Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Proposed Rule, 10284 [E8-3625]

Download as PDF 10284 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 26, 2008 / Notices Federal law. The Bureau of Land Management will not intervene in disputes between rival locators over possessory rights since Congress has provided for such determinations in local courts. Dated: February 6, 2008. C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. E8–3608 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Proposed Rule Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Preparation of an environmental assessment (EA). mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The MMS is issuing this notice to advise the public, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., that the MMS intends to prepare an EA for the Alternative Energy and Alternate Use (AEAU) proposed rule. The MMS is issuing this notice to facilitate public involvement. The preparation of this EA is an important step in the rulemaking process. An Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2005. A Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) analyzed the establishment of the MMS AEAU program, of which rulemaking is a component. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf was published on November 6, 2007 (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007–046). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James F. Bennett, Minerals Management Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. You may also contact Mr. Bennett by telephone at (703) 787–1660. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In August 2005, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) amended section 8 of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1337, to give the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) authority to issue a lease, easement, or right-of-way on the OCS for activities that are not otherwise authorized by the OCSLA, or other applicable law, if those activities (1) VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:29 Feb 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 produce or support production, transportation, or transmission of energy from sources other than oil and gas or (2) use, for energy-related purposes or other authorized marine-related purposes, facilities currently or previously used for activities authorized under the OCSLA. Subsection 8(p) of the OCSLA (42 U.S.C. 1337(p)) requires that the Secretary, in consultation with other relevant agencies, develop and issue any necessary regulations to implement its new authority. The Secretary delegated this authority to the Director, MMS. Public Comments: Interested parties are requested to send, within 30 days of this Notice’s publication, comments regarding any new information or issues that should be addressed in the EA. Comments may be submitted in one of the following two ways: 1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on Alternative Energy Rulemaking EA’’ and mailed (or hand carried) to the Branch Chief, Environmental Assessment Branch, Minerals Management Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. 2. Electronically to the MMS e-mail address: alternative@mms.gov. To obtain single copies of the Programmatic EIS published on November 7, 2007, you may contact Mr. James F. Bennett, Minerals Management Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. You may also view the Programmatic EIS on the MMS Web site at: ocsenergy.anl.gov. Dated: February 21, 2008. Renee Orr, Acting Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management. [FR Doc. E8–3625 Filed 2–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service General Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Saguaro National Park, AZ National Park Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability, Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Saguaro National Park, Arizona. This action follows the National PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(c). The document will provide a framework for management, visitor use, and facility development of the national park by the National Park Service for the next 15 to 25 years. The document describes three management alternatives including a no-action alternative and the preferred alternative of the National Park Service. In addition, the National Park Service analyzes anticipated environmental impacts of the alternatives. The National Park Service considered comments from the public, from traditionally associated American Indian tribes, and from government agencies on the draft plan when preparing the final. Alternatives Three management alternatives, including the no action alternative, were proposed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and have been carried forth into the Final Environmental Statement. Alternative 1, the no action alternative, would be a continuation of current management trends and serves as a basis of comparison with the action alternatives. Alternative 2, the preferred alternative, would emphasize protecting and preserving ecological processes and biological diversity by connecting dispersed wildlife and plant habitats with habitat corridors. The concept was developed to help protect biological and ecological diversity from being compromised by habitat fragmentation. Alternative 3, the second action alternative, would emphasize providing a wider range of opportunities for visitor use that is compatible with protecting and preserving park resources and wilderness characteristics. The concept was developed because of public interest in expanding park programs and visitor-use opportunities for an increasingly diverse visitor population. Date of Record of Decision: The National Park Service will execute a Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 30 days after publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of this notice of availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Impact Statement/ General Management Plan are available from Superintendent Sarah Craighead, Saguaro National Park, 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730–5601; e-mail address sarah_craighead@nps.gov; or telephone number 520–733–5100. An electronic copy of the document is available on the E:\FR\FM\26FEN1.SGM 26FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 10284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3625]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Alternative 
Energy and Alternate Use Proposed Rule

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Preparation of an environmental assessment (EA).

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SUMMARY: The MMS is issuing this notice to advise the public, pursuant 
to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq., that the MMS intends to prepare an EA for the 
Alternative Energy and Alternate Use (AEAU) proposed rule. The MMS is 
issuing this notice to facilitate public involvement. The preparation 
of this EA is an important step in the rulemaking process. An Advanced 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on 
December 30, 2005. A Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS) analyzed the establishment of the MMS AEAU program, of which 
rulemaking is a component. The Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and 
Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf was 
published on November 6, 2007 (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-046).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James F. Bennett, Minerals 
Management Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. You 
may also contact Mr. Bennett by telephone at (703) 787-1660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In August 2005, Congress enacted the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) amended 
section 8 of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1337, to give the 
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) authority to issue a lease, 
easement, or right-of-way on the OCS for activities that are not 
otherwise authorized by the OCSLA, or other applicable law, if those 
activities (1) produce or support production, transportation, or 
transmission of energy from sources other than oil and gas or (2) use, 
for energy-related purposes or other authorized marine-related 
purposes, facilities currently or previously used for activities 
authorized under the OCSLA.
    Subsection 8(p) of the OCSLA (42 U.S.C. 1337(p)) requires that the 
Secretary, in consultation with other relevant agencies, develop and 
issue any necessary regulations to implement its new authority. The 
Secretary delegated this authority to the Director, MMS.
    Public Comments: Interested parties are requested to send, within 
30 days of this Notice's publication, comments regarding any new 
information or issues that should be addressed in the EA. Comments may 
be submitted in one of the following two ways:
    1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on 
Alternative Energy Rulemaking EA'' and mailed (or hand carried) to the 
Branch Chief, Environmental Assessment Branch, Minerals Management 
Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170.
    2. Electronically to the MMS e-mail address: alternative@mms.gov. 
To obtain single copies of the Programmatic EIS published on November 
7, 2007, you may contact Mr. James F. Bennett, Minerals Management 
Service, MS 4042, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. You may also 
view the Programmatic EIS on the MMS Web site at: ocsenergy.anl.gov.

    Dated: February 21, 2008.
Renee Orr,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
 [FR Doc. E8-3625 Filed 2-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P

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