Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska OCS Region, Chukchi Sea Planning Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, 53481-53482 [2011-21916]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552. Dated: August 19, 2011. Richard U. Rodriguez, Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. 2011–21771 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am] Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, HUD. AGENCY: Notice. This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juanita Perry, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW., Room 7262, Washington, DC 20410; telephone (202) 708–1234; TTY number for the hearing- and speechimpaired (202) 708–2565, (these telephone numbers are not toll-free), or call the toll-free Title V information line at 800–927–7588. In accordance with the December 12, 1988 court order in National Coalition for the Homeless v. Veterans Administration, No. 88–2503–OG (D.D.C.), HUD publishes a Notice, on a weekly basis, identifying unutilized, underutilized, excess and surplus Federal buildings and real property that HUD has reviewed for suitability for use to assist the homeless. Today’s Notice is for the purpose of announcing that no additional properties have been determined suitable or unsuitable this week. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) announces the availability of a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, Chukchi Sea, Alaska (OCS EIS/EA BOEMRE 2011– 041). BOEMRE prepared this Final SEIS pursuant to: (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations that implement the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508); and (2) the July 21, 2010, remand order issued by the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. The Final SEIS augments the analysis of the Final EIS, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, Chukchi Sea Planning Area (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007–026). BOEMRE will issue a NEPA Record of Decision after the 30-day period during which the Final SEIS is available. BOEMRE gives this notice of availability in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6 (b). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon Warren or Mr. Mike Routhier, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99503– 5820. You may contact Ms. Warren or Mr. Routhier by telephone at 907–334– 5200. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 2007, BOEMRE (formerly the Minerals Management Service (MMS)) published the Final EIS for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, Chukchi Sea (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007–0026), which evaluated the potential effects of the proposed sale and three alternatives: a no action alternative, and two alternatives that incorporate deferral areas of varying size along the coastward edge of the proposed sale area. SUMMARY: [Docket No. FR–5477–N–34] Dated: August 18, 2011. Mark R. Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs. [FR Doc. 2011–21578 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P 19:37 Aug 25, 2011 Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska OCS Region, Chukchi Sea Planning Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT VerDate Mar<15>2010 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement AGENCY: BILLING CODE 4140–01–P ACTION: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53481 On January 31, 2008, plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, alleging violations of NEPA and the Endangered Species Act with the United States District Court for the District of Alaska (District Court) [Native Village of Point Hope et al., v. Salazar, No. 1:08–cv– 00004–RRB (D. Alaska)]. BOEMRE conducted the sale in February 2008. BOEMRE received high bids totaling approximately $2.6 billion and issued 487 leases. In July 2010, the District Court remanded the matter for further NEPA analysis in accordance with its order. The District Court amended this order in August 2010. The District Court directed BOEMRE to address three concerns: (1) Analyze the environmental impact of natural gas development; (2) determine whether missing information identified by BOEMRE in the Final EIS for Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193 was essential or relevant under 40 CFR 1502.22; and (3) determine whether the cost of obtaining the missing information was exorbitant, or the means of doing so unknown. BOEMRE: (1) Completed Chukchi Sea Planning Area Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, Draft Supplemental EIS (‘‘SEIS’’) OCS EIS/EA BOEMRE 2010–034 addressing each of these concerns; (2) published the Draft SEIS for public comment on October 15, 2010; and (3) provided a 45-day comment period. BOEMRE received over 150,000 comments on the Draft SEIS. Citing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, many commenters requested an analysis of a potential blowout and oil spill during exploration. In response to those comments, BOEMRE determined it appropriate to provide analysis of a very large oil spill (‘‘VLOS’’) from a hypothetical exploration well blowout. BOEMRE prepared the Chukchi Sea Planning Area Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, Revised Draft Supplemental SEIS OCS EIS/EA BOEMRE 2010–034 with the VLOS analysis and those issues under remand. On May 27, 2011, the Federal Register published a Notice of Availability of the Revised Draft SEIS for a 45-day public comment for BOEMRE and Notice of BOEMRE filing the Revised Draft EIS with the Environmental Protection Agency. The public comment period officially closed on July 11, 2011. During the Revised Draft SEIS public comment period, BOEMRE received over 360,000 comment letters and cards from Federal Agencies, state and local governments, Alaska Native tribes, interested groups, and members of the public. E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM 26AUN1 emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 53482 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices The Final SEIS completes the environmental review process and responds to the District Court’s remand order. The Final SEIS will provide the Secretary of Interior with sufficient information and analysis to make an informed decision on whether to affirm, modify, or cancel Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193. Final SEIS Availability: To obtain a printed copy or CD–ROM of the Final SEIS, you may contact the BOEMRE, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99503–5820, telephone 907–334–5200. You may also view the Final SEIS at the above address, on the BOEMRE Web site at https://alaska.boemre.gov, or at the Alaska Resources Library and Information Service, 3211 Providence Drive, Suite III. Anchorage, Alaska. Comments: You may submit your comments on the Final SEIS only by one of the following two methods: 1. Mail or Delivery: In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on Final SEIS, Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193’’ to the Regional Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99503–5820. BOEMRE will accept hand deliveries during regular business hours—8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. 2. Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Please do not use alternative means to send your comments through the Internet. BOEMRE will not consider comments submitted other than by the above two methods. For BOEMRE to consider your comments, BOEMRE must receive your comments on or before 30 days after the publication of this notice. BOEMRE cautions that 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 publically available at any time. While you may ask BOEMRE (prominently at the beginning of your submission) to withhold your personal identifying information from public view, BOEMRE cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. BOEMRE will not consider anonymous comments. Dated: August 1, 2011. L. Renee Orr, Acting Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2011–21916 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:37 Aug 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2010–N198; 80221–1113– 0000–C2] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Availability of a Revised Recovery Plan for the Mojave Population of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. AGENCY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a revised recovery plan for the Mojave population of the desert tortoise under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This species is found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts in southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and the southwestern tip of Utah in the United States, as well as in Sonora and northern Sinaloa in Mexico. The listed Mojave population of the desert tortoise includes those animals living north and west of the Colorado River in the Mojave Desert of California, Nevada, Arizona, and southwestern Utah, and in the Sonoran (Colorado) Desert in California. SUMMARY: An electronic copy of the revised recovery plan is available at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/ species/recovery-plans.html. Alternatively, the revised recovery plan and reference materials are available by appointment, during normal business hours, at the following location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, NV 89502 (telephone: 775–861–6300). Requests for copies of the revised recovery plan should be addressed to the State Supervisor at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Averill-Murray, Desert Tortoise Recovery Coordinator, at the above address or telephone number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants is a primary goal of the Endangered Species Act (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and our endangered species program. Recovery means improvement of the status of listed species to the point at which listing is no longer required under the criteria set out in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for the conservation of the species, establish criteria for downlisting or delisting ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 listed species, and estimate time and cost for implementing the measures needed for recovery. The Recovery Plan for the Mojave Population of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) was first published in 1994, and presented the status of the species, along with threats, recovery actions, and recovery criteria. Since that time a great deal of effort has been dedicated to recovery and conservation activities, and additional information has been obtained through research and observation that allows us to better focus our recovery strategy. The revised recovery plan for the Mojave Population of the desert tortoise is the focus of this notice. Section 4(f) of the Act directs the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce to develop and implement recovery plans for species listed as endangered or threatened, unless such plans will not promote the conservation of the species. We and the National Marine Fisheries Service, as appropriate, have been delegated responsibility for administering the Act. As per Section 4(f) of the Act, we published a notice of availability for public review and comment on the draft revised recovery plan on August 4, 2008. We considered all information we received during the public comment period and revised the recovery plan accordingly. The desert tortoise is a large, herbivorous reptile that can reach 20 to 38 centimeters (cm) (8 to 15 inches (in)) in carapace (upper shell) length and 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in shell height. Hatchlings emerge from eggs at about 5 cm (2 in) in length. Adults have a domed carapace and relatively flat, unhinged plastrons (lower shells). Their shells are high-domed and greenish-tan to dark brown in color, with tan scute (horny plate on the shell) centers. Adult desert tortoises weigh 3.6 to 6.8 kilograms (8 to 15 pounds). The forelimbs have heavy, claw-like scales and are flattened for digging. Hind limbs are more elephantine. Throughout most of the Mojave Desert, the desert tortoise occupies a variety of habitats: From flats and slopes dominated by creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) scrub at lower elevations, to rocky slopes in the blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) scrub, and juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodland interface at higher elevations. Records of desert tortoises range from below sea level to an elevation of 2,225 meters (7,300 feet), with typical habitat characterized as creosote bush scrub below 1,677 meters (5,500 feet). Desert tortoises most commonly occur on gently sloping terrain with sandy gravel soils that are friable for burrowing and where there is sparse cover of low- E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM 26AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53481-53482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21916]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement


Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska OCS Region, Chukchi Sea Planning 
Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, 
Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement (BOEMRE) announces the availability of a Final Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) 
Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, Chukchi Sea, Alaska (OCS EIS/EA BOEMRE 
2011-041).
    BOEMRE prepared this Final SEIS pursuant to: (1) The National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq., the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations that 
implement the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); 
and (2) the July 21, 2010, remand order issued by the United States 
District Court for the District of Alaska. The Final SEIS augments the 
analysis of the Final EIS, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, Chukchi Sea 
Planning Area (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-026).
    BOEMRE will issue a NEPA Record of Decision after the 30-day period 
during which the Final SEIS is available. BOEMRE gives this notice of 
availability in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6 (b).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon Warren or Mr. Mike 
Routhier, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5820. You may contact Ms. Warren or Mr. 
Routhier by telephone at 907-334-5200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In May 2007, BOEMRE (formerly the Minerals 
Management Service (MMS)) published the Final EIS for Oil and Gas Lease 
Sale 193, Chukchi Sea (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-0026), which evaluated the 
potential effects of the proposed sale and three alternatives: a no 
action alternative, and two alternatives that incorporate deferral 
areas of varying size along the coastward edge of the proposed sale 
area.
    On January 31, 2008, plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging Chukchi 
Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, alleging violations of NEPA and the 
Endangered Species Act with the United States District Court for the 
District of Alaska (District Court) [Native Village of Point Hope et 
al., v. Salazar, No. 1:08-cv-00004-RRB (D. Alaska)]. BOEMRE conducted 
the sale in February 2008. BOEMRE received high bids totaling 
approximately $2.6 billion and issued 487 leases.
    In July 2010, the District Court remanded the matter for further 
NEPA analysis in accordance with its order. The District Court amended 
this order in August 2010. The District Court directed BOEMRE to 
address three concerns: (1) Analyze the environmental impact of natural 
gas development; (2) determine whether missing information identified 
by BOEMRE in the Final EIS for Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193 was essential 
or relevant under 40 CFR 1502.22; and (3) determine whether the cost of 
obtaining the missing information was exorbitant, or the means of doing 
so unknown.
    BOEMRE: (1) Completed Chukchi Sea Planning Area Oil and Gas Lease 
Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, Draft Supplemental EIS (``SEIS'') 
OCS EIS/EA BOEMRE 2010-034 addressing each of these concerns; (2) 
published the Draft SEIS for public comment on October 15, 2010; and 
(3) provided a 45-day comment period. BOEMRE received over 150,000 
comments on the Draft SEIS. Citing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 
many commenters requested an analysis of a potential blowout and oil 
spill during exploration. In response to those comments, BOEMRE 
determined it appropriate to provide analysis of a very large oil spill 
(``VLOS'') from a hypothetical exploration well blowout. BOEMRE 
prepared the Chukchi Sea Planning Area Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 in 
the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, Revised Draft Supplemental SEIS OCS EIS/EA 
BOEMRE 2010-034 with the VLOS analysis and those issues under remand.
    On May 27, 2011, the Federal Register published a Notice of 
Availability of the Revised Draft SEIS for a 45-day public comment for 
BOEMRE and Notice of BOEMRE filing the Revised Draft EIS with the 
Environmental Protection Agency. The public comment period officially 
closed on July 11, 2011. During the Revised Draft SEIS public comment 
period, BOEMRE received over 360,000 comment letters and cards from 
Federal Agencies, state and local governments, Alaska Native tribes, 
interested groups, and members of the public.

[[Page 53482]]

    The Final SEIS completes the environmental review process and 
responds to the District Court's remand order. The Final SEIS will 
provide the Secretary of Interior with sufficient information and 
analysis to make an informed decision on whether to affirm, modify, or 
cancel Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193.
    Final SEIS Availability: To obtain a printed copy or CD-ROM of the 
Final SEIS, you may contact the BOEMRE, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 
Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5820, telephone 
907-334-5200. You may also view the Final SEIS at the above address, on 
the BOEMRE Web site at https://alaska.boemre.gov, or at the Alaska 
Resources Library and Information Service, 3211 Providence Drive, Suite 
III. Anchorage, Alaska.
    Comments: You may submit your comments on the Final SEIS only by 
one of the following two methods:
    1. Mail or Delivery: In written form enclosed in an envelope 
labeled ``Comments on Final SEIS, Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193'' to the 
Regional Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5820. BOEMRE will accept hand deliveries during 
regular business hours--8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding holidays.
    2. Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov.
    Please do not use alternative means to send your comments through 
the Internet. BOEMRE will not consider comments submitted other than by 
the above two methods. For BOEMRE to consider your comments, BOEMRE 
must receive your comments on or before 30 days after the publication 
of this notice. BOEMRE cautions that 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 publically 
available at any time. While you may ask BOEMRE (prominently at the 
beginning of your submission) to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public view, BOEMRE cannot guarantee that it will be 
able to do so. BOEMRE will not consider anonymous comments.

    Dated: August 1, 2011.
L. Renee Orr,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2011-21916 Filed 8-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P

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