80 FR 52734 - Dakota Prairie Grasslands, North Dakota; Oil and Gas Development Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 169 (September 1, 2015)

In June of 2003, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) Record of Decision (ROD) for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Little Missouri and Cedar River National Grasslands was signed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ROD identified lands open for lease, including areas subject to leasing stipulations to protect Dakota Prairie Grassland resources and uses. The ROD was based upon the environmental review completed for the 2001 Northern Great Plains Management Plans Revision. In the 14 years since the previous analysis was completed there has been new information and changed circumstances that warrant environmental analysis to see what, if any, changes need to be made to the DPG's and BLM's decisions about oil and gas leasing and whether or not there is a need to change DPG's Land and Resource Management Plan direction relative to oil and gas development on the Little Missouri National Grassland unit of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. New information and changed circumstances include a change in the manner and pace of oil and gas development and the listing of the Dakota Skipper and Northern Long-Eared Bat as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52734-52735]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21688]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Dakota Prairie Grasslands, North Dakota; Oil and Gas Development 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent to prepare a supplemental 
environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: In June of 2003, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) Record of 
Decision (ROD) for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Little Missouri and Cedar 
River National Grasslands was signed by the Forest Service and Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM). The ROD identified lands open for lease, 
including areas subject to leasing stipulations to protect Dakota 
Prairie Grassland resources and uses. The ROD was based upon the 
environmental review completed for the 2001 Northern Great Plains 
Management Plans Revision.

[[Page 52735]]

    In the 14 years since the previous analysis was completed there has 
been new information and changed circumstances that warrant 
environmental analysis to see what, if any, changes need to be made to 
the DPG's and BLM's decisions about oil and gas leasing and whether or 
not there is a need to change DPG's Land and Resource Management Plan 
direction relative to oil and gas development on the Little Missouri 
National Grassland unit of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. New 
information and changed circumstances include a change in the manner 
and pace of oil and gas development and the listing of the Dakota 
Skipper and Northern Long-Eared Bat as threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA).

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by October 1, 2015. The draft supplemental environmental impact 
statement is expected in November, 2015 and the final supplemental 
environmental impact statement (SEIS) is expected in February, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Dakota Prairie Grasslands, ATTN: 
Oil and Gas Development SEIS, 2000 Miriam Circle, Bismarck, ND 58501. 
Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], 
or via facsimile to 701-989-7299.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Dunlap, Resources Staff Officer, 
at 2000 Miriam Circle, ND 58501, by email at [email protected] or by 
phone at 701-989-7304.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    Given that new circumstances or information may have a bearing on 
oil and gas leasing on the DPG, there is a need for the DPG and BLM to 
supplement their analysis to document changes since the 2003 Record of 
Decision. The purpose of the analysis is to disclose the environmental 
effects of the changed circumstances and analyze whether or not any 
different management direction and/or leasing stipulations are 
necessary to protect National Forest System lands.

Proposed Action

    The Dakota Prairie Grasslands is proposing to reevaluate the 
impacts of the activities permitted in the current Land and Resources 
Management Plan (LRMP) to determine if current circumstances have 
changed the effects. Preliminary internal scoping indicates that 
existing federal oil and gas operating regulations, current LRMP 
standards and guidelines, and existing lease stipulations provide the 
Forest Service with adequate authority to mitigate the effects of 
reasonably foreseeable oil and gas development that may occur on future 
federal leases. Consistent with 40 CFR 1502.9(2), the DPG will 
supplement the 2001 final EIS (FEIS) to consider new information and 
changed circumstances, including changes in the manner in which oil and 
gas is being developed in North Dakota. The Forest Service and BLM are 
in the process of updating the reasonably foreseeable oil and gas 
development scenario (RFDS) which serves as the basis for effects 
analysis in the SEIS. When completed, the updated RFDS will be 
available by request at the address below or online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=40652.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The USDA Forest Service is the lead federal agency for the 
preparation of the SEIS and meeting the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The preparation of the SEIS will be 
coordinated with the BLM which will be a cooperating agency.

Responsible Official

    Forest Service will be the lead agency for the SEIS. BLM will be a 
cooperating agency. Dennis Neitzke, Grasslands Supervisor, Dakota 
Prairie Grasslands, 2000 Miriam Circle, Bismarck, ND 58501 is the 
responsible official for deciding whether or not changes are necessary 
to the Forest Service's 2003 decision regarding oil and gas leasing. 
Jamie Connell, BLM State Director, Montana State Office, is the 
responsible official for actions and decisions related to BLM's 
adoption of the SEIS and offering lands for federal leasing.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Based on the Supplemental EIS, the Grasslands Supervisor will 
decide whether or not changes need to be made to the 2003 leasing 
decision and whether the current Dakota Prairie Grasslands LRMP 
direction needs amendment. The BLM may adopt the SEIS to support its 
decision to offer lands for federal oil and gas leasing.

Scoping Process

    This revised notice of intent initiates a scoping process, which 
guides the development of the supplemental environmental impact 
statement. Of particular use are specific concerns that can help us 
focus our analysis relative to the effects of reasonably foreseeable 
development of the oil and gas resource underlying the Dakota Prairie 
Grasslands.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the supplemental environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments 
should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should 
clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide 
the Agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent 
environmental documents.

    Dated: August 26, 2015.
Dennis Neitzke,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-21688 Filed 8-31-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P