Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Birds and Finding of No Significant Impact, 63601-63602 [2023-19738]

Download as PDF ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices or other personally identifiable information (PII) in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your PII—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your PII from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Abstract: This project will collect usability data and user feedback for the purpose of updating and improving USGS Volcano Hazards Assessment (VHAs) and associated hazard communication products. This collection may take place via survey, direct interview, focus groups, listening sessions, workshops, or visual exercises such as eye-movement tracking or map annotation. Collection may be done either in-person or virtually (to reduce travel burdens). The questions asked will be consistent across all various methods of collection. This information will be used to assess partner needs with regard to the VHAs and derivative products created by the USGS Volcano Science Center and will ultimately be published in the form of white papers and journal articles as well as being used to create internal templates for the future production (and co-production) of hazard products. Title of Collection: Next Generation Volcano Hazards Assessments. OMB Control Number: 1028–NEW. Form Number: None. Type of Review: New. Respondents/Affected Public: Federal, state, local, and Tribal government officials; emergency managers; first responders; community groups; individuals/households. Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 500 (across all methods). Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 500. Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 15 minutes to 8 hours, depending on activity. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 300 hours. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, nor are you required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The authority for this action is the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Christina Neal, Director, USGS Volcano Science Center. [FR Doc. 2023–19938 Filed 9–14–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4388–11–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 Sep 14, 2023 Jkt 259001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [FWS–R4–ES–2023–N062; FVHC98220410150–XXX–FF04H00000] Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Birds and Finding of No Significant Impact Department of the Interior. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: This notice announces that the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource Trustees for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG, or TIG) have prepared and are making available to the public the Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Birds (Final RP/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final RP/EA proposes alternatives to help restore birds injured by the DWH oil spill. The Final RP/EA evaluates a reasonable range of project alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and the OPA Natural Resource Damage Assessment regulations, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations, and selects seven projects for funding and implementation. A no action alternative is also evaluated pursuant to NEPA. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may view and download the Final RP/ EA and FONSI at https:// www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/ restoration-areas/open-ocean. You may also request a CD–ROM containing the Final RP/EA and FONSI (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nanciann Regalado, at nanciann_ regalado@fws.gov 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-ofcontact in the United States. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource Trustees for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG, or TIG) have prepared the Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Birds (Final RP/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final RP/EA proposes alternatives to help restore birds injured by the DWH oil spill. The SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63601 Final RP/EA evaluates a reasonable range of 11 project alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and the OPA Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) regulations (15 CFR 990), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500–1508), and selects seven projects under the Birds Restoration Type for funding and implementation. A no action alternative is also evaluated pursuant to NEPA. The total estimated cost to implement the Open Ocean TIG’s seven selected alternatives is approximately $33,280,000. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Final RP/EA and FONSI. Introduction On April 20, 2010, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon (DWH), which was drilling a well for BP Exploration and Production, Inc. (BP), experienced a significant explosion, fire, and subsequent sinking in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the release of millions of barrels of oil and other discharges into the gulf. Under the authority of OPA, designated Federal and State Trustees, acting on behalf of the public, assessed the injuries to natural resources, and the services they provide, and prepared the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS) and subsequent record of decision (ROD), which sets forth the governance structure and process for DWH restoration planning under the OPA NRDA regulations. 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. The Open Ocean TIG, which is composed of four Federal agencies—the Department of the Interior, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Department of Agriculture—selects and implements restoration projects within the TIG’s Restoration Area in accordance with the consent decree. The PDARP/PEIS, ROD, consent decree, and information on the DWH Trustees can be found at https:// www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/ restoration-planning/gulf-plan. Background On March 25, 2021, the Open Ocean TIG issued a notice of solicitation on the Gulf Spill Restoration website requesting project ideas for the Sturgeon and Birds Restoration Types. On March E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM 15SEN1 63602 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices 11, 2022, the TIG announced they had reviewed project idea submissions and initiated drafting an RP/EA, which would include a reasonable range of restoration alternatives (projects) for the Birds Restoration Type. The TIG released the Draft RP/EA for public review and comment on March 14, 2023, and published a notice of availability in the Federal Register (88 FR 15734). The comment period ran through April 28, 2023. To facilitate public understanding of the document, the TIG held webinars on March 28 and April 4, 2023, during which public comments were solicited. After the public review period closed, the TIG reviewed the comments received, prepared responses to those comments, finalized the plan, and prepared a FONSI. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Overview of the Open Ocean TIG’s Final RP/EA In the Final RP/EA, the Open Ocean TIG analyzes a reasonable range of 11 alternatives and, pursuant to NEPA, a no action alternative. The TIG’s seven preferred alternatives, listed below, were selected for funding and implementation. • Predator Removal and Seabird Nesting Colony Restoration at Mona Island • Seabird Nesting Colony Reestablishment and Protection at Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge • Seabird Nesting Colony Protection and Enhancement at Dry Tortugas National Park • Seabird Bycatch Reduction in Northeast U.S. and Atlantic Canada Fisheries • Northern Gannet Nesting Colony Restoration in Eastern Canada • Common Tern Nesting Colony Restoration in Manitoba • Invasive Goat Removal to Restore Seabird Nesting Habitat in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Funding to implement the selected alternatives will come from the Birds restoration allocation. The total estimated cost to implement the seven selected alternatives is approximately $33,280,000. Restoration planning in the Open Ocean Restoration Area will continue. Administrative Record The Administrative Record for the Final RP/EA can be viewed electronically at https://www.doi.gov/ deepwaterhorizon/adminrecord under folder 6.5.2.2.3. Authority The authority for this action is the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 Sep 14, 2023 Jkt 259001 seq.), its implementing Natural Resource Damage Assessment regulations found at 15 CFR 990, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations found at 40 CFR 1500–1508. Mary Josie Blanchard, Department of the Interior, Director of Gulf of Mexico Restoration. [FR Doc. 2023–19738 Filed 9–14–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [BLM_NV_FRN_MO4500171133] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Nevada Vanadium Company Gibellini Vanadium Mine Project, Eureka County, Nevada AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Notice of availability. ACTION: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Nevada Vanadium Company Gibellini Vanadium Mine Project. DATES: The BLM will not issue a decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: The Final EIS and documents pertinent to this proposal are available for review on the BLM ePlanning project website at https:// eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2000633/510. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Distel, Project Manager, telephone: (775) 635–4093; address: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, Nevada, 89820; email: sdistel@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 Mr. Distel. 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: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action The BLM’s purpose for the action is to respond to Nevada Vanadium Company’s (NVV) proposal, as described in its proposed Plan of Operations, and to analyze the potential environmental effects associated with the Proposed Action, which is the operator’s proposed Plan of Operations, and alternatives to the Proposed Action. NEPA mandates that the BLM evaluate the potential effects of the Proposed Action and develop alternatives. The BLM’s need for the action is established by the BLM’s responsibilities under section 302 of FLPMA and the BLM Surface Management Regulations at 43 CFR subpart 3809 to respond to a proposed Plan of Operations and ensure that operations prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the public lands. Proposed Action and Alternatives Under the proposed Plan of Operations, NVV would construct and operate an open pit mine in the southern extent of the Fish Creek Range. Facilities associated with the Proposed Action include development of an open pit mine, rock disposal area, crushing facilities and stockpile, heap leach pad, process facility, process and make-up water ponds, borrow areas, mine and access roads, water and power supply lines, and ancillary facilities. The estimated project life consists of 1.5 years of construction, 7 years of operation, 4 years of active reclamation and closure, and up to 30 years of postclosure monitoring. In addition, NVV would complete exploration operations as part of the proposed Plan of Operations. The project area includes a total of 6,456 acres of BLM-administered public lands, of which approximately 806 acres of surface disturbance would occur due to project-related operations. No state or private lands are included in the project area. The operator would reclaim surface disturbances under the Proposed Action and would prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the lands. Final reclamation of the project area would occur at the end the project although every effort would be made to identify concurrent reclamation opportunities during the life of the operation. The South Access Road Alternative would include the same mine components as described for the Proposed Action, except the access road would be constructed in a different location. This alternative access road would be approximately 7 miles long and extend from County Road M–103 (Duckwater Road) to the project area. E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM 15SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63601-63602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19738]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[FWS-R4-ES-2023-N062; FVHC98220410150-XXX-FF04H00000]


Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Open Ocean 
Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental 
Assessment: Birds and Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural 
resource Trustees for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open 
Ocean TIG, or TIG) have prepared and are making available to the public 
the Final Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Birds (Final 
RP/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final RP/EA 
proposes alternatives to help restore birds injured by the DWH oil 
spill. The Final RP/EA evaluates a reasonable range of project 
alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and the OPA Natural 
Resource Damage Assessment regulations, and the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations, and selects seven 
projects for funding and implementation. A no action alternative is 
also evaluated pursuant to NEPA.

ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may view and download the Final RP/
EA and FONSI at https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration-areas/open-ocean. You may also request a CD-ROM containing the Final 
RP/EA and FONSI (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

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: The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) natural resource 
Trustees for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean 
TIG, or TIG) have prepared the Final Restoration Plan 3 and 
Environmental Assessment: Birds (Final RP/EA) and Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI). The Final RP/EA proposes alternatives to 
help restore birds injured by the DWH oil spill. The Final RP/EA 
evaluates a reasonable range of 11 project alternatives under the Oil 
Pollution Act (OPA) and the OPA Natural Resource Damage Assessment 
(NRDA) regulations (15 CFR 990), and the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), and 
selects seven projects under the Birds Restoration Type for funding and 
implementation. A no action alternative is also evaluated pursuant to 
NEPA. The total estimated cost to implement the Open Ocean TIG's seven 
selected alternatives is approximately $33,280,000. The purpose of this 
notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Final RP/EA 
and FONSI.

Introduction

    On April 20, 2010, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater 
Horizon (DWH), which was drilling a well for BP Exploration and 
Production, Inc. (BP), experienced a significant explosion, fire, and 
subsequent sinking in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the release of 
millions of barrels of oil and other discharges into the gulf. Under 
the authority of OPA, designated Federal and State Trustees, acting on 
behalf of the public, assessed the injuries to natural resources, and 
the services they provide, and prepared the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill 
Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Final 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS) and 
subsequent record of decision (ROD), which sets forth the governance 
structure and process for DWH restoration planning under the OPA NRDA 
regulations. 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.
    The Open Ocean TIG, which is composed of four Federal agencies--the 
Department of the Interior, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and 
the United States Department of Agriculture--selects and implements 
restoration projects within the TIG's Restoration Area in accordance 
with the consent decree. The PDARP/PEIS, ROD, consent decree, and 
information on the DWH Trustees can be found at https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration-planning/gulf-plan.

Background

    On March 25, 2021, the Open Ocean TIG issued a notice of 
solicitation on the Gulf Spill Restoration website requesting project 
ideas for the Sturgeon and Birds Restoration Types. On March

[[Page 63602]]

11, 2022, the TIG announced they had reviewed project idea submissions 
and initiated drafting an RP/EA, which would include a reasonable range 
of restoration alternatives (projects) for the Birds Restoration Type.
    The TIG released the Draft RP/EA for public review and comment on 
March 14, 2023, and published a notice of availability in the Federal 
Register (88 FR 15734). The comment period ran through April 28, 2023. 
To facilitate public understanding of the document, the TIG held 
webinars on March 28 and April 4, 2023, during which public comments 
were solicited. After the public review period closed, the TIG reviewed 
the comments received, prepared responses to those comments, finalized 
the plan, and prepared a FONSI.

Overview of the Open Ocean TIG's Final RP/EA

    In the Final RP/EA, the Open Ocean TIG analyzes a reasonable range 
of 11 alternatives and, pursuant to NEPA, a no action alternative. The 
TIG's seven preferred alternatives, listed below, were selected for 
funding and implementation.

 Predator Removal and Seabird Nesting Colony Restoration at 
Mona Island
 Seabird Nesting Colony Reestablishment and Protection at 
Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge
 Seabird Nesting Colony Protection and Enhancement at Dry 
Tortugas National Park
 Seabird Bycatch Reduction in Northeast U.S. and Atlantic 
Canada Fisheries
 Northern Gannet Nesting Colony Restoration in Eastern Canada
 Common Tern Nesting Colony Restoration in Manitoba
 Invasive Goat Removal to Restore Seabird Nesting Habitat in 
St. Vincent and the Grenadines

    Funding to implement the selected alternatives will come from the 
Birds restoration allocation. The total estimated cost to implement the 
seven selected alternatives is approximately $33,280,000. Restoration 
planning in the Open Ocean Restoration Area will continue.

Administrative Record

    The Administrative Record for the Final RP/EA can be viewed 
electronically at https://www.doi.gov/deepwaterhorizon/adminrecord 
under folder 6.5.2.2.3.

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 990, and the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its 
implementing regulations found at 40 CFR 1500-1508.

Mary Josie Blanchard,
Department of the Interior, Director of Gulf of Mexico Restoration.
[FR Doc. 2023-19738 Filed 9-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P


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