Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Normally Pressured Lance Natural Gas Development Project, Sublette County, WY, 20370-20371 [2011-8687]

Download as PDF 20370 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2011 / Notices srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the public room at the BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana. A written notice to participate in the exploration licenses should be sent to the State Director, BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101–4669 and Spring Creek Coal Company, P.O. Box 67, Decker, Montana 59025–0067. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Giovanini by telephone at 406– 896–5084 or by e-mail at rgiovani@blm.gov; or Connie Schaff by telephone at 406–896–5060 or by e-mail at cschaff@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The exploration activities will be performed pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations at 43 CFR part 3410. The purpose of the exploration program is to gain additional geologic knowledge of the coal underlying the exploration area for the purpose of assessing the coal resources. The exploration program is fully described and will be conducted pursuant to an exploration license and plan approved by the BLM. The exploration plan may be modified to accommodate the legitimate exploration needs of persons seeking to participate. The lands to be explored for coal deposits in exploration license MTM 101687 are described as follows: Principal Meridian, Montana T. 8 S., R. 38 E., Sec. 24, E1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 25, E1⁄2NE1⁄4 and NE1⁄4SE1⁄4. T. 8 S., R. 39 E., Sec. 4, S1⁄2; Sec. 5, lots 13 thru 26, inclusive, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; Sec. 8, lots 1 thru 4, inclusive, E1⁄2, and E1⁄2W1⁄2; Sec. 9; Sec. 13, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4NW1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4NW1⁄4, N1⁄2SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, NE1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4SE1⁄4; Sec. 17, lots 1 thru 4, inclusive, E1⁄2, and E1⁄2W1⁄2; Sec. 20, lots 1 thru 4, inclusive, E1⁄2, and E1⁄2W1⁄2; Sec. 21, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4, S1⁄2N1⁄2, and S1⁄2; Sec. 22, SW1⁄4NW1⁄4NE1⁄4, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4SE1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2SE1⁄4NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4NW1⁄4, S1⁄2NW1⁄4, N1⁄2NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, N1⁄2SE1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4SW1⁄4, SW1⁄4NW1⁄4SW1⁄4, and SW1⁄4SW1⁄4; Sec. 27, W1⁄2NW1⁄4 and W1⁄2SE1⁄4NW1⁄4; Sec. 28, N1⁄2NE1⁄4, NW1⁄4, and NW1⁄4SW1⁄4; Sec. 29, N1⁄2NE1⁄4 and NE1⁄4NW1⁄4. Containing 5,260.16 acres. The Federal coal within the lands described for exploration license MTM 101667 is currently unleased for development of Federal coal reserves. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:00 Apr 11, 2011 Jkt 223001 The lands to be explored for coal deposits in exploration license MTM 101688 are described as follows: Principal Meridian, Montana T. 8 S., R. 39 E., Sec. 26, SW1⁄4SW1⁄4 and S1⁄2SE1⁄4SW1⁄4; Sec. 27, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, S1⁄2NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, and S1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 35, E1⁄2, E1⁄2W1⁄2, and NW1⁄4NW1⁄4. T. 9 S., R. 39 E., Sec. 1, lots 1 thru 4, inclusive, W1⁄2E1⁄2, and W1⁄2; Sec. 2, E1⁄2 and E1⁄2W1⁄2; Sec. 11, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and N1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 12, lots 1 thru 4, inclusive, W1⁄2E1⁄2, NW1⁄4, N1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4SW1⁄4. T. 9 S., R. 40 E., Sec. 6, lots 5–7, inclusive, S1⁄2SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, S1⁄2NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, and S1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 7, lots 1–4, inclusive, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2W1⁄2, N1⁄2SE1⁄4, and SW1⁄4SE1⁄4. Containing 3,751.45 acres. The Federal coal within the lands described for exploration license MTM 101668 is currently unleased for development of Federal coal reserves. The Spring Creek Coal Company has requested that the BLM’s decision associated with exploration license MTM 101688 be deferred for approximately 9 months after the decision on exploration license MTM 101687. Phillip C. Perlewitz, Chief, Branch of Solid Minerals. [FR Doc. 2011–8685 Filed 4–11–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWYD010000–L13110000–EJ0000] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Normally Pressured Lance Natural Gas Development Project, Sublette County, WY Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office (PFO), Pinedale, Wyoming, and the BLM Rock Springs Field Office (RSFO), Rock Springs, Wyoming, intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 for the Normally Pressured Lance (NPL) Natural Gas Development Project and by this notice are announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until May 12, 2011. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media outlets and through the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/ NEPA/pfodocs/npl.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public participation will be provided on publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the NPL Natural Gas Development Project by any of the following methods: • E-mail: NPL_EIS_WY@blm.gov; • Mail: P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941; or • Hand delivery: 1625 W. Pine Street, Pinedale, Wyoming. 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 may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kellie Roadifer, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, Pinedale Field Office, 1625 W. Pine Street, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming 82941; 307–367–5309; Kellie_Roadifer@ blm.gov. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Pinedale Field Office and will be posted online at https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/ info/NEPA/pfodocs/npl.html. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPL encompasses an area of 141,080 acres located immediately south and west of the existing Jonah Infill Natural Gas Field. It is located within the BLM PFO and RSFO, High Desert District, in Sublette County, Wyoming. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (EnCana) currently owns leasehold interests on more than 70 percent of this area and proposes to develop up to 3,500 wells ranging from a depth of 6,500 to 13,500 feet and DATES: E:\FR\FM\12APN1.SGM 12APN1 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2011 / Notices based on a maximum of 64 wells per 640-acre section of land. These wells are projected to be drilled over a 10-year period to produce gas from the NPL pool. To minimize surface disturbance, wells would be directionally drilled from up to four 18-acre multi-well pad locations per 640-acre section of land. Approximately 10 natural gas drilling rigs would be used. Only drilling muds and cement mixed with fresh water would be used to drill and case through surface water aquifers. About 25,000 barrels of recycled water would be used to drill the majority of each well. Well completion operations would be conducted using EnCana’s flare-less flow-back technology to eliminate or reduce emissions and flow-back water would be recycled for a ‘‘net-zero’’ water balance. In order to minimize air emissions and surface disturbance, a three-phase pipeline gathering system would transport gas, condensate and producedwater to a minimal number of central collection facilities. Pipelines for the gathering system would parallel roads whenever possible and be buried deep enough to avoid freezing conditions. Electric compression would be used to minimize air impacts. Access roads and production infrastructure would be colocated wherever possible. Only a minimum number of access roads and equipment areas needed for on-going production, operation and maintenance activities would be maintained. Remote telemetry technology would reduce truck traffic associated with well servicing. Well pad locations would be constructed so that disturbed areas and haul road distances would be minimized. Topsoil would be conserved for subsequent reclamation. Reclamation efforts would commence as soon as each well pad location is completed and production equipment is operational in accordance with Onshore Order Number 1. Initial surface disturbance is estimated to be 5,429 acres or 3.85 percent of the total NPL area. After reclamation, an estimated 1,411 acres or 1.0 percent of the NPL area would remain in use for production purposes for the life of the gas field. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following potential issues: • Increased traffic and associated impacts on existing county, state, and BLM roads; • Socioeconomic impacts to local communities; VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:00 Apr 11, 2011 Jkt 223001 • Impacts to surface water and groundwater resources, including floodplains; • Air quality impacts from emissions resulting from drilling and production activities; • Impacts related to reclamation of disturbed areas and control of invasive plants; • Conflicts with livestock management operations in the Project Area; • Impacts to cultural, historical, and paleontological resources within the Project Area; • Impacts to wildlife habitats and populations within the Project Area, including big game, raptors, and sagegrouse; • Impacts to threatened, endangered, or candidate plant and animal species, including potential Green River water depletions and effects on downstream listed fish species; • Impacts to lands with wilderness characteristics; • Cumulative effects of drilling and development activities when combined with other ongoing and proposed developments; and • Conflicts between mineral development activities and recreational opportunities. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA public comment process to comply with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with BLM policy and sites of religious or cultural significance or other tribal concerns will be given due consideration. An updated inventory of lands with wilderness characteristics will be utilized to comply with Secretarial Order 3310. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders interested in or affected by the BLM’s decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 Donald A. Simpson, State Director. [FR Doc. 2011–8687 Filed 4–11–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20371 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act Notice is hereby given that on March 31, 2011, a proposed Amendment to Consent Decree was lodged with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in United States v. City of Waukegan, et al., Civil Action No. 04C 5172. Under a consent decree previously entered by the district court in this action under Sections 106 and 107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended (‘‘CERCLA’’), 42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607, the former General Motors Corporation, now known as Motors Liquidation Company (‘‘GM’’), was one of two Performing Settling Defendants responsible for implementing a remedial action to address releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances at and from the Waukegan Manufactured Gas and Coke Plant Site (the ‘‘Site’’) in Waukegan, Illinois. Pursuant to financial assurance requirements of the consent decree, GM obtained a performance bond from Westchester Fire Insurance Company (‘‘Westchester’’). After filing for bankruptcy in 2009, GM stopped participating in implementation of the remedial action at the Site. Under the proposed Amendment to Consent Decree, Westchester will become a party to the consent decree and become responsible for financing implementation of the remedial action at the Site, up to a $10.5 million limit that corresponds to the outstanding amount of the original performance bond issued by Westchester. Westchester’s obligations will include: (1) Reimbursing 50 percent of the response costs incurred by North Shore Gas Company (the other Performing Settling Defendant) between June 1, 2009, when GM stopped participating in implementation of the consent decree, and the effective date of the Amendment to Consent Decree; (2) monthly reimbursement of 50 percent of the ongoing remedial costs incurred by North Shore Gas Company after the effective date of the Amendment to Consent Decree; (3) acceleration of remaining payments (up to the $10.5 million limit on total Westchester payments) in accordance with instructions to be provided by EPA, in the event that EPA takes over implementation of any Work, pursuant to provisions of the previously entered consent decree. In addition, to guarantee E:\FR\FM\12APN1.SGM 12APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20370-20371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8687]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWYD010000-L13110000-EJ0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Normally Pressured Lance Natural Gas Development Project, 
Sublette County, WY

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Pinedale Field Office (PFO), Pinedale, Wyoming, and the BLM Rock 
Springs Field Office (RSFO), Rock Springs, Wyoming, intend to prepare 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Normally Pressured 
Lance (NPL) Natural Gas Development Project and by this notice are 
announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public 
comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until May 12, 2011. The 
dates and locations of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 
15 days in advance through local news media outlets and through the BLM 
Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/pfodocs/npl.html. In 
order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received 
prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last 
public meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public 
participation will be provided on publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the NPL Natural Gas 
Development Project by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: NPL_EIS_WY@blm.gov;
     Mail: P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941; or
     Hand delivery: 1625 W. Pine Street, Pinedale, Wyoming.

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 may 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kellie Roadifer, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, Pinedale Field Office, 1625 W. Pine Street, 
P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming 82941; 307-367-5309;  Kellie_Roadifer@blm.gov. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined 
at the Pinedale Field Office and will be posted online at https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/pfodocs/npl.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPL encompasses an area of 141,080 acres 
located immediately south and west of the existing Jonah Infill Natural 
Gas Field. It is located within the BLM PFO and RSFO, High Desert 
District, in Sublette County, Wyoming. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. 
(EnCana) currently owns leasehold interests on more than 70 percent of 
this area and proposes to develop up to 3,500 wells ranging from a 
depth of 6,500 to 13,500 feet and

[[Page 20371]]

based on a maximum of 64 wells per 640-acre section of land. These 
wells are projected to be drilled over a 10-year period to produce gas 
from the NPL pool. To minimize surface disturbance, wells would be 
directionally drilled from up to four 18-acre multi-well pad locations 
per 640-acre section of land. Approximately 10 natural gas drilling 
rigs would be used. Only drilling muds and cement mixed with fresh 
water would be used to drill and case through surface water aquifers. 
About 25,000 barrels of recycled water would be used to drill the 
majority of each well. Well completion operations would be conducted 
using EnCana's flare-less flow-back technology to eliminate or reduce 
emissions and flow-back water would be recycled for a ``net-zero'' 
water balance.
    In order to minimize air emissions and surface disturbance, a 
three-phase pipeline gathering system would transport gas, condensate 
and produced-water to a minimal number of central collection 
facilities. Pipelines for the gathering system would parallel roads 
whenever possible and be buried deep enough to avoid freezing 
conditions. Electric compression would be used to minimize air impacts. 
Access roads and production infrastructure would be co-located wherever 
possible. Only a minimum number of access roads and equipment areas 
needed for on-going production, operation and maintenance activities 
would be maintained. Remote telemetry technology would reduce truck 
traffic associated with well servicing. Well pad locations would be 
constructed so that disturbed areas and haul road distances would be 
minimized. Topsoil would be conserved for subsequent reclamation. 
Reclamation efforts would commence as soon as each well pad location is 
completed and production equipment is operational in accordance with 
Onshore Order Number 1. Initial surface disturbance is estimated to be 
5,429 acres or 3.85 percent of the total NPL area. After reclamation, 
an estimated 1,411 acres or 1.0 percent of the NPL area would remain in 
use for production purposes for the life of the gas field.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. 
At present, the BLM has identified the following potential issues:
     Increased traffic and associated impacts on existing 
county, state, and BLM roads;
     Socioeconomic impacts to local communities;
     Impacts to surface water and groundwater resources, 
including floodplains;
     Air quality impacts from emissions resulting from drilling 
and production activities;
     Impacts related to reclamation of disturbed areas and 
control of invasive plants;
     Conflicts with livestock management operations in the 
Project Area;
     Impacts to cultural, historical, and paleontological 
resources within the Project Area;
     Impacts to wildlife habitats and populations within the 
Project Area, including big game, raptors, and sage-grouse;
     Impacts to threatened, endangered, or candidate plant and 
animal species, including potential Green River water depletions and 
effects on downstream listed fish species;
     Impacts to lands with wilderness characteristics;
     Cumulative effects of drilling and development activities 
when combined with other ongoing and proposed developments; and
     Conflicts between mineral development activities and 
recreational opportunities.

The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA public comment process to 
comply with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 
U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American 
tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with BLM policy 
and sites of religious or cultural significance or other tribal 
concerns will be given due consideration. An updated inventory of lands 
with wilderness characteristics will be utilized to comply with 
Secretarial Order 3310. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with 
other stakeholders interested in or affected by the BLM's decision on 
this project are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if 
eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a 
cooperating agency.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7

Donald A. Simpson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2011-8687 Filed 4-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
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