83 FR 58785 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Activity Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 225 (November 21, 2018)

In accordance with the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska State Office, Anchorage, Alaska, intends to prepare a new Integrated Activity Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/EIS) for BLM-managed lands within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58785-58786]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25336]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[19X.LLAK930000.L13100000.DS0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Integrated Activity Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement for the National Petroleum Reserve in 
Alaska

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act 
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska State 
Office, Anchorage, Alaska, intends to prepare a new Integrated Activity 
Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/EIS) for BLM-managed lands 
within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). By this 
notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) scoping process to solicit public comments and identify 
issues.

DATES: Comments on relevant issues that will influence the scope of the 
EIS for the NPR-A IAP/EIS project may be submitted in writing until 
January 7, 2019. The BLM will also provide opportunities for public 
participation during scoping meetings with appropriate public notice. 
The date(s) and location(s) of scoping meetings will be announced in 
advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM website at: 
www.blm.gov/alaska.
    In order to be considered for the Draft IAP/EIS, all comments must 
be received prior to the close of the 45-day scoping period. Federal, 
State or local agencies, or tribes who are interested in serving as a 
cooperating agency for the development of the IAP/EIS are asked to 
submit such requests to the BLM.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues related to the proposed 
NPR-A IAP/EIS project by any of the following methods:
     Online: http://www.blm.gov/alaska/NPR-A-IAP-EIS.
     Fax: (907) 271-5479.
     Mail: NPR-A IAP/EIS Scoping Comments, 222 West 7th Avenue, 
Mailstop #13, Anchorage, AK 99513.
    The 2013 IAP/EIS ROD can be downloaded from the BLM's website at 
www.blm.gov/alaska, and you can view hard copies at the BLM Alaska 
Public Information Center (``Public Room''), Arctic District Office, 
222 University Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska, and at the BLM Alaska Public 
Information Center (``Public Room''), Alaska State Office, 222 West 8th 
Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Rice; Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, 907-271-3202, [email protected]. You may also 
request to be added to the mailing list. People 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: This notice initiates the public scoping 
process for the EIS. Comments regarding management decisions, resources 
to be addressed, and issues for analysis will assist the BLM in 
defining the proposed actions and alternatives for the NPR-A IAP/EIS.
    The Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6501), as 
amended, excludes the NPR-A from the application of Section 202 of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1701), as amended, 
which is the

[[Page 58786]]

basis for the BLM's Resource Management Plans. The BLM conducts 
planning within the NPR-A with an IAP. The BLM complies with all 
applicable laws in the preparation of the IAP, including the National 
Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal 
Protection Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The BLM is developing a new IAP/EIS to determine the appropriate 
management of all BLM-managed lands in the NPR-A in a manner consistent 
with existing statutory direction and Secretarial Order 3352. 
Secretarial Order 3352 directs the development of a schedule to 
``effectuate the lawful review and development of an IAP for the NPR-A 
that strikes an appropriate balance of promoting development while 
protecting surface resources.'' The Naval Petroleum Reserves Production 
Act, as amended, and its implementing regulations require oil and gas 
leasing in the NPR-A and the protection of surface values consistent 
with exploration, development and transportation of oil and gas.

Proposed Action

    The BLM will be preparing a new IAP/EIS, which is intended to 
supersede the 2013 IAP/EIS ROD and, depending on the alternative 
selected, may supersede the 2008 Colville River Special Area Management 
Plan, as amended by the 2013 IAP/EIS ROD.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The BLM is the lead agency for the IAP/EIS. The BLM has extended 
invitations to participate as cooperating agencies to the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the State of 
Alaska, the North Slope Borough, the National Park Service, the Bureau 
of Ocean Energy Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Responsible Official

    The Secretary of the Interior is the responsible official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Consistent with the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act, the 
IAP/EIS will address a narrower range of multiple use management than a 
resource management plan (e.g., it will not contemplate opening lands 
to hard rock or coal mining). The IAP/EIS will include: A consideration 
of a range of alternatives that make lands available for leasing; an 
examination of current special area boundaries; and, a consideration of 
new or revised lease stipulations and best management practices. The 
IAP/EIS would also ensure that the BLM's land management will provide 
the opportunity, subject to appropriate conditions developed through a 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, to construct 
pipelines and other necessary infrastructure to bring oil and gas 
resources from offshore or adjacent leases to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline 
System or a future gas pipeline from the North Slope. The IAP/EIS would 
also consider the potential for a road system connecting communities 
across the North Slope.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the IAP/EIS. The purpose of the public scoping 
process is to determine the management decisions and resources to be 
addressed and the issues for analysis. The BLM will work 
collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management 
decisions best suited to local, regional, and national needs and 
concerns.
    The BLM must receive all comments by the end of the scoping comment 
period to be included in the scoping report. The most useful comments 
are substantive comments that address the following topics: Areas 
available for leasing, special area boundaries, lease stipulations and 
best management practices, and resource issues to be analyzed.
    You may submit written comments on management decisions, resources 
to be addressed, and issues for analysis to the BLM at any of the 
public scoping meetings, or you may use any of the methods listed in 
the ADDRESSES section above. 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. Although you may ask the BLM to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot provide any 
guarantees that it will be able to do so.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.

Ted A. Murphy,
Acting State Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 2018-25336 Filed 11-20-18; 8:45 am]
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