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]


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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
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