Outer Continental Shelf, Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas Central Planning Area Lease Sales 241 and 247 and Eastern Planning Area Lease Sale 226, 5133-5134 [2015-01758]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 20 / Friday, January 30, 2015 / Notices Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [MMAA 104000] Outer Continental Shelf, Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas Central Planning Area Lease Sales 241 and 247 and Eastern Planning Area Lease Sale 226 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and announcement of public meetings and comment period. AGENCY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed oil and gas Central Planning Area (CPA) Lease Sales 241 and 247 and Eastern Planning Area (EPA) Lease Sale 226 in the Gulf of Mexico (CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS). Proposed CPA Lease Sale 241 and EPA Lease Sale 226 are tentatively scheduled to be held in March 2016, and proposed CPA Lease Sale 247 is tentatively scheduled to be held in March 2017. The CPA 241/247/ EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS updates the environmental and socioeconomic analyses in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012–2017; Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247, Final Environmental Impact Statement (2012– 2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2012–019); Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2014 and 2016; Eastern Planning Area Lease Sales 225 and 226, Final Environmental Impact Statement (EPA 225/226 EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013– 200); Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2013–2014; Western Planning Area Lease Sale 233; Central Planning Area Lease Sale 231, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013–0118); Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2014–2016; and Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2015–2017; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (CPA 235/241/247 Supplemental EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2014–655). asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1503) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. [1988]). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:50 Jan 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 BOEM prepared the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS to consider new information made available since completion of the 2012–2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS, WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS, WPA 238/246/248 Supplemental EIS, and CPA 235/241/ 247 Supplemental EIS, and new information related to the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil spill, and response. The CPA 241/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS provides new information on the baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the CPA and EPA. BOEM conducted an extensive search for new information, reviewing scientific journals and available scientific data and information from academic institutions and Federal, State, and local agencies; and interviewing personnel from academic institutions and Federal, State, and local agencies. BOEM examined the potential impacts of routine activities and accidental events and the proposed lease sales’ incremental contribution to the cumulative impacts on environmental and socioeconomic resources. The oil and gas resource estimates and scenario for the CPA 241/ 247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS are presented as a range that would encompass the resources and activities estimated for each proposed lease sale. Draft Supplemental EIS Availability: You may download or view the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS on BOEM’s Web site at https:// www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. In keeping with the Department of the Interior’s mission of the protection of natural resources and to limit costs while ensuring availability of the document to the public, BOEM will primarily distribute digital copies of the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS on compact discs. 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. You may obtain a copy of the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental 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). Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent copies of the CPA 241/ 247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS for review, you may SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5133 contact BOEM’s Public Information Office or visit BOEM’s Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. Comments: All interested parties, including Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, and other organizations and members of the public, may submit written comments on the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS in one of the following ways: 1. In an envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS’’ 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. Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https:// www.regulations.gov and search for ‘‘Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 241 and 247 and Eastern Planning Area Lease Sale 226’’ (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’’; or 3. Through BOEM’s email address: cpa241-epa226@boem.gov. Comments should be submitted no later than March 16, 2015. Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, BOEM will hold public meetings in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida to solicit comments on the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS. These meetings are scheduled as follows: • New Orleans, Louisiana: Monday, February 23, 2015, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123, one meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. CST; • Panama City, Florida: Tuesday, February 24, 2015, Wyndham Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida, 32408, one meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST; • Mobile, Alabama: Wednesday, February 25, 2015, Hilton Garden Inn Mobile West, 828 West I–65 Service Road South, Mobile, Alabama 36609, one meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST; • Gulfport, Mississippi: Thursday, February 26, 2015, Courtyard by Marriott, Gulfport Beachfront MS Hotel, 1600 East Beach Boulevard, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501, one meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST. E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1 5134 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 20 / Friday, January 30, 2015 / Notices For more information on the CPA 241/247/ EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Office of Environment (GM 623E), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394 or by email at cpa241epa226@boem.gov. You may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at 504– 736–3233. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses As BOEM does not consider anonymous comments, please include your name and address as part of your submittal. BOEM makes all comments, including the names and addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that BOEM withhold their names and/or addresses from the public record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state your preference prominently at the beginning of your comment. All submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Dated: January 14, 2015. Abigail Ross Hopper, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2015–01758 Filed 1–29–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P Office of Natural Resources Revenue [Docket No. ONRR–2011–0009; DS63610300 DR2PS0000.CH7000 134D0102R2] Agency Information Collection Activities: Collection of Monies Due the Federal Government; Comment Request Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), Interior. ACTION: Notice of extension. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) an Information Collection Request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 1218. This notice also VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:50 Jan 29, 2015 Jkt 235001 OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove this information collection request but may respond after 30 days; therefore, you should submit your public comments to OMB by March 2, 2015 for the assurance of consideration. DATES: You may submit your written comments directly to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (OMB Control Number 1012– 0008), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, by email to OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or telefax at (202) 395–5806. Please also mail a copy of your comments to Mr. Luis Aguilar, Regulatory Specialist, ONRR, P.O. Box 25165, MS 61030A, Denver, Colorado 80225–0165, or email Luis.Aguilar@onrr.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 1012–0008 in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on technical issues, contact Ms. Lee-Ann Martin, Reporting and Solid Minerals Services, ONRR, telephone (303) 231–3313, or email LeeAnn.Martin@onrr.gov. For other questions, contact Mr. Luis Aguilar, telephone (303) 231–3418, or email Luis.Aguilar@onrr.gov. You may also contact Mr. Aguilar to obtain copies (free of charge) of (1) the ICR, (2) any associated forms, and (3) the regulations that require the subject collection of information. You may also review the information collection request online at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain. ADDRESSES: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SUMMARY: provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. Title: Collection of Monies Due the Federal Government—30 CFR part 1218. OMB Control Number: 1012–0008. Bureau Form Number: Form ONRR– 4425. Abstract: The Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior is responsible for collecting royalties from lessees who produce minerals from leased Federal and Indian lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under various laws, the Secretary’s responsibility is to manage mineral resources production on Federal and Indian lands and the OCS, collect royalties due, and distribute the funds collected under those laws. ONRR performs the royalty management functions for the Secretary. Public laws pertaining to mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands and the OCS are posted at https:// www.onrr.gov/Laws_R_D/PubLaws/ default.htm. PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Minerals produced from Federal and Indian leases vary greatly in the nature of occurrence, production, and processing methods. When a company or an individual enters into a lease to explore, develop, produce, and dispose of minerals from Federal or Indian lands, that company or individual agrees to pay the lessor a share in an amount or value of production from the leased lands. The lessee is required to report various kinds of information to the lessor relative to the disposition of the minerals. Such information is generally available within the records of the lessee or others involved in developing, transporting, processing, purchasing, or selling such minerals. The information collected includes data necessary to ensure that production is accurately valued and that royalties are appropriately paid. This ICR covers unique reporting circumstances, including (1) cross-lease netting in calculation of late-payment interest; (2) designation of a designee; and (3) Tribal permission for recoupment on Indian oil and gas leases. Cross-Lease Netting in Calculation of Late-Payment Interest Regulations at § 1218.54 require ONRR to assess interest on unpaid or underpaid amounts. ONRR distributes these interest revenues to States, Indian Tribes, and the U.S. Treasury based on financial lease distribution information. Current regulations at § 1218.42 provide that an overpayment on a lease or leases may be offset against an underpayment on a different lease or leases to determine the net payment subject to interest when certain conditions are met. This process is called cross-lease netting. Sections 6(a), (b), and (c) of the Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act (RSFA) require ONRR to pay interest on lessees’ Federal oil and gas overpayments made on or after February 13, 1997 (six months after the August 13, 1996, enactment of RSFA). ONRR implemented this RSFA provision in 1997 and began calculating interest on both underpayments and overpayments for Federal oil and gas leases, making the cross-lease netting provisions at § 1218.42 no longer applicable for these leases. However, lessees must still comply with the provisions at 30 CFR 1218.42(b) and (c) for Indian Tribal leases or Federal leases other than oil and gas. They must demonstrate that cross-lease netting is correct by submitting production reports, pipeline allocation reports, or other similar documentary evidence. This information is necessary in order for ONRR to determine the correct amount E:\FR\FM\30JAN1.SGM 30JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 20 (Friday, January 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5133-5134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01758]



[[Page 5133]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[MMAA 104000]


Outer Continental Shelf, Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas Central 
Planning Area Lease Sales 241 and 247 and Eastern Planning Area Lease 
Sale 226

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

ACTION: Notice of availability and announcement of public meetings and 
comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has prepared a 
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed 
oil and gas Central Planning Area (CPA) Lease Sales 241 and 247 and 
Eastern Planning Area (EPA) Lease Sale 226 in the Gulf of Mexico (CPA 
241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS). Proposed CPA Lease Sale 241 
and EPA Lease Sale 226 are tentatively scheduled to be held in March 
2016, and proposed CPA Lease Sale 247 is tentatively scheduled to be 
held in March 2017. The CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS 
updates the environmental and socioeconomic analyses in the Gulf of 
Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012-2017; Western Planning Area 
Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248; Central Planning Area Lease 
Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247, Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2012-019); Gulf of 
Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2014 and 2016; Eastern Planning 
Area Lease Sales 225 and 226, Final Environmental Impact Statement (EPA 
225/226 EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-200); Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas 
Lease Sales: 2013-2014; Western Planning Area Lease Sale 233; Central 
Planning Area Lease Sale 231, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-
0118); Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2014-2016; and Gulf 
of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2015-2017; Central Planning Area 
Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (CPA 235/241/247 Supplemental EIS) (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2014-
655).

    Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1503) implementing 
the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. [1988]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM prepared the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft 
Supplemental EIS to consider new information made available since 
completion of the 2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS, WPA 233/CPA 231 
Supplemental EIS, WPA 238/246/248 Supplemental EIS, and CPA 235/241/247 
Supplemental EIS, and new information related to the Deepwater Horizon 
explosion, oil spill, and response. The CPA 241/EPA 226 Draft 
Supplemental EIS provides new information on the baseline conditions 
and potential environmental effects of oil and natural gas leasing, 
exploration, development, and production in the CPA and EPA. BOEM 
conducted an extensive search for new information, reviewing scientific 
journals and available scientific data and information from academic 
institutions and Federal, State, and local agencies; and interviewing 
personnel from academic institutions and Federal, State, and local 
agencies. BOEM examined the potential impacts of routine activities and 
accidental events and the proposed lease sales' incremental 
contribution to the cumulative impacts on environmental and 
socioeconomic resources. The oil and gas resource estimates and 
scenario for the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS are 
presented as a range that would encompass the resources and activities 
estimated for each proposed lease sale.
    Draft Supplemental EIS Availability: You may download or view the 
CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS on BOEM's Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. In keeping with the Department of the 
Interior's mission of the protection of natural resources and to limit 
costs while ensuring availability of the document to the public, BOEM 
will primarily distribute digital copies of the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 
Draft Supplemental EIS on compact discs. 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. 
You may obtain a copy of the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental 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).
    Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent copies of the 
CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS. To find out which libraries 
have copies of the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS for 
review, you may contact BOEM's Public Information Office or visit 
BOEM's Web site at https://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/.
    Comments: All interested parties, including Federal, State, Tribal, 
and local governments, and other organizations and members of the 
public, may submit written comments on the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 Draft 
Supplemental EIS in one of the following ways:
    1. In an envelope labeled ``Comments on the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 
Draft Supplemental EIS'' 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. Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https://www.regulations.gov and search for ``Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Gulf of 
Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 241 
and 247 and Eastern Planning Area Lease Sale 226'' (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''; or
    3. Through BOEM's email address: cpa241-epa226@boem.gov.
    Comments should be submitted no later than March 16, 2015.
    Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions 
of NEPA, BOEM will hold public meetings in Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama, and Florida to solicit comments on the CPA 241/247/EPA 226 
Draft Supplemental EIS. These meetings are scheduled as follows:
     New Orleans, Louisiana: Monday, February 23, 2015, Bureau 
of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood 
Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123, one meeting beginning at 
1:00 p.m. CST;
     Panama City, Florida: Tuesday, February 24, 2015, Wyndham 
Bay Point Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida, 
32408, one meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST;
     Mobile, Alabama: Wednesday, February 25, 2015, Hilton 
Garden Inn Mobile West, 828 West I-65 Service Road South, Mobile, 
Alabama 36609, one meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST;
     Gulfport, Mississippi: Thursday, February 26, 2015, 
Courtyard by Marriott, Gulfport Beachfront MS Hotel, 1600 East Beach 
Boulevard, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501, one meeting beginning at 4:00 
p.m. CST.

[[Page 5134]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the CPA 241/
247/EPA 226 Draft Supplemental EIS, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Office of 
Environment (GM 623E), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70123-2394 or by email at cpa241-epa226@boem.gov. You may 
also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at 504-736-3233.

Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses

    As BOEM does not consider anonymous comments, please include your 
name and address as part of your submittal. BOEM makes all comments, 
including the names and addresses of respondents, available for public 
review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may 
request that BOEM withhold their names and/or addresses from the public 
record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. 
If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state 
your preference prominently at the beginning of your comment. All 
submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their 
entirety.

    Dated: January 14, 2015.
Abigail Ross Hopper,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2015-01758 Filed 1-29-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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