82 FR 31628 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Normally Pressured Lance Natural Gas Development Project
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 129 (July 7, 2017)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 129 (July 7, 2017)
| Page Range | 31628-31629 | |
| FR Document | 2017-14130 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 129 (Friday, July 7, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 31628-31629] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-14130] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWYD01000 L13140000.NB0000 17X] Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Normally Pressured Lance Natural Gas Development Project AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the proposed Normally Pressured Lance (NPL) natural gas development project within the BLM Pinedale and Rock Springs Field Offices and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the NPL Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability of the NPL Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or any other public participation activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the NPL Draft EIS by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected] Mail: NPL EIS Project Manager, BLM Pinedale Field Office, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941 Copies of the NPL Draft EIS are available at the Pinedale Field Office at the following locations: BLM Pinedale Field Office, 1625 West Pine Street, Pinedale, WY 82941 or BLM Rock Springs Field Office, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, WY 82901 or on the project Web site at: http://tinyurl.com/hloulms. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan (Liz) Dailey--NPL EIS Project Manager, BLM Pinedale Field Office, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941, 307-367-5310, [email protected]. Persons who use 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, 7 days a week to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPL project is located immediately south and west of the existing Jonah Gas Field in Sublette County, Wyoming. The project area lies within the BLM Wyoming High Desert District and spans the Pinedale Field Office (PFO) in the north and the Rock Springs Field Office (RSFO) to the south. The project encompasses approximately 141,000 acres of public, state, and private lands. Approximately 96% of the project area is on public lands. Within the NPL project area, there are both unitized and non-unitized development areas. There are approximately 48,036 acres of Greater sage-grouse Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA) within the NPL project area (405 acres within the PFO and 47,631 acres within the RSFO). There are approximately 92,825 acres of General Habitat Management Area in the NPL project area (78,228 within the PFO and 14,597 within the RSFO). There are 27,292 acres (26,392 on BLM-administered lands) of Greater sage-grouse Winter Concentration Area (WCA) within the NPL. These are divided into two distinct WCAs: Alkali Creek, consisting of 20,132 acres (19,232 on BLM-administered lands), and Alkali Draw, consisting of 7,160 acres (all on BLM-administered lands). These WCAs are found in the western and northern portions of the project area, respectively. There are approximately 1,259 acres of Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs) within the NPL project area. All of the SFAs are within the RSFO. Jonah Energy LLC, the current operator after purchasing Encana Oil and Gas Inc.'s leasehold interest in the project, is proposing up to 3,500 directionally drilled wells (depth range from 6,500 to 13,500 feet) over a 10-year period (Proposed Action). Under Jonah Energy's proposal, most wells would be co-located on a single pad, with no more than four well pads per 640 acres in areas outside of PHMA. There would be only one disturbance per 640 acres inside PHMA. On average, each well pad would be 18 acres in size. Regional gathering facilities would be used instead of placing compressors at each well pad. Associated access roads, pipelines, and other ancillary facilities would be co- located where possible to further minimize surface disturbance. In addition to the Proposed Action, the BLM analyzed three other alternatives: The No Action Alternative, using existing standard stipulations and examining the project area under the historical rate of development of around three wells per year; Alternative A, using a phased approach moving through existing leased oil and gas units and responding to identified wildlife issues; and Alternative B, which addressed a broadrange of resource concerns in response to issues identified during scoping. Alternatives A and B each analyzed the same rate of development as the Proposed Action as well as the use of regional gathering facilities. However, in addition to varying resource protection measures, each alternative analyzed differing densities of development--from one to four multi-well pads per 640 acres, depending on the resource considerations of the project area. Additionally, Alternative A analyzed the merits of developing the project area in phases. Phased development across the project area analyzed development in three geographically defined phases, occurring sequentially, and taking into consideration existing oil and gas units. Interim and final reclamation activities would be implemented under all alternatives so as to return the landscape to proper biological and ecological function in conformance with the NPL Reclamation Plan and the relevant Resource Management Plans. Formal public scoping for the NPL project began on April 12, 2011, with the publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (76 FR 20370). Public scoping comments were used to identify issues that informed the formulation of alternatives and framed [[Page 31629]] the scope of analysis for the NPL Draft EIS. All alternatives conform to the PFO Resource Management Plan Record of Decision (2008) and the RSFO Green River Resource Management Plan Record of Decision (1997) as well as the Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments for the Rocky Mountain Region, Including the Greater Sage-Grouse Sub-Region of Wyoming (2015). 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 1506.6 and 40 CFR 1506.10 Mary Jo Rugwell, BLM Wyoming State Director. [FR Doc. 2017-14130 Filed 7-6-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
![31628 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2017 / Notices
Revested Lands (O&C) Act and access ADDRESSES: You may submit comments respectively. There are approximately
related issues. Members of the public related to the NPL Draft EIS by any of 1,259 acres of Sagebrush Focal Areas
will have the opportunity to make the following methods: (SFAs) within the NPL project area. All
comments to the RAC during a public • Email: blm_wy_npl_eis@blm.gov of the SFAs are within the RSFO.
comment period at 11:45 a.m. • Mail: NPL EIS Project Manager, BLM Jonah Energy LLC, the current
Written comments may be sent to the Pinedale Field Office, P.O. Box 768, operator after purchasing Encana Oil
Northwest Oregon District office, 1717 Pinedale, WY 82941 and Gas Inc.’s leasehold interest in the
Fabry Road SE., Salem, OR 97306. Copies of the NPL Draft EIS are project, is proposing up to 3,500
Before including your address, phone available at the Pinedale Field Office at directionally drilled wells (depth range
number, email address, or other the following locations: from 6,500 to 13,500 feet) over a 10-year
personal identifying information in your period (Proposed Action). Under Jonah
BLM Pinedale Field Office, 1625 West Energy’s proposal, most wells would be
comments, please be aware that your Pine Street, Pinedale, WY 82941
entire comment—including your co-located on a single pad, with no more
or than four well pads per 640 acres in
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time. BLM Rock Springs Field Office, 280 areas outside of PHMA. There would be
While you can ask us in your comment Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, only one disturbance per 640 acres
to withhold your personal identifying WY 82901 inside PHMA. On average, each well
information from public review, we or on the project Web site at: http:// pad would be 18 acres in size. Regional
cannot guarantee that we will be able to tinyurl.com/hloulms. gathering facilities would be used
do so. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: instead of placing compressors at each
Susan (Liz) Dailey—NPL EIS Project well pad. Associated access roads,
Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2 pipelines, and other ancillary facilities
Manager, BLM Pinedale Field Office,
Jose L. Linares, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941, 307– would be co-located where possible to
Northwest Oregon District Manager. 367–5310, sdailey@blm.gov. Persons further minimize surface disturbance.
In addition to the Proposed Action,
[FR Doc. 2017–14342 Filed 7–6–17; 8:45 am] who use telecommunications device for
the BLM analyzed three other
BILLING CODE 4310–33–P the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
alternatives: The No Action Alternative,
Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339
using existing standard stipulations and
to contact the above individual during
examining the project area under the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR normal business hours. The FRS is
historical rate of development of around
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Bureau of Land Management three wells per year; Alternative A,
to leave a message or question with the
using a phased approach moving
above individual. You will receive a
through existing leased oil and gas units
[LLWYD01000 L13140000.NB0000 17X] reply during normal business hours. and responding to identified wildlife
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPL issues; and Alternative B, which
Notice of Availability of the Draft project is located immediately south
Environmental Impact Statement for addressed a broadrange of resource
and west of the existing Jonah Gas Field concerns in response to issues identified
the Normally Pressured Lance Natural in Sublette County, Wyoming. The
Gas Development Project during scoping.
project area lies within the BLM Alternatives A and B each analyzed
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming High Desert District and spans the same rate of development as the
Interior. the Pinedale Field Office (PFO) in the Proposed Action as well as the use of
north and the Rock Springs Field Office regional gathering facilities. However, in
ACTION: Notice of availability. (RSFO) to the south. The project addition to varying resource protection
encompasses approximately 141,000 measures, each alternative analyzed
SUMMARY: In accordance with the acres of public, state, and private lands. differing densities of development—
National Environmental Policy Act of Approximately 96% of the project area from one to four multi-well pads per
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land is on public lands. Within the NPL 640 acres, depending on the resource
Policy and Management Act of 1976, as project area, there are both unitized and considerations of the project area.
amended, the Bureau of Land non-unitized development areas. Additionally, Alternative A analyzed
Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft There are approximately 48,036 acres the merits of developing the project area
Environmental Impact Statement (Draft of Greater sage-grouse Priority Habitat in phases. Phased development across
EIS) for the proposed Normally Management Area (PHMA) within the the project area analyzed development
Pressured Lance (NPL) natural gas NPL project area (405 acres within the in three geographically defined phases,
development project within the BLM PFO and 47,631 acres within the RSFO). occurring sequentially, and taking into
Pinedale and Rock Springs Field Offices There are approximately 92,825 acres of consideration existing oil and gas units.
and by this notice is announcing the General Habitat Management Area in Interim and final reclamation
opening of the comment period. the NPL project area (78,228 within the activities would be implemented under
DATES: To ensure that comments will be PFO and 14,597 within the RSFO). all alternatives so as to return the
considered, the BLM must receive There are 27,292 acres (26,392 on BLM- landscape to proper biological and
written comments on the NPL Draft EIS administered lands) of Greater sage- ecological function in conformance with
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
within 45 days following the date the grouse Winter Concentration Area the NPL Reclamation Plan and the
Environmental Protection Agency (WCA) within the NPL. These are relevant Resource Management Plans.
publishes the notice of availability of divided into two distinct WCAs: Alkali Formal public scoping for the NPL
the NPL Draft EIS in the Federal Creek, consisting of 20,132 acres (19,232 project began on April 12, 2011, with
Register. The BLM will announce future on BLM-administered lands), and Alkali the publication of the Notice of Intent in
meetings or any other public Draw, consisting of 7,160 acres (all on the Federal Register (76 FR 20370).
participation activities at least 15 days BLM-administered lands). These WCAs Public scoping comments were used to
in advance through public notices, are found in the western and northern identify issues that informed the
media releases, and/or mailings. portions of the project area, formulation of alternatives and framed
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 129 / Friday, July 7, 2017 / Notices 31629
the scope of analysis for the NPL Draft submit public comments and view all U.S.C. 1719(c)(2) and (d)(1), impose
EIS. related materials. We will post all substantial civil penalties for failure to
All alternatives conform to the PFO comments. permit lawful inspections and for
Resource Management Plan Record of • Email kye.mason@bsee.gov, fax knowing or willful preparation or
Decision (2008) and the RSFO Green (703) 787–1546, or mail or hand-carry submission of false, inaccurate, or
River Resource Management Plan comments to the Department of the misleading reports, records, or other
Record of Decision (1997) as well as the Interior; Bureau of Safety and information. Because the Secretary has
Record of Decision and Approved Environmental Enforcement; delegated some of the authority under
Resource Management Plan Regulations and Standards Branch; FOGRMA to the Bureau of Safety and
Amendments for the Rocky Mountain ATTN: Nicole Mason; 45600 Woodland Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), 30
Region, Including the Greater Sage- Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Please U.S.C. 1751 is included as additional
Grouse Sub-Region of Wyoming (2015). reference ICR 1014–0018 in your authority for these requirements.
Before including your address, phone comment and include your name and On November 2, 2015, the President
number, email address, or other return address. signed into law the Federal Civil
personal identifying information in your FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
comment, you should be aware that Nicole Mason, Regulations and Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 of
your entire comment—including your Standards Branch, (703) 787–1607, to Pub. L. 114–74) (FCPIA of 2015). The
personal identifying information—may request additional information about OCSLA directs the Secretary of the
be made publicly available at any time. this ICR. Interior to adjust the OCSLA maximum
While you can ask us in your comment civil penalty amount at least once every
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
to withhold your personal identifying three years to reflect any increase in the
Title: 30 CFR part 250, subpart D, Oil Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account
information from public review, we and Gas Drilling Operations.
cannot guarantee that we will be able to for inflation (43 U.S.C. 1350(b)(1)). The
Form(s): BSEE–0125, BSEE–0133, and FCPIA of 2015 requires Federal agencies
do so. BSEE–0133S.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 40 CFR
to adjust the level of civil monetary
OMB Control Number: 1014–0018. penalties with an initial ‘‘catch-up’’
1506.10 Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf adjustment, if warranted, through
Mary Jo Rugwell, (OCS) Lands Act (OCSLA) at 43 U.S.C. rulemaking and then to make
BLM Wyoming State Director. 1334 authorizes the Secretary of the subsequent annual adjustments for
Interior to prescribe rules and inflation. The purpose of these
[FR Doc. 2017–14130 Filed 7–6–17; 8:45 am]
regulations necessary for the adjustments is to maintain the deterrent
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
administration of the leasing provisions effect of civil penalties and to further
of that Act related to mineral resources the policy goals of the underlying
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR on the OCS. Such rules and regulations statutes.
will apply to all operations conducted These authorities and responsibilities
Bureau of Safety and Environmental under a lease, right-of-way, or a right-of- are among those delegated to BSEE. The
Enforcement use and easement. Operations on the regulations at 30 CFR part 250, subpart
OCS must preserve, protect, and D, concern oil and gas drilling
[Docket ID BSEE–2017–0003; OMB Control develop oil and natural gas resources in
Number 1014–0018; 17XE1700DX requirements and are the subject of this
a manner that is consistent with the collection. This request also covers
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]
need to make such resources available related Notices to Lessees and Operators
Agency Information Collection to meet the Nation’s energy needs as (NTLs) that BSEE issues to clarify,
Activities: OMB Control Number 1014– rapidly as possible; to balance orderly supplement, or provide additional
0018; Oil and Gas Drilling Operations energy resource development with guidance on some aspects of our
protection of human, marine, and regulations.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. coastal environments; to ensure the BSEE uses the information collected
public a fair and equitable return on the under subpart D to ensure safe drilling
SUMMARY: To comply with the resources of the OCS; and to preserve operations and to protect the human,
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and maintain free enterprise marine, and coastal environment.
(PRA), the Bureau of Safety and competition. Among other things, BSEE specifically
Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is In addition to the general rulemaking uses the information to ensure: The
inviting comments on a collection of authority of the OCSLA at 43 U.S.C. drilling unit is fit for the intended
information that we will submit to the 1334, section 301(a) of the Federal Oil purpose; the lessee or operator will not
Office of Management and Budget and Gas Royalty Management Act encounter geologic conditions that
(OMB) for review and approval. The (FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C. 1751(a), grants present a hazard to operations;
information collection request (ICR) authority to the Secretary to prescribe equipment is maintained in a state of
concerns a renewal to the paperwork such rules and regulations as are readiness and meets safety standards;
requirements in BSEE’s regulations reasonably necessary to carry out each drilling crew is properly trained
concerning Oil and Gas Drilling FOGRMA’s provisions. While the and able to promptly perform well-
Operations. majority of FOGRMA is directed to control activities at any time during
DATES: You must submit comments by
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
royalty collection and enforcement, well operations; compliance with safety
September 5, 2017. some provisions apply to offshore standards; and the current regulations
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments operations. For example, section 108 of will provide for safe and proper field or
by either of the following methods listed FOGRMA, 30 U.S.C. 1718, grants the reservoir development, resource
below. Secretary broad authority to inspect evaluation, conservation, protection of
• Electronically go to http:// lease sites for the purpose of correlative rights, safety, and
www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, determining whether there is environmental protection. We also
enter BSEE–2017–0003 then click compliance with the mineral leasing review well records to ascertain whether
search. Follow the instructions to laws. Section 109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 drilling operations have encountered
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Document Created: 2017-07-07 02:19:38
Document Modified: 2017-07-07 02:19:38
| 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 | To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the NPL Draft EIS within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability of the NPL Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or any other public participation activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. | |
| Contact | Susan (Liz) Dailey--NPL EIS Project Manager, BLM Pinedale Field Office, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941, 307-367-5310, [email protected] Persons who use 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, 7 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 31628 |
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