Geological and Geophysical Exploration (G&G) on the Mid- and South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), 13074-13075 [2014-05046]

Download as PDF 13074 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 45 / Friday, March 7, 2014 / Notices The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee was created by Paragraph V.A.4 of the Memorandum of Agreement and Consent Decree entered into by the United States of America and the State of Alaska on August 27, 1991, and approved by the United States District Court for the District of Alaska in settlement of United States of America v. State of Alaska, Civil Action No. A91–081 CV. The Public Advisory Committee was created to advise the Trustee Council on matters relating to decisions on injury assessment, restoration activities, or other use of natural resource damage recoveries obtained by the government. The Trustee Council consists of representatives of the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and Alaska Department of Law. Appointment to the Public Advisory Council will be made by the Secretary of the Interior. The Public Advisory Committee consists of 10 members to reflect balanced representation from each of the following principal interests: Aquaculturist/mariculturist, commercial tourism business person, conservationist/environmentalist, recreation user, subsistence user, commercial fisher, public-at-large, native landowner, sport hunter/fisher, and scientist/technologist. Nominations for membership may be submitted by any source. Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee’s qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Public Advisory Committee and permit the Department of the Interior to contact a potential member. Individuals who are currently federally registered lobbyists are ineligible to serve on all Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and non-FACA boards, committees, or councils. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Willie R. Taylor, Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance. [FR Doc. 2014–04985 Filed 3–6–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–RG–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Mar 06, 2014 Jkt 232001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Geological and Geophysical Exploration (G&G) on the Mid- and South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed G&G Activities on the Mid- and South Atlantic OCS. AGENCY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), BOEM has prepared a Final Programmatic EIS to describe and evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with reasonably foreseeable G&G survey activities in Federal waters overlying the Mid- and South Atlantic OCS, as well as potentially interconnected or interrelated activities in adjacent State waters, as described in the Supplemental Information section below. These activities include, but are not limited to, seismic surveys (deep penetration and high-resolution geophysical), electromagnetic surveys, geological and geochemical sampling, and remote sensing surveys. The Final Programmatic EIS covers reasonably foreseeable G&G activities associated with the three program areas managed by BOEM on the OCS (i.e., oil and gas exploration and development, renewable energy, and marine minerals). The Final Programmatic EIS also evaluates mitigating measures to reduce potential impacts of G&G activities on marine resources, such as sound impacts to marine species and bottom-disturbance impacts on benthic communities and cultural resources. DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than April 7, 2014. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in one of the following three ways: 1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on the Final Programmatic EIS for the Mid- and South Atlantic’’ and mailed (or hand carried) to Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Chief, Environmental Assessment Section, Office of Environment (GM 623E), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394; 2. Electronically to BOEM’s email address: ggeis@boem.gov; or SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3. Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https:// www.regulations.gov and search for ‘‘Geological and Geophysical Activities in Mid and South Atlantic’’ (Note: It is important to include the quotation marks in your search terms.) Click on the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button to the right of the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click ‘‘Submit’’. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Final Programmatic EIS, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Chief, Environmental Assessment Section, Office of Environment (GM 623E), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394, or by email at ggeis@ boem.gov. You may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at (504) 736–3233. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Programmatic EIS was prepared to analyze potential environmental impacts from multiple G&G activities in the OCS Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas, and interconnected or interrelated activities in adjacent State waters. Development of this Programmatic EIS was also directed under the Conference Report accompanying the FY 2010 Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 111–88). The Area of Interest (AOI), also known as the affected environment or area of potential effects, for the Programmatic EIS includes U.S. Atlantic waters and submerged lands from the mouth of Delaware Bay to just south of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and from the shoreline to 350 nautical miles from shore. While G&G activities in State waters are not within the jurisdiction of BOEM, the AOI also encompasses adjacent State waters (excluding estuaries) because related G&G activities could extend into State waters or because G&G activities in waters overlying the OCS could impact resources in or migrating through adjacent State waters, e.g. through the introduction of acoustic energy into those waters. The activity scenario and associated impact assessment contained in the Final Programmatic EIS extend to 2020. The Draft Programmatic EIS was published on March 30, 2012 and the public comment period closed on July 2, 2012. BOEM received over 55,000 comment submissions from federal, state and local governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, industry and private E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 45 / Friday, March 7, 2014 / Notices citizens electronically and via hard copy. These comments were considered and evaluated in preparing the Final Programmatic EIS. Within the Final Programmatic EIS, BOEM presents the baseline conditions, analyzes reasonably foreseeable impacts to marine resources and, where applicable, identifies and analyzes potential mitigation and monitoring measures to avoid, reduce, or minimize potential impacts. It also establishes a framework for future environmental analyses of site-specific activities before BOEM authorizes any individual permits for those activities. The Final Programmatic EIS identifies BOEM’s Preferred Alternative which provides programmatic-level mitigation, monitoring and reporting requirements meant to reduce the potential for adverse impacts to Mid- and South Atlantic resources from reasonably foreseeable G&G activities across all three BOEM program areas. It also includes an adaptive management strategy that, through site-specific NEPA analysis, will incorporate new information, establish additional measures and/or adjust existing measures based on monitoring results. Please note that the Final Programmatic EIS does not address the potential environmental effects of oil and gas leasing, development, or production in the Mid- and South Atlantic. BOEM has not proposed oil and gas leasing, development or production in the Mid- and South Atlantic at this time, and additional environmental analyses would be necessary prior to proceeding with any such activities. Final Programmatic EIS Availability: In keeping with the Department of the Interior’s mission to protect natural resources and to limit costs while ensuring availability of the document to the public, BOEM will primarily distribute digital copies of the Final Programmatic EIS on compact discs. However, BOEM has printed and will be distributing a limited number of paper copies. If you require a paper copy, BOEM will provide one upon request if copies are still available. 1. You may request a hard copy or compact disc of the Final Programmatic EIS from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (GM 335A), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394 (1–800–200–GULF (4853)). 2. You may download or view the Final Programmatic EIS on BOEM’s project Web site at https://.boem.gov/ and-Gas-Energy-Program//.aspx or on BOEM’s EIS Web site at https:// www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:39 Mar 06, 2014 Jkt 232001 Several libraries along the Atlantic Coast have been sent copies of the Final Programmatic EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of the Final Programmatic EIS for review, you may contact BOEM’s Public Information Office or visit BOEM’s Internet Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses: Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised 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 from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR part 1503) implementing the provisions of NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Dated: January 10, 2014. Tommy P. Beaudreau, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2014–05046 Filed 3–6–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION Notice of Receipt of Complaint; Solicitation of Comments Relating to the Public Interest U.S. International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has received a complaint entitled Certain Hemostatic Products and Components Thereof; DN 3003; the Commission is soliciting comments on any public interest issues raised by the complaint or complainant’s filing under section 210.8(b) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 210.8(b)). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa R. Barton, Acting Secretary to the Commission, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205–2000. The public version of the complaint can be accessed on the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS) at EDIS,1 and will be available for inspection during official business hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 SUMMARY: 1 Electronic Document Information System (EDIS): https://edis.usitc.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13075 p.m.) in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server at United States International Trade Commission (USITC) at USITC.2 The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS) at EDIS.3 Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on (202) 205–1810. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has received a complaint and a submission pursuant to section 210.8(b) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure filed behalf of Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare Corporation, and Baxter Healthcare SA, on February 28, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain hemostatic products and components thereof. The complaint name as respondents Johnson and Johnson Inc. Brunswick, NJ, Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ, Ferrosan Medical Devices A/S, Denmark, Packaging Coordinators, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. The complainant requests that the Commission issue a permanent limited exclusion order, permanent cease and desist orders, and impose a bond during any Presidential Review period. Proposed respondents, other interested parties, and members of the public are invited to file comments, not to exceed five (5) pages in length, inclusive of attachments, on any public interest issues raised by the complaint or section 210.8(b) filing. Comments should address whether issuance of the relief specifically requested by the complainant in this investigation would affect the public health and welfare in the United States, competitive conditions in the United States economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles in the United States, or United States consumers. In particular, the Commission is interested in comments that: (i) Explain how the articles potentially subject to the requested 2 United States International Trade Commission (USITC): https://edis.usitc.gov. 3 Electronic Document Information System (EDIS): https://edis.usitc.gov. E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13074-13075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05046]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management


Geological and Geophysical Exploration (G&G) on the Mid- and 
South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed G&G Activities on the 
Mid- and South Atlantic OCS.

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

SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
BOEM has prepared a Final Programmatic EIS to describe and evaluate the 
potential environmental impacts associated with reasonably foreseeable 
G&G survey activities in Federal waters overlying the Mid- and South 
Atlantic OCS, as well as potentially interconnected or interrelated 
activities in adjacent State waters, as described in the Supplemental 
Information section below. These activities include, but are not 
limited to, seismic surveys (deep penetration and high-resolution 
geophysical), electromagnetic surveys, geological and geochemical 
sampling, and remote sensing surveys. The Final Programmatic EIS covers 
reasonably foreseeable G&G activities associated with the three program 
areas managed by BOEM on the OCS (i.e., oil and gas exploration and 
development, renewable energy, and marine minerals). The Final 
Programmatic EIS also evaluates mitigating measures to reduce potential 
impacts of G&G activities on marine resources, such as sound impacts to 
marine species and bottom-disturbance impacts on benthic communities 
and cultural resources.

DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than April 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in one of the following three 
ways:
    1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on 
the Final Programmatic EIS for the Mid- and South Atlantic'' and mailed 
(or hand carried) to Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Chief, Environmental Assessment 
Section, Office of Environment (GM 623E), Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New 
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394;
    2. Electronically to BOEM's email address: ggeis@boem.gov; or
    3. Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https://www.regulations.gov and search for ``Geological and Geophysical 
Activities in Mid and South Atlantic'' (Note: It is important to 
include the quotation marks in your search terms.) Click on the 
``Comment Now!'' button to the right of the document link. Enter your 
information and comment, then click ``Submit''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Final 
Programmatic EIS, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Chief, 
Environmental Assessment Section, Office of Environment (GM 623E), 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 
Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, or by email 
at ggeis@boem.gov. You may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at (504) 
736-3233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Programmatic EIS was prepared to analyze 
potential environmental impacts from multiple G&G activities in the OCS 
Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas, and interconnected or 
interrelated activities in adjacent State waters. Development of this 
Programmatic EIS was also directed under the Conference Report 
accompanying the FY 2010 Department of the Interior, Environment and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 111-88).
    The Area of Interest (AOI), also known as the affected environment 
or area of potential effects, for the Programmatic EIS includes U.S. 
Atlantic waters and submerged lands from the mouth of Delaware Bay to 
just south of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and from the shoreline to 350 
nautical miles from shore. While G&G activities in State waters are not 
within the jurisdiction of BOEM, the AOI also encompasses adjacent 
State waters (excluding estuaries) because related G&G activities could 
extend into State waters or because G&G activities in waters overlying 
the OCS could impact resources in or migrating through adjacent State 
waters, e.g. through the introduction of acoustic energy into those 
waters. The activity scenario and associated impact assessment 
contained in the Final Programmatic EIS extend to 2020.
    The Draft Programmatic EIS was published on March 30, 2012 and the 
public comment period closed on July 2, 2012. BOEM received over 55,000 
comment submissions from federal, state and local governmental 
organizations, non-governmental organizations, industry and private

[[Page 13075]]

citizens electronically and via hard copy. These comments were 
considered and evaluated in preparing the Final Programmatic EIS. 
Within the Final Programmatic EIS, BOEM presents the baseline 
conditions, analyzes reasonably foreseeable impacts to marine resources 
and, where applicable, identifies and analyzes potential mitigation and 
monitoring measures to avoid, reduce, or minimize potential impacts. It 
also establishes a framework for future environmental analyses of site-
specific activities before BOEM authorizes any individual permits for 
those activities.
    The Final Programmatic EIS identifies BOEM's Preferred Alternative 
which provides programmatic-level mitigation, monitoring and reporting 
requirements meant to reduce the potential for adverse impacts to Mid- 
and South Atlantic resources from reasonably foreseeable G&G activities 
across all three BOEM program areas. It also includes an adaptive 
management strategy that, through site-specific NEPA analysis, will 
incorporate new information, establish additional measures and/or 
adjust existing measures based on monitoring results.
    Please note that the Final Programmatic EIS does not address the 
potential environmental effects of oil and gas leasing, development, or 
production in the Mid- and South Atlantic. BOEM has not proposed oil 
and gas leasing, development or production in the Mid- and South 
Atlantic at this time, and additional environmental analyses would be 
necessary prior to proceeding with any such activities.
    Final Programmatic EIS Availability: In keeping with the Department 
of the Interior's mission to protect natural resources and to limit 
costs while ensuring availability of the document to the public, BOEM 
will primarily distribute digital copies of the Final Programmatic EIS 
on compact discs. However, BOEM has printed and will be distributing a 
limited number of paper copies. If you require a paper copy, BOEM will 
provide one upon request if copies are still available.
    1. You may request a hard copy or compact disc of the Final 
Programmatic EIS from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of 
Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office (GM 335A), 1201 Elmwood 
Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-
GULF (4853)).
    2. You may download or view the Final Programmatic EIS on BOEM's 
project Web site at https://.boem.gov/and-Gas-Energy-Program//.aspx or 
on BOEM's EIS Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/.
    Several libraries along the Atlantic Coast have been sent copies of 
the Final Programmatic EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of 
the Final Programmatic EIS for review, you may contact BOEM's Public 
Information Office or visit BOEM's Internet Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/.
    Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses: Before including your 
address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying 
information in your comment, be advised 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 
from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40 
CFR part 1503) implementing the provisions of NEPA, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

    Dated: January 10, 2014.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-05046 Filed 3-6-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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