Notice of Availability of the Oregon Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation, 10186-10187 [2020-03380]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 10186 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2020 / Notices ecosystems. These ecosystems are managed in partnership across the range of the Greater Sage-Grouse by State wildlife agencies, Federal agencies, local communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders. Since the 1950s these partners have collaborated to conserve Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitats. The U.S. Department of the Interior and the BLM have broad responsibilities to manage Federal lands and resources for the public benefit. Nearly half of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat is managed by the BLM. The BLM is committed to being a good neighbor and investing in on-the-ground conservation activities through close collaboration with State governments, local communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders. In 2019 the BLM Idaho State Director signed the Record of Decision and Approved Idaho Greater Sage-Grouse Resource Plan Amendment (84 FR 10325), building upon the BLM’s commitment to conserve and restore Greater Sage-Grouse habitat while improving collaboration and alignment with State management strategies for Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM sought to improve management alignment in ways that would increase management flexibility, maintain access to public resources, and promote conservation outcomes. The Draft Supplemental EIS will supplement and clarify the analysis relied on in the 2019 BLM Idaho Record of Decision, including with respect to the BLM considering a range of reasonable alternatives, taking a ‘‘hard look’’ at environmental effects, and evaluating cumulative impacts. Through the Draft Supplemental EIS, the BLM will also allow for additional public comment on the BLM’s approach to compensatory mitigation and Greater Sage-Grouse habitat conservation. The Idaho planning area analyzed in this Draft Supplemental EIS includes approximately 39,500,000 acres of BLM, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, State, local, and private lands in 28 counties: Ada, Adams, Bear Lake, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Butte, Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Twin Falls, and Washington. Also analyzed are the cumulative effects across the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Management Zone and entire Greater Sage-Grouse range. The BLM administers approximately 11,500,000 acres of public lands, providing VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Feb 20, 2020 Jkt 250001 approximately 8,810,000 acres of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. 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 can 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 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10. John F. Ruhs, BLM Idaho State Director. [FR Doc. 2020–03393 Filed 2–20–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [20X.LLWO200000. L11700000.PH0000.LXSGPL000000] Notice of Availability of the Oregon Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Greater SageGrouse Conservation Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared this Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. BLM Oregon is soliciting comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental 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 Oregon Draft Supplemental EIS by any of the following methods: • Website: https://goo.gl/4CNtH8. • Mail: BLM Oregon State Office, Attn: Draft Supplemental EIS for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation, 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Copies of the Oregon Draft Supplemental EIS for Greater SageGrouse Conservation are available in the BLM Oregon State Office at 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 and online at https://goo.gl/4CNtH8. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Regan-Vienop, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, phone 503– 808–6062; address 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Suite 1305, Portland, OR 97204; email jreganvienop@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS 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: Greater Sage-Grouse is a State-managed species that is dependent on sagebrush steppe ecosystems. These ecosystems are managed in partnership across the range of the Greater Sage-Grouse by State wildlife agencies, Federal agencies, local communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders. Since the 1950s these partners have collaborated to conserve Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitats. The U.S. Department of the Interior and the BLM have broad responsibilities to manage Federal lands and resources for the public benefit. Nearly half of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat is managed by the BLM. The BLM is committed to being a good neighbor and investing in on-the-ground conservation activities through close collaboration with State governments, local communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders. In 2019 the BLM Oregon State Director signed the Record of Decision and Approved Oregon Greater SageGrouse Resource Plan Amendment (84 FR 10324), building upon the BLM’s commitment to conserve and restore Greater Sage-Grouse habitat while improving collaboration and alignment with State management strategies for Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM sought to improve management alignment in ways that would increase management flexibility, maintain access to public resources, and promote conservation outcomes. The Draft Supplemental EIS will supplement and clarify the analysis relied on in the 2019 BLM Oregon Record of Decision, including with respect to the BLM considering a range of reasonable alternatives, taking a ‘‘hard look’’ at environmental effects, and evaluating cumulative impacts. Through the Draft Supplemental EIS, E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2020 / Notices the BLM will also allow for additional public comment on the BLM’s approach to compensatory mitigation and Greater Sage-Grouse habitat conservation. The Oregon planning area includes approximately 60,649 acres of BLM administered lands located in Oregon, in three counties: Harney, Lake, and Malheur. Also analyzed are the cumulative effects across the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Management Zone and entire Greater Sage-Grouse range. Within the decision area, the BLM administers approximately 21,959 acres of public lands, providing approximately 21,959 acres of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. 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 can 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 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10. Jose L. Linares, BLM Oregon-Washington Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2020–03380 Filed 2–20–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWYR05000 L13140000.NB0000 19X] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development Project and Proposed Casper Resource Management Plan Amendment, WY Bureau of Land Management, Interior ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Final Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment for the proposed Moneta Divide Natural Gas and Oil Development Project within the BLM Lander, Casper and Rawlins field offices. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Feb 20, 2020 Jkt 250001 The BLM will issue a Record of Decision no earlier than 30 days from the date of the Notice of Availability published by the Environmental Protection Agency. ADDRESSES: Requests for information regarding the Final EIS may be mailed to: • Email: BLM_WY_LD_Moneta_ Divide_EIS@blm.gov. • Mail: Holly Elliott, Moneta Divide EIS Project Manager, BLM Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street Lander, WY 82520. Copies of the Final EIS are available on the project website at: https:// go.usa.gov/xnU9z or at the following locations: • BLM Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander, Wyoming • BLM Casper Field Office, 2987 Prospect Drive, Casper, Wyoming • BLM Rawlins Field Office, 1300 North Third Rawlins, Wyoming FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Holly Elliott, Moneta Divide EIS Project Manager, BLM Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander, WY 82520, 307–347–5100, helliott@blm.gov Persons who use telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800– 877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS 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 Moneta Divide project is principally located along U.S. Route 20/26 near the town of Lysite in Fremont and Natrona counties, Wyoming. A proposed product pipeline extends south from the oil and gas production area through Fremont and Sweetwater counties to Wamsutter, Wyoming. The project spans the BLM Wind River/Bighorn Basin, High Plains and High Desert districts. The project area encompasses approximately 327,645 acres of public, state and private lands. Approximately 83 percent of the mineral estate in the project area is administered by the BLM. Aethon Energy Operating, LLC and Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company, LP are proposing to develop up to 4,250 wells and associated facilities over a 15-year period. Under the Plan of Development, Aethon would drill up to 4,100 wells, of which approximately two-thirds would be drilled vertically from single-well pads and one-third would be drilled directionally from multi-well pads, consisting of four wells per pad. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10187 Burlington would drill up to 150 wells from single-well pads. The proponents would utilize disposal wells, water treatment plants, evaporation ponds, surface discharge and other approaches to produced-water management. Water pipelines delivering treated produced water to Boysen Reservoir could also be built. Associated access roads, pipelines, compressor stations and other ancillary facilities would be co-located where possible to further minimize surface disturbance. The BLM analyzed five alternatives: Alternative 1, the No Action Alternative, includes existing standard stipulations and oil and gas well development authorized during the preparation of the EIS in accordance with the Interim Drilling Plan. Alternative 2, the Proposed Action, is the proponents’ Plan of Development. Alternative 3 emphasizes resource production, analyzing development using only single-well pads and other measures that facilitate oil and gas development within the project area. Alternative 4 addresses a range of resource issues identified during scoping and provides the proponents greater flexibility to treat and dispose of produced water. Specifically, Alternative 4 analyzes reduced surface disturbance through more directionally drilled wells placed on multi-well pads, wildlife and cultural resources protection measures, and a water management strategy that would involve greater surface discharge of produced water and more disposal wells. All action alternatives (Alternatives 2, 3 and 4) analyzed the same rate of development, although Alternative 4 would allow a slower pace of development, if needed, for managing produced water in accordance with federal and state requirements. The Final EIS also evaluates amendments to the Casper RMP, which are analyzed under Alternatives 3 and 4. Under Alternative 3, the Casper RMP would be amended to establish a Designated Development Area in the portion of the Moneta Divide oil and gas well production area in the Casper Field Office to facilitate intensive mineral production. Under Alternative 4, the Casper RMP would be amended to increase the protections of the Cedar Ridge Traditional Cultural Property (TCP). The proposed amendments are not required in order to authorize the Moneta Divide project, which as proposed, is in conformance with the Casper RMP. The Agency Preferred Alternative was identified in the Final EIS. The Preferred Alternative was developed to incorporate resource conservation E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10186-10187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03380]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[20X.LLWO200000. L11700000.PH0000.LXSGPL000000]


Notice of Availability of the Oregon Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared this 
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and by this 
notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. BLM Oregon is 
soliciting comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS within 45 days following 
the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a Notice of 
Availability of the Draft Supplemental 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 Oregon Draft 
Supplemental EIS by any of the following methods:
     Website: https://goo.gl/4CNtH8.
     Mail: BLM Oregon State Office, Attn: Draft Supplemental 
EIS for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation, 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, 
OR 97204.
    Copies of the Oregon Draft Supplemental EIS for Greater Sage-Grouse 
Conservation are available in the BLM Oregon State Office at 1220 SW 
3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 and online at https://goo.gl/4CNtH8.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Regan-Vienop, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, phone 503-808-6062; address 1220 SW 3rd 
Ave., Suite 1305, Portland, OR 97204; email [email protected]. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FRS 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: Greater Sage-Grouse is a State-managed 
species that is dependent on sagebrush steppe ecosystems. These 
ecosystems are managed in partnership across the range of the Greater 
Sage-Grouse by State wildlife agencies, Federal agencies, local 
communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders. Since the 
1950s these partners have collaborated to conserve Greater Sage-Grouse 
and its habitats. The U.S. Department of the Interior and the BLM have 
broad responsibilities to manage Federal lands and resources for the 
public benefit. Nearly half of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat is managed 
by the BLM. The BLM is committed to being a good neighbor and investing 
in on-the-ground conservation activities through close collaboration 
with State governments, local communities, private landowners, and 
other stakeholders.
    In 2019 the BLM Oregon State Director signed the Record of Decision 
and Approved Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse Resource Plan Amendment (84 FR 
10324), building upon the BLM's commitment to conserve and restore 
Greater Sage-Grouse habitat while improving collaboration and alignment 
with State management strategies for Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM 
sought to improve management alignment in ways that would increase 
management flexibility, maintain access to public resources, and 
promote conservation outcomes.
    The Draft Supplemental EIS will supplement and clarify the analysis 
relied on in the 2019 BLM Oregon Record of Decision, including with 
respect to the BLM considering a range of reasonable alternatives, 
taking a ``hard look'' at environmental effects, and evaluating 
cumulative impacts. Through the Draft Supplemental EIS,

[[Page 10187]]

the BLM will also allow for additional public comment on the BLM's 
approach to compensatory mitigation and Greater Sage-Grouse habitat 
conservation.
    The Oregon planning area includes approximately 60,649 acres of BLM 
administered lands located in Oregon, in three counties: Harney, Lake, 
and Malheur. Also analyzed are the cumulative effects across the 
Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Management Zone and 
entire Greater Sage-Grouse range. Within the decision area, the BLM 
administers approximately 21,959 acres of public lands, providing 
approximately 21,959 acres of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat.
    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 can 
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 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Jose L. Linares,
BLM Oregon-Washington Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-03380 Filed 2-20-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P
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