Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Possible Amendment to the Casper Resource Management Plan, Fremont, Sweetwater, and Natrona Counties, WY, 3911-3913 [2013-00853]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 12 / Thursday, January 17, 2013 / Notices
wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge’s establishing purposes and
the mission of the NWRS.
Additional Information
The final CCP may be found at
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
hamdenslough/. The final
CCP includes detailed information
about the planning process, refuge,
issues, and management alternative
selected. The Web site also includes an
EA and FONSI, prepared in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The
EA/FONSI includes discussion of three
alternative refuge management options.
The Service’s selected alternative is
reflected in the final CCP.
The selected alternative focuses on
increasing the quantity and quality of
habitat for wetland and grassland birds.
Acquisition and full restoration of
Pierce Lake will be emphasized over the
next 15 years. The hydrologic regime
will better emulate natural seasonal and
long-term variability. More diverse,
sustainable vegetation patterns will be
restored on refuge wetlands and
prairies. A detailed description of
objectives and actions included in this
selected alternative is found in chapter
4 of the final CCP.
Christopher P. Jensen,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–00896 Filed 1–16–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R3–R–2012–N259; FXRS1265030000–
134–FF03R06000]
Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Big
Stone and Lac Qui Parle Counties, MN;
Final Comprehensive Conservation
Plan and Finding of No Significant
Impact for Environmental Assessment
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
Notice of availability.
ACTION:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a final comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP) and finding of
no significant impact (FONSI) for the
environmental assessment (EA) for Big
Stone National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge,
NWR). In this final CCP, we describe
how we intend to manage the refuge for
the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You will find the final CCP,
a summary of the final CCP, and the EA/
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:19 Jan 16, 2013
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FONSI on the planning Web site at
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
BigStoneNWR/. A limited
number of hard copies and CD–ROMs
are available. You may request one by
any of the following methods:
• Email: r3planning@fws.gov. Include
‘‘Big Stone Final CCP’’ in the subject
line of the message.
• U.S. Mail: Big Stone NWR, 44843
County Road 19, Odessa, MN 56276.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alice Hanley, 320–273–2191.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP
process for Big Stone National Wildlife
Refuge, which we began by publishing
a notice of intent in the Federal Register
(73 FR 76677) on December 17, 2008.
For more about the initial process and
the history of this refuge, see that notice.
We released the draft CCP and EA to the
public, announcing and requesting
comments in a notice of availability (77
FR 27245) on May 9, 2012. The 30-day
comment period ended on June 8, 2012.
A summary of public comments and the
agency responses is included in the
final CCP.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Administration Act),
requires us to develop a CCP for each
national wildlife refuge. The purpose in
developing a CCP is to provide refuge
managers with a 15-year strategy for
achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System
(NWRS), consistent with sound
principles of fish and wildlife
management, conservation, legal
mandates, and Service policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental education and
interpretation. We will review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years
in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Each unit of the NWRS was
established for specific purposes. We
use these purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the
management goals and objectives for
each refuge within the NWRS mission,
and to determine how the public can
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3911
use each refuge. The planning process is
a way for us and the public to evaluate
management goals and objectives that
will ensure the best possible approach
to wildlife, plant, and habitat
conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge’s establishing purposes and
the mission of the NWRS.
Additional Information
The final CCP may be found at
https://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/
BigStoneNWR/. The final
CCP includes detailed information
about the planning process, refuge,
issues, and management alternative
selected. The Web site also includes an
EA and FONSI, prepared in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The
EA/FONSI includes discussion of six
alternative refuge management options.
The Service’s selected alternative is
reflected in the final CCP.
The selected alternative includes 5
miles of river channel restoration, a
focus on water quality improvement,
water management improvements to
help increase the amount of submerged
vegetation in refuge wetlands, increased
restoration and management of
grasslands, and opportunities for
wildlife dependent recreation. A
detailed description of objectives and
actions included in this selected
alternative is found in chapter 4 of the
final CCP.
Christopher P. Jensen,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–00898 Filed 1–16–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY–050–1310–DB]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement and
Possible Amendment to the Casper
Resource Management Plan, Fremont,
Sweetwater, and Natrona Counties, WY
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Lander Field Office, Rawlins Field
Office, and Casper Field Office intend to
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM
17JAN1
3912
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 12 / Thursday, January 17, 2013 / Notices
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the proposed Moneta
Divide Natural Gas and Oil
Development Project, which may
include a land use plan amendment to
the Casper Resource Management Plan
(RMP), and by this notice is announcing
the beginning of the scoping process to
solicit public comments and identify
issues.
This notice initiates the public
scoping process for the EIS and possible
land use plan amendment. You may
submit written comments on issues
until March 4, 2013. The date(s) and
location(s) of any scoping meeting will
be announced at least 15 days in
advance through the local news media,
newspapers and the BLM Web site at
www.blm.gov/wy/en/info/NEPA/
documents/lfo/moneta-divide.html. In
order to be addressed in the Draft EIS,
all comments must be received prior to
the close of the scoping period or 15
days after the last public meeting,
whichever is later. We will provide
additional opportunities for public
participation upon publication of the
Draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by any of the following
methods:
• Web site: www.blm.gov/wy/en/info/
NEPA/documents/lfo/monetadivide.html.
• Email: BLM_WY_LD_Moneta_
Divide_EIS@blm.gov.
• Fax: 307–332–8444.
• Mail: Moneta Divide Natural Gas
and Oil Development Project, Lander
Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander,
WY 82520.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined at the Lander Field
Office.
DATES:
For
further information and/or to have your
name added to our mailing list, contact
Chris Krassin, Project Coordinator,
telephone: 307–332–8400; address: 1335
Main Street, Lander, WY 82520; email:
BLM_WY_LD_Moneta_Divide_EIS@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: This
document provides notice that the
Lander Field Office, Rawlins Field
Office, and Casper Field Office intend to
prepare an EIS to support decision-
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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making regarding the proposed Moneta
Divide Natural Gas and Oil
Development Project, begin the public
scoping period, and seek input on the
preliminary issues identified with
respect to this Project. In addition, BLM
authorization of this proposed project
may require amendment of the 2007
Casper RMP. By this notice, the BLM is
complying with requirements in 43 CFR
1610.2(c) to notify the public of
potential amendments to land use plans,
predicated on the findings of the EIS,
and to seek public input on preliminary
planning issues. If a land use plan
amendment is necessary, the BLM will
integrate the land use planning process
with the NEPA process for this project.
Proponent energy development
companies (the companies) propose to
develop up to 4,250 natural gas and oil
wells within the proposed Moneta
Divide Natural Gas and Oil
Development Project area. The proposed
development project area is located in
Fremont and Natrona counties and
encompasses approximately 265,000
acres of land, of which 138,000 acres are
public land administered by the Lander
Field Office. Approximately 31,500
acres of the project area are public lands
administered by the Casper Field Office.
The southern portion of a proposed
pipeline associated with the project is
located in Sweetwater County on lands
administered by the Rawlins Field
Office. The balance of the development
project area consists of State and private
lands. The Lander Field Office will
serve as the lead for this Project.
The companies propose to develop
using downhole well spacing of up to 20
acres in select areas within the proposed
project area using directional, vertical,
and other drilling techniques, and
propose to develop infrastructure to
support oil and gas production in the
project area, including: Well pads;
gathering, treating, processing and
compression production facilities; water
wells, water treatment, water injection
and evaporation facilities; electric
power lines, roads, gas flow lines, and
pipelines. The companies propose to
transport gas through pipelines to
approximately five field compression
and treatment facilities. The companies
propose to reinject produced water in
some instances, evaporate it in some
instances, and treat and dispose of it
through the use of surface and
subsurface facilities in other instances.
The companies also propose to
construct gas processing facilities in the
project area to separate natural gas
liquids from the natural gas stream as
well as to construct a new pipeline to
transport and deliver natural gas and
natural gas liquids to market pipelines
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located near Wamsutter, Wyoming
(approximately 100 miles south of the
project area). The southern portion of
the pipeline (approximately 42 miles in
length) is proposed in Sweetwater
County, Wyoming and public lands
included within this segment are
administered by the Rawlins Field
Office.
Anticipated surface disturbance
associated with the Moneta Divide
Project proposal will include
approximately 13,500 acres of initial
surface disturbance for the construction
of new roads, well pads, pipelines and
associated facilities, of which
approximately 5,500 acres could remain
for the life of the project.
The BLM will evaluate any
authorizations and actions within the
Casper Field Office administrative area
that are proposed for approval in the EIS
to determine if they conform to the
decisions in the 2007 Casper RMP. At
this time, some management actions
particularly for surface disturbing
activities and wildlife stipulations in
the Casper RMP do not match the
Lander RMP (1987). In an effort to have
consistency in management actions
within the Moneta Divide project area
and across the Lander and Casper Field
Office administrative boundaries, it is
anticipated that some management
actions may result in a change in terms
and conditions or decisions of the
Casper RMP, which in turn may require
amendment of the RMP. Prior to
approval, any proposed actions that
would result in a change in the scope of
resource uses, terms and conditions,
and decisions of the Casper RMP would
require amendment of the RMP. If the
BLM determines that a plan amendment
is necessary, the analysis necessary for
the RMP amendment would occur
simultaneously with preparation of the
Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil
Development Project EIS. The
preliminary planning criteria would
include:
• The RMP amendment will comply
with NEPA, FLPMA, and other
applicable laws, executive orders,
regulations and policy;
• The RMP amendment will
recognize valid existing rights;
• The BLM would limit the scope of
the RMP amendment to the BLMadministered public lands and mineral
estate within the project area proposed
for the Moneta Divide Natural Gas and
Oil Development Project EIS; and
• A collaborative and multijurisdictional approach will be used,
where possible, to jointly determine the
desired future condition and
management direction for the public
lands. To the extent possible and within
E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM
17JAN1
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 12 / Thursday, January 17, 2013 / Notices
legal and regulatory parameters, the
BLM planning and management
decisions will complement the planning
and management decisions of other
agencies, State and local governments,
and Native American tribes, with
jurisdictions intermingled with, and
adjacent to, the planning area.
To provide the public with an
opportunity to review the proposed
project and the project information, as
well as the possible proposed plan
amendment, the BLM will host meetings
in Riverton and Casper within 45 days
of the publication of this notice. The
BLM will notify the public of meetings
and any other opportunities for the
public to be involved in the
environmental review for this proposal
at least 15 days prior to the event.
Meeting dates, locations and times will
be announced by a news release to the
media, individual mailings and postings
on the project Web site.
The purpose of the public scoping
process is to determine relevant issues
that will influence the scope of the
environmental analysis, including
alternatives, and guide the process for
developing the EIS. At present, the BLM
has identified the following preliminary
issues: Potential impacts to air quality,
disposal of produced water, and
potential effects of development and
production on surface resources
including vegetation and wildlife
habitat.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate
the NEPA commenting process to help
fulfill the public involvement process
under Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C.
470f) as provided for in 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3). The information about
historic and cultural resources within
the area potentially affected by the
proposed action will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
such resources in the context of both
NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
Native American tribal consultations
will be conducted in accordance with
policy, and tribal concerns will be given
due consideration, including impacts on
Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and
local agencies, along with other
stakeholders that may be interested or
affected by the BLM’s decision on this
project, are invited to participate in the
scoping process and, if eligible, may
request or be requested by the BLM to
participate as a cooperating agency.
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.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:19 Jan 16, 2013
Jkt 229001
While you may 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.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2)
Donald A. Simpson,
State Director, Wyoming.
[FR Doc. 2013–00853 Filed 1–16–13; 8:45 am]
3913
the BLM is proposing to reinstate the
leases effective March 1, 2012 under the
original terms and conditions of the
leases and the increased rental and
royalty rates cited above. The BLM has
not issued a lease affecting the lands
encumbered by these leases to any other
interest in the interim.
Authority: 43 CFR 3108.2–3(a).
Gary Johnson,
Deputy State Director, Minerals Management.
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[FR Doc. 2013–00927 Filed 1–16–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNV9230000 L13100000.FI0000 241A;
NVN–81212; NVN–81213; 13–08807; MO#
4500044423; TAS: 14x1109]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of
Terminated Oil and Gas Leases NVN–
81212 and NVN–81213; Nevada
[CACA 43949, LLCA930000, 3810–FF–P]
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the Mineral
Leasing Act of 1920, and existing BLM
regulations, the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) received a petition
for reinstatement from Lonewolf
Exploration & Production Company, for
competitive oil and gas leases NVN–
81212 and NVN–81213 on land in Elko
County, Nevada. The petition was
timely filed and was accompanied by all
the rentals due since the leases
terminated under the law. No valid
leases have been issued affecting the
lands.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patricia M. LaFramboise, BLM Nevada
State Office, 775–861–6632, or email:
plaframboise@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 lessee
has agreed to the amended lease terms
for rental and royalties at rates of $10
per acre or fraction thereof per year and
162⁄3 percent, respectively. The lessee
has paid the required $500
administrative fee for each lease and has
reimbursed the Department $159 for the
cost of this Federal Register notice. The
lessee has met all of the requirements
for reinstatement of the leases as set out
in Section 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral
Leasing Act of 1920, 30 U.S.C. 188, and
SUMMARY:
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Bureau of Land Management
Public Land Order No. 7807:
Withdrawal of Public Lands for the
Camp Michael Monsoor Mountain
Warfare and Training Facility,
California
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Public Land Order.
AGENCY:
This order withdraws
3,385.89 acres, more or less, of public
lands from settlement, sale, location,
and entry under the general land laws,
including the United States mining
laws, for a period of 20 years for use by
the Department of the Navy for the
Camp Michael Monsoor Mountain
Warfare and Training Facility. This
withdrawal also transfers administrative
jurisdiction of the lands to the
Department of the Navy.
DATES: Effective Date: January 17, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Heather Fullerton, address: Bureau of
Land Management, California State
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite–W–
1834, Sacramento, CA 95825–1886;
telephone: 916–978–4634. Persons who
use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
800–877–8339 to reach the Bureau of
Land Management contact. 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: This order
withdraws 3,385.89 acres of lands, more
or less, from public use for the
Department of the Navy. The area,
known as Camp Michael Monsoor
Mountain Warfare Training Facility, is
being developed to maintain the
operational readiness of Naval Special
Warfare Forces.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\17JAN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3911-3913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00853]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-050-1310-DB]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and
Possible Amendment to the Casper Resource Management Plan, Fremont,
Sweetwater, and Natrona Counties, WY
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lander
Field Office, Rawlins Field Office, and Casper Field Office intend to
[[Page 3912]]
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Moneta
Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development Project, which may include a
land use plan amendment to the Casper Resource Management Plan (RMP),
and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process
to solicit public comments and identify issues.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS and
possible land use plan amendment. You may submit written comments on
issues until March 4, 2013. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping
meeting will be announced at least 15 days in advance through the local
news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at www.blm.gov/wy/en/info/NEPA/documents/lfo/moneta-divide.html. In order to be addressed in the
Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the
scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is
later. We will provide additional opportunities for public
participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by any of the following
methods:
Web site: www.blm.gov/wy/en/info/NEPA/documents/lfo/moneta-divide.html.
Email: BLM_WY_LD_Moneta_Divide_EIS@blm.gov.
Fax: 307-332-8444.
Mail: Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development
Project, Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander, WY 82520.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Lander
Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have
your name added to our mailing list, contact Chris Krassin, Project
Coordinator, telephone: 307-332-8400; address: 1335 Main Street,
Lander, WY 82520; email: BLM_WY_LD_Moneta_Divide_EIS@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: This document provides notice that the
Lander Field Office, Rawlins Field Office, and Casper Field Office
intend to prepare an EIS to support decision-making regarding the
proposed Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development Project, begin
the public scoping period, and seek input on the preliminary issues
identified with respect to this Project. In addition, BLM authorization
of this proposed project may require amendment of the 2007 Casper RMP.
By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR
1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land use
plans, predicated on the findings of the EIS, and to seek public input
on preliminary planning issues. If a land use plan amendment is
necessary, the BLM will integrate the land use planning process with
the NEPA process for this project.
Proponent energy development companies (the companies) propose to
develop up to 4,250 natural gas and oil wells within the proposed
Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development Project area. The
proposed development project area is located in Fremont and Natrona
counties and encompasses approximately 265,000 acres of land, of which
138,000 acres are public land administered by the Lander Field Office.
Approximately 31,500 acres of the project area are public lands
administered by the Casper Field Office. The southern portion of a
proposed pipeline associated with the project is located in Sweetwater
County on lands administered by the Rawlins Field Office. The balance
of the development project area consists of State and private lands.
The Lander Field Office will serve as the lead for this Project.
The companies propose to develop using downhole well spacing of up
to 20 acres in select areas within the proposed project area using
directional, vertical, and other drilling techniques, and propose to
develop infrastructure to support oil and gas production in the project
area, including: Well pads; gathering, treating, processing and
compression production facilities; water wells, water treatment, water
injection and evaporation facilities; electric power lines, roads, gas
flow lines, and pipelines. The companies propose to transport gas
through pipelines to approximately five field compression and treatment
facilities. The companies propose to reinject produced water in some
instances, evaporate it in some instances, and treat and dispose of it
through the use of surface and subsurface facilities in other
instances. The companies also propose to construct gas processing
facilities in the project area to separate natural gas liquids from the
natural gas stream as well as to construct a new pipeline to transport
and deliver natural gas and natural gas liquids to market pipelines
located near Wamsutter, Wyoming (approximately 100 miles south of the
project area). The southern portion of the pipeline (approximately 42
miles in length) is proposed in Sweetwater County, Wyoming and public
lands included within this segment are administered by the Rawlins
Field Office.
Anticipated surface disturbance associated with the Moneta Divide
Project proposal will include approximately 13,500 acres of initial
surface disturbance for the construction of new roads, well pads,
pipelines and associated facilities, of which approximately 5,500 acres
could remain for the life of the project.
The BLM will evaluate any authorizations and actions within the
Casper Field Office administrative area that are proposed for approval
in the EIS to determine if they conform to the decisions in the 2007
Casper RMP. At this time, some management actions particularly for
surface disturbing activities and wildlife stipulations in the Casper
RMP do not match the Lander RMP (1987). In an effort to have
consistency in management actions within the Moneta Divide project area
and across the Lander and Casper Field Office administrative
boundaries, it is anticipated that some management actions may result
in a change in terms and conditions or decisions of the Casper RMP,
which in turn may require amendment of the RMP. Prior to approval, any
proposed actions that would result in a change in the scope of resource
uses, terms and conditions, and decisions of the Casper RMP would
require amendment of the RMP. If the BLM determines that a plan
amendment is necessary, the analysis necessary for the RMP amendment
would occur simultaneously with preparation of the Moneta Divide
Natural Gas and Oil Development Project EIS. The preliminary planning
criteria would include:
The RMP amendment will comply with NEPA, FLPMA, and other
applicable laws, executive orders, regulations and policy;
The RMP amendment will recognize valid existing rights;
The BLM would limit the scope of the RMP amendment to the
BLM-administered public lands and mineral estate within the project
area proposed for the Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development
Project EIS; and
A collaborative and multi-jurisdictional approach will be
used, where possible, to jointly determine the desired future condition
and management direction for the public lands. To the extent possible
and within
[[Page 3913]]
legal and regulatory parameters, the BLM planning and management
decisions will complement the planning and management decisions of
other agencies, State and local governments, and Native American
tribes, with jurisdictions intermingled with, and adjacent to, the
planning area.
To provide the public with an opportunity to review the proposed
project and the project information, as well as the possible proposed
plan amendment, the BLM will host meetings in Riverton and Casper
within 45 days of the publication of this notice. The BLM will notify
the public of meetings and any other opportunities for the public to be
involved in the environmental review for this proposal at least 15 days
prior to the event. Meeting dates, locations and times will be
announced by a news release to the media, individual mailings and
postings on the project Web site.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS.
At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues:
Potential impacts to air quality, disposal of produced water, and
potential effects of development and production on surface resources
including vegetation and wildlife habitat.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to
help fulfill the public involvement process under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in
36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural
resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed action
will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such
resources in the context of both NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance
with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due consideration,
including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local
agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or
affected by the BLM's decision on this project, are invited to
participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be
requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency.
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 may
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.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2)
Donald A. Simpson,
State Director, Wyoming.
[FR Doc. 2013-00853 Filed 1-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
