Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease Sale 229, 68147-68148 [2012-27755]

Download as PDF TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2012 / Notices park resources such as existing flora and fauna, soils, cultural resources, and public safety. Socioeconomic impacts and effects on visitor experience will also be analyzed. DATES: Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to provide written comments or suggestions to assist the NPS in determining the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS, identifying significant issues, and identifying reasonable alternatives. The NPS will accept comments from the public for January 14, 2013. The NPS will conduct a public scoping meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When the public scoping meeting has been scheduled, its location, date, and time will be published in local media and on the NPS’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment Web site: https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/saju. Written comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The NPS will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the draft EIS. ADDRESSES: If you wish to provide scoping comments or suggestions, you may submit your comments by any one of several methods. The preferred method for submitting comments is via the internet at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/saju. Select ‘‘Paseo del Morro National Recreational Trail Extension’’ to reach the comment site. Written comments may also be sent to: Walter Chavez, Superintendent, San Juan National Historic Site, 501 Calle Norzagaray, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901. 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. We will always make submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives of or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information about the proposed action, the EIS, and the scoping process may be obtained from Mr. Walter Chavez at San Juan National Historic Site by phone at (787) 729–6777; or email walter_chavez@nps.gov. Additional VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:22 Nov 14, 2012 Jkt 229001 information can be found on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site, https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/saju. Select ‘‘Paseo del Morro National Recreational Trail Extension.’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The park has involved the community in information gathering for developing a shared vision for the Paseo del Morro National Recreational Trail Extension as part of an effort led by the NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program. Meetings were held with the community in January 2010, August 2010, March 2011, and October 2011, to begin discussions on trail extension and connectivity. The development of the Draft EIS will use the information gathered in those meetings, along with future meetings in collaboration with the RTCA Program, to assist with alternative development. The NPS will provide additional opportunities for the public to provide written comments upon publication of the Draft EIS. The NPS welcomes public participation by Federal, State, and local agencies as well as other concerned organizations and private citizens throughout the preparation process of the EIS. The responsible official for this EIS is David Vela, Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service, 100 Alabama Street SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Dated: November 7, 2012. Gordon Wissinger, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2012–27758 Filed 11–14–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JD–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease Sale 229 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Record of Decision (ROD) for WPA Lease Sale 229 in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012– 2017 Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248, and Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247 Final Environmental Impact Statement (Multisale FEIS). AGENCY: Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1506) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1988)). PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68147 BOEM has prepared a ROD for oil and gas WPA Lease Sale 229 scheduled for November 28, 2012. WPA Lease Sale 229 is the first WPA lease sale in the 2012–2017 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The proposed lease sale is in the Gulf of Mexico’s WPA off the States of Texas and Louisiana. In making its decision, BOEM considered alternatives to the proposed action and the potential impacts as presented in the Multisale FEIS and all comments received throughout the NEPA process. The Multisale FEIS evaluated the environmental and socioeconomic impacts for WPA Lease Sale 229. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Multisale FEIS, BOEM evaluated three alternatives, which are summarized below: Alternative A—The Proposed Action: This is BOEM’s preferred alternative identified in the Multisale FEIS. This alternative would offer for lease all unleased blocks within the WPA for oil and gas operations, with the following exceptions: (1) Whole and partial blocks within the boundary of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (i.e., the boundary as of the publication date of the Multisale FEIS); and (2) whole and partial blocks that lie within the 1.4 nautical mile buffer zone north of the maritime boundary between the United States and Mexico. The proposed WPA lease sale area encompasses virtually all of the WPA’s 28.58 million acres. As of August 2012, approximately 20.8 million acres of the WPA lease sale area are currently unleased. The estimated amount of resources projected to be developed as a result of proposed WPA Lease Sale 229 is 0.116–0.200 BBO and 0.538– 0.938 Tcf of gas. Alternative B—The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features: This alternative would offer for lease all unleased blocks in the WPA, as described for the proposed action (Alternative A), with the exception of any unleased blocks subject to the Topographic Features Stipulation. Alternative C—No Action: This alternative would cancel the proposed WPA Lease Sale 229 and is identified as the environmentally preferred alternative. After careful consideration, BOEM has selected the proposed action, identified as BOEM’s preferred alternative (Alternative A) in the Multisale FEIS. BOEM’s selection of the preferred alternative reflects an orderly resource development with protection SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1 68148 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2012 / Notices of the human, marine, and coastal environments, while also ensuring that the public receives an equitable return for these resources and that free-market competition is maintained. Record of Decision Availability: To obtain a single printed or CD–ROM copy of the ROD for proposed WPA Lease Sale 229, you may contact the BOEM, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (GM 250I), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394 (1–800–200– GULF). An electronic copy of the ROD is available on BOEM’s Internet Web site at https://boem.gov/EnvironmentalStewardship/EnvironmentalAssessment/NEPA/nepaprocess.aspx. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the ROD, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (GM 623E), New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394. You may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at (504) 736–3233. Dated: November 8, 2012. Tommy P. Beaudreau, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2012–27755 Filed 11–14–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Permanent Regulatory Program Requirements—Standards for Certification of Blasters Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request approval to continue the collection of information for its regulations regarding the standards for certification of blasters. This information collection activity was previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and assigned control number 1029–0080. DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection activity must be received by January 14, 2013, to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to John Trelease, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:22 Nov 14, 2012 Jkt 229001 Constitution Ave. NW., Room 203—SIB, Washington, DC 20240. Comments may also be submitted electronically to jtrelease@osmre.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To receive a copy of the information collection request, contact John Trelease at (202) 208–2783 or by email. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which implement provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub .L. 104–13), require that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities [see 5 CFR 1320.8 (d)]. This notice identifies an information collection that OSM will be submitting to OMB for renewed approval. This collection is contained in 30 CFR Part 850— Permanent Regulatory Program Requirements—Standards for Certification of Blasters. The information submitted by respondents is required to obtain a benefit. OSM will request a 3-year term of approval for this information collection activity. Comments are invited on: (1) The need for the collection of information for the performance of the functions of the agency; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such as use of automated means of collection of the information. A summary of the public comments will accompany OSM’s submission of the information collection request to OMB. 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. Title: 30 CFR Part 850—Permanent Regulatory Program Requirements— Standards for Certification of Blasters. OMB Control Number: 1029–0080. Summary: The information is used to identify and evaluate new blaster certification programs. Part 850 implements Section 719 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). Section 719 requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations which provide for each State regulatory authority to train, examine and certify persons for engaging in PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 blasting or use of explosives in surface coal mining operations. Each State that wishes to certify blasters must submit a blasters certification program to OSM for approval. Bureau Form Numbers: None. Frequency of Collection: Once. Description of Respondents: State regulatory authorities and Indian tribes. Total Annual Responses: 1. Total Annual Burden Hours: 267 hours. Dated: November 7, 2012. Andrew F. DeVito, Chief, Division of Regulatory Support. [FR Doc. 2012–27560 Filed 11–14–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–05–M INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [USITC SE–12–032] Government In the Sunshine Act Meeting Notice United States International Trade Commission. AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: TIME AND DATE: November 19, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Room 101, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, Telephone: (202) 205–2000. PLACE: STATUS: Open to the public. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 1. Agendas for future meetings: none. 2. Minutes. 3. Ratification List. 4. Vote in Inv. No. 731–TA–893 (Second Review) (Honey from China). The Commission is currently scheduled to transmit its determination and Commissioners’ opinions to the Secretary of Commerce on or before November 29, 2012. 5. Outstanding action jackets: none. In accordance with Commission policy, subject matter listed above, not disposed of at the scheduled meeting, may be carried over to the agenda of the following meeting. Earlier notification of this meeting was not possible. By order of the Commission: Issued: November 13, 2012. William R. Bishop, Supervisory Hearings and Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2012–27981 Filed 11–13–12; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7020–02–P E:\FR\FM\15NON1.SGM 15NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68147-68148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27755]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management


Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western Planning 
Area (WPA), Oil and Gas Lease Sale 229

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Record of Decision (ROD) for 
WPA Lease Sale 229 in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 
2012-2017 Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 
248, and Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Multisale FEIS).

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

    Authority:  This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations 
(40 CFR 1506) implementing the provisions of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq. (1988)).

SUMMARY: BOEM has prepared a ROD for oil and gas WPA Lease Sale 229 
scheduled for November 28, 2012. WPA Lease Sale 229 is the first WPA 
lease sale in the 2012-2017 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The 
proposed lease sale is in the Gulf of Mexico's WPA off the States of 
Texas and Louisiana. In making its decision, BOEM considered 
alternatives to the proposed action and the potential impacts as 
presented in the Multisale FEIS and all comments received throughout 
the NEPA process. The Multisale FEIS evaluated the environmental and 
socioeconomic impacts for WPA Lease Sale 229.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Multisale FEIS, BOEM evaluated three 
alternatives, which are summarized below:
    Alternative A--The Proposed Action: This is BOEM's preferred 
alternative identified in the Multisale FEIS. This alternative would 
offer for lease all unleased blocks within the WPA for oil and gas 
operations, with the following exceptions:
    (1) Whole and partial blocks within the boundary of the Flower 
Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (i.e., the boundary as of the 
publication date of the Multisale FEIS); and
    (2) whole and partial blocks that lie within the 1.4 nautical mile 
buffer zone north of the maritime boundary between the United States 
and Mexico.
    The proposed WPA lease sale area encompasses virtually all of the 
WPA's 28.58 million acres. As of August 2012, approximately 20.8 
million acres of the WPA lease sale area are currently unleased. The 
estimated amount of resources projected to be developed as a result of 
proposed WPA Lease Sale 229 is 0.116-0.200 BBO and 0.538-0.938 Tcf of 
gas.
    Alternative B--The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks 
Near Biologically Sensitive Topographic Features: This alternative 
would offer for lease all unleased blocks in the WPA, as described for 
the proposed action (Alternative A), with the exception of any unleased 
blocks subject to the Topographic Features Stipulation.
    Alternative C--No Action: This alternative would cancel the 
proposed WPA Lease Sale 229 and is identified as the environmentally 
preferred alternative.
    After careful consideration, BOEM has selected the proposed action, 
identified as BOEM's preferred alternative (Alternative A) in the 
Multisale FEIS. BOEM's selection of the preferred alternative reflects 
an orderly resource development with protection

[[Page 68148]]

of the human, marine, and coastal environments, while also ensuring 
that the public receives an equitable return for these resources and 
that free-market competition is maintained.
    Record of Decision Availability: To obtain a single printed or CD-
ROM copy of the ROD for proposed WPA Lease Sale 229, you may contact 
the BOEM, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (GM 
250I), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 
(1-800-200-GULF). An electronic copy of the ROD is available on BOEM's 
Internet Web site at https://boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment/NEPA/nepaprocess.aspx.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the ROD, you 
may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf 
of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (GM 623E), New 
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. You may also contact Mr. Goeke by 
telephone at (504) 736-3233.

    Dated: November 8, 2012.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2012-27755 Filed 11-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.