Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Gasco Energy Inc. Uinta Basin Natural Gas Development Project, Uintah County, UT, 15795-15796 [2012-6324]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2012 / Notices facility on the reservation. The BLM’s purpose and need for the proposed Federal action also would be to respond to KRoad’s application for an up to 500 kV transmission line and access road ROWs within an existing utility corridor, of which 5 miles are located on the reservation and 0.5 miles is located on BLM land just south of the reservation boundary, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and BLM’s ROWs regulations. The BIA and BLM will adopt the EIS to make decisions on the land lease and ROW application under their jurisdiction while the EPA and USACE may adopt the document to make decisions under their authorities. The Tribe may also use the EIS to make decisions under their Tribal Environmental Policy Ordinance and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may use the EIS to support its decision under the Endangered Species Act. Authority: This notice is published pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.10(a) of the Council of Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500 et seq.) and 43 CFR 46.305 of the Department of Interior Regulations (43 CFR part 46), the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.), and is in accordance with the exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8. Dated: March 9, 2012. Larry Echo Hawk, Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2012–6203 Filed 3–15–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLUTG01100–12–L13110000–EJ0000] Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Gasco Energy Inc. Uinta Basin Natural Gas Development Project, Uintah County, UT AGENCY: Salt Lake Meridian, Utah T. 9 S., R. 15–19 E. T. 10 S., R. 14–19 E. T. 11 S., R. 15–18 E. Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Notice of Availability. ACTION: Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and associated regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates, analyzes, and discloses to the public anticipated impacts of the Gasco Energy Inc. proposal to develop natural gas leases in Uintah and Duchesne Counties, Utah. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:10 Mar 15, 2012 Jkt 226001 This notice announces a 30-day availability period prior to preparation of a Record of Decision (ROD). DATES: A ROD may be issued 30 calendar days following the date on which the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, state, and local government agencies and other stakeholders. Copies of the Final EIS are available for public inspection at the BLM Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah, and at the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/ fo/vernal/planning/nepa_.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Howard, Environmental Coordinator; 435–781–4400; 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah, 84078; email: BLM_UT_Vernal_Comments@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the Final EIS in response to Gasco’s proposal to explore and develop their Federal oil and gas leases. The Final EIS analysis allows the BLM to choose a course of action that fulfills its responsibilities under Federal laws when future plans and applications related to this proposal or in the project area are received. The Gasco Project Area encompasses 206,826 acres in Uintah and Duchesne Counties within the following townships. Under the Proposed Action (Alternative A), Gasco Energy Inc. would develop their existing oil and gas leases by drilling 1,491 wells from the same number of well pads over a period of 15 years, and by constructing 143 acres of evaporative ponds to dispose of produced water. The Proposed Action would result in approximately 7,584 acres of surface disturbance (about 4 percent of the total project area). In response to the Proposed Action (Alternative A), the BLM published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS in the Federal Register on February 10, 2006 [71 FR 7059]. The BLM used the resulting scoping comments to help PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15795 identify impacts expected as a result of the proposed action, and to develop Alternatives B through E. The BLM held a 90-day public comment period for the Draft EIS from October 1, 2010 through December 30, 2010, as announced through the Federal Register.Public comments focused on impacts to cultural resources within Nine Mile Canyon, the Green River and associated recreation activities, 100-year floodplains and endangered fish critical habitat, water quality (surface and ground), air quality, lands with wilderness characteristics, and valid existing lease rights. No single alternative in the Draft EIS (Alternatives A through E) adequately addressed the concerns raised, so the BLM, in close coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), used attributes of all five alternatives to create a new alternative, Alternative F. All aspects of Alternative F are contained entirely within the range of alternatives analyzed in the Draft EIS, so a determination was made that preparation of a Supplement to the Draft EIS was not necessary. Under Alternative F, the Agency Preferred Alternative, up to 1,298 new gas wells would be drilled from 575 well pads over a period of 15 years, resulting in approximately 3,604 acres of disturbance (about 2 percent of the total project area). Water evaporation facilities were reduced to 78 acres. This is adequate for the first 5 years of the project while other disposal options are developed and implemented. The BLM also incorporated the measures to minimize impacts to resources, while allowing for the development of valid existing rights. No surface disturbance would occur below the rim of Nine Mile Canyon, within one-half mile of the Green River, in 100-year floodplains, or endangered fish critical habitat. A Programmatic Agreement (PA) was prepared in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to address potential cultural resource impacts. A water monitoring plan was developed to address water quality impacts. Extensive applicant-committed measures, including an adaptive management strategy, were developed or refined to minimize air quality impacts. Directional drilling was also incorporated to the maximum extent possible. The BLM prepared the Final EIS in coordination with the FWS and EPA as described above, and in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Uintah and Duchesne Counties, who participated as cooperating agencies E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1 15796 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2012 / Notices during the EIS process. The Final EIS tracks the changes made between the Draft EIS and Final EIS, and includes responses to all substantive comments received during the Draft EIS public comment period. This Final EIS is not a decision document. Following conclusion of the 30-day availability period, a ROD will be signed to disclose the BLM’s final decision and any project Conditions of Approval. Availability of the ROD will be announced through local media, the Vernal BLM Web site, and Utah BLM’s Environmental Notification Bulletin Board. Juan Palma, State Director. [FR Doc. 2012–6324 Filed 3–15–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Before including your address, phone number, email 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 can 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. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Mary J.M. Hartel, Chief, Cadastral Surveyor of Oregon/ Washington. Bureau of Land Management [FR Doc. 2012–6471 Filed 3–15–12; 8:45 am] [LLOR957000–L63100000–HD0000: HAG12– 0112] BILLING CODE 4310–33–P Filing of Plats of Survey: Oregon/ Washington DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AGENCY: National Park Service Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. The plats of survey of the following described lands are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington State Office, Portland, Oregon, 30 days from the date of this publication. SUMMARY: Willamette Meridian, Oregon T. 18 S., R 6 W., accepted February 24, 2012 T. 27 S., R. 10 W., accepted March 2, 2012 T. 21 S., R. 29 E., accepted March 2, 2012 T. 20 S., R. 29 E., accepted March 2, 2012 T. 23 S., R. 6 W., accepted March 2, 2012 T. 33 S., R. 5 W., accepted March 2, 2012 A copy of the plats may be obtained from the Land Office at the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon/ Washington State Office, 333 SW. 1st Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204, upon required payment. A person or party who wishes to protest against a survey must file a notice that they wish to protest (at the above address) with the Oregon/Washington State Director, Bureau of Land Management, Portland, Oregon. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Hensley, (503) 808–6124, Branch of Geographic Sciences, Bureau of Land Management, 333 SW. 1st Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:10 Mar 15, 2012 Jkt 226001 [2253–665] Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, have determined that the cultural items meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and repatriation to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural items may contact the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona. DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a cultural affiliation with the cultural items should contact the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, at the address below by April 16, 2012. ADDRESSES: John McClelland, NAGPRA Coordinator, P.O. Box 210026, Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, telephone (520) 626– 2950. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC, and in the physical custody of the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects under 25 U.S.C. 3001. This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution or Federal agency that has control of the Native American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: History and Description of the Cultural Items In 1979, cultural items were removed from the Pinnacle Site, site AZ P:14:71(ASM), in Navajo County, AZ, during a legally authorized survey conducted by the University of Arizona Archaeological Field School under the direction of Madeleine Hinkes. A report prepared by Hinkes describes the presence of five unauthorized excavation pits at this site. The items listed below were found with human burials, but the human remains are not present in the collection. There is no record in Arizona State Museum files regarding the accession of these cultural items. However, the collection likely entered the museum in the same year as other collections from the summer field school. The eight unassociated funerary objects are 2 animal bone fragments, 1 ceramic sherd, 4 pieces of chipped stone and 1 chert scraper. The Pinnacle Site consists of a pueblo of about 10 rooms and dates from A.D. 1275–1400, based on the ceramic assemblage. The ceramic and architectural forms are consistent with the archeologically described Upland Mogollon or prehistoric Western Pueblo traditions. In 1979, cultural items were removed from an unnamed site, site AZ P:14:281(ASM), in Navajo County, AZ, during a legally authorized survey conducted by the University of Arizona Archaeological Field School under the direction of Madeleine Hinkes. A report prepared by Hinkes describes the presence of at least 70 unauthorized excavation pits at this site. The items were found with human burials, but the human remains are not present in the collection. There is no record in Arizona E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM 16MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15795-15796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6324]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLUTG01100-12-L13110000-EJ0000]


Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Gasco Energy Inc. Uinta Basin Natural Gas Development Project, 
Uintah County, UT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and associated 
regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates, analyzes, and 
discloses to the public anticipated impacts of the Gasco Energy Inc. 
proposal to develop natural gas leases in Uintah and Duchesne Counties, 
Utah. This notice announces a 30-day availability period prior to 
preparation of a Record of Decision (ROD).

DATES: A ROD may be issued 30 calendar days following the date on which 
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of 
Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, 
state, and local government agencies and other stakeholders. Copies of 
the Final EIS are available for public inspection at the BLM Vernal 
Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah, and at the following 
Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/vernal/planning/nepa_.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Howard, Environmental 
Coordinator; 435-781-4400; 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah, 84078; 
email: BLM_UT_Vernal_Comments@blm.gov. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the Final EIS in response 
to Gasco's proposal to explore and develop their Federal oil and gas 
leases. The Final EIS analysis allows the BLM to choose a course of 
action that fulfills its responsibilities under Federal laws when 
future plans and applications related to this proposal or in the 
project area are received. The Gasco Project Area encompasses 206,826 
acres in Uintah and Duchesne Counties within the following townships.

Salt Lake Meridian, Utah

T. 9 S., R. 15-19 E.
T. 10 S., R. 14-19 E.
T. 11 S., R. 15-18 E.

    Under the Proposed Action (Alternative A), Gasco Energy Inc. would 
develop their existing oil and gas leases by drilling 1,491 wells from 
the same number of well pads over a period of 15 years, and by 
constructing 143 acres of evaporative ponds to dispose of produced 
water. The Proposed Action would result in approximately 7,584 acres of 
surface disturbance (about 4 percent of the total project area).
    In response to the Proposed Action (Alternative A), the BLM 
published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS in the Federal Register 
on February 10, 2006 [71 FR 7059]. The BLM used the resulting scoping 
comments to help identify impacts expected as a result of the proposed 
action, and to develop Alternatives B through E.
    The BLM held a 90-day public comment period for the Draft EIS from 
October 1, 2010 through December 30, 2010, as announced through the 
Federal Register.Public comments focused on impacts to cultural 
resources within Nine Mile Canyon, the Green River and associated 
recreation activities, 100-year floodplains and endangered fish 
critical habitat, water quality (surface and ground), air quality, 
lands with wilderness characteristics, and valid existing lease rights. 
No single alternative in the Draft EIS (Alternatives A through E) 
adequately addressed the concerns raised, so the BLM, in close 
coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), used attributes of all five alternatives to 
create a new alternative, Alternative F. All aspects of Alternative F 
are contained entirely within the range of alternatives analyzed in the 
Draft EIS, so a determination was made that preparation of a Supplement 
to the Draft EIS was not necessary.
    Under Alternative F, the Agency Preferred Alternative, up to 1,298 
new gas wells would be drilled from 575 well pads over a period of 15 
years, resulting in approximately 3,604 acres of disturbance (about 2 
percent of the total project area). Water evaporation facilities were 
reduced to 78 acres. This is adequate for the first 5 years of the 
project while other disposal options are developed and implemented. The 
BLM also incorporated the measures to minimize impacts to resources, 
while allowing for the development of valid existing rights. No surface 
disturbance would occur below the rim of Nine Mile Canyon, within one-
half mile of the Green River, in 100-year floodplains, or endangered 
fish critical habitat. A Programmatic Agreement (PA) was prepared in 
accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 
to address potential cultural resource impacts. A water monitoring plan 
was developed to address water quality impacts. Extensive applicant-
committed measures, including an adaptive management strategy, were 
developed or refined to minimize air quality impacts. Directional 
drilling was also incorporated to the maximum extent possible.
    The BLM prepared the Final EIS in coordination with the FWS and EPA 
as described above, and in coordination with the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs and Uintah and Duchesne Counties, who participated as 
cooperating agencies

[[Page 15796]]

during the EIS process. The Final EIS tracks the changes made between 
the Draft EIS and Final EIS, and includes responses to all substantive 
comments received during the Draft EIS public comment period.
    This Final EIS is not a decision document. Following conclusion of 
the 30-day availability period, a ROD will be signed to disclose the 
BLM's final decision and any project Conditions of Approval. 
Availability of the ROD will be announced through local media, the 
Vernal BLM Web site, and Utah BLM's Environmental Notification Bulletin 
Board.

Juan Palma,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-6324 Filed 3-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P
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