82 FR 12119 - Notice of Intent and Extension of Time To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Road, Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 38 (February 28, 2017)

Page Range		12119-12121
FR Document		2017-03993

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, as amended (ANILCA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Central Yukon Field Office, Fairbanks, Alaska, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Federal authorizations to construct and operate an approximately 211-mile long industrial access road in the southern Brooks Range foothills of Alaska, originating at the Dalton Highway in the vicinity of Prospect Creek and terminating at the Ambler Mining District, which would not be open for public access. By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the EIS scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues, and is extending the periods to complete the Draft and Final EIS, in accordance with ANILCA section 1104(e).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12119-12121]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03993]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[16X.LLAKF02000. L51010000. ER0000. LVRWL16L0980]


Notice of Intent and Extension of Time To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ambler Mining District 
Industrial Access Road, Alaska

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and extension of time.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended (FLPMA), and the Alaska National Interest Lands 
Conservation Act of 1980, as amended (ANILCA), the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) Central Yukon Field Office, Fairbanks, Alaska, intends 
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Federal 
authorizations to construct and operate an approximately 211-mile long 
industrial access road in the southern Brooks Range foothills of 
Alaska, originating at the Dalton Highway in the vicinity of Prospect 
Creek and terminating at the Ambler Mining District, which would not be 
open for public access. By this notice, the BLM is announcing the 
beginning of the EIS scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues, and is extending the periods to complete the Draft and 
Final EIS, in accordance with ANILCA section 1104(e).

[[Page 12120]]


DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS, 
and extends completion dates for the Draft and Final EIS. Comments on 
relevant issues that will influence the scope of the EIS for the 
proposed Ambler Road project may be submitted in writing until May 30, 
2017. The BLM will provide opportunities for public participation 
during scoping meetings with appropriate public notice. The date(s) and 
location(s) of scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in 
advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM ePlanning Web site 
at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/projectSummary.do?methodName=renderDefaultProjectSummary&projectId=57323
.
    In order to be considered for the Draft EIS, all comments must be 
received prior to the close of the 90-day scoping period or 15 days 
after the last public scoping meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will 
provide additional opportunities for public participation upon 
publication of the Draft EIS, including public meetings and a public 
comment period. If required, ANILCA section 810 subsistence hearings 
will be held concurrently with the Draft EIS public involvement 
meetings. Federal, State or local agencies, or tribes who are 
interested in serving as a cooperating agency for the development of 
the EIS are asked to submit such requests to the BLM.
    The dates for completion of the Draft EIS and Final EIS are 
extended to March 29, 2019, and December 30, 2019, respectively.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues related to the proposed 
project by any of the following methods:
     email: [email protected].
     fax: (907) 271-5479.
     mail: Ambler Road Scoping Comments, 222 West 7th Avenue, 
Stop #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM 
Alaska Public Room, Fairbanks District Office, 222 University Avenue, 
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709; and at the BLM Alaska Public Information 
Center, Alaska State Office, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 
99513.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim LaMarr; Central Yukon Field Office 
Manager, 907-474-2356, [email protected]. Also contact Mr. LaMarr if you 
wish to add your name to the mailing list to receive further 
information about this project. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business 
hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave 
a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a 
reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 24, 2015, the Alaska Industrial 
Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) submitted a consolidated 
application pursuant to ANILCA sections 201(4)(c) and 1104(c) with the 
BLM, National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers. The application requests the issuance of right-of-way 
grants, permits for constructing bridges over navigable waters and for 
filling waters of the United States, and related authorizations 
associated with the proposed construction and operation of an 
approximately 211-mile long all-season industrial access road. The 
proposed controlled access road is named the Ambler Mining District 
Industrial Access Project.
    After submission of supplemental information on June 30, 2016, the 
application was determined to be complete. The proposed access road, if 
approved, would be in conformance with the BLM's 1991 Utility Corridor 
Resource Management Plan and the 2008 Kobuk-Seward Peninsula Resource 
Management Plan. Accordingly, no plan amendment would be required. In 
accordance with 43 CFR 36.5(d)(1), the filing date of the application 
was revised to June 30, 2016. BLM is the lead Federal agency in the 
development of an EIS for the proposed project. The list of cooperating 
agencies in the development of the EIS currently includes the U.S. 
Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the State of Alaska.
    Pursuant to 40 CFR 1502.4, the EIS is being prepared for the 
purpose of authorizing a BLM right-of-way grant and related 
authorizations to AIDEA for the construction, operation, and 
maintenance of the proposed road, as well as required permits from the 
U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
    The proposed road would extend from the Dalton Highway in the 
vicinity of Prospect Creek to the Ambler Mining District in the Kobuk 
Valley of Northwest Alaska, which is located approximately 180 miles 
north of Fairbanks in the southern Brooks Range foothills of Alaska. 
The road would begin on BLM-managed lands within the Dalton Highway 
Utility Corridor would continue for approximately 18 miles. The road 
would then extend across State land and lands privately owned by Alaska 
Native corporations, and isolated BLM-managed parcels. The proposed 
road would cross roughly 24 miles of BLM-managed lands in total. In 
addition, approximately 26 miles of the proposed road would cross the 
Gates of the Arctic National Preserve, a conservation system unit (CSU) 
established by ANILCA section 201(4). This section of ANILCA 
specifically directs the Secretary of the Interior to authorize the 
road through the Preserve but does not address other public lands.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and to guide the process for developing the 
EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary 
issues for evaluation in the EIS:

 Air quality
 climate change effects
 invasive species
 mining
 recreational activities
 social and economic impacts
 impacts to rural and traditional lifestyles
 subsistence use and access
 travel management
 public access
 wildlife and biological resources
 special status species
 fish and aquatic species
 water
 wetlands and riparian
 wilderness characteristics
 cultural resources
 geology and soils
 critical minerals
 demand for gravel resources
 reasonably foreseeable future activities

    The BLM will identify, analyze, and require mitigation, as 
appropriate, to address the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources 
from the approval of this project. Mitigation may include avoidance, 
minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over time, and 
compensatory mitigation, and may be considered at multiple scales, 
including the landscape-scale.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to 
help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic 
Preservation Act (NHPA) Public Law 89-665, as amended by Public Law 96-
515, and as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about 
historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by 
the proposed action will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating 
impacts to such resources.

[[Page 12121]]

    The BLM intends to coordinate the development of the EIS with the 
National Park Service, which, in accordance with ANILCA section 
201(4)(d), is developing a separate environmental and economic analysis 
solely for the purpose of determining the most desirable route for that 
portion of the proposed road right-of-way that would cross Gates of the 
Arctic National Preserve.
    The BLM will consult with affected Federally Recognized Tribes on a 
government-to-government basis, and with affected Alaska Native 
corporations, in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Native concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given appropriate 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed project, are invited to participate in the scoping process 
and, if eligible, may request or be asked by the BLM to participate in 
the development of the EIS as cooperating agencies.
    Pursuant to ANILCA section 1104(e), a Draft EIS must be completed 
within nine months of the application filing date, and the Final EIS 
must be completed within one year of the application filing date, 
unless these periods are extended for good cause by the lead Federal 
agency. Due to the size and complexity of the proposed project, 
multiple land managers along the approximately 211-mile route, and the 
BLM's commitment to work with several relatively isolated rural 
communities potentially affected by the proposed project, an extension 
of the timeline is necessary to meet the intent and purpose of NEPA and 
provide appropriate public involvement. Accordingly, the date for 
completion of the Draft EIS is extended to March 29, 2019, and the date 
for completion of the Final EIS is extended to December 30, 2019.
    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.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Bud Cribley,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-03993 Filed 2-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / Notices 12119

hearings will be made by stenographic waive the Tribe’s sovereign immunity Section 4. Severability
notes or by the use of an electronic from suit. If any section of this Ordinance, or
recording device. The person shall have any part thereof, is held to be invalid or
the right to be represented by counsel, Chapter VII. Miscellaneous Provisions
inapplicable for any cause whatsoever,
question witnesses and examine the Section 1. Agreement by Licensee To the remainder of this Ordinance shall
evidence against him as well to present Grant Access for Inspection Purposes not be affected thereby and shall remain
evidence and witnesses in his own in full force and effect as though no part
defense. Every licensee under this Ordinance, thereof had been declared invalid.
as a condition of the grant of a tribal
Section 3. Suspension or Revocation of license, consents to the inspection of his Section 5. Compliance With 18 U.S.C.
License premises, including all buildings, safes, 1161
If after such hearing the Tribal cabinets, lockers and storerooms The Tribal Business Council finds
Council finds the violation set forth in thereon. Such inspection shall be that this Ordinance complies with the
the affidavit has been proved by the available upon the demand of the Tribal requirements of 18 U.S.C. 1161.
evidence, an order shall be served on Tax Commission. These inspections
the licensee revoking or suspending his shall be conducted by a duly appointed Section 6. All Prior Ordinances and
license for a period of time and designee of the Tribal Tax Commission, Resolutions Repealed
imposing such other civil penalties as or tribal or federal police. All books and All prior ordinances and resolutions
are consistent with a policy established records dealing with the sale or or provisions thereof that are
by the Tribal Legal Department and ownership of alcoholic beverages shall inconsistent with any provisions of this
approved by the Tribal Business be open for inspection purposes by the ordinance are hereby repealed.
Council. Such action may be appealed duly authorized tribal authorities. [FR Doc. 2017–03839 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am]
to the Tribal Court which shall have BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
jurisdiction to either vacate, remand or Section 2. Recovery of Damages
modify the Tribal Council’s action, Resulting From Intoxication
except that the order revoking or DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Every spouse, child, parent, guardian,
suspending the license, or imposing
employer, or other person who is Bureau of Land Management
other penalties shall be effective while
injured by any intoxicated person, or in
the appeal is pending. [16X.LLAKF02000. L51010000. ER0000.
consequence of intoxication, shall have
Section 4. Other Penalties a right of action in Tribal Court against LVRWL16L0980]
The Tribal Business Council may any person who caused such
Notice of Intent and Extension of Time
impose such other civil penalties, intoxication by disposing, selling,
To Prepare an Environmental Impact
according to a policy established by the bartering, or giving away alcoholic
Statement for the Proposed Ambler
Tribal Legal Department and approved beverages for all damages sustained and
Mining District Industrial Access Road,
by the Tribal Business Council, for any in the event death ensues the survivors
Alaska
violation of this Ordinance including of the decedent may prosecute such an
the failure to apply for or to possess the action in their own name. AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
appropriate tribal license. Such tribal Interior.
Section 3. Surety Bond Required
action imposing such penalties on any ACTION: Notice of intent and extension
person may be appealed to Tribal Court, (1) Every application for a license of time.
which shall have jurisdiction to either under this Ordinance, unless exempted SUMMARY: In accordance with the
vacate, remand or modify the Tribal by the Tribal Business Council, must be National Environmental Policy Act of
Council’s action except that the accompanied by a bond, which shall 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal
imposition of the penalties shall be become operative and effective upon the Land Policy and Management Act of
effective while the appeal is pending. issuance of a license unless the licensee 1976, as amended (FLPMA), and the
Section 5. Powers of Tribal Chairman already has a continuing bond in force. Alaska National Interest Lands
The bond shall be in the amount of Conservation Act of 1980, as amended
The Tribal Chairman, or his designee, $10,000.00 and must be in a form
at a hearing under this Ordinance shall (ANILCA), the Bureau of Land
approved by the Tribal Business Management (BLM) Central Yukon Field
have the power to administer oaths and Council and it shall be conditioned that
subpoena and examine witnesses. Office, Fairbanks, Alaska, intends to
the licensee will faithfully obey and prepare an Environmental Impact
Section 6. Effect of Findings on Tribal abide by all the provisions of this Statement (EIS) for Federal
Court Ordinance and all existing laws relating authorizations to construct and operate
to the conduct of its business and will an approximately 211-mile long
The Tribal Court, in any matter heard
promptly pay to the Three Affiliated industrial access road in the southern
on appeal under this ordinance, shall
Tribes when due all license fees payable Brooks Range foothills of Alaska,
give substantial weight to the findings of
by him under the provisions of this originating at the Dalton Highway in the
fact made by the Tribal Business
Ordinance and also any costs and vicinity of Prospect Creek and
Council.
penalties assessed against him in any terminating at the Ambler Mining
Section 6. Sovereign Immunity determination that he violated the terms District, which would not be open for
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

The jurisdiction of the Tribal Council of this Ordinance. public access. By this notice, the BLM
and Tribal Court under this Chapter (2) All bonds required by this is announcing the beginning of the EIS
shall be exclusive. Except as authorized Ordinance shall be with a corporate scoping process to solicit public
in this Chapter with respect to the surety as surety, or shall be by cash comments and identify issues, and is
Tribal Court’s jurisdiction to hear deposit. If said bond is placed by cash, extending the periods to complete the
appeals under sections 3 and 4, nothing it shall be kept in a separate escrow Draft and Final EIS, in accordance with
in this Ordinance shall be construed to account with a bank. ANILCA section 1104(e).

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / Notices 12121

The BLM intends to coordinate the Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR submission of supplemental information
development of the EIS with the 1610.2. on June 30, 2016, which was deemed
National Park Service, which, in Bud Cribley, the filing date of the application in
accordance with ANILCA section State Director. accordance with 43 CFR 36.5(d)(1). The
201(4)(d), is developing a separate draft EEA is currently due nine months
[FR Doc. 2017–03993 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am]
environmental and economic analysis from that filing date, on March 30, 2017.
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
solely for the purpose of determining The final EEA is currently due one year
the most desirable route for that portion from that date, on June 30, 2017.
of the proposed road right-of-way that Although the segment of the proposed
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
would cross Gates of the Arctic National road within the National Preserve
National Park Service would be only 17 to 25 miles, the entire
Preserve.
length of the proposed road would be
The BLM will consult with affected [NPS–AKR–GAAR–22618; 221 miles. For the road to be
Federally Recognized Tribes on a PR.RGAAR1502.00.1]
constructed, authorizations are also
government-to-government basis, and needed from other federal agencies.
Extension of Time for Preparation of
with affected Alaska Native These include the U.S. Army Corps of
an Environmental and Economic
corporations, in accordance with Analysis, Gates of the Arctic National Engineers (wetlands permit) and the
Executive Order 13175 and other Preserve Bureau of Land Management (right of
policies. Native concerns, including way). An environmental impact
impacts on Indian trust assets and AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. statement (EIS) is required for those
potential impacts to cultural resources, ACTION: Notice of extension of time. authorizations, and is expected to take
will be given appropriate consideration. several years to complete. In order to
SUMMARY: The time for completion of properly coordinate the permitting
Federal, State, and local agencies, along
the draft and final environmental and actions among the several agencies, and
with tribes and other stakeholders that economic analysis is being extended.
may be interested in or affected by the to minimize the chance of conflicting
DATES: The date for completion of the route determinations for the road, it is
proposed project, are invited to
draft environmental and economic necessary to have the timing of the EEA
participate in the scoping process and, analysis (EEA) is extended to March 29,
if eligible, may request or be asked by be in general harmony with that of the
2019, and completion of the final EEA EIS. For that reason, additional time is
the BLM to participate in the is extended to December 30, 2019. needed for the completion of the EEA.
development of the EIS as cooperating ADDRESSES: Superintendent, Gates of Accordingly, the date for completion
agencies. the Arctic National Park and Preserve, of the draft EEA is extended to March
Pursuant to ANILCA section 1104(e), 4175 Geist Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 29, 2019, and the date for completion of
a Draft EIS must be completed within 99709. the final EEA is extended to December
nine months of the application filing FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg 30, 2019.
date, and the Final EIS must be Dudgeon, Superintendent, Gates of the Dated: February 24, 2017.
completed within one year of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 4175 Herbert C. Frost,
application filing date, unless these Geist Road, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709. Regional Director, Alaska Region.
periods are extended for good cause by Telephone: 907–457–5752. Email: yuga_ [FR Doc. 2017–03991 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am]
the lead Federal agency. Due to the size ambler_road@nps.gov. BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
and complexity of the proposed project, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An
multiple land managers along the application for a right-of-way (ROW)
approximately 211-mile route, and the across the Western (Kobuk River) unit of DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BLM’s commitment to work with Gates of the Arctic National Preserve
several relatively isolated rural has been submitted by the Alaska Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
communities potentially affected by the Industrial Development and Export
proposed project, an extension of the Authority (AIDEA) to the National Park Notice of Availability of the Proposed
timeline is necessary to meet the intent Service, pursuant to section 201(4) of Notice of Sale for Cook Inlet Planning
and purpose of NEPA and provide the Alaska National Interest Lands Area Outer Continental Shelf Oil and
appropriate public involvement. Conservation Act (ANILCA), 16 U.S.C. Gas Lease Sale 244; MMAA 104000
Accordingly, the date for completion of 410hh(4). That section requires the AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy
the Draft EIS is extended to March 29, preparation of an environmental and Management, Interior.
2019, and the date for completion of the economic analysis (EEA), and that the ACTION: Notice of availability of the
Final EIS is extended to December 30, final EEA be completed within one year Proposed Notice of Sale for Cook Inlet
2019. and the draft EEA be completed within Planning Area Lease Sale 244.
nine months of the receipt of an
Before including your address, phone application for such ROW. That SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy
number, email address, or other analysis, however, is subject to the Management (BOEM) announces the
personal identifying information in your procedures set out in 16 U.S.C. 3164(e) availability of the Proposed Notice of
comment, you should be aware that and implemented by 43 CFR 36.6, Sale (NOS) for the proposed Cook Inlet
your entire comment—including your which allow for extension of this time Planning Area Outer Continental Shelf
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

personal identifying information—may for completion of the draft and final (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 244 (Cook
be made publicly available at any time. EEA if additional time is determined to Inlet Sale 244). This Notice is published
While you can ask us in your comment be necessary. pursuant to 30 CFR 556.304(c).
to withhold your personal identifying An application for a ROW was With regard to oil and gas leasing on
information from public review, we submitted by the AIDEA on November the OCS, the Secretary of the Interior,
cannot guarantee that we will be able to 25, 2015. The application was pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands
do so. determined to be sufficient after Act, provides affected States the

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Document Created: 2017-02-27 23:53:32
Document Modified: 2017-02-27 23:53:32

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 intent and extension of time.
Dates		This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS, and extends completion dates for the Draft and Final EIS. Comments on relevant issues that will influence the scope of the EIS for the proposed Ambler Road project may be submitted in writing until May 30, 2017. The BLM will provide opportunities for public participation during scoping meetings with appropriate public notice. The date(s) and location(s) of scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM ePlanning Web site at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/ projectSummary.do?methodName=renderDefaultProjectSummary&projectId=57323 .
Contact		Tim LaMarr; Central Yukon Field Office Manager, 907-474-2356, [email protected] Also contact Mr. LaMarr if you wish to add your name to the mailing list to receive further information about this project. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
FR Citation		82 FR 12119

82 FR 12119 - Notice of Intent and Extension of Time To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Road, Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 38 (February 28, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management