Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group; Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Draft Phase 2 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #7.1: Terrebonne HNC Island Restoration Project, 52411-52413 [2022-18287]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 164 / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Notices
issuance. If we issue a permit to the
applicant listed in this notice, we will
publish a notice in the Federal Register.
You may locate the notice announcing
the permit issuance by searching
https://www.regulations.gov for the
permit number listed above in this
document. For example, to find
information about the potential issuance
of Permit No. 12345A, you would go to
regulations.gov and search for
‘‘12345A’’.
V. Authority
We issue this notice under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its
implementing regulations.
Brenda Tapia,
Supervisory Program Analyst/Data
Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division
of Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2022–18321 Filed 8–24–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[FWS–R4–ES–2022–N043;
FVHC98220410150–XXX–FF04H00000]
Louisiana Trustee Implementation
Group; Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Draft Phase 2 Restoration Plan/
Environmental Assessment #7.1:
Terrebonne HNC Island Restoration
Project
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
Department of the Interior.
Notice of availability; request
for public comments.
ACTION:
In accordance with the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA), the Deepwater Horizon
Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage
Assessment Restoration Plan and Final
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS), Record
of Decision and the Consent Decree, the
Federal and State natural resource
trustee agencies for the Louisiana
Trustee Implementation Group (LA TIG)
have prepared the Draft Phase 2
Restoration Plan/Environmental
Assessment #7.1: Terrebonne HNC
Island Restoration Project (RP/EA #7.1).
RP/EA #7.1 proposes design alternatives
for construction of one project to help
restore bird species injured in the
Louisiana Restoration Area as a result of
the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill:
the Terrebonne HNC Restoration Project
(HNC Island project). The project was
approved for engineering and design
(E&D) in a 2020 restoration plan entitled
Louisiana Trustee Implementation
Group Final Restoration Plan #7:
Wetlands, Coastal, and Nearshore
Habitats and Birds (RP/EA #7). RP/EA
#7.1 analyzes a reasonable range of
design alternatives for the project and
proposes a preferred design alternative,
HNC design alternative 7A, for
construction. A No Action alternative is
also analyzed for the project. We invite
comments on the Draft RP/EA #7.1.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Submitting Comments: We will
consider public comments on the Draft
RP/EA #7.1 received on or before
September 26, 2022.
Public Webinar: The LA TIG will host
a public webinar on September 8, 2022,
starting at 2 p.m. Central Time, followed
immediately by the LA TIG’s annual
meeting. Members of the public may
remain online at the close of the RP/EA
#7.1 webinar to attend the annual
meeting. The public may register for the
webinar at https://www.gulfspill
restoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/
louisiana. After registering, participants
will receive a confirmation email with
instructions for joining the webinar.
Instructions for commenting will be
provided during the webinar. Shortly
after the webinar is concluded, the
presentation material will be posted on
the web at https://www.gulfspill
restoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/
louisiana.
Obtaining Documents: You
may download the Draft RP/EA #7.1 at
https://www.gulfspillrestoration.
noaa.gov/restoration-areas/louisiana.
Alternatively, you may request a CD–
ROM containing the Draft RP/EA #7.1
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Hard copies are also available for review
during the public comment period at the
locations listed in the following table.
ADDRESSES:
Library
Address
City
St. Tammany Parish Library ..........................................................
Terrebonne Parish Library .............................................................
New Orleans Public Library, Louisiana Division ............................
East Baton Rouge Parish Library ..................................................
Jefferson Parish Library, East Bank Regional Library ..................
Jefferson Parish Library, West Bank Regional Library .................
Plaquemines Parish Library ...........................................................
St. Bernard Parish Library .............................................................
St. Martin Parish Library ................................................................
Alex P. Allain Library .....................................................................
Vermilion Parish Library .................................................................
Martha Sowell Utley Memorial Library ...........................................
South Lafourche Public Library .....................................................
Calcasieu Parish Public Library Central Branch ...........................
Iberia Parish Library .......................................................................
Mark Shirley, LSU AgCenter .........................................................
310 W. 21st Avenue ..................
151 Library Drive .......................
219 Loyola Avenue ...................
7711 Goodwood Boulevard .......
4747 W. Napoleon Avenue .......
2751 Manhattan Boulevard .......
8442 Highway 23 ......................
1125 E. St. Bernard Highway ...
201 Porter Street .......................
206 Iberia Street ........................
405 E. St. Victor Street .............
314 St. Mary Street ...................
16241 E. Main Street ................
301 W. Claude Street ................
445 E. Main Street ....................
1105 West Port Street ...............
Covington ........................
Houma .............................
New Orleans ...................
Baton Rouge ...................
Metairie ...........................
Harvey .............................
Belle Chasse ...................
Chalmette ........................
St. Martinville ..................
Franklin ...........................
Abbeville ..........................
Thibodaux .......................
Cut Off .............................
Lake Charles ...................
New Iberia .......................
Abbeville ..........................
Submitting Comments: You may
submit comments on the Draft RP/EA
#7.1 by one of the following methods:
• internet: https://www.gulfspill
restoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/
louisiana.
• U.S. Mail: US Fish and Wildlife
Service Gulf Restoration Office, 1875
Century Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30345. To be
considered, mailed comments must be
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:25 Aug 24, 2022
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postmarked on or before the comment
deadline given in DATES.
• During the public webinar: Written
comments may be provided by the
public during the webinar. Webinar
information is provided in DATES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nanciann Regalado, at nanciann_
regalado@fws.gov or 678–296–6805.
Individuals in the United States who are
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 4703
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52411
Zip
70433
70360
70112
70806
70001
70058
70037
70043
70582
70538
70510
70301
70345
70605
70560
70510
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM
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52412
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 164 / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Notices
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Introduction
On April 20, 2010, the mobile
offshore drilling unit Deepwater
Horizon, which was being used to drill
a well for BP Exploration and
Production, Inc. (BP), in the Macondo
prospect (Mississippi Canyon 252–
MC252), experienced a significant
explosion, fire, and subsequent sinking
in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in an
unprecedented volume of oil and other
discharges from the rig and from the
wellhead on the seabed. The DWH oil
spill is the largest offshore oil spill in
U.S. history, discharging millions of
barrels of oil over a period of 87 days.
In addition, well over 1 million gallons
of dispersants were applied to the
waters of the spill area in an attempt to
disperse the spilled oil. An
undetermined amount of natural gas
was also released into the environment
as a result of the spill.
The Trustees conducted the natural
resource damage assessment (NRDA) for
the DWH oil spill under the Oil
Pollution Act 1990 (OPA; 33 U.S.C.
2701 et seq.). Pursuant to OPA, Federal
and State agencies act as trustees on
behalf of the public to assess natural
resource injuries and losses and to
determine the actions required to
compensate the public for those injuries
and losses. The OPA further instructs
the designated trustees to develop and
implement a plan for the restoration,
rehabilitation, replacement, or
acquisition of the equivalent of the
injured natural resources under their
trusteeship to baseline (the resource
quality and conditions that would exist
if the spill had not occurred). This
includes the loss of use and services
provided by those resources from the
time of injury until the completion of
restoration.
The DWH Trustees are:
• U.S. Department of the Interior
(DOI), as represented by the National
Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and Bureau of Land
Management;
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), on behalf of
the U.S. Department of Commerce;
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA);
• U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA);
• State of Louisiana Coastal
Protection and Restoration Authority,
Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office,
Department of Environmental Quality,
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries,
and Department of Natural Resources;
• State of Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality;
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16:25 Aug 24, 2022
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• State of Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources and
Geological Survey of Alabama;
• State of Florida Department of
Environmental Protection and Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission; and
• State of Texas: Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department, Texas General
Land Office, and Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
On April 4, 2016, the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of
Louisiana entered a consent decree
resolving civil claims by the Trustees
against BP arising from the DWH oil
spill: United States v. BPXP et al., Civ.
No. 10–4536, centralized in MDL 2179,
In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig Deepwater
Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico, on April
20, 2010 (E.D. La.) (https://
www.justice.gov/enrd/deepwaterhorizon). Pursuant to the consent
decree, restoration projects in the
Louisiana Restoration Area are chosen
and managed by the LA TIG. The LA
TIG is composed of the following
Trustees: State of Louisiana Coastal
Protection and Restoration Authority,
Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office,
Departments of Environmental Quality,
Wildlife and Fisheries, and Natural
Resources; DOI; NOAA; EPA; and
USDA.
Background
The Final PDARP/PEIS provides for
TIGs to propose phasing restoration
projects across multiple restoration
plans. A TIG may propose in a draft
restoration plan conceptual projects to
fund for an information-gathering
planning phase, such as E&D (phase 1).
This allows TIGs to develop information
needed to fully consider a subsequent
implementation phase in a later
restoration plan (phase 2). In the final
RP/EA #7, the LA TIG selected three
conceptual projects for E&D, using
funds from the ‘‘Wetlands, Coastal and
Nearshore Habitats’’ and ‘‘Birds’’
restoration types, as provided for in the
DWH Consent Decree. One of the
projects selected for E&D in the final
RP/EA #7 under the ‘‘Birds’’ restoration
type, the Terrebonne HNC Island
project, has design alternatives that are
now at a stage where proposed
construction alternatives (phase 2) may
be analyzed under the OPA NRDA
regulations and NEPA. Therefore, in the
Draft RP/EA #7.1, the Louisiana TIG is
proposing to implement their preferred
design alternative to construct the
Terrebonne HNC Island project.
Overview of the LA TIG Draft RP/EA
#7.1
The Draft RP/EA #7.1 is being
released in accordance with OPA NRDA
PO 00000
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regulations found in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 15 CFR part 990,
NEPA and its implementing regulations
found at 40 CFR parts 1500–1508, the
Final PDARP/PEIS, and the Consent
Decree. The RP/EA #7.1 provides OPA,
NRDA, and NEPA analyses for a
reasonable range of design alternatives
for the Terrebonne HNC Island project
and identifies the LA TIG’s preferred
design alternative for the project.
The preferred design alternative, HNC
design alternative 7A, would increase
the acreage of the island from 27.6 acres
to approximately 41.4 acres of shrub
nesting, ground nesting, and marsh
habitat. An existing, degraded perimeter
rock dike would be restored, and
breakwaters could be constructed on the
northeast side of the island to provide
further protection as well as calm water
for loafing. The approximate cost to
implement the preferred alternative is
$34 million. A second design
alternative, HNC design alternative 7, is
also evaluated in the restoration plan, as
well as a No Action alternative.
Next Steps
As described above in DATES, the
Trustees will host a public webinar to
facilitate the public review and
comment process. After the public
comment period ends, the Trustees will
consider and address the comments
received before issuing a final RP/EA
#7.1.
Public Availability of Comments
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.
Administrative Record
The documents comprising the
Administrative Record for the RP/EA
#7.1 can be viewed electronically at
https://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/
adminrecord.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et
seq.), its implementing Natural Resource
Damage Assessment regulations found
at 15 CFR part 990, and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its
E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 164 / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Notices
Humboldt Meridian, California
implementing regulations found at 40
CFR parts 1500–1508.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
T. 13 N., R. 1 E., dependent resurvey and
metes-and-bounds survey, for Group No.
1779, accepted February 22, 2022.
T. 6 N., R. 1 W., dependent resurvey,
subdivision, meander survey and metes-andbounds survey, for Group No. 1788, accepted
May 26, 2022.
Mary Josie Blanchard,
Department of the Interior, Director of Gulf
of Mexico Restoration.
[FR Doc. 2022–18287 Filed 8–24–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–10–P
Mount Diablo Meridian, California
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
T. 9 S., R. 23 E., dependent resurvey,
subdivision and metes-and-bounds survey,
for Group No. 1794, accepted March 17,
2022.
T. 5 N., R. 4 E., corrective dependent
resurvey, for Group No. 1796, accepted May
12, 2022.
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCA942000 L57000000.BX0000
16XL5017AR; MO#4500163679]
Filing of Plats of Survey: California
AGENCY:
San Bernardino Meridian, California
Bureau of Land Management,
T. 9 N., R. 2 W., supplemental plat,
accepted May 12, 2022.
Interior.
ACTION:
Notice of official filing.
The plats of survey of lands
described in this notice are scheduled to
be officially filed in the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), California State
Office, Sacramento, California, 30
calendar days from the date of this
publication. The surveys, which were
executed at the request of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian
Affairs and Bureau of Land
Management, are necessary for the
management of these lands.
SUMMARY:
Unless there are protests to this
action, the plats described in this notice
will be filed on September 26, 2022.
DATES:
You may submit written
protests to the BLM California State
Office, Cadastral Survey, 2800 Cottage
Way, W–1623, Sacramento, CA 95825.
A copy of the plats may be obtained
from the BLM California State Office,
Public Room, 2800 Cottage Way, W–
1623, Sacramento, California 95825,
upon required payment.
ADDRESSES:
Joan
Honda, Chief, Branch of Cadastral
Survey, Bureau of Land Management,
California State Office, 2800 Cottage
Way, W–1623, Sacramento, California
95825; 1–916–978–4316; jhonda@
blm.gov.
Individuals in the United States who
are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability may dial 711
(TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services for
contacting Ms. Honda. Individuals
outside the United States should use the
relay services offered within their
country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United
States.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A person or party who wishes to
protest one or more plats of survey must
file a written notice of protest within 30
calendar days from the date of this
publication at the address listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Any
notice of protest received after the due
date will be untimely and will not be
considered. A written statement of
reasons in support of a protest, if not
filed with the notice of protest, must be
filed at the same address within 30
calendar days after the notice of protest
is filed. If a protest against the survey is
received prior to the date of official
filing, the filing will be stayed pending
consideration of the protest. A plat will
not be officially filed until the day after
all protests have been dismissed or
otherwise resolved.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
notice of protest or statement of reasons,
you should be aware that the documents
you submit—including your personal
identifying information—may be made
publicly available at any time. While
you can ask the BLM to withhold your
personal identifying information from
public review, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
Authority: 43 U.S.C., chapter 3.
Joan H. Honda,
Chief Cadastral Surveyor.
[FR Doc. 2022–18307 Filed 8–24–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
The lands
surveyed are:
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52413
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNMF02000.L16100000.DP0000.
223L1109AF]
Notice of Intent To Amend the Taos
Resource Management Plan and
Prepare an Environmental Assessment
for the Proposed Recreational
Shooting Range Project on Public
Lands in Santa Fe County
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
New Mexico State Director intends to
prepare a resource management plan
(plan) amendment with an associated
environmental assessment (EA) to
propose the development of up to three
recreational shooting ranges and closure
of certain areas to recreational shooting.
This notice is announcing the beginning
of the scoping period to solicit public
comments and identify issues, provides
the planning criteria for public review,
and announces the comment period on
the BLM’s proposed target shooting
closures.
SUMMARY:
The BLM requests comments
concerning the scope of the analysis,
potential alternatives, planning criteria,
and identification of relevant
information or studies by October 24,
2022. To afford the BLM the
opportunity to consider issues raised by
commenters in the draft plan
amendment/analysis, please ensure
your comments are received prior to the
close of the 60-day scoping period or 15
days after the last public meeting,
whichever is later. Public scoping
meetings will be held during the
scoping period. The dates, times, and
locations of the public meetings will be
announced at least 15 days in advance.
In addition, this notice also
announces the opening of a 60-day
comment period for proposed target
shooting closures. The BLM must
receive your target shooting related
comments by October 24, 2022. The
BLM will provide additional
opportunities for public participation as
appropriate.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on issues related to the Recreational
Shooting Range Project, including the
plan amendment and proposed closures,
by any of the following methods:
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52411-52413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18287]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[FWS-R4-ES-2022-N043; FVHC98220410150-XXX-FF04H00000]
Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group; Deepwater Horizon Oil
Spill Draft Phase 2 Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #7.1:
Terrebonne HNC Island Restoration Project
AGENCY: Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Deepwater Horizon
Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS),
Record of Decision and the Consent Decree, the Federal and State
natural resource trustee agencies for the Louisiana Trustee
Implementation Group (LA TIG) have prepared the Draft Phase 2
Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment #7.1: Terrebonne HNC Island
Restoration Project (RP/EA #7.1). RP/EA #7.1 proposes design
alternatives for construction of one project to help restore bird
species injured in the Louisiana Restoration Area as a result of the
Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill: the Terrebonne HNC Restoration
Project (HNC Island project). The project was approved for engineering
and design (E&D) in a 2020 restoration plan entitled Louisiana Trustee
Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan #7: Wetlands, Coastal, and
Nearshore Habitats and Birds (RP/EA #7). RP/EA #7.1 analyzes a
reasonable range of design alternatives for the project and proposes a
preferred design alternative, HNC design alternative 7A, for
construction. A No Action alternative is also analyzed for the project.
We invite comments on the Draft RP/EA #7.1.
DATES:
Submitting Comments: We will consider public comments on the Draft
RP/EA #7.1 received on or before September 26, 2022.
Public Webinar: The LA TIG will host a public webinar on September
8, 2022, starting at 2 p.m. Central Time, followed immediately by the
LA TIG's annual meeting. Members of the public may remain online at the
close of the RP/EA #7.1 webinar to attend the annual meeting. The
public may register for the webinar at https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/louisiana. After
registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with
instructions for joining the webinar. Instructions for commenting will
be provided during the webinar. Shortly after the webinar is concluded,
the presentation material will be posted on the web at https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/louisiana.
ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may download the Draft RP/EA #7.1
at https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/louisiana. Alternatively, you may request a CD-ROM containing the Draft
RP/EA #7.1 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Hard copies are also
available for review during the public comment period at the locations
listed in the following table.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Address City Zip
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Tammany Parish Library.............. 310 W. 21st Avenue........ Covington................. 70433
Terrebonne Parish Library............... 151 Library Drive......... Houma..................... 70360
New Orleans Public Library, Louisiana 219 Loyola Avenue......... New Orleans............... 70112
Division.
East Baton Rouge Parish Library......... 7711 Goodwood Boulevard... Baton Rouge............... 70806
Jefferson Parish Library, East Bank 4747 W. Napoleon Avenue... Metairie.................. 70001
Regional Library.
Jefferson Parish Library, West Bank 2751 Manhattan Boulevard.. Harvey.................... 70058
Regional Library.
Plaquemines Parish Library.............. 8442 Highway 23........... Belle Chasse.............. 70037
St. Bernard Parish Library.............. 1125 E. St. Bernard Chalmette................. 70043
Highway.
St. Martin Parish Library............... 201 Porter Street......... St. Martinville........... 70582
Alex P. Allain Library.................. 206 Iberia Street......... Franklin.................. 70538
Vermilion Parish Library................ 405 E. St. Victor Street.. Abbeville................. 70510
Martha Sowell Utley Memorial Library.... 314 St. Mary Street....... Thibodaux................. 70301
South Lafourche Public Library.......... 16241 E. Main Street...... Cut Off................... 70345
Calcasieu Parish Public Library Central 301 W. Claude Street...... Lake Charles.............. 70605
Branch.
Iberia Parish Library................... 445 E. Main Street........ New Iberia................ 70560
Mark Shirley, LSU AgCenter.............. 1105 West Port Street..... Abbeville................. 70510
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitting Comments: You may submit comments on the Draft RP/EA
#7.1 by one of the following methods:
internet: https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/louisiana.
U.S. Mail: US Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf Restoration
Office, 1875 Century Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30345. To be considered, mailed
comments must be postmarked on or before the comment deadline given in
DATES.
During the public webinar: Written comments may be
provided by the public during the webinar. Webinar information is
provided in DATES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nanciann Regalado, at
[email protected] or 678-296-6805. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 52412]]
Introduction
On April 20, 2010, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater
Horizon, which was being used to drill a well for BP Exploration and
Production, Inc. (BP), in the Macondo prospect (Mississippi Canyon 252-
MC252), experienced a significant explosion, fire, and subsequent
sinking in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in an unprecedented volume of
oil and other discharges from the rig and from the wellhead on the
seabed. The DWH oil spill is the largest offshore oil spill in U.S.
history, discharging millions of barrels of oil over a period of 87
days. In addition, well over 1 million gallons of dispersants were
applied to the waters of the spill area in an attempt to disperse the
spilled oil. An undetermined amount of natural gas was also released
into the environment as a result of the spill.
The Trustees conducted the natural resource damage assessment
(NRDA) for the DWH oil spill under the Oil Pollution Act 1990 (OPA; 33
U.S.C. 2701 et seq.). Pursuant to OPA, Federal and State agencies act
as trustees on behalf of the public to assess natural resource injuries
and losses and to determine the actions required to compensate the
public for those injuries and losses. The OPA further instructs the
designated trustees to develop and implement a plan for the
restoration, rehabilitation, replacement, or acquisition of the
equivalent of the injured natural resources under their trusteeship to
baseline (the resource quality and conditions that would exist if the
spill had not occurred). This includes the loss of use and services
provided by those resources from the time of injury until the
completion of restoration.
The DWH Trustees are:
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), as represented by
the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau
of Land Management;
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on
behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce;
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA);
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
State of Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration
Authority, Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Department of Environmental
Quality, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Department of
Natural Resources;
State of Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality;
State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources and Geological Survey of Alabama;
State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection
and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and
State of Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas
General Land Office, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
On April 4, 2016, the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Louisiana entered a consent decree resolving civil claims
by the Trustees against BP arising from the DWH oil spill: United
States v. BPXP et al., Civ. No. 10-4536, centralized in MDL 2179, In
re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico,
on April 20, 2010 (E.D. La.) (https://www.justice.gov/enrd/deepwater-horizon). Pursuant to the consent decree, restoration projects in the
Louisiana Restoration Area are chosen and managed by the LA TIG. The LA
TIG is composed of the following Trustees: State of Louisiana Coastal
Protection and Restoration Authority, Oil Spill Coordinator's Office,
Departments of Environmental Quality, Wildlife and Fisheries, and
Natural Resources; DOI; NOAA; EPA; and USDA.
Background
The Final PDARP/PEIS provides for TIGs to propose phasing
restoration projects across multiple restoration plans. A TIG may
propose in a draft restoration plan conceptual projects to fund for an
information-gathering planning phase, such as E&D (phase 1). This
allows TIGs to develop information needed to fully consider a
subsequent implementation phase in a later restoration plan (phase 2).
In the final RP/EA #7, the LA TIG selected three conceptual projects
for E&D, using funds from the ``Wetlands, Coastal and Nearshore
Habitats'' and ``Birds'' restoration types, as provided for in the DWH
Consent Decree. One of the projects selected for E&D in the final RP/EA
#7 under the ``Birds'' restoration type, the Terrebonne HNC Island
project, has design alternatives that are now at a stage where proposed
construction alternatives (phase 2) may be analyzed under the OPA NRDA
regulations and NEPA. Therefore, in the Draft RP/EA #7.1, the Louisiana
TIG is proposing to implement their preferred design alternative to
construct the Terrebonne HNC Island project.
Overview of the LA TIG Draft RP/EA #7.1
The Draft RP/EA #7.1 is being released in accordance with OPA NRDA
regulations found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 15 CFR
part 990, NEPA and its implementing regulations found at 40 CFR parts
1500-1508, the Final PDARP/PEIS, and the Consent Decree. The RP/EA #7.1
provides OPA, NRDA, and NEPA analyses for a reasonable range of design
alternatives for the Terrebonne HNC Island project and identifies the
LA TIG's preferred design alternative for the project.
The preferred design alternative, HNC design alternative 7A, would
increase the acreage of the island from 27.6 acres to approximately
41.4 acres of shrub nesting, ground nesting, and marsh habitat. An
existing, degraded perimeter rock dike would be restored, and
breakwaters could be constructed on the northeast side of the island to
provide further protection as well as calm water for loafing. The
approximate cost to implement the preferred alternative is $34 million.
A second design alternative, HNC design alternative 7, is also
evaluated in the restoration plan, as well as a No Action alternative.
Next Steps
As described above in DATES, the Trustees will host a public
webinar to facilitate the public review and comment process. After the
public comment period ends, the Trustees will consider and address the
comments received before issuing a final RP/EA #7.1.
Public Availability of Comments
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.
Administrative Record
The documents comprising the Administrative Record for the RP/EA
#7.1 can be viewed electronically at https://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/adminrecord.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33
U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), its implementing Natural Resource Damage
Assessment regulations found at 15 CFR part 990, and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its
[[Page 52413]]
implementing regulations found at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508.
Mary Josie Blanchard,
Department of the Interior, Director of Gulf of Mexico Restoration.
[FR Doc. 2022-18287 Filed 8-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-10-P
