Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Beaver Creek Coal Bed Natural Gas Development Project, Wyoming, 43948-43949 [E8-17327]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
43948
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 146 / Tuesday, July 29, 2008 / Notices
e-mail cary_norquist@fws.gov); and
David Kampwerth at Conway, Arkansas
for the cave crayfish (telephone, 501–
501–4477, e-mail
david_kampwerth@fws.gov).
Under the
Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Service
maintains a list of endangered and
threatened wildlife and plant species at
50 CFR 17.11 (for wildlife) and 17.12
(for plants) (collectively referred to as
the List). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act
requires that we conduct a review of
listed species at least once every 5 years.
Then, on the basis of such reviews,
under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine
whether or not any species should be
removed from the List (delisted), or
reclassified from endangered to
threatened or from threatened to
endangered. Delisting a species must be
supported by the best scientific and
commercial data available and only
considered if such data substantiate that
the species is neither endangered nor
threatened for one or more of the
following reasons: (1) The species is
considered extinct; (2) the species is
considered to be recovered; and/or (3)
the original data available when the
species was listed, or the interpretation
of such data, were in error. Any change
in Federal classification would require a
separate rulemaking process.
Amendments to the List through final
rules are published in the Federal
Register .
The regulations at 50 CFR 424.21
require that we publish a notice in the
Federal Register announcing those
species currently under active review.
This notice announces our active review
of the following species that are
currently listed as endangered:
vermillion darter, pygmy madtom,
palezone shiner, fanshell, pink mucket,
spruce-fir moss spider, cave crayfish,
Pyne’s groundplum, small-anthered
bittercress, leafy prairie clover, smooth
coneflower, spreading avens, Roan
Mountain bluet, rough-leaved
loosestrife, Michaux’s sumac, and
Alabama canebrake pitcher plant. The
other four species in this notice are
currently listed as threatened. The List
is also available on our Internet site at
https://endangered.fws.gov/
wildlife.html#Species.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
What information is considered in the
review?
A 5-year review considers the best
scientific and commercial data that have
become available since the current
listing determination or most recent
status review of each species, such as:
A. Species biology, including but not
limited to population trends,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:12 Jul 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
distribution, abundance, demographics,
and genetics;
B. Habitat conditions, including but
not limited to amount, distribution, and
suitability;
C. Conservation measures that have
been implemented to benefit the
species;
D. Threat status and trends (see five
factors under heading ‘‘How do we
determine whether a species is
endangered or threatened?’’); and
E. Other new information, data, or
corrections, including but not limited to
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes,
identification of erroneous information
contained in the List, and improved
analytical methods.
Definitions Related to This Notice
We provide the following definitions
to assist individuals submitting
information regarding the species being
reviewed:
A. Species includes any species or
subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant,
and any distinct population segment of
any species of vertebrate which
interbreeds when mature.
B. Endangered means any species that
is in danger of extinction throughout all
or a significant portion of its range.
C. Threatened means any species that
is likely to become an endangered
species within the foreseeable future
throughout all or a significant portion of
its range.
How do we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened?
warranted, then the species will remain
on the List under their current status.
Public Solicitation of New Information
We request any new information
concerning the status of any of these 20
species. See ‘‘What information is
considered in the review?’’ heading for
specific criteria. Information submitted
should be supported by documentation
such as maps, bibliographic references,
methods used to gather and analyze the
data, and/or copies of any pertinent
publications, reports, or letters by
knowledgeable sources. Our practice is
to make comments, including names
and home addresses of respondents,
available for public review during
regular business hours. Individual
respondents may request that we
withhold their home addresses, etc., but
if you wish us to withhold this
information, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comments. In addition, you must
present a rationale for withholding this
information. This rationale must
demonstrate that disclosure would
constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of privacy. Unsupported
assertions will not meet this burden. In
the absence of exceptional, documental
circumstances, this information will be
released. We will always make
submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes
that we determine whether a species is
endangered or threatened based on one
or more of the following five factors:
A. The present or threatened
destruction, modification, or
curtailment of its habitat or range;
B. Overutilization for commercial,
recreational, scientific, or educational
purposes;
C. Disease or predation;
D. The inadequacy of existing
regulatory mechanisms; or
E. Other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence.
Dated: June 30, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8–17368 Filed 7–28–08; 8:45 am]
What could happen as a result of this
review?
[WY–050–08–1310–DB]
If we find that there is new
information concerning any of these 20
species indicating that a change in
classification may be warranted, we may
propose a new rule that could do one of
the following: (a) Reclassify the species
from endangered to threatened
(downlist); (b) reclassify the species
from threatened to endangered (uplist);
or (c) delist the species. If we determine
that a change in classification is not
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Beaver Creek Coal Bed Natural Gas
Development Project, Wyoming
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Authority
This document is published under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) Lander Field Office
intends to prepare an Environmental
E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM
29JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 146 / Tuesday, July 29, 2008 / Notices
Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed
coal bed natural gas (CBNG)
development approximately 9 miles
southeast of Riverton, Wyoming. The
proposed development project is known
as the Beaver Creek Coal Bed Natural
Gas Development Project (Project),
located in Fremont County, Wyoming.
DATES: The BLM will announce public
scoping meetings hosted in Lander and
Riverton, Wyoming to identify relevant
issues through local media, newsletters,
individual mailings, and the BLM Web
site at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/
NEPA/lfodocs/beavercreek_cbng.html at
least 15 days prior to each meeting. We
will provide additional opportunities
for public participation upon
publication of the Draft EIS, including a
minimum 45-day public comment
period.
You may submit your issues
and comments related to the Beaver
Creek Coal Bed Natural Gas
Development Project EIS by any of the
following methods:
• Web Site: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/
info/NEPA/lfodocs/
beavercreek_cbng.html.
• E-mail: Curtis_Bryan@blm.gov.
• Fax: 307–332–8444.
• Mail: Lander Field Office, 1335
Main Street, Lander, WY 82520.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined at the Lander Field
Office.
ADDRESSES:
For
further information, contact Curtis
Bryan, Telephone (307) 332–8400; Email: Curtis_Bryan@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
document provides notice that the BLM
Lander Field Office, Lander, Wyoming,
intends to prepare an EIS on the
potential impacts of a proposed natural
gas field development, ancillary
facilities, pipelines, and roads. The
Beaver Creek Project area is located 9
miles southeast of the town of Riverton
in Fremont County, Wyoming. The
proposed Project is within the Beaver
Creek Unit in Township 33 North,
Range 96 West, in all or portions of
Sections 1–4, 9–16, 21–23, and 28–29;
Township 34, Range 96 West, in all or
portions of Sections 20–28 and 33–36
(6th Principal Meridian). The Beaver
Creek Project area encompasses
approximately 16,515 acres.
Approximately 82 percent of the Project
area is public lands and Federal mineral
estate administered by the BLM, with
some interspersed State and private
lands and other mineral estate.
The Proponent, Devon Energy
Production Co. LP (Devon) has
submitted a proposal to drill up to 228
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:12 Jul 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
natural gas wells, of which 208 would
produce CBNG and about 20 would
produce conventional natural gas. The
estimated drilling and completion
period would occur over the course of
5 to 10 years and the life of the project
is anticipated to be between 20 and 40
years. Devon proposes to drill the CBNG
wells at a density of one well every 40
acres. The proposed CBNG wells are
expected to be drilled vertically and
would be completed in the Mesa Verde
formation, while the proposed
conventional gas wells would likely be
completed in the Madison and
Phosphoria formations. Because the
target formations are located in different
geologic formations, conventional gas
wells may overlap with the CBNG well
density. Facilities associated with the
proposed project include access roads,
pipelines, overhead power lines, central
production facilities, four water
disposal (re-injection) wells, two
evaporation ponds, and equipment
storage areas. The Beaver Creek Unit has
experienced extensive gas development
over the last 50 years, and the
Proponent would utilize existing roads
and facilities to the extent practical.
During the short-term, while well pads
are in construction, pad size is expected
to be about 2.5 acres for each the CBNG
wells and about 3 acres for conventional
wells. This would result in an estimated
total short-term well pad disturbance of
about 565 acres. Following reclamation,
an estimated 390 acres of surface from
well pads would be left without
vegetation and disturbance.
Approximately 24 miles of new access
roads would be constructed with most
new roads developed as laterals off
existing roads. Total disturbance
associated with the construction of
access roads is estimated to be
approximately 117 acres. These roads
would be open for the life of the project.
In the short-term, construction and
installation of approximately 66 miles of
new pipelines and overhead powerlines
would disturb approximately 550 acres,
most of which would be reclaimed for
the long-term.
Produced water from the wells would
be disposed of into four proposed water
disposal (re-injection) wells and two
proposed evaporation ponds. The
injection wells would serve as the
primary method of produced water
disposal. No surface discharge of
produced water is proposed.
During the drilling phase of the
proposed project, Devon estimates that
the total short-term surface disturbance
would be approximately 1,280 acres.
After reclamation and for the life of the
proposed project, Devon estimates that
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
43949
the long-term surface disturbance would
be about 550 acres.
Major issues identified at this time
include: Potential impacts to air quality;
disposal of produced waste water; and
the potential effects of development and
production on surface resources
including vegetation, cultural resources,
and wildlife habitat.
In addition to the proposed action and
the no action alternatives, other
alternatives may be developed. These
may include: An alternative that
considers less than 228 wells; an
alternative that considers re-injection of
some or all produced water; and an
alternative that would eliminate the
need for overhead power lines by
requiring the proponent to bury all
power lines.
Martin G. Griffith,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. E8–17327 Filed 7–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[ID–300–1020–PH; DDG080004]
Notice of Public Meeting, Idaho Falls
District Resource Advisory Council
Meeting
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) Idaho Falls
District Resource Advisory Council
(RAC), will meet as indicated below.
DATES: The RAC will next meet in
Dubois and Idaho Falls, Idaho on
September 10–11, 2008 for a two day
field tour. The group will meet at the
new Dubois Fire Station, Clark Ave,
Dubois, Idaho starting at 10 a.m. The
second day the group will be meeting at
the Idaho Falls BLM Office, 1405
Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho at 8
a.m. followed by a tour to the desert.
Meeting topics include noxious weeds,
power line corridors, Snake River
Activity Operations Plan, Upper Snake
RMP and fire. Other topics will be
scheduled as appropriate. All meetings
are open to the public.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15member Council advises the Secretary
of the Interior, through the Bureau of
Land Management, on a variety of
planning and management issues
E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM
29JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43948-43949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17327]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-050-08-1310-DB]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Beaver Creek Coal Bed Natural Gas Development Project, Wyoming
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lander Field Office
intends to prepare an Environmental
[[Page 43949]]
Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed coal bed natural gas (CBNG)
development approximately 9 miles southeast of Riverton, Wyoming. The
proposed development project is known as the Beaver Creek Coal Bed
Natural Gas Development Project (Project), located in Fremont County,
Wyoming.
DATES: The BLM will announce public scoping meetings hosted in Lander
and Riverton, Wyoming to identify relevant issues through local media,
newsletters, individual mailings, and the BLM Web site at www.blm.gov/
wy/st/en/info/NEPA/lfodocs/beavercreek_cbng.html at least 15 days
prior to each meeting. We will provide additional opportunities for
public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS, including a
minimum 45-day public comment period.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your issues and comments related to the
Beaver Creek Coal Bed Natural Gas Development Project EIS by any of the
following methods:
Web Site: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/lfodocs/
beavercreek_cbng.html.
E-mail: Curtis_Bryan@blm.gov.
Fax: 307-332-8444.
Mail: Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander, WY
82520.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Lander
Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact
Curtis Bryan, Telephone (307) 332-8400; E-mail: Curtis_Bryan@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM
Lander Field Office, Lander, Wyoming, intends to prepare an EIS on the
potential impacts of a proposed natural gas field development,
ancillary facilities, pipelines, and roads. The Beaver Creek Project
area is located 9 miles southeast of the town of Riverton in Fremont
County, Wyoming. The proposed Project is within the Beaver Creek Unit
in Township 33 North, Range 96 West, in all or portions of Sections 1-
4, 9-16, 21-23, and 28-29; Township 34, Range 96 West, in all or
portions of Sections 20-28 and 33-36 (6th Principal Meridian). The
Beaver Creek Project area encompasses approximately 16,515 acres.
Approximately 82 percent of the Project area is public lands and
Federal mineral estate administered by the BLM, with some interspersed
State and private lands and other mineral estate.
The Proponent, Devon Energy Production Co. LP (Devon) has submitted
a proposal to drill up to 228 natural gas wells, of which 208 would
produce CBNG and about 20 would produce conventional natural gas. The
estimated drilling and completion period would occur over the course of
5 to 10 years and the life of the project is anticipated to be between
20 and 40 years. Devon proposes to drill the CBNG wells at a density of
one well every 40 acres. The proposed CBNG wells are expected to be
drilled vertically and would be completed in the Mesa Verde formation,
while the proposed conventional gas wells would likely be completed in
the Madison and Phosphoria formations. Because the target formations
are located in different geologic formations, conventional gas wells
may overlap with the CBNG well density. Facilities associated with the
proposed project include access roads, pipelines, overhead power lines,
central production facilities, four water disposal (re-injection)
wells, two evaporation ponds, and equipment storage areas. The Beaver
Creek Unit has experienced extensive gas development over the last 50
years, and the Proponent would utilize existing roads and facilities to
the extent practical. During the short-term, while well pads are in
construction, pad size is expected to be about 2.5 acres for each the
CBNG wells and about 3 acres for conventional wells. This would result
in an estimated total short-term well pad disturbance of about 565
acres. Following reclamation, an estimated 390 acres of surface from
well pads would be left without vegetation and disturbance.
Approximately 24 miles of new access roads would be constructed with
most new roads developed as laterals off existing roads. Total
disturbance associated with the construction of access roads is
estimated to be approximately 117 acres. These roads would be open for
the life of the project. In the short-term, construction and
installation of approximately 66 miles of new pipelines and overhead
powerlines would disturb approximately 550 acres, most of which would
be reclaimed for the long-term.
Produced water from the wells would be disposed of into four
proposed water disposal (re-injection) wells and two proposed
evaporation ponds. The injection wells would serve as the primary
method of produced water disposal. No surface discharge of produced
water is proposed.
During the drilling phase of the proposed project, Devon estimates
that the total short-term surface disturbance would be approximately
1,280 acres. After reclamation and for the life of the proposed
project, Devon estimates that the long-term surface disturbance would
be about 550 acres.
Major issues identified at this time include: Potential impacts to
air quality; disposal of produced waste water; and the potential
effects of development and production on surface resources including
vegetation, cultural resources, and wildlife habitat.
In addition to the proposed action and the no action alternatives,
other alternatives may be developed. These may include: An alternative
that considers less than 228 wells; an alternative that considers re-
injection of some or all produced water; and an alternative that would
eliminate the need for overhead power lines by requiring the proponent
to bury all power lines.
Martin G. Griffith,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. E8-17327 Filed 7-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
