83 FR 13778 - Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska OCS Region, Beaufort Sea, Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sale for 2019

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)

Page Range		13778-13780
FR Document		2018-06533

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is issuing this Call for Information and Nominations (Call) covering a proposed sale in the Beaufort Sea Planning Area in late 2019, as included in the 2019- 2024 National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program (2019-2024 National Draft Proposed Program), which BOEM announced on January 4, 2018. The purpose of this Call is to solicit industry nominations for areas of leasing interest and to gather comments and information on the area included in the Call for consideration in planning for this proposed OCS oil and gas lease sale. Because this lease sale is proposed to occur in 2019, and given the long lead time needed to prepare for a proposed sale, the planning process must begin now or the option of a lease sale in 2019 would be precluded. However, this Call is not a decision to lease and is not a prejudgment by the Secretary concerning any area that may be made available for leasing under the 2019-2024 National Program.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13778-13780]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06533]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0063; MMAA104000]

Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska OCS Region, Beaufort Sea,
Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sale for 2019

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Call for Information and Nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is issuing this
Call for Information and Nominations (Call) covering a proposed sale in
the Beaufort Sea Planning Area in late 2019, as included in the 2019-
2024 National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Draft
Proposed Program (2019-2024 National Draft Proposed Program), which
BOEM announced on January 4, 2018. The purpose of this Call is to
solicit industry nominations for areas of leasing interest and to
gather comments and information on the area included in the Call for
consideration in planning for this proposed OCS oil and gas lease sale.
Because this lease sale is proposed to occur in 2019, and given the
long lead time needed to prepare for a proposed sale, the planning
process must begin now or the option of a lease sale in 2019 would be
precluded. However, this Call is not a decision to lease and is not a
prejudgment by the Secretary concerning any area that may be made
available for leasing under the 2019-2024 National Program.

DATES: All nominations and comments submitted in response to this Call
must be received by BOEM no later than April 30, 2018. BOEM will
consider submissions sent by mail so long as they are postmarked by the
last day of the comment period.

ADDRESSES: Public Comment Submission Procedures: All public comments
should be submitted through one of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the
field entitled, ``Search,'' enter ``BOEM-2017-0063'' and then click
``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view
supporting and related materials available for this notice;
2. U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service to the following
address: Chief, Leasing Section, BOEM, Alaska OCS Region, 3801
Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5823. Send your
comments in an envelope clearly labelled, ``Comments on the Call for
Information and

[[Page 13779]]

Nominations for Proposed 2019 Lease Sale in the Beaufort Sea Planning
Area.''
Nominations/Indications of Industry Interest Submission Procedures:
To ensure security and confidentiality of proprietary information to
the maximum extent possible, please send nominations/indications of
interest and other proprietary information to Chief, Leasing Section,
BOEM, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage,
Alaska 99503-5823. Send your nominations in an envelope clearly
labeled, ``Nominations for Proposed 2019 Lease Sale in the Beaufort Sea
Planning Area.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Patricia LaFramboise, Chief,
Leasing Section, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Alaska OCS Region,
3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907)
334-5200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
2019-2024 National Program Development: On January 4, 2018, the
Department of the Interior announced the release of the 2019-2024
National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program and published a
Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (PEIS) for the 2019-2024 National Program. In the 2019-2024
National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program, BOEM
identified potential exclusion areas in the Beaufort Sea Planning Area:
A Barrow Whaling Area and a Kaktovik Whaling Area. These areas will be
analyzed and their potential exclusion from leasing considered as the
Department of the Interior moves forward with the 2019-2024 National
Program development process. Information on the development of the
proposed 2019-2024 National Program and PEIS is available on BOEM's
website at: https://www.boem.gov/National-OCS-Program/.
Because this sale is proposed to occur at the beginning of the
2019-2024 National Program lease sale schedule, and there is a long
lead time needed to prepare for a proposed oil and gas lease sale, the
administrative and environmental review processes for this sale must
occur simultaneously and in close coordination with the development of
the 2019-2024 National Program.
This Call should not be construed as a prejudgment by the Secretary
concerning any area that could be made available for leasing under the
2019-2024 National Program. This Call does not indicate a preliminary
decision to lease in the area described herein. This Call is not itself
a leasing announcement; however, the area described herein, or portions
thereof, may be made available for future oil and gas leasing.
Environmental Review Process: BOEM intends to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), covering the proposed lease sale
included in this Call.
The lease sale EIS will evaluate the potential effects of leasing
on the human, marine, and coastal environments, and may develop
measures and lease stipulations to mitigate adverse impacts for the
options being analyzed. Several consultations will be conducted
concurrently with the NEPA process. These consultations include, but
are not limited to, those required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA),
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and Executive
Order 13175--``Consultation and Coordination with Tribal Governments.''
The results of these consultations will assist BOEM in its leasing
decisions.
BOEM's Leasing Process: BOEM's regulations for planning and holding
an oil and gas lease sale are found at 30 CFR 556.300-309.
(1) Call for Information and Nominations: See section below.
(2) Area Identification: Based on the information and nominations
submitted in response to this Call, BOEM will develop a recommendation
of the area proposed for further leasing consideration and/or
environmental analysis. Upon approval by the Secretary, BOEM will
announce the proposed area identified for leasing in the Federal
Register, in accordance with 30 CFR 556.302(a)(3).
(3) Proposed Notice of Sale (NOS): If BOEM proceeds with
consideration of leasing after completion of Area Identification and
environmental analysis, it will publish a Notice of Availability of a
PNOS in the Federal Register and send the Proposed NOS to the Governor
of Alaska for comment and recommendations on the size, timing, and
location of the proposed sale. The Proposed NOS describes the size,
timing, and location of the proposed sale, provides additional
information on the area(s) proposed for leasing, lists proposed lease
terms and conditions of the sale, and provides proposed stipulations to
mitigate potential adverse impacts on the environment.
(4) Final Notice of Sale (NOS): If BOEM decides to proceed with
leasing, it will publish a Final NOS in the Federal Register at least
30 days before the date of the lease sale. The Final NOS describes the
place, time, and method for filing bids and the place, date, and hour
for opening and publicly announcing bids. It also contains a
description of the area(s) offered for lease, the lease terms and
conditions of the sale, and stipulations to mitigate potential adverse
impacts on the environment.

Call for Information and Nominations

1. Authority

This Call is published pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act (OCSLA), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356), and the
implementing regulation at 30 CFR 556.301.

2. Purpose of the Call

The purpose of this Call is to solicit industry nominations for
areas of leasing interest and to gather comments and information from
the public on the area(s) that should be included in the proposed OCS
oil and gas lease sale in the Beaufort Sea Planning Area in 2019.
Pursuant to 30 CFR 556.301, BOEM seeks comments from industry and the
public on:
(a) industry interest in the area proposed for leasing, including
nominations or indications of interest in specific blocks within the
area;
(b) geological conditions, including bottom hazards;
(c) archaeological sites on the seabed or near shore;
(d) potential multiple uses of the proposed leasing area, including
subsistence and navigation;
(e) areas that should receive special concern and analysis; and
(f) other socioeconomic, biological, and environmental information.
Information submitted in response to this Call will be used to:
Determine the Area Identification under 30 CFR 556.302;
Prioritize areas with potential for oil and gas
development;
Develop potential lease terms and conditions;
Identify potential use conflicts and potential mitigation
measures; and
Assist in BOEM's planning and environmental review
process.

3. Description of the Call Area

The Beaufort Sea Planning Area is located offshore the State of
Alaska and extends from the 3-nautical mile (nm) (4.8 kilometers [km])
limit of State of Alaska submerged lands to and northward approximately
to latitude 75[deg] N on the west (west of longitude 148[deg] W) or to
latitude 74[deg] N on the east (east of longitude 148[deg] W). The
planning area

[[Page 13780]]

extends from longitude 156[deg] W (roughly north of the village of
Utqia[gdot]vik, formerly known as Barrow) on the west to the Canadian
maritime boundary. This area consists of 11,876 whole and partial
blocks (about 65 million acres, or 26.2 million hectares).
A map depicting the Call Area is available for download on the BOEM
website at: http://www.boem.gov/Beaufort2019. Copies of Official
Protraction Diagrams (OPDs) also are available for download on the BOEM
website at: https://www.boem.gov/Maps-and-GIS-Data/.

4. Instructions on the Call

Parties interested in leasing are requested to indicate their
interest in, and comment on, the Federal acreage within the boundaries
of the Call Area that they wish to have included in the proposed lease
sale. Respondents should explicitly outline the areas of interest along
block lines and rank the areas or specific blocks in which they are
interested, according to their priority, using the following
indicators: 1 [high], 2 [medium], or 3 [low]. Respondents are
encouraged to be as specific as possible in prioritizing blocks and
supporting nominations of specific blocks with detailed information,
such as relevant geologic, geophysical, and economic data. Areas where
interest has been indicated, but on which respondents have not
indicated priorities, will be considered low priority. Respondents may
also submit a list of blocks nominated by OPD and Leasing Map
designations to ensure correct interpretation of their nominations.
OPDs and Leasing Maps are available on BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/Maps-and-GIS-Data/.
BOEM also seeks comments from all interested parties about
particular geological, environmental, biological, archaeological and
socioeconomic conditions, multi-use conflicts, or other information
about conditions that could affect the potential leasing and
development of particular areas. Comments may refer to broad areas or
may refer to particular OCS blocks.

5. Protection of Privileged or Proprietary Information

BOEM will protect privileged or proprietary information that
industry submits in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) and OCSLA requirements. To avoid inadvertent release of such
information, all documents and every page containing such information
should be marked with ``Confidential--Contains Proprietary
Information.'' To the extent a document contains a mix of proprietary
and nonproprietary information, the document should be clearly marked
to indicate which portion of the document is proprietary and which is
not. Exemption 4 of FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or
financial information that you submit that is privileged or
confidential. The OCSLA states that the ``Secretary shall maintain the
confidentiality of all privileged or proprietary data or information
for such period of time as is provided for in this subchapter,
established by regulation, or agreed to by the parties'' (43 U.S.C.
1344(g)). BOEM considers nominations of specific blocks to be
proprietary, and therefore BOEM will not release information that
identifies any particular nomination with any particular party, so as
not to compromise the competitive position of any participants in the
process of indicating interest.
However, please be aware that BOEM's practice is to make all
comments, including the names and addresses of individuals, available
for public inspection. Before including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal identifying information in your
comment, please be advised that your entire comment, including your
personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any
time. In order for BOEM to withhold from disclosure your personal
identifying information, you must identify any information contained in
the submission of your comments that, if released, would constitute a
clearly unwarranted invasion of your personal privacy. You must also
briefly describe any possible harmful consequence(s) of the disclosure
of information, such as embarrassment, injury or other harm. While you
can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal
identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do
so. BOEM will make available for public inspection, in their entirety,
all comments submitted by organizations and businesses, or by
individuals identifying themselves as representatives of organizations
or businesses.

Dated: March 5, 2018.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2018-06533 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P

13780 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2018 / Notices

extends from longitude 156° W (roughly a document contains a mix of INTERNATIONAL TRADE
north of the village of Utqiaġvik, proprietary and nonproprietary COMMISSION
formerly known as Barrow) on the west information, the document should be
[Investigation No. 337–TA–1036]
to the Canadian maritime boundary. clearly marked to indicate which
This area consists of 11,876 whole and portion of the document is proprietary Certain Magnetic Tape Cartridges and
partial blocks (about 65 million acres, or and which is not. Exemption 4 of FOIA Components Thereof: Commission
26.2 million hectares). applies to trade secrets and commercial Determination To Review in Part the
A map depicting the Call Area is or financial information that you submit Final Initial Determination; and, on
available for download on the BOEM
that is privileged or confidential. The Review, To Find No Violation of
website at: http://www.boem.gov/
OCSLA states that the ‘‘Secretary shall Section 337; Termination of the
Beaufort2019. Copies of Official
maintain the confidentiality of all Investigation
Protraction Diagrams (OPDs) also are
available for download on the BOEM privileged or proprietary data or AGENCY: U.S. International Trade
website at: https://www.boem.gov/ information for such period of time as Commission.
Maps-and-GIS-Data/. is provided for in this subchapter,
ACTION: Notice.
established by regulation, or agreed to
4. Instructions on the Call by the parties’’ (43 U.S.C. 1344(g)). SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Parties interested in leasing are BOEM considers nominations of the U.S. International Trade
requested to indicate their interest in, specific blocks to be proprietary, and Commission has determined to review
and comment on, the Federal acreage therefore BOEM will not release in part the Chief Administrative Law
within the boundaries of the Call Area information that identifies any Judge’s (‘‘ALJ’’) final initial
that they wish to have included in the particular nomination with any determination (‘‘ID’’), issued on January
proposed lease sale. Respondents particular party, so as not to 25, 2018, finding no violation of section
should explicitly outline the areas of compromise the competitive position of 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
interest along block lines and rank the any participants in the process of amended (19 U.S.C. 1337) (‘‘section
areas or specific blocks in which they 337’’), in the above-captioned
indicating interest.
are interested, according to their investigation. On review, the
priority, using the following indicators: However, please be aware that Commission has determined to find no
1 [high], 2 [medium], or 3 [low]. BOEM’s practice is to make all violation of section 337. The
Respondents are encouraged to be as comments, including the names and investigation is terminated in its
specific as possible in prioritizing addresses of individuals, available for entirety.
blocks and supporting nominations of public inspection. Before including your
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
specific blocks with detailed address, phone number, email address,
information, such as relevant geologic, Cathy Chen, Esq., Office of the General
or other personal identifying
geophysical, and economic data. Areas Counsel, U.S. International Trade
information in your comment, please be
where interest has been indicated, but Commission, 500 E Street SW,
advised that your entire comment, Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
on which respondents have not including your personal identifying
indicated priorities, will be considered 205–2392. Copies of non-confidential
information, may be made publicly documents filed in connection with this
low priority. Respondents may also available at any time. In order for BOEM
submit a list of blocks nominated by investigation are or will be available for
to withhold from disclosure your inspection during official business
OPD and Leasing Map designations to personal identifying information, you
ensure correct interpretation of their hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
must identify any information contained Office of the Secretary, U.S.
nominations. OPDs and Leasing Maps in the submission of your comments
are available on BOEM’s website at International Trade Commission,
that, if released, would constitute a 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC
https://www.boem.gov/Maps-and-GIS-
clearly unwarranted invasion of your 20436, telephone (202) 205–2000.
Data/.
BOEM also seeks comments from all personal privacy. You must also briefly General information concerning the
interested parties about particular describe any possible harmful Commission may also be obtained by
geological, environmental, biological, consequence(s) of the disclosure of accessing its internet server at https://
archaeological and socioeconomic information, such as embarrassment, www.usitc.gov. The public record for
conditions, multi-use conflicts, or other injury or other harm. While you can ask this investigation may be viewed on the
information about conditions that could us in your comment to withhold from Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
affect the potential leasing and public review your personal identifying at https://edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-
development of particular areas. information, we cannot guarantee that impaired persons are advised that
Comments may refer to broad areas or we will be able to do so. BOEM will information on this matter can be
may refer to particular OCS blocks. make available for public inspection, in obtained by contacting the
their entirety, all comments submitted Commission’s TDD terminal on (202)
5. Protection of Privileged or Proprietary 205–1810.
Information by organizations and businesses, or by
individuals identifying themselves as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
BOEM will protect privileged or representatives of organizations or Commission instituted the above-
proprietary information that industry businesses. captioned investigation on January 24,
submits in accordance with the 2017, based on a complaint filed by
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Dated: March 5, 2018. Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan; Sony
OCSLA requirements. To avoid Walter D. Cruickshank, Storage Media and Devices Corporation
inadvertent release of such information, Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy of Miyagi, Japan; Sony DADC US Inc. of
all documents and every page Management. Terre Haute, Indiana; and Sony Latin
containing such information should be [FR Doc. 2018–06533 Filed 3–29–18; 8:45 am] America Inc. of Miami, Florida
marked with ‘‘Confidential—Contains BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
(collectively, ‘‘Sony’’). See 82 FR 8209–
Proprietary Information.’’ To the extent 10 (Jan. 24, 2017). The complaint, as

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Document Created: 2018-11-01 08:58:18
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 08:58:18

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		Call for Information and Nominations.
Dates		All nominations and comments submitted in response to this Call must be received by BOEM no later than April 30, 2018. BOEM will consider submissions sent by mail so long as they are postmarked by the last day of the comment period.
Contact		Ms. Patricia LaFramboise, Chief, Leasing Section, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Alaska OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907) 334-5200.
FR Citation		83 FR 13778

83 FR 13778 - Outer Continental Shelf, Alaska OCS Region, Beaufort Sea, Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sale for 2019

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Ocean Energy Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management