Acting Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. E7–24955 Filed 12–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337–TA–613]
In the Matter of Certain 3G Mobile
Handsets and Components; Notice of
Commission Decision not to Review an
Initial Determination Granting
Complainants’ Motion to Amend the
Complaint and Notice of Investigation
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined not to
review an initial determination (‘‘ID’’)
(Order No. 9) of the presiding
administrative law judge (‘‘ALJ’’)
granting complainants’’ motion to
amend the complaint and notice of
investigation in the above-captioned
investigation. The above-captioned
investigation has been consolidated
with Inv. No. 337–TA–601, Certain 3G
Wideband Code Division Multiple
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:27 Dec 27, 2007
Jkt 214001
Access (WCDMA) Handsets and
Components Thereof.
Eric
Frahm, Office of the General Counsel,
U.S. International Trade Commission,
500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC
20436, telephone (202) 205–3107.
Copies of non-confidential documents
filed in connection with this
investigation are or will be available for
inspection during official business
hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
Office of the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436,
telephone (202) 205–2000. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
Internet server at https://www.usitc.gov.
The public record for this investigation
may be viewed on the Commission’s
electronic docket (EDIS) at https://
edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired
persons are advised that information on
this matter can be obtained by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal on (202) 205–1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject initial determination concerns
investigations which have now been
consolidated: Inv. No. 337–TA–601 and
Inv. No. 337–TA–613. The Commission
instituted Inv. No. 337–TA–601 on
April 27, 2007, based on a complaint by
InterDigital Communications Corp. of
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and
InterDigital Technology Corp. of
Wilmington, Delaware (collectively,
‘‘InterDigital’’) filed on March 23, 2007.
72 FR 21049. The complaint, as
amended, alleged violations of section
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1337) in the importation into the United
States, the sale for importation, and the
sale within the United States after
importation of certain 3G wideband
code division multiple access (WCDMA)
handsets and components thereof by
reason of infringement of claim 7 of U.S.
Patent No. 6,674,791; claims 1, 3, and 4
of U.S. Patent No. 6,693,579; claims 1,
2, 31, 32, and 59 of U.S. Patent No.
7,117,004; and claims 1, 3, 8, 9, and 11
of U.S. Patent No. 7,190,966. The notice
of investigation named Samsung
Electronics Co., Ltd. of Seoul, Korea;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. of
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey; and
Samsung Telecommunications America
LLC of Richardson, Texas (collectively,
‘‘Samsung’’) as respondents.
The Commission instituted Inv. No.
337–TA–613 on September 11, 2007,
based on a complaint by InterDigital
filed on August 7, 2007. 72 FR 51838.
The complaint, as amended, alleged
violations of section 337 of the Tariff
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
PO 00000
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73879
importation into the United States, the
sale for importation, and the sale within
the United States after importation of
certain 3G mobile handsets and
components by reason of infringement
of claims 1–4 of U.S. Patent No.
6,693,579; claims 1, 2, 7–10, 14, 15, 21,
22, 24, 30–32, 34, 35, 46, 47, 49, 59, and
60 of U.S. Patent No. 7,117,004; and
claims 1–3 and 6–12 of U.S. Patent No.
7,190,966. The notice of investigation
named Nokia Corporation of Finland
and Nokia Inc. of Irving, Texas
(collectively, ‘‘Nokia’’) as respondents.
On October 24, 2007, the ALJ
consolidated Inv. No. 337–TA–601 with
Inv. No. 337–TA–613.
On October 23, 2007, InterDigital
moved to amend the complaint and
notice of investigation of Inv. No. 337–
TA–613 to add allegations of
infringement of claims 1–3 and 5–11 of
recently issued U.S. Patent No.
7,286,847 (‘‘the ’847 patent’’) by Nokia.
The Commission investigative attorney
supported the motion. No other party
responded to the motion.
On November 9, 2007, the ALJ issued
the subject ID granting InterDigital’s
motion, finding that there was good
cause to amend the complaint and
notice of investigation. No petitions for
review were filed. The Commission has
determined not to review the ID.
The authority for the Commission’s
determination is contained in section
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, and in
sections 210.14 and 210.42(c) of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 19 CFR 210.14, 210.42(c).
Issued: December 6, 2007.
By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7–25172 Filed 12–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Inv. No. 337–TA–543]
In the Matter of Certain Baseband
Processor Chips and Chipsets,
Transmitter and Receiver (Radio)
Chips, Power Control Chips, and
Products Containing Same, Including
Cellular Telephone Handsets; Notice of
Institution of Formal Enforcement
Proceeding
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM
28DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73877-73879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24955]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-100-05-1310-DB]
Notice of Availability of a Revised Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for the Pinedale Anticline Oil and Gas
Exploration and Development Project, Sublette County, WY
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) announces the availability of a Revised Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for long-term development of natural gas
resources in the Pinedale Anticline Project Area (PAPA).
The BLM released a Draft Supplemental Impact Statement (DSEIS) on
December 15, 2006. The comment period for the DSEIS closed on April 6,
2007. Based upon public comments, BLM is reissuing a Revised Draft
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (RDSEIS) to include the
analysis of two additional alternatives.
[[Page 73878]]
The RDSEIS includes the three alternatives that were analyzed in the
original draft: the no action, proposed action, and the BLM preferred
alternative. It also includes two additional alternatives: One based
upon the comments BLM received from oil and gas proponents and the
State of Wyoming Game and Fish; and an additional alternative which
analyzes full field development with current wildlife timing
stipulations in place.
The first added alternative analyzes the effects of continued
development activities during winter under relaxed wildlife timing
stipulations within a core area of the PAPA. In addition, leases on the
East and West flanks of the PAPA are proposed to be placed in suspense
to offset affected winter habitat in the core development areas. A
wildlife matrix and mitigation fund has been incorporated into this
alternative to address on and off-site mitigation.
The second added alternative analyzes the effects of full field
development with wildlife timing stipulations carried forward from the
2000 PAPA ROD and subsequent PAPA decision documents. This alternative
would allow for the development of 4399 wells, the level of development
currently considered necessary to effectively recover the oil and gas
resources.
In addition to the two new alternatives, the RDSEIS will analyze
pace of development. This analysis will show levels of impact
associated with the number of rigs operating at any one time in the
PAPA.
DATES: This notice initiates the public comment process. The BLM can
best use public input if comments and resources information are
submitted within 45 days of the publication of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Please send written comments or resource information to the
Bureau of Land Management, Pinedale Field Office, Caleb Hiner, Project
Manager, 432 East Mill Street, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming 82941.
Electronic mail may be sent to: WYMail--PAPA--YRA@blm.gov. The RDSEIS
will be posted at https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/pfodocs/
anticline/seis.html when available. Your response is important and will
be considered in the environmental analysis process. If you do respond,
we will keep you informed of decisions resulting from this analysis.
Please note that public comments and information submitted regarding
this project including names, e-mail addresses and street addresses of
the respondents will be available for public review and disclosure at
the above address during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays). Before including your
address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying
information in your comment, be advised 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
from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Land Management, Caleb
Hiner, Project Manager, 1625 West Pine, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming
82941. Mr. Hiner may also be reached by telephone at (307) 367-5352, or
by sending an electronic message to: caleb_hiner@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM released a Draft SEIS on December
15, 2006, based on a proposal received for long-term development of
natural gas resources in the PAPA from Questar Exploration and
Production (Questar), Shell Exploration and Production Company (Shell),
and Ultra Resources Inc. (Ultra). The Operators proposed to conduct
year round drilling and completions in Concentrated Development Areas
within a Core Development Area (coinciding with the Anticline Crest) in
the PAPA. In 2000, the PAPA Record of Decision (ROD) for development on
the PAPA established seasonal restrictions on natural gas development
to minimize adverse effects on wintering big game and sage grouse
during breeding and nesting. The Operators proposed an additional 4,399
wells on approximately 10-acre bottom hole spacing from an additional
250 well pads to effectively recover the mineral resource. The proposed
development included construction of new well pads and substantial
expansion of existing well pads to allow for multiple wells drilled
from a pad.
The PAPA ROD established restrictions on when oil and gas
development activities may occur. The NEPA document did not include
analysis of the potential impacts of oil and gas development activities
(specifically drilling and completions) to big game on crucial winter
ranges during the period of November 15 through April 30.
The air quality impact analysis considered a total of 900 wells
drilled with 700 producing well pads. The PAPA ROD stated that if the
level of development exceeds that analyzed in the Draft EIS, BLM would
conduct additional environmental analysis. There are currently
approximately 460 producing wells in the PAPA. In addition, the BLM has
determined that there is a need for new pipeline corridors between the
PAPA and processing plants in southwestern Wyoming. Therefore, the
RDSEIS will also include analysis of new corridors. In addition,
specific analysis is included in the RDSEIS for two additional gas
sales pipelines from the PAPA, one to the Granger and Blacks Fork gas
plants and one from the PAPA to the Opal and Pioneer gas plants.
The BLM has identified the following resources that may be
adversely impacted by the proposal: Surface and ground water resources;
air quality; wildlife and their habitats; reclamation; visual
resources; transportation; noxious weed control; grazing, cultural and
paleontological resources; wetland and riparian resources; threatened
and endangered animal and plant species; and socioeconomic resources.
The BLM conducted NEPA analysis and issued a ROD for the Pinedale
Anticline Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Project in July 2000.
The BLM conducted this analysis in response to increasing numbers of
operators requesting approval to drill and develop gas wells on the
Pinedale Anticline. The NEPA document analyzed three alternatives with
different levels of required mitigation and for each alternative there
were three exploration and development scenarios based on the density
and distribution of well pad development. The PAPA ROD established
protection of big game crucial winter ranges from oil and gas
developments (well drilling and completion) during the winter months.
The PAPA ROD provided that the BLM could grant limited exceptions
to this winter closure period based on current conditions such as
presence of wintering animals or depth of snow cover. However, each
exception was to be made on a case-by-case basis (annually) and usually
with the requirement that should winter conditions prevail, those
activities would cease.
Starting in the winter 2002-2003, the BLM authorized Questar
Exploration and Development Company (Questar) to continue gas
development operations at one well pad within big game crucial winter
range with the requirement that Questar work closely with the Wyoming
Game and Fish Department in its study of impacts to the Sublette Mule
Deer. In November 2004, the BLM issued a Decision Record allowing
Questar to expand their development activities in crucial mule deer
winter range during
[[Page 73879]]
winter while continuing to support the Sublette Mule Deer Study
(Questar Year-Round Drilling Proposal Environmental Assessment,
November 2004).
Since then other operators within the Pinedale Anticline have
expressed interest in conducting gas development activities including
year-round drilling within big game crucial winter range. In the summer
of 2005, Anschutz, Shell, and Ultra submitted a proposal to the BLM for
year-round drilling demonstration project on three well pads within
their leaseholds during one year. In September 2005, BLM issued a
Decision Record to allow them to proceed (ASU Year-Round Drilling
Demonstration Project, September 2005). The Decision Record allowed
each of the three operators to drill year-round on one well pad each on
crucial winter range during the winter of 2005-2006. The result of that
project led the Operators to the current proposal and to BLM's
determination that a Supplemental EIS is necessary. The PAPA
encompasses approximately 198,034 acres of primarily Federal lands
(nearly 80 percent), and state and private land. Approximately 83
percent of the mineral estate underlying the PAPA is federally-owned.
James K. Murkin,
Acting Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. E7-24955 Filed 12-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
