Notice of Availability of the Greater Natural Buttes Final Environmental Impact Statement, Uintah County, UT, 20841-20842 [2012-8247]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2012 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Selected Alternative The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the refuge over the next 15 years. After considering the comments we received and based on the professional judgment of the planning team, we selected Alternative B for implementation. Implementing Alternative B will be the most effective management action for meeting the purposes of the refuge. Monitoring and surveying will be conducted systematically after assessing which species should be targeted, based on their population status and the staff’s ability to indicate health of important habitat. Restoration efforts, the fire program, and forest management will reflect best management practices determined after examination of historical regimes, soil types and elevation, and the current hydrological system. Management actions will be monitored for effectiveness and adapted to changing conditions, knowledge, and technology. A Habitat Management Plan will be developed for future habitat projects and to evaluate previous actions. This alternative identifies Holmes Island as a proposed Wilderness Study Area. We will maintain its wilderness character and within 10 years of the date of the CCP, will prepare a wilderness study report and additional NEPA documentation on whether Holmes Island should be formally designated by Congress as a unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Public use programs will be updated to educate visitors about the reasons for management actions, and to provide quality experiences for refuge visitors. The Complex headquarters in Lacombe, Louisiana, will provide additional information about the refuge. Options and opportunities will be explored to expand visitor contact areas on the refuge. In an increasingly developing region, Alternative B will strive to achieve a balanced program of wildlifedependent recreational activities and protection of wildlife resources. This alternative also proposes to add six positions to current staffing dedicated primarily to the refuge in order to continue to protect resources, provide visitor services, and attain facility and equipment maintenance goals. Authority This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Apr 05, 2012 Jkt 226001 Dated: September 27, 2011. Mark J. Musaus, Acting Regional Director. acres in the townships listed below in Uintah County, Utah: [FR Doc. 2012–8292 Filed 4–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLUTG01100–12–L13100000–EJ0000] Notice of Availability of the Greater Natural Buttes Final Environmental Impact Statement, Uintah County, UT Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 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 Greater Natural Buttes proposal to develop natural gas in Uintah County, Utah. This notice announces a 30-day availability period prior to preparation of a Record of Decision (ROD). DATES: The Final EIS will be available for 30 calendar days following the date on which the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, state, and local government agencies and to 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 on the Internet at: https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/ vernal/planning/nepa_.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Stephanie Howard, Environmental Coordinator; telephone 435–781–4400; address 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 Greater Natural Buttes Project Area encompasses approximately 162,911 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20841 Salt Lake Meridian T. 8 S., R. 20–23 E. T. 9 S., R. 20–24 E. T. 10 S., R. 20–23 E. T. 11 S., R. 21–22 E. Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP (KMG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, proposed this project to develop their existing oil and gas leases by drilling 3,675 wells from 3,041 new well pads over a period of 10 years. The proposed action would result in approximately 12,685 acres of additional disturbance (about 7.8 percent of the total project area). The total estimated surface disturbance under this alternative would be 25,125 acres, or about 15.4 percent of the project area. BLM’s purpose and need for the project is to respond to KMG’s proposal while minimizing environmental impacts. In response to a proposal submitted by KMG (Alternative A) the BLM published in the October 5, 2007, Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS. The scoping comments received in response to this Notice were used during preparation of the Draft EIS to help identify impacts expected as a result of the proposed action and to develop Alternatives B and C. A 45-day public comment period for the Draft EIS was held from July 16, 2010, through August 30 2010, as announced through the Federal Register. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressed concerns with the air quality analysis in the Draft EIS, so a Supplement to the Draft EIS was prepared by the BLM in close coordination with the EPA to address those concerns. A 45-day public comment period was then held from June 10, 2011, through July 25, 2011, for the Supplement to the Draft EIS, as announced through the Federal Register. An updated inventory of lands with wilderness characteristics was completed for the project area and lands with wilderness characteristics were identified. This information was analyzed in the draft EIS. The BLM prepared the Final EIS in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Uintah County, who participated as formal cooperating agencies during the EIS process. The BLM also closely coordinated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the EPA to ensure their concerns were adequately addressed. The Final EIS describes the changes made between the Draft EIS and Final EIS, and includes responses to the comments E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1 20842 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2012 / Notices received during the public comment period. Under the Resource Protection Alternative (the Agency Preferred Alternative), up to 3,675 new gas wells would be drilled from 1,484 new well pads over a period of 10 years, resulting in approximately 8,147 acres of additional disturbance (about 5.0 percent of the total project area). The total estimated surface disturbance under this alternative would be 20,615 acres, or about 12.7 percent of the project area. In coordination with the EPA, a Water Monitoring Plan was developed to address water quality impacts, and extensive applicantcommitted measures, including an adaptive management strategy, were developed or refined to minimize air quality impacts. 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 BLM Vernal Web site, and the BLM’s Utah Environmental Notification Bulletin Board. Shelley J. Smith, Acting Assoc. State Director. [FR Doc. 2012–8247 Filed 4–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNM940000. L1420000.BJ0000] Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey, New Mexico Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of filing of Plats of Survey. AGENCY: The plats of survey described below are scheduled to be officially filed in the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Santa Fe, New Mexico, thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES New Mexico Principal Meridian, New Mexico (NM) The plat, in five sheets, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 18 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted March 8, 2012, for Group 1104 NM. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 5, in Township 18 South, VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Apr 05, 2012 Jkt 226001 Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 6, in Township 18 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 4, in Township 18 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 3, in Township 18 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The plat, in ten sheets, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted March 8, 2012, for Group 1104 NM. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section3, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 4, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 9, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 15, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 10, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 16, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 20, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 21, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 22, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 23, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 27, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 28, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 29, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 30, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 31, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 32, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 33, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. The supplemental plat, creating new lots in section 35, in Township 17 South, Range 12 West, of the New Mexico Principal Meridian NM, accepted March 15, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: These plats will be available for inspection in the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Copies may be obtained from this office upon payment. Contact Marcella Montoya at 505–954–2097, or by email at Marcella_Montoya@nm.blm.gov, for assistance. 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. These plats are scheduled for official filing 30 days from the notice of publication in the Federal Register, as provided for in the BLM Manual Section 2097—Opening Orders. Notice from this office will be provided as to the date of said publication. If a protest against a E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20841-20842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8247]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLUTG01100-12-L13100000-EJ0000]


Notice of Availability of the Greater Natural Buttes Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, Uintah County, UT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 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 Greater Natural Buttes proposal to 
develop natural gas in Uintah County, Utah. This notice announces a 30-
day availability period prior to preparation of a Record of Decision 
(ROD).

DATES: The Final EIS will be available for 30 calendar days following 
the date on which the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, 
state, and local government agencies and to 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 on the Internet at: 
https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/vernal/planning/nepa_.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact 
Stephanie Howard, Environmental Coordinator; telephone 435-781-4400; 
address 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 Greater Natural Buttes Project Area 
encompasses approximately 162,911 acres in the townships listed below 
in Uintah County, Utah:

Salt Lake Meridian

T. 8 S., R. 20-23 E.
T. 9 S., R. 20-24 E.
T. 10 S., R. 20-23 E.
T. 11 S., R. 21-22 E.

    Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP (KMG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, proposed this project to develop their 
existing oil and gas leases by drilling 3,675 wells from 3,041 new well 
pads over a period of 10 years. The proposed action would result in 
approximately 12,685 acres of additional disturbance (about 7.8 percent 
of the total project area). The total estimated surface disturbance 
under this alternative would be 25,125 acres, or about 15.4 percent of 
the project area. BLM's purpose and need for the project is to respond 
to KMG's proposal while minimizing environmental impacts.
    In response to a proposal submitted by KMG (Alternative A) the BLM 
published in the October 5, 2007, Federal Register a Notice of Intent 
to prepare an EIS. The scoping comments received in response to this 
Notice were used during preparation of the Draft EIS to help identify 
impacts expected as a result of the proposed action and to develop 
Alternatives B and C.
    A 45-day public comment period for the Draft EIS was held from July 
16, 2010, through August 30 2010, as announced through the Federal 
Register. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressed concerns 
with the air quality analysis in the Draft EIS, so a Supplement to the 
Draft EIS was prepared by the BLM in close coordination with the EPA to 
address those concerns. A 45-day public comment period was then held 
from June 10, 2011, through July 25, 2011, for the Supplement to the 
Draft EIS, as announced through the Federal Register. An updated 
inventory of lands with wilderness characteristics was completed for 
the project area and lands with wilderness characteristics were 
identified. This information was analyzed in the draft EIS.
    The BLM prepared the Final EIS in coordination with the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and Uintah County, who participated as formal 
cooperating agencies during the EIS process. The BLM also closely 
coordinated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
EPA to ensure their concerns were adequately addressed. The Final EIS 
describes the changes made between the Draft EIS and Final EIS, and 
includes responses to the comments

[[Page 20842]]

received during the public comment period.
    Under the Resource Protection Alternative (the Agency Preferred 
Alternative), up to 3,675 new gas wells would be drilled from 1,484 new 
well pads over a period of 10 years, resulting in approximately 8,147 
acres of additional disturbance (about 5.0 percent of the total project 
area). The total estimated surface disturbance under this alternative 
would be 20,615 acres, or about 12.7 percent of the project area. In 
coordination with the EPA, a Water Monitoring Plan was developed to 
address water quality impacts, and extensive applicant-committed 
measures, including an adaptive management strategy, were developed or 
refined to minimize air quality impacts.
    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 BLM 
Vernal Web site, and the BLM's Utah Environmental Notification Bulletin 
Board.

Shelley J. Smith,
Acting Assoc. State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-8247 Filed 4-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.