Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Alpine Satellite Development Plan for the Proposed Greater Mooses Tooth Unit Development Project, AK, 50087-50088 [2013-20030]
Download as PDF
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2013 / Notices
called Los Mogotes East SEZ (south
parcel), consists of approximately 1,360
acres of public land within sections 13,
24, and 25 of T. 34 N., R. 8 E., New
Mexico Principal Meridian, Conejos
County, Colorado. This parcel lies 3
miles west of the town of Romeo,
Colorado. Detailed information about
the SEZs, including maps, can be
viewed and downloaded at: https://
solareis.anl.gov/maps/index.cfm.
If you are submitting a sealed bid
prior to the oral auction, all bidding
documents must be enclosed in a sealed
envelope with your name and return
address on the outside. Include the
following notation on the front lower
left hand corner: SEALED BID—DO
NOT OPEN. An administrative fee of
$48,169 is also required for each parcel
for sealed bids and at registration from
each bidder for the oral auction in the
form of a cashier’s or certified check
made payable to the ‘‘Bureau of Land
Management.’’ A minimum bonus bid
has also been determined for each
parcel. The minimum bonus bid
represents 5 percent of the rent value of
the land for 1 year ($63 per acre for
Saguache and Conejos counties) under
the BLM’s interim solar rental policy
and is based on the interests acquired by
a preferred applicant to file a ROW
application in a SEZ. Minimum bonus
bids for the three parcels are: De Tilla
Gulch—$3,352; Los Mogotes East (north
parcel)—$4,035; and Los Mogotes East
(south parcel)—$4,284. Bidders must
use a bid statement to identify the bonus
amount the bidder will pay for the right
to submit a ROW application and plan
of development. The bonus bid must
meet or exceed the minimum bonus bid
amount identified above for each parcel.
The bid statement format and a
complete description of the bid process
are contained in an Invitation for Bids
package available on the BLM Colorado
Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/co/st/
en/BLM_Programs/energy/renewable_
energy.html.
The high bidder(s) will become the
successful bidder(s) and must deposit
the bonus bid specified in the bid
statement within 10 calendar days of
notification by the BLM that they are the
successful bidder. Upon the BLM’s
acceptance of the bonus bid specified in
the bid statement, the successful bidder
will become the preferred ROW
applicant. The required administrative
fee of the successful bidder(s) will be
retained by the agency to recover
administrative costs for conducting the
competitive bid process. The bonus bid
will be deposited with the U.S.
Treasury. Neither amount will be
returned or refunded to the successful
high bidder(s) under any circumstance.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Aug 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
All deposits made by unsuccessful
bidders will be returned, without
interest, upon the BLM’s acceptance of
the high bidder’s bonus bid.
If there is no bid received for a parcel,
then no preferred ROW applicant will
be identified and no application will be
processed for solar energy development
under the procedures listed in this
notice. If the BLM is unable to
determine the successful bidder, such as
in the case of a tie, the BLM may re-offer
the lands competitively to the tied
bidders, or to all prospective bidders.
The BLM will notify the successful
high bidder(s) of the right to submit a
ROW application and plan of
development within 180 calendar days
of the bid closing. Preferred ROW
applicants will be required to reimburse
the United States for the cost of
processing an application consistent
with the requirements of the regulations
at 43 CFR 2804.14. The fees are based
on the amount of time the BLM
estimates it will take to process the
ROW application and issue a decision.
The BLM will begin processing the
ROW application once the cost recovery
fees are received as required by the
regulations.
Authority: 43 CFR 2804.23.
Helen M. Hankins,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013–20036 Filed 8–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Notice of Intent To Prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Alpine Satellite
Development Plan for the Proposed
Greater Mooses Tooth Unit
Development Project, AK
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, as amended, and the Alaska
National Lands Interest Conservation
Act of 1980 (ANILCA), as amended, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Arctic Field Office, Fairbanks, Alaska,
intends to prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for development of petroleum resources
in the Greater Mooses Tooth (GMT)
Unit, at the proposed GMT1 drilling and
production pad. The Supplemental EIS
is being prepared for the limited
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
50087
purpose of supplementing the Alpine
Satellite Development Plan (ASDP)
Final EIS, dated September 2004,
regarding the establishment of satellite
oil production pads and associated
infrastructure within the Alpine field.
DATES: Scoping comments may be
submitted in writing until September 6,
2013. At this time, the BLM has
determined not to hold public scoping
meetings. If the BLM determines, after
consultation with cooperating agencies,
that public scoping meetings are
appropriate, the BLM will schedule
these meetings and provide appropriate
public notice. The BLM will provide
additional opportunities for public
participation upon publication of the
Draft Supplementary EIS, including
public meetings and a public comment
period. Any Federal, State, local
agencies, or tribes that are interested in
serving as a cooperating agency for the
development of the Supplemental EIS
are asked to submit such requests to the
BLM by September 6, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on issues related to the proposed GMT1
Development Project by any of the
following methods:
• Email: BLM_AK_AKSO_GMT_1_
Comments @blm.gov.
• Fax: 907–271–5479
• Mail: GMT1 Scoping Comments,
222 West 7th Avenue, Stop #13,
Anchorage, AK 99513.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined at the Fairbanks
District Office Public Room, 1150
University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK
99709; and the Alaska State Office
Public Room, 222 West 7th Avenue,
Anchorage, AK 99513.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bridget Psarianos, Project Lead;
telephone: 907–271–4208; address: 222
West 7th Avenue, Stop #13, Anchorage,
AK 99513. Contact Ms. Psarianos if you
wish to add your name to our mailing
list. 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: On July
22, 2013, ConocoPhillips, Alaska, Inc.
(CPAI) submitted an application with
the BLM for issuance of a right-of-way
grant and related authorizations to
construct, operate, and maintain a drill
site, access road, pipelines, and
ancillary facilities to support
development of petroleum resources
E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM
16AUN1
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
50088
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2013 / Notices
within the GMT Unit. The proposed
project is located in the National
Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR–A).
The GMT1 project would facilitate the
first production of oil and gas from
Federal lands in the NPR–A, which is
located on Alaska’s North Slope and
encompasses approximately 22.1
million acres of public land. The BLM
holds surface ownership of the drill site
location, and the majority of the infield
road and pipeline route. CPAI proposes
placement of fill material on 73.1 acres
to construct the GMT1 drill site, an
approximately 7.8-mile-long gravel
access road from the CD–5 pad currently
under development to the GMT1 drill
site including a spur to a pipeline valve,
pipelines, bridge abutment,
communication equipment, and power
lines for oil and gas production. The
proposed GMT1 site is approximately
14 miles west of the ConocoPhillipsoperated Alpine Central Facility (CD–1).
Oil, gas, and water produced from the
reservoir would be carried via pipeline
to CD–1 for processing. Sales quality
crude would be transported from CD–1
via pipeline to the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline. Gravel required for
construction of the drill site and access
road would be obtained from the Clover
Material Source, also located within the
NPR–A on BLM-managed lands. The
proposed drill site would be operated
and maintained by Alpine staff and
supported using CD–1 infrastructure.
The proposed GMT1 pad would be
approximately 11.8 acres, and may
consist of approximately 33 wells.
The purpose of the Supplemental EIS
is to evaluate any relevant new
circumstances and information which
have arisen since the ASDP Final EIS
was issued in September 2004, as well
as to address any changes to CPAI’s
proposed development plan for GMT1.
The GMT1 project was referred to as
CD–6 in the ASDP Final EIS.
New information includes multi-year
studies on hydrology, birds, and
caribou, a regional climate change
assessment for NPR–A, and more
information on the material site
(potential gravel source). Earlier this
year the BLM adopted a new Integrated
Activity Plan (IAP) for NPR–A, which
contains new protective measures.
Additionally, the polar bear has since
been listed as threatened under the
Endangered Species Act and critical
habitat has been proposed. The
currently proposed GMT1 Project is
very similar to the project approved in
the November 2004 Record of Decision
for the ASDP Final EIS, with several
notable changes, which include: A
relocated drill site and reduced road
and pipeline length as a result of the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Aug 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
drill site relocation; increased length of
the Ublutuoch River bridge; reduced
Clover material source; an additional 3.3
miles of ancillary pipeline from CD1 to
the pipeline tie-in north of CD4; and a
redesigned pipeline to provide space for
a future pipeline of up to 24-inches in
diameter.
At present, the BLM has identified the
following preliminary issues for
evaluation in the Supplemental EIS: Air
quality and climate change impacts;
biological resources, including special
status species; cultural resources;
geology and soils; hydrology and water
quality; and reasonably foreseeable
future activities, such as a drilling
program at proposed GMT2, which was
also evaluated as part of the 2004 ASDP
EIS.
The BLM will use NEPA public
participation processes to assist the
agency in satisfying the public
involvement requirements under
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C.
470(f)) pursuant to 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.
The BLM will consult with Federally
Recognized Indian tribes on a
government-to-government basis in
accordance with Executive Order 13175
and other policies. Tribal concerns,
including impacts on Indian trust assets
and potential impacts to cultural
resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local
agencies, and tribes that may be
interested in or affected by the proposed
action that the BLM is evaluating, are
invited to participate in the
development of the environmental
analysis as a cooperating agency.
Authority: 40 CFR 1502.9, 43 CFR part
2880.
Ted Murphy,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013–20030 Filed 8–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
PO 00000
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCON00000 L16100000.DP0000]
Notice of Availability of the Northwest
Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Draft
Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for the Northwest
Colorado District
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) has prepared
a Northwest Colorado Greater SageGrouse Draft Resource Management
Plan (RMP) Amendment and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Northwest Colorado District
(NWD) and by this notice is announcing
the opening of the comment period.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be
considered, the BLM must receive
written comments on the Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days
following the date the Environmental
Protection Agency publishes notice of
the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS in
the Federal Register. The BLM will
announce future meetings or hearings
and any other public participation
activities at least 15 days in advance
through public notices, media releases,
and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
related to the Northwest Colorado
Greater Sage-Grouse Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS by any of the
following methods:
• Web site: https://www.blm.gov/eplfront-office/eplanning/lup/
lup_register.do.
• Email:
blm_co_nw_sage_grouse@blm.gov.
• Fax: 970–244–3083.
• Mail: BLM—Greater Sage Grouse
EIS, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO
81506.
Copies of the NWD Greater SageGrouse Draft RMP Amendment/Draft
EIS are available at the NWD Office at
the above address or on the Web site at:
https://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/
BLM_Programs/wildlife/sagegrouse.html.
SUMMARY:
Erin
Jones, NWD NEPA Coordinator,
telephone 970–244–3008; see address
above; email erjones@blm.gov. Persons
who use a telecommunications device
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM
16AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50087-50088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20030]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Alpine Satellite Development Plan for the Proposed
Greater Mooses Tooth Unit Development Project, AK
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, as amended, and the Alaska National Lands Interest Conservation
Act of 1980 (ANILCA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Arctic Field Office, Fairbanks, Alaska, intends to prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for development of
petroleum resources in the Greater Mooses Tooth (GMT) Unit, at the
proposed GMT1 drilling and production pad. The Supplemental EIS is
being prepared for the limited purpose of supplementing the Alpine
Satellite Development Plan (ASDP) Final EIS, dated September 2004,
regarding the establishment of satellite oil production pads and
associated infrastructure within the Alpine field.
DATES: Scoping comments may be submitted in writing until September 6,
2013. At this time, the BLM has determined not to hold public scoping
meetings. If the BLM determines, after consultation with cooperating
agencies, that public scoping meetings are appropriate, the BLM will
schedule these meetings and provide appropriate public notice. The BLM
will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon
publication of the Draft Supplementary EIS, including public meetings
and a public comment period. Any Federal, State, local agencies, or
tribes that are interested in serving as a cooperating agency for the
development of the Supplemental EIS are asked to submit such requests
to the BLM by September 6, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues related to the proposed
GMT1 Development Project by any of the following methods:
Email: BLM--AK--AKSO--GMT--1--Comments @blm.gov.
Fax: 907-271-5479
Mail: GMT1 Scoping Comments, 222 West 7th Avenue, Stop
13, Anchorage, AK 99513.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the
Fairbanks District Office Public Room, 1150 University Avenue,
Fairbanks, AK 99709; and the Alaska State Office Public Room, 222 West
7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99513.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bridget Psarianos, Project Lead;
telephone: 907-271-4208; address: 222 West 7th Avenue, Stop
13, Anchorage, AK 99513. Contact Ms. Psarianos if you wish to
add your name to our mailing list. 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: On July 22, 2013, ConocoPhillips, Alaska,
Inc. (CPAI) submitted an application with the BLM for issuance of a
right-of-way grant and related authorizations to construct, operate,
and maintain a drill site, access road, pipelines, and ancillary
facilities to support development of petroleum resources
[[Page 50088]]
within the GMT Unit. The proposed project is located in the National
Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The GMT1 project would facilitate
the first production of oil and gas from Federal lands in the NPR-A,
which is located on Alaska's North Slope and encompasses approximately
22.1 million acres of public land. The BLM holds surface ownership of
the drill site location, and the majority of the infield road and
pipeline route. CPAI proposes placement of fill material on 73.1 acres
to construct the GMT1 drill site, an approximately 7.8-mile-long gravel
access road from the CD-5 pad currently under development to the GMT1
drill site including a spur to a pipeline valve, pipelines, bridge
abutment, communication equipment, and power lines for oil and gas
production. The proposed GMT1 site is approximately 14 miles west of
the ConocoPhillips-operated Alpine Central Facility (CD-1). Oil, gas,
and water produced from the reservoir would be carried via pipeline to
CD-1 for processing. Sales quality crude would be transported from CD-1
via pipeline to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Gravel required for
construction of the drill site and access road would be obtained from
the Clover Material Source, also located within the NPR-A on BLM-
managed lands. The proposed drill site would be operated and maintained
by Alpine staff and supported using CD-1 infrastructure. The proposed
GMT1 pad would be approximately 11.8 acres, and may consist of
approximately 33 wells.
The purpose of the Supplemental EIS is to evaluate any relevant new
circumstances and information which have arisen since the ASDP Final
EIS was issued in September 2004, as well as to address any changes to
CPAI's proposed development plan for GMT1. The GMT1 project was
referred to as CD-6 in the ASDP Final EIS.
New information includes multi-year studies on hydrology, birds,
and caribou, a regional climate change assessment for NPR-A, and more
information on the material site (potential gravel source). Earlier
this year the BLM adopted a new Integrated Activity Plan (IAP) for NPR-
A, which contains new protective measures. Additionally, the polar bear
has since been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act
and critical habitat has been proposed. The currently proposed GMT1
Project is very similar to the project approved in the November 2004
Record of Decision for the ASDP Final EIS, with several notable
changes, which include: A relocated drill site and reduced road and
pipeline length as a result of the drill site relocation; increased
length of the Ublutuoch River bridge; reduced Clover material source;
an additional 3.3 miles of ancillary pipeline from CD1 to the pipeline
tie-in north of CD4; and a redesigned pipeline to provide space for a
future pipeline of up to 24-inches in diameter.
At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues
for evaluation in the Supplemental EIS: Air quality and climate change
impacts; biological resources, including special status species;
cultural resources; geology and soils; hydrology and water quality; and
reasonably foreseeable future activities, such as a drilling program at
proposed GMT2, which was also evaluated as part of the 2004 ASDP EIS.
The BLM will use NEPA public participation processes to assist the
agency in satisfying the public involvement requirements under Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470(f))
pursuant to 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.
The BLM will consult with Federally Recognized Indian tribes on a
government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175
and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust
assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, and tribes that may
be interested in or affected by the proposed action that the BLM is
evaluating, are invited to participate in the development of the
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
Authority: 40 CFR 1502.9, 43 CFR part 2880.
Ted Murphy,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-20030 Filed 8-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P