81 FR 76961 - Record of Decision for Non-Federal Oil and Gas Regulation Revision Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 214 (November 4, 2016)
National Park Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 214 (November 4, 2016)
| Page Range | 76961-76962 | |
| FR Document | 2016-26492 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 76961-76962] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-26492] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Record of Decision for Non-Federal Oil and Gas Regulation Revision Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; record of decision. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared and approved a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Nonfederal Oil and Gas Regulations (36 CFR part 9, subpart B) Revisions. Approval of this Record of Decision completes the National Environmental Policy Act process. DATES: November 4, 2016. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are available for public review at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ROD_9B. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Steensen, Chief, Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service, PO Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225; phone (303) 969-2014. The responsible official for this ROD is Jonathan Jarvis, Director, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This process was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), its implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Interior NEPA regulations (43 CFR part 46), and NPS Director's Order 12, Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis and Decision- Making and accompanying handbook. The original Notice of Intent (NOI) initiating the NEPA process was published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2010 (75 FR 82362). The NOI specifically solicited public comment on draft purpose and need statements, objectives, and issues and concerns related to revisions of the NPS regulations governing non- federal oil and gas development on units of the national park system. The NOI also requested public comment on possible alternatives the NPS should consider in revising the regulations. On October 23, 2015, the NPS released for public review the draft EIS for the Proposed Revision of 9B Regulations Governing Nonfederal Oil and Gas Activities through the publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (80 FR 64445). The Environmental Protection Agency also issued a Notice of Availability for the draft EIS that was published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2015 (80 FR 66898). On September 2, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a Notice of Availability for the plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that was published in the Federal Register (81 FR 60697); NPS also released the FEIS for public review on September 2, 2016, and published its own NPS Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on September 7, 2016 (81 FR 61715). The FEIS evaluated the environmental consequences of three alternatives, Alternative A (no action), Alternative B (preferred and environmentally preferable alternative), and Alternative C. Alternative B includes the following alternative elements:Elimination of two regulatory provisions that exempt 60% of the oil and gas operations in System units. All operators in System units would be required to comply with the 9B regulations. Elimination of the financial assurance (bonding) cap. Financial assurance would be equal to the reasonable estimated cost of site reclamation. Improving enforcement authority by incorporating existing NPS penalty provisions. Law enforcement staff would have authority to write citations for noncompliance with the regulations. Authorizing compensation to the federal government for new access on federal lands and waters outside the boundary of an operator's mineral right. Reformatting the regulations to make it easier to identify an operator's information requirements and operating standards that apply to each type of operation. Alternative C includes all the proposed changes in Alternative B, except: Directional drilling operations: Alternative C would expand the scope of the regulations to encompass surface and subsurface directional drilling operations outside the boundary of a System unit. Proposed Operations Located Wholly on Non-Federally Owned Land Within the Boundary of a System Unit: This provision would allow for an exemption to the operations permit requirement for those operations located wholly on non-federally owned land within a System unit, if the operator could demonstrate that the proposed operation would have no effect to NPS administered resources or values. Joint and Several Liability: This provision would hold mineral owners and their lessees jointly and severally liable for all obligations to comply with [[Page 76962]] the terms and conditions of an approved permit and any other applicable provision under these regulations. The NPS consulted with traditionally associated American Indian tribes and groups, State Historic Preservation Officers, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Environmental Protection Agency, state oil and gas regulatory commissions, and the state of Alaska. The ROD includes a summary of the purpose and need for action, synopses of alternatives considered and analyzed in detail, a description of the selected alternative, including measures that are included in the rule to minimize environmental harm, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, and findings on impairment of park resources. The ROD is not the final agency action for those elements of the EIS that require promulgation of regulations to be effective. Promulgation of such regulations will constitute the final agency action for such elements, and will be published in a separate Federal Register document. Dated: October 23, 2016. Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director, National Park Service. [FR Doc. 2016-26492 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Notices 76961
Additionally, the museum collection DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR October 30, 2015 (80 FR 66898). On
would be moved if the project to stop September 2, 2016, the Environmental
water infiltration in the visitor center National Park Service Protection Agency issued a Notice of
building is unsuccessful or if the Park Availability for the plan/Final
identifies funding or partnership Record of Decision for Non-Federal Oil Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
opportunities to relocate the museum and Gas Regulation Revision that was published in the Federal
collection out of the basement of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Register (81 FR 60697); NPS also
Visitor’s Center to a more suitable AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. released the FEIS for public review on
location. ACTION: Notice of availability; record of September 2, 2016, and published its
Alternative 3: Locate Facilities Off- decision. own NPS Notice of Availability in the
Site: Under alternative 3, archeological Federal Register on September 7, 2016
resources would be managed under the SUMMARY: The National Park Service (81 FR 61715).
adaptive management framework (NPS) has prepared and approved a The FEIS evaluated the environmental
described above. Under this alternative, Record of Decision (ROD) for the consequences of three alternatives,
the Park would relocate the Nonfederal Oil and Gas Regulations (36 Alternative A (no action), Alternative B
maintenance facility outside the Park CFR part 9, subpart B) Revisions. (preferred and environmentally
boundary and remove the existing Approval of this Record of Decision preferable alternative), and Alternative
maintenance buildings from the Park completes the National Environmental C.
landscape. Similar to alternative 2, the Policy Act process. Alternative B includes the following
museum collection would be moved if DATES: November 4, 2016. alternative elements:
the project to stop water infiltration in ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are • Elimination of two regulatory
the visitor center building is available for public review at http:// provisions that exempt 60% of the oil
unsuccessful or if the Park identifies parkplanning.nps.gov/ROD_9B. and gas operations in System units. All
funding or partnership opportunities to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
operators in System units would be
relocate the museum collection out of David Steensen, Chief, Geologic required to comply with the 9B
the basement to a more suitable Resources Division, National Park regulations.
location. • Elimination of the financial
Service, PO Box 25287, Denver, CO
80225; phone (303) 969–2014. The assurance (bonding) cap. Financial
NPS Preferred Alternative: The assurance would be equal to the
preferred alternative is likely to be a responsible official for this ROD is
Jonathan Jarvis, Director, National Park reasonable estimated cost of site
combination of alternatives 2 and 3. The reclamation.
NPS would prefer to remove the Service, 1849 C Street NW.,
• Improving enforcement authority by
maintenance facility from Park property, Washington, DC 20240.
incorporating existing NPS penalty
and stop water infiltration at the visitor SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
provisions. Law enforcement staff
center so the museum collection can process was conducted in accordance would have authority to write citations
remain in place. While moving the with the requirements of the National for noncompliance with the regulations.
maintenance facility off-site is preferred Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as • Authorizing compensation to the
to best protect Park resources, the ability amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et federal government for new access on
to relocate is dependent on the seq.), its implementing regulations (40 federal lands and waters outside the
availability of suitable property at a CFR parts 1500–1508), the Department boundary of an operator’s mineral right.
reasonable price. If suitable sites are not of the Interior NEPA regulations (43 • Reformatting the regulations to
available when the Park is ready to CFR part 46), and NPS Director’s Order make it easier to identify an operator’s
relocate, the Park will construct the 12, Conservation Planning, information requirements and operating
facilities within the Park. Environmental Impact Analysis and standards that apply to each type of
In order to comment on this plan, Decision-Making and accompanying operation.
comments may be transmitted handbook. The original Notice of Intent Alternative C includes all the
electronically through the project Web (NOI) initiating the NEPA process was proposed changes in Alternative B,
site (address above). If preferred, you published in the Federal Register on except:
may mail written comments directly to December 30, 2010 (75 FR 82362). The • Directional drilling operations:
the Superintendent at the address NOI specifically solicited public Alternative C would expand the scope
above. comment on draft purpose and need of the regulations to encompass surface
Before including your address, phone statements, objectives, and issues and and subsurface directional drilling
number, email address, or other concerns related to revisions of the NPS operations outside the boundary of a
personal identifying information in your regulations governing non-federal oil System unit.
comment, you should be aware that and gas development on units of the • Proposed Operations Located
your entire comment—including your national park system. The NOI also Wholly on Non-Federally Owned Land
personal identifying information—may requested public comment on possible Within the Boundary of a System Unit:
be made publicly available at any time. alternatives the NPS should consider in This provision would allow for an
While you can ask us in your comment revising the regulations. On October 23, exemption to the operations permit
to withhold your personal identifying 2015, the NPS released for public requirement for those operations located
review the draft EIS for the Proposed wholly on non-federally owned land
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to Revision of 9B Regulations Governing within a System unit, if the operator
do so. Nonfederal Oil and Gas Activities could demonstrate that the proposed
through the publication of a Notice of operation would have no effect to NPS
Dated: September 9, 2016. Availability in the Federal Register (80 administered resources or values.
Patricia S. Trap, FR 64445). The Environmental • Joint and Several Liability: This
Deputy Regional Director, Midwest Region. Protection Agency also issued a Notice provision would hold mineral owners
[FR Doc. 2016–26690 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am] of Availability for the draft EIS that was and their lessees jointly and severally
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P published in the Federal Register on liable for all obligations to comply with
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![76962 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Notices
the terms and conditions of an approved BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. to invite the public to comment on the
permit and any other applicable scope of the Columbia River System
Group II Chevron Corporation
provision under these regulations. Operations Environmental Impact
The NPS consulted with traditionally Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Statement.
associated American Indian tribes and Chevron Midcontinent, L.P.
DATES: The additional scoping meeting
groups, State Historic Preservation Unocal Corporation
will be held on Monday, November 21,
Officers, United States Fish and Wildlife Union Oil Company of California
2016, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in Pasco,
Service, United States Environmental Pure Partners, L.P.
Washington.
Protection Agency, state oil and gas
Group III ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
regulatory commissions, and the state of
Alaska. Eni Petroleum Co. Inc. the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pasco-
The ROD includes a summary of the Eni Petroleum US LLC Tri Cities, 4525 Convention Place,
purpose and need for action, synopses Eni Oil US LLC Pasco, Washington 99301.
of alternatives considered and analyzed Eni Marketing Inc. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Call
in detail, a description of the selected Eni BB Petroleum Inc. the toll-free telephone 1–(800) 290–5033
alternative, including measures that are Eni US Operating Co. Inc. or email info@crso.info. Additional
included in the rule to minimize Eni BB Pipeline LLC information can be found at the project
environmental harm, the basis for the Group IV Web site: www.crso.info.
decision, a description of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One
environmentally preferable alternative, Exxon Mobil Corporation scoping meeting is being added to the
and findings on impairment of park ExxonMobil Exploration Company schedule. All other scoping meetings for
resources. The ROD is not the final Group V the Columbia River System Operations
agency action for those elements of the Environmental Impact Statement were
EIS that require promulgation of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.
previously announced in a notice that
regulations to be effective. Promulgation Petrobras America Inc.
was published in the Federal Register
of such regulations will constitute the Group VI on September 30, 2016 (81 FR 67382).
final agency action for such elements, As the project evolves, there may be
and will be published in a separate Shell Oil Company
Shell Offshore Inc. additional scoping meetings. All
Federal Register document. additional scoping meetings for this
SWEPI LP
Dated: October 23, 2016. Shell Frontier Oil & Gas Inc. project will be announced on the project
Jonathan B. Jarvis, SOI Finance Inc. Web site at www.crso.info.
Director, National Park Service. Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. Dated: October 26, 2016.
[FR Doc. 2016–26492 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am] Lorri J. Lee,
Group VII
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P Regional Director—Pacific Northwest Region,
Statoil ASA Bureau of Reclamation.
Statoil Gulf of Mexico LLC [FR Doc. 2016–26740 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Statoil USA E&P Inc. BILLING CODE 4332–90–P
Statoil Gulf Properties Inc.
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Group VIII
[MMAA104000] INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Total E&P USA, Inc.
COMMISSION
Notice on Outer Continental Shelf Oil
Abigail Ross Hopper,
and Gas Lease Sales Notice of Receipt of Complaint;
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Solicitation of Comments Relating to
Management (BOEM), Interior. [FR Doc. 2016–26737 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am] the Public Interest
ACTION: List of Restricted Joint Bidders. BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P AGENCY: U.S. International Trade
Commission.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the joint bidding
provisions of 30 CFR 556.511—556.515, ACTION: Notice.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
the Director of the Bureau of Ocean SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Energy Management is publishing a List Bureau of Reclamation the U.S. International Trade
of Restricted Joint Bidders. Each entity Commission has received a complaint
[RR01041000, 17XR0680G3,
within one of the following groups is RX.16786921.2000100] entitled Certain UV Curable Coatings for
restricted from bidding with any entity Optical Fibers, Coated Optical Fibers,
in any of the other following groups at Notice of Additional Scoping Meeting and Products Containing Same, DN
Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas for the Columbia River System 3181; the Commission is soliciting
lease sales to be held during the bidding Operations Environmental Impact comments on any public interest issues
period November 1, 2016, through April Statement raised by the complaint or
30, 2017. This List of Restricted Joint complainant’s filing under the
Bureau of Reclamation,
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Bidders will cover the period November AGENCIES:
Interior. Commission’s Rules of Practice and
1, 2016, through April 30, 2017, and Procedure.
replace the prior list published on May ACTION: Notice.
17, 2016, which covered the period of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
May 1, 2016, through October 31, 2016. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation, R. Barton, Secretary to the Commission,
along with the U.S. Army Corps of U.S. International Trade Commission,
Group I BP Engineers and the Bonneville Power 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC
America Production Company Administration as joint lead agencies, 20436, telephone (202) 205–2000. The
BP Exploration & Production Inc. are adding one public scoping meeting public version of the complaint can be
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:26:12
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:26:12
| 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; record of decision. | |
| Dates | November 4, 2016. | |
| Contact | David Steensen, Chief, Geologic Resources Division, National Park Service, PO Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225; phone (303) 969-2014. The responsible official for this ROD is Jonathan Jarvis, Director, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 76961 |
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