81 FR 41331 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Monument Butte Area Oil and Gas Development Project, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 122 (June 24, 2016)

Page Range		41331-41333
FR Document		2016-15023
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), 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) for the Monument Butte Area Oil and Gas Development Project and is announcing its availability.
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 122 (Friday, June 24, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41331-41333]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15023]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[16X L1109PF LLUTG01100 L13110000.EJ0000 24 1A]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Monument Butte Area Oil and Gas Development Project, 
Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), 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) for the Monument Butte Area 
Oil and Gas Development Project and is announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for at 
least 45 days after the date on which the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Monument Butte Area Oil and Gas Development 
Project Final EIS are available for public inspection at the BLM-Vernal 
Field Office at 170 South 500 East Vernal, Utah 84078. Interested 
persons may also review the Final EIS on the Internet at http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/vernal/planning/nepa_.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Howard, NEPA Coordinator; 
telephone: 435-781-4469; address 170 South 500 East Vernal, Utah 84078; 
email [email protected]. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. Replies are provided during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Newfield Exploration Company (Newfield) 
submitted oil and gas field development plan for the Monument Butte 
Project Area (MBPA) to the BLM. The MBPA encompasses approximately 
119,784 acres in an already developed field containing approximately 
3,209 existing oil and gas wells. The MBPA contemplates the drilling of 
up to 5,750 new oil and gas wells over a 16-year period, and the 
construction and operation of ancillary transportation, transmission, 
processing, and treatment facilities. The MBPA is located in 
southeastern Duchesne County and southwestern Uintah County:

Salt Lake Meridian, Utah

Tps. 8 S., Rs. 15 thru 19 E.
Tps. 9 S., Rs. 15 thru 19 E.
    The areas described, including both Federal and non-Federal 
lands, aggregate 119,784.12 acres.

    The BLM's purpose and need for the action is to respond to 
Newfield's proposal. The BLM intends to approve, approve with 
modifications, or disapprove Newfield's proposed project and project 
components based on the analysis of potential impact in the Final EIS 
and related documents. As part of this process, the BLM worked with 
Newfield, the State of Utah, Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 
(EPA) to develop measures designed to avoid, minimize, or mitigate 
environmental impacts to the extent possible, while allowing Newfield 
to exercise its valid existing lease rights. The Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 recognizes oil

[[Page 41332]]

and gas development as one of the uses of the public lands. Federal 
mineral leasing statutes, including the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, 30 
U.S.C. 181 et seq., and their implementing regulations recognize the 
right of lease holders to develop Federal mineral resources to meet 
continuing national needs and economic demands, subject to lease 
stipulations and reasonable measures that the BLM may require to 
minimize adverse impacts.
    The BLM is the lead Federal agency for this Final EIS. Cooperating 
agencies include the EPA, Utah's Public Lands Policy and Coordination 
Office, and Duchesne and Uintah Counties.
    On August 25, 2010, the BLM published in the Federal Register a 
Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS. Public response to the NOI 
and public meetings included seven letters: Two from Federal agencies, 
one from a State agency, one from a county agency, and three from 
industry or private individuals. Comments focused on air quality 
impacts, impacts to adjacent gilsonite mining operations, recognition 
of valid existing lease rights, requests for flexibility in the 
decision, economic benefits, water impacts and protection, produced 
water treatment and management alternatives, noise impacts to wildlife 
and residences, weed expansion, the BLM's statutory and regulatory 
authority to manage air resources, and resource management plan (RMP) 
conformance.
    On December 20, 2013, the BLM published a Notice of Availability in 
the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Draft EIS. The 
Draft EIS was made available for a 45-day public comment period, which 
was subsequently extended by an additional 30 days at the request of 
the State of Utah. Twenty-three unique comment letters or emails were 
submitted: One from a Federal agency, one from the House of 
Representatives, one from a State agency, two from county governments, 
one from the proponent (Newfield), nine from other oil and gas industry 
representatives or trade groups, one from the proponent's outside legal 
counsel, one from a non-governmental organization, and six from private 
individuals. There were also 1,780 form letters received from members 
of the public that expressed concern regarding ozone impacts, and 161 
form letters received from Newfield employees that expressed concern 
over impacts to their livelihoods from the Agency Preferred 
Alternative. Substantive comments focused on technical flaws, water 
impacts and protection, air quality impacts, the BLM's statutory or 
regulatory authority to protect air quality or enforce air quality 
laws, economic benefits and losses, protection of wetlands and streams, 
produced water treatment and management alternatives, and surface 
restrictions in the Pariette Wetlands Area of Critical Environmental 
Concern (ACEC) and Sclerocactus core conservation areas.
    The parameters of the Agency Preferred Alternative, Alternative D, 
were adjusted between the Draft EIS and the Final EIS in response to 
issues raised during the public comment period, which were not 
considered when the alternative was originally designed. The BLM 
engineers determined that the data provided regarding these technical 
issues was accurate and that measures presented in Alternative D 
adversely affected the proponent's ability to diligently and 
efficiently develop oil and gas resources in the MBPA consistent with 
their valid existing rights. The BLM also determined that other 
adjustments to the alternative were necessary. Since these adjustments 
were all within the range of alternatives considered in the Draft EIS, 
the BLM determined that a supplement to the Draft EIS was not 
necessary. However, the review period following release of the Final 
EIS has been extended to 45 days to provide additional time for review 
of these changes prior to BLM making a decision on the project.
    The Final EIS describes and analyzes the impacts of Newfield's 
Proposed Action and three alternatives, including the No Action 
Alternative. The following is a summary of the alternatives:
    1. Proposed Action--Up to 5,750 new oil or gas wells would be 
drilled over a period of 16 years. Additionally, this alternative 
includes the construction of approximately 243 miles of new roads and 
pipelines, 363 miles of new pipeline adjacent to existing roads, 21 new 
compressor stations, one gas processing plant, 7 new water treatment 
and injection facilities, 12 gas and oil separation plants, 6 water 
pump stations, as well as the drilling of a freshwater collector well, 
and the expansion of 6 existing water treatment and injection 
facilities and 3 existing compressor stations. Total new surface 
disturbance under the Proposed Action would be approximately 16,129 
acres, which would be reduced to 7,808 acres through interim 
reclamation.
    2. No Action Alternative--Drilling and completion of development 
wells and infrastructure would continue as previously approved, and the 
proposed natural gas development on BLM lands as described in the 
Proposed Action would not be implemented. Based on the foregoing 
documents and a review of information from Utah Division of Oil, Gas 
and Mining, the BLM has estimated that, as of December 31, 2012, 788 
wells remain to be drilled including construction of roads, pipelines, 
and additional support facilities. Total new surface disturbance under 
the No Action Alternative would be 870 acres of new disturbance, which 
would be reduced to 659 acres through interim reclamation.
    3. Field-wide Electrification Alternative--This alternative is 
identical to the Proposed Action, in that it would allow the drilling 
of up to 5,750 new wells in addition to the existing producing wells, 
with associated facilities. However, this alternative also incorporates 
a phased field-wide electrification component which consists of 
construction of 34 miles of overhead cross-country 69kV transmission 
lines, 156 miles of distribution lines, and 11 substations. Total new 
surface disturbance under this alternative would be approximately 
20,112 acres, which would be reduced to 10,173 acres through interim 
reclamation.
    4. Agency Preferred (Resource Protection) Alternative--This 
alternative was revised to meet the purpose and need for the project 
while: (1) Protecting the relevant and important values of the Pariette 
Wetlands ACEC; (2) minimizing the amount of new surface disturbance and 
habitat fragmentation within and around the Fish and Wildlife Service 
proposed Level 1 and 2 Core Conservation Areas (for two federally-
listed plant species: The Uinta Basin hookless cactus and the Pariette 
cactus); (3) precluding new well pads (with the exception of Newfield's 
proposed water collector well) and minimizing new surface disturbance 
(roads or pipelines) within 100-year floodplains; (4) precluding new 
well pads, pipelines, or roads within riparian habitats; and, (5) 
minimizing overall impacts from the proposed oil and gas development 
through the use of directional drilling technology. Under the Resource 
Protection Alternative, up to 5,750 new wellbores would be drilled. 
Additionally, this alternative includes the construction of 
approximately 226 miles of new roads and pipelines, 318 miles of new 
pipeline adjacent to existing roads, 21 new compressor stations, a gas 
processing plant, 7 new water treatment and injection facilities, 12 
gas and oil separation plants, 6 water pump stations, as well as the 
drilling of a freshwater collector well, and the expansion of 6 
existing water treatment and injection facilities and 3 existing 
compressor stations. Total new surface disturbance under the Agency 
Preferred

[[Page 41333]]

Alternative would be approximately 10,122 acres, which would be reduced 
to 4,978 acres through interim reclamation.
    The Final EIS contains detailed analysis of impacts to: Air 
quality, including greenhouse gas emissions; geology and minerals; 
paleontological resources; soil, surface water and groundwater 
resources; vegetation, including weeds; range, including livestock 
grazing; fish and wildlife, including migratory birds and raptors; 
special status wildlife and plant species; cultural resources; land use 
and transportation; recreation; visual resources; special designations, 
including Pariette Wetlands ACEC, Lower Green River Corridor ACEC, and 
Suitable Lower Green River Wild and Scenic River; and social and 
economic resources, including environmental justice. Based on the 
impact analysis, on-site, landscape and compensatory conservation and 
mitigation actions have been identified for each alternative to achieve 
resource objectives.
    Also worth noting are changes between the draft and final EIS to 
the air quality section. In the Draft EIS BLM committed to conducting 
photochemical modeling post-ROD through the Air Resource Management 
Strategy modeling platform. However, that modeling platform became 
available shortly after the comment period on the Draft EIS closed, so 
that modeling was conducted for, and the results are included in, the 
Final EIS. Upon review of those modeling results, applicant-committed 
air quality mitigation measures were refined, and additional applicant- 
and BLM-committed measures to further reduce emissions from the MBPA 
were included in the Final EIS. This robust suite of measures was 
developed in consultation between Neufield, the BLM, EPA and the State 
of Utah. The robust measures will help minimize and mitigate impacts to 
important air resource values. These measures have been analyzed in the 
Final EIS and are within the range of alternative analyzed in the Draft 
EIS.
    All required consultations, including Endangered Species Act 
section 7 Consultation, National Historic Preservation Act section 106 
Consultation, and government-to-government consultation with interested 
Native American Tribes, have been completed. During the section 7 
Consultation for the Final EIS, many additional applicant- and agency-
committed mitigation measures, including a detailed Conservation, 
Restoration and Mitigation Strategy for the Pariette and Uinta Basin 
Hookless Cactus, were developed and incorporated into the Agency 
Preferred Alternative. This process is explained in greater detail in 
the Biological Opinion. The Biological Assessment, Biological Opinion, 
and additional mitigation measures and cactus strategy are all attached 
to the Final EIS as Appendix J.
    Since the publication of the Monument Butte Draft EIS, the Utah 
Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment Record of Decision (ROD) 
has been issued. No Sagebrush Focal Areas, General Habitat Management 
Areas, or Priority Habitat Management Areas are present within the 
Monument Butte project boundary. Therefore, the BLM determined that the 
provisions of the Utah Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment do 
not affect the MBPA.
    After the conclusion of Final EIS review period, the BLM will issue 
a ROD which will describe the selected alternative and any conditions 
of approval, including a mitigation strategy.
    The selected alternative will be conceptual only. Any well pads, 
roads, pipelines and other facilities and infrastructure that may be 
constructed in the future in the project area will be subject to an 
appropriate level of site-specific NEPA analysis prior to final 
approval.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Jenna Whitlock,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-15023 Filed 6-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2016 / Notices 41331

Agencies: Nevada Department of management categories in that publishes its Notice of Availability of
Wildlife, State of Nevada Sagebrush document to the initial habitat maps the Final EIS in the Federal Register.
Ecosystem Program, Eureka County, from BLM Instruction Memorandum ADDRESSES: Copies of the Monument
White Pine County, and the U. S. Fish 2012–044 (December 27, 2011) that were Butte Area Oil and Gas Development
and Wildlife Service Ruby Lake used in the development of the DEIS. Project Final EIS are available for public
National Wildlife Refuge. A Notice of The proponent has proposed a robust inspection at the BLM-Vernal Field
Availability was published in the suite of applicant-committed Office at 170 South 500 East Vernal,
Federal Register on August 14, 2015 (80 environmental protection measures into Utah 84078. Interested persons may also
FR 48913–48914), and the public was their Proposed Action and all review the Final EIS on the Internet at
invited to provide written comments on Alternatives, to incorporate Design http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/vernal/
the Draft EIS during the 45-day Features and Management Decisions planning/nepa_.html.
comment period (8/14/2015 to 9/28/ from the 2015 Nevada and Northeastern FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
2015). The BLM extended the comment California Greater Sage-Grouse Stephanie Howard, NEPA Coordinator;
period an additional 15 days to 60 days Approved Resource Management Plan telephone: 435–781–4469; address 170
based on several comments received Amendment. As a result, the analysis South 500 East Vernal, Utah 84078;
that requested an extension of the and resulting mitigation for Greater
comment period on the Draft EIS. email BLM_UT_Vernal_Comments@
Sage-Grouse outlined in Chapter 6 blm.gov. Persons who use a
A legal notice was prepared by the (Mitigation and Monitoring) of this
BLM and published in the Elko Daily telecommunications device for the deaf
Final EIS are consistent with the Greater (TDD) may call the Federal Information
Free Press, Ely Times, Eureka Sentinel, Sage-Grouse Plan. This will be achieved
and Reno Gazette-Journal informing the Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
by avoiding, minimizing, and to contact the above individual during
public of the availability of the Bald compensating for residual impacts by
Mountain Mine North and South normal business hours. The FIRS is
applying beneficial mitigation actions. available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
Operations Area Projects Draft EIS and Following a 30-day Final EIS
upcoming public meetings, which were to leave a message or question with the
availability and review period, a Record
held in Ely, Eureka, Elko, and Reno (9/ above individual. Replies are provided
of Decision (ROD) will be issued. The
15/2015 to 9/18/2015). A total of 35 during normal business hours.
decision reached in the ROD is subject
individual comment submittals to appeal to the Interior Board of Land SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Newfield
containing 451 individual comments Appeals. The 30-day appeal period Exploration Company (Newfield)
were received. Comments on the Draft begins with the issuance of the ROD. submitted oil and gas field development
EIS received from the cooperating plan for the Monument Butte Project
agencies, the public, and the internal Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 40 CFR Area (MBPA) to the BLM. The MBPA
1506.10.
BLM review were considered and encompasses approximately 119,784
incorporated, as appropriate, into the Jill A. Moore, acres in an already developed field
Final EIS. Concerns included potential Field Manager, Egan Field Office. containing approximately 3,209 existing
impacts (1) to mule deer migration; (2) [FR Doc. 2016–15017 Filed 6–23–16; 8:45 am] oil and gas wells. The MBPA
to Greater Sage-Grouse leks and BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
contemplates the drilling of up to 5,750
associated habitats; (3) to springs from new oil and gas wells over a 16-year
groundwater pumping; (4) to Wild period, and the construction and
Horse Herd Management Areas (HMAs), DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR operation of ancillary transportation,
including herd access to surface water transmission, processing, and treatment
sources; (5) to air quality (specifically Bureau of Land Management facilities. The MBPA is located in
from mercury); (6) of climate change on southeastern Duchesne County and
[16X L1109PF LLUTG01100
wildlife and other resources; and (7) to L13110000.EJ0000 24 1A] southwestern Uintah County:
visual resources and other indirect
Salt Lake Meridian, Utah
impacts to the setting of the Pony Notice of Availability of the Final
Express National Historic Trail, Ruby Tps. 8 S., Rs. 15 thru 19 E.
Environmental Impact Statement for Tps. 9 S., Rs. 15 thru 19 E.
Valley Pony Express Station, Fort Ruby the Monument Butte Area Oil and Gas The areas described, including both
National Historic Landmark, and Development Project, Duchesne and Federal and non-Federal lands, aggregate
Sunshine Locality National Register Uintah Counties, Utah 119,784.12 acres.
District and the Ruby Lake National
Wildlife Refuge. There were also AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, The BLM’s purpose and need for the
comments received in general support Interior. action is to respond to Newfield’s
or opposition to the Project. These ACTION: Notice of Availability. proposal. The BLM intends to approve,
public comments resulted in the approve with modifications, or
addition of clarifying text, but did not SUMMARY: In accordance with the disapprove Newfield’s proposed project
significantly change the analysis. The National Environmental Policy Act of and project components based on the
selected agency preferred alternative is 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the analysis of potential impact in the Final
the Western Redbird Modification Federal Land Policy and Management EIS and related documents. As part of
Alternative. Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of this process, the BLM worked with
On September 21, 2015, during the Land Management (BLM) has prepared Newfield, the State of Utah,
public comment period for the Draft a Final Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Protection Agency
sradovich on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES

EIS, the Record of Decision (ROD) and (EIS) for the Monument Butte Area Oil Region 8 (EPA) to develop measures
2015 Nevada and Northeastern and Gas Development Project and is designed to avoid, minimize, or mitigate
California Greater Sage-Grouse announcing its availability. environmental impacts to the extent
Approved Resource Management Plan DATES: The BLM will not issue a final possible, while allowing Newfield to
Amendment was signed. To ensure decision on the proposal for at least 45 exercise its valid existing lease rights.
consistency with the Plan Amendment, days after the date on which the The Federal Land Policy and
the BLM compared the maps and habitat Environmental Protection Agency Management Act of 1976 recognizes oil

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41332 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2016 / Notices

and gas development as one of the uses quality or enforce air quality laws, the foregoing documents and a review of
of the public lands. Federal mineral economic benefits and losses, protection information from Utah Division of Oil,
leasing statutes, including the Mineral of wetlands and streams, produced Gas and Mining, the BLM has estimated
Leasing Act of 1920, 30 U.S.C. 181 et water treatment and management that, as of December 31, 2012, 788 wells
seq., and their implementing regulations alternatives, and surface restrictions in remain to be drilled including
recognize the right of lease holders to the Pariette Wetlands Area of Critical construction of roads, pipelines, and
develop Federal mineral resources to Environmental Concern (ACEC) and additional support facilities. Total new
meet continuing national needs and Sclerocactus core conservation areas. surface disturbance under the No Action
economic demands, subject to lease The parameters of the Agency Alternative would be 870 acres of new
stipulations and reasonable measures Preferred Alternative, Alternative D, disturbance, which would be reduced to
that the BLM may require to minimize were adjusted between the Draft EIS and 659 acres through interim reclamation.
adverse impacts. the Final EIS in response to issues 3. Field-wide Electrification
The BLM is the lead Federal agency raised during the public comment Alternative—This alternative is
for this Final EIS. Cooperating agencies period, which were not considered identical to the Proposed Action, in that
include the EPA, Utah’s Public Lands when the alternative was originally it would allow the drilling of up to
Policy and Coordination Office, and designed. The BLM engineers 5,750 new wells in addition to the
Duchesne and Uintah Counties. determined that the data provided existing producing wells, with
On August 25, 2010, the BLM regarding these technical issues was associated facilities. However, this
published in the Federal Register a accurate and that measures presented in alternative also incorporates a phased
Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS. Alternative D adversely affected the field-wide electrification component
Public response to the NOI and public proponent’s ability to diligently and which consists of construction of 34
meetings included seven letters: Two efficiently develop oil and gas resources miles of overhead cross-country 69kV
from Federal agencies, one from a State in the MBPA consistent with their valid transmission lines, 156 miles of
agency, one from a county agency, and existing rights. The BLM also distribution lines, and 11 substations.
three from industry or private determined that other adjustments to Total new surface disturbance under
individuals. Comments focused on air the alternative were necessary. Since this alternative would be approximately
quality impacts, impacts to adjacent these adjustments were all within the 20,112 acres, which would be reduced
gilsonite mining operations, recognition range of alternatives considered in the to 10,173 acres through interim
of valid existing lease rights, requests Draft EIS, the BLM determined that a reclamation.
for flexibility in the decision, economic supplement to the Draft EIS was not 4. Agency Preferred (Resource
benefits, water impacts and protection, necessary. However, the review period Protection) Alternative—This alternative
produced water treatment and following release of the Final EIS has was revised to meet the purpose and
management alternatives, noise impacts been extended to 45 days to provide need for the project while: (1) Protecting
to wildlife and residences, weed additional time for review of these the relevant and important values of the
expansion, the BLM’s statutory and changes prior to BLM making a decision Pariette Wetlands ACEC; (2) minimizing
regulatory authority to manage air on the project. the amount of new surface disturbance
resources, and resource management The Final EIS describes and analyzes and habitat fragmentation within and
plan (RMP) conformance. the impacts of Newfield’s Proposed around the Fish and Wildlife Service
On December 20, 2013, the BLM Action and three alternatives, including proposed Level 1 and 2 Core
published a Notice of Availability in the the No Action Alternative. The Conservation Areas (for two federally-
Federal Register announcing the following is a summary of the listed plant species: The Uinta Basin
availability of the Draft EIS. The Draft alternatives: hookless cactus and the Pariette cactus);
EIS was made available for a 45-day 1. Proposed Action—Up to 5,750 new (3) precluding new well pads (with the
public comment period, which was oil or gas wells would be drilled over a exception of Newfield’s proposed water
subsequently extended by an additional period of 16 years. Additionally, this collector well) and minimizing new
30 days at the request of the State of alternative includes the construction of surface disturbance (roads or pipelines)
Utah. Twenty-three unique comment approximately 243 miles of new roads within 100-year floodplains; (4)
letters or emails were submitted: One and pipelines, 363 miles of new precluding new well pads, pipelines, or
from a Federal agency, one from the pipeline adjacent to existing roads, 21 roads within riparian habitats; and, (5)
House of Representatives, one from a new compressor stations, one gas minimizing overall impacts from the
State agency, two from county processing plant, 7 new water treatment proposed oil and gas development
governments, one from the proponent and injection facilities, 12 gas and oil through the use of directional drilling
(Newfield), nine from other oil and gas separation plants, 6 water pump technology. Under the Resource
industry representatives or trade groups, stations, as well as the drilling of a Protection Alternative, up to 5,750 new
one from the proponent’s outside legal freshwater collector well, and the wellbores would be drilled.
counsel, one from a non-governmental expansion of 6 existing water treatment Additionally, this alternative includes
organization, and six from private and injection facilities and 3 existing the construction of approximately 226
individuals. There were also 1,780 form compressor stations. Total new surface miles of new roads and pipelines, 318
letters received from members of the disturbance under the Proposed Action miles of new pipeline adjacent to
public that expressed concern regarding would be approximately 16,129 acres, existing roads, 21 new compressor
ozone impacts, and 161 form letters which would be reduced to 7,808 acres stations, a gas processing plant, 7 new
received from Newfield employees that through interim reclamation. water treatment and injection facilities,
sradovich on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES

expressed concern over impacts to their 2. No Action Alternative—Drilling 12 gas and oil separation plants, 6 water
livelihoods from the Agency Preferred and completion of development wells pump stations, as well as the drilling of
Alternative. Substantive comments and infrastructure would continue as a freshwater collector well, and the
focused on technical flaws, water previously approved, and the proposed expansion of 6 existing water treatment
impacts and protection, air quality natural gas development on BLM lands and injection facilities and 3 existing
impacts, the BLM’s statutory or as described in the Proposed Action compressor stations. Total new surface
regulatory authority to protect air would not be implemented. Based on disturbance under the Agency Preferred

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Document Created: 2016-06-24 00:53:00
Document Modified: 2016-06-24 00:53:00
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of Availability.
Dates		The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for at least 45 days after the date on which the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the Final EIS in the Federal Register.
Contact		Stephanie Howard, NEPA Coordinator;
FR Citation		81 FR 41331
81 FR 41331 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Monument Butte Area Oil and Gas Development Project, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 122 (June 24, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
