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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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