Notice of Availability of the Draft Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and Announcement of Public Subsistence-Related Hearings, 19318-19319 [2012-7547]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 19318 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2012 / Notices natural functioning of the wash, and endemic plants on public lands within the CTA study area. The Final Supplemental EIS analyzed five action alternatives ranging from approximately 13,000 acres to less than 1,500 acres and the no action alternative. • Alternative A: 12,953 acres, includes the fossil formation, sensitive cultural and plant resources, active wash, the adjacent alluvial fan, and a 1mile resource-protection zone around the northern and eastern boundaries of the Las Vegas Paiute reservation. • Alternative B: 10,670 acres, includes culturally significant lands, the fossil formation, sensitive plant resources, the active wash, open space adjacent to the Las Vegas Paiute reservation, and the adjacent alluvial fan as unavailable for disposal and development. Alternative B includes 2,653 acres within the 13,000-acre study area available for development. Alternative B was originally proposed as 11,008 acres and was revised from the Draft Supplemental EIS. • Alternative C: 6,362 acres, includes the fossil formation, sensitive cultural and plant resources, active wash, and a portion of the adjacent alluvial fan. • Alternative D: 5,301 acres, includes most of the fossil formation, the sensitive cultural and rare plant resources, and the active wash. • Alternative E: 3,314 acres, includes some of the fossil formation, the sensitive cultural and rare plant resources, and part of the active wash. • No Action Alternative: 1,448 acres, includes the Tule Spring cultural site and the 300-acre Eglington Preserve. On January 22, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency published the Notice of Availability for the Draft Supplemental EIS for this project in the Federal Register [75 FR 3730]. The BLM held three public meetings and accepted written comments during a 60-day comment period, which was extended an additional 60 days. A total of 1,914 responses from individuals and 13 comments from governmental entities were received. The comments pertained to a variety of broad categories, including alternatives, boundaries, management, and physical/natural resources. The Final Supplemental EIS addresses the following issues identified during the comment period: the NEPA process (consultation/coordination, proposal description, alternatives, and connected actions/cumulative impacts); social resources (cultural, visual, noise, land use, recreation, transportation, and socioeconomic); and physical/natural resources (botanical, water, paleontological, and earth). VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:11 Mar 29, 2012 Jkt 226001 Comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS received from the public and internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Final Supplemental EIS. Public comments resulted in the addition of clarifying text, but did not significantly change the proposed decision. Filing an Appeal: The decision by BLM to select the revised Alternative B boundary as the agency’s Preferred Alternative is appealable subject to 43 CFR part 4, subpart E—Special Rules Applicable to Public Land Hearings and Appeals, and 43 CFR 2801.10. Any party adversely affected by this decision may appeal within the 30 day timeframe by filing an appeal with the BLM Las Vegas Field Manager, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130, or fax: 702– 515–5023. A copy of the notice of appeal, and statement of reasons and all pertinent documents must be served on each adverse party named in the decision from which the appeal is taken and on the Office of the Regional Solicitor, U.S. Department of the Interior, Pacific Southwest Region, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E–1712, Sacramento, California 95826, no later than 15 days after filing documents with the Las Vegas Field Manager. To file a petition for stay of the ROD pursuant to 43 CFR 4.21 while an appeal is pending before the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), the petition for stay must accompany the Notice of Appeal (43 CFR 4.21 or 43 CFR 2801.10). A petition for stay must show sufficient justification based on the standards listed in 43 CFR 4.21(b). If a petition for stay is submitted with the notice of appeal, a copy of the notice of appeal and petition for stay must be served on the IBLA at the same time it is filed with the Las Vegas Field Manager. Persons interested in filing an appeal are encouraged to consult the cited Federal regulations for additional appeal requirements. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 1506.10. Robert B. Ross, Jr., Las Vegas Field Manager. [FR Doc. 2012–7546 Filed 3–29–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P PO 00000 Frm 00142 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAK930000 L16100000.DS0000.12XL] Notice of Availability of the Draft Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska and Announcement of Public SubsistenceRelated Hearings Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska (NPR–A) Draft Integrated Activity Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/ EIS) and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. The BLM is also announcing that it will hold public meetings on the Draft IAP/EIS and subsistence resource hearings to receive comments on the Draft IAP/EIS and its potential to impact subsistence resources and activities. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft IAP/EIS on or before May 29, 2012, following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of the Draft IAP/EIS in the Federal Register. Public meetings on the Draft IAP/EIS will be held in the following communities in Alaska: Anaktuvuk Pass, Anchorage, Atqasuk, Barrow, Fairbanks, Nuiqsut, Point Lay, and Wainwright. Public hearings on subsistence resources and activities will occur in conjunction with the public meetings for the Draft IAP/ EIS in the potentially affected communities of Anaktuvuk Pass, Atqasuk, Barrow, Nuiqsut, Point Lay, and Wainwright. The dates, times, and locations of the meetings and hearings will be announced through public notices, media news releases, and/or other mailings at least 15 days in advance. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Draft IAP/EIS for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/ en.html. • Fax: 866–611–9420 (toll Free) or 907–268–4224. • Mail: NPR–A IAP/EIS Comments, AECOM Project Office, 1835 South SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2012 / Notices Bragaw Street, Suite 490, Anchorage, AK 99508. • Hand delivery: AECOM, 1835 South Bragaw Street, Suite 490, Anchorage, AK, or to the BLM Public Information Center in the Federal Building, 222 W. 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK. Copies of the Draft IAP/EIS are available for review at the BLM’s Alaska Web site at https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en.html. A CD or paper copy may be requested by calling Jim Ducker, BLM project lead, at 907–271–3130. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Ducker, BLM Alaska State Office, 907– 271–3130. 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: Please note that public comments and information submitted, including names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who submit comments, will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Monday through Friday except holidays. 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. This IAP/EIS will result in a Record of Decision (ROD) that will supersede the RODs for two previous plans for portions of the NPR–A: The Northwest NPR–A IAP ROD signed January 22, 2004 and the Northeast NPR–A Supplemental IAP ROD signed July 16, 2008 and may amend the Colville River Special Area Management Plan signed July 18, 2008. This Draft IAP/EIS offers four alternatives for future management of the NPR–A. There is no Preferred Alternative. Decisions to be made as part of the plan include, but are not limited to, lands that would be made available for oil and gas leasing, restrictions on oil and gas activities and other BLMauthorized land uses, expansion of the number and size of Special Areas, and recommendations for inclusion of rivers VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:11 Mar 29, 2012 Jkt 226001 in the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System. None of the alternatives would preclude development of infrastructure across NPR–A in support of Chukchi Sea oil and gas development. Alternative A is the No Action Alternative and represents the decisions made in the existing Northeast NPR–A and Northwest NPR–A plans. Those two plans do not address more than 9 million acres in the southwestern part of the NPR–A. Alternatives B through D would make decisions for the entire NPR–A. Alternative B would make 48 percent of the NPR–A available for oil and gas leasing, add more than 7 million acres of Special Areas, and recommend 12 rivers for Wild and Scenic River designation. Alternative C would make 76 percent of the Reserve available for oil and gas leasing, add approximately 700,000 acres of Special Areas, and recommend three rivers for Wild and Scenic River designation. Alternative D would make all of the NPR–A available for oil and gas leasing and would not expand Special Areas or recommend any Wild and Scenic River designation. The public is encouraged to comment on any of these alternatives. The BLM asks that those submitting comments make them as specific as possible with reference to chapters, page numbers, and paragraphs in the Draft EIS document. Comments that contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response; however, they will be considered and included as part of the BLM decision-making process. The most useful comments will contain new technical or scientific information, identify data gaps in the impact analysis, or will provide technical or scientific rationale for opinions or preferences. Section 810 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act requires the BLM to evaluate the effects of the alternatives presented in this Draft IAP/EIS on subsistence activities, and to hold public hearings if it finds that any alternative may significantly restrict subsistence activities. The analysis of environmental consequences indicates that actions anticipated to be taken under Alternative D and the cumulative impacts associated with actions anticipated under all alternatives may significantly restrict subsistence activities. Therefore, the BLM will hold public hearings on subsistence in conjunction with the public meetings on the Draft IAP/EIS in the potentially affected communities of Anaktuvuk Pass, PO 00000 Frm 00143 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19319 Atqasuk, Barrow, Nuiqsut, Point Lay, and Wainwright. Ronald L. Dunton, Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2012–7547 Filed 3–29–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCON00000 L10200000.DF0000 LXSS080C0000] Notice of Public Meeting, Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council Meeting Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting AGENCY: 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) Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below. DATES: The Northwest Colorado RAC scheduled its remaining 2012 meetings for May 10, August 23 and November 29. Each meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and adjourn at approximately 3 p.m., with public comment periods regarding matters on the agenda at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Agendas will be available before the meeting at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/ BLM_Resources/racs/nwrac.html. ADDRESSES: The May 10 meeting will be held in Silt, Colorado, at the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road. The August 23 meeting will be in Meeker, Colorado, at the Fairfield Center, 200 Main St. The November 29 meeting will be in Grand Junction, Colorado, at the Hampton Inn, 205 Main St. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist, Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO; (970) 876–9008. 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 Northwest Colorado RAC advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM, on a variety of public land issues in northwestern Colorado. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19318-19319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7547]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAK930000 L16100000.DS0000.12XL]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Integrated Activity Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement for the National Petroleum Reserve--
Alaska and Announcement of Public Subsistence-Related Hearings

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, 
as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as 
amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared the National 
Petroleum Reserve--Alaska (NPR-A) Draft Integrated Activity Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/EIS) and by this notice is 
announcing the opening of the comment period. The BLM is also 
announcing that it will hold public meetings on the Draft IAP/EIS and 
subsistence resource hearings to receive comments on the Draft IAP/EIS 
and its potential to impact subsistence resources and activities.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft IAP/EIS on or before May 29, 2012, 
following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its 
notice of the Draft IAP/EIS in the Federal Register. Public meetings on 
the Draft IAP/EIS will be held in the following communities in Alaska: 
Anaktuvuk Pass, Anchorage, Atqasuk, Barrow, Fairbanks, Nuiqsut, Point 
Lay, and Wainwright. Public hearings on subsistence resources and 
activities will occur in conjunction with the public meetings for the 
Draft IAP/EIS in the potentially affected communities of Anaktuvuk 
Pass, Atqasuk, Barrow, Nuiqsut, Point Lay, and Wainwright. The dates, 
times, and locations of the meetings and hearings will be announced 
through public notices, media news releases, and/or other mailings at 
least 15 days in advance.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Draft IAP/EIS for the 
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en.html.
     Fax: 866-611-9420 (toll Free) or 907-268-4224.
     Mail: NPR-A IAP/EIS Comments, AECOM Project Office, 1835 
South

[[Page 19319]]

Bragaw Street, Suite 490, Anchorage, AK 99508.
     Hand delivery: AECOM, 1835 South Bragaw Street, Suite 490, 
Anchorage, AK, or to the BLM Public Information Center in the Federal 
Building, 222 W. 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK.

Copies of the Draft IAP/EIS are available for review at the BLM's 
Alaska Web site at https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en.html. A CD or paper copy 
may be requested by calling Jim Ducker, BLM project lead, at 907-271-
3130.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Ducker, BLM Alaska State Office, 
907-271-3130. 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: Please note that public comments and 
information submitted, including names, street addresses, and email 
addresses of persons who submit comments, will be available for public 
review and disclosure at the above address during regular business 
hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Monday through Friday except holidays.
    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.
    This IAP/EIS will result in a Record of Decision (ROD) that will 
supersede the RODs for two previous plans for portions of the NPR-A: 
The Northwest NPR-A IAP ROD signed January 22, 2004 and the Northeast 
NPR-A Supplemental IAP ROD signed July 16, 2008 and may amend the 
Colville River Special Area Management Plan signed July 18, 2008. This 
Draft IAP/EIS offers four alternatives for future management of the 
NPR-A. There is no Preferred Alternative.
    Decisions to be made as part of the plan include, but are not 
limited to, lands that would be made available for oil and gas leasing, 
restrictions on oil and gas activities and other BLM-authorized land 
uses, expansion of the number and size of Special Areas, and 
recommendations for inclusion of rivers in the national Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System. None of the alternatives would preclude development of 
infrastructure across NPR-A in support of Chukchi Sea oil and gas 
development.
    Alternative A is the No Action Alternative and represents the 
decisions made in the existing Northeast NPR-A and Northwest NPR-A 
plans. Those two plans do not address more than 9 million acres in the 
southwestern part of the NPR-A.
    Alternatives B through D would make decisions for the entire NPR-A.
    Alternative B would make 48 percent of the NPR-A available for oil 
and gas leasing, add more than 7 million acres of Special Areas, and 
recommend 12 rivers for Wild and Scenic River designation.
    Alternative C would make 76 percent of the Reserve available for 
oil and gas leasing, add approximately 700,000 acres of Special Areas, 
and recommend three rivers for Wild and Scenic River designation.
    Alternative D would make all of the NPR-A available for oil and gas 
leasing and would not expand Special Areas or recommend any Wild and 
Scenic River designation.
    The public is encouraged to comment on any of these alternatives. 
The BLM asks that those submitting comments make them as specific as 
possible with reference to chapters, page numbers, and paragraphs in 
the Draft EIS document. Comments that contain only opinions or 
preferences will not receive a formal response; however, they will be 
considered and included as part of the BLM decision-making process. The 
most useful comments will contain new technical or scientific 
information, identify data gaps in the impact analysis, or will provide 
technical or scientific rationale for opinions or preferences.
    Section 810 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 
requires the BLM to evaluate the effects of the alternatives presented 
in this Draft IAP/EIS on subsistence activities, and to hold public 
hearings if it finds that any alternative may significantly restrict 
subsistence activities. The analysis of environmental consequences 
indicates that actions anticipated to be taken under Alternative D and 
the cumulative impacts associated with actions anticipated under all 
alternatives may significantly restrict subsistence activities.
    Therefore, the BLM will hold public hearings on subsistence in 
conjunction with the public meetings on the Draft IAP/EIS in the 
potentially affected communities of Anaktuvuk Pass, Atqasuk, Barrow, 
Nuiqsut, Point Lay, and Wainwright.

Ronald L. Dunton,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-7547 Filed 3-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P
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