[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75119-75120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30407]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Dakota Prairie Grasslands, North Dakota; Oil and Gas Development
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact
statement.
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SUMMARY: In June of 2003, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Record of
Decision for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Little Missouri and Cedar River
National Grasslands was signed. This decision spelled out leasing
stipulations, consistent with the Revised Dakota Prairie Grasslands
Land and Resource Management Plan, based on the 2001 Northern Great
Plains Management Plans Revision FEIS which included a Reasonably
Foreseeable Development Scenario (RFDS) for Oil and Gas for the Little
Missouri and Cedar River National Grasslands.
In the 11 years since the analysis was completed there has been a
change in the manner in which oil and gas development has occurred on
the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, primarily that multiple (4-6) wells can
be drilled from a single well pad rather than just one; as was most
common in the past. The improvements in horizontal drilling and
hydraulic fracturing technologies to improve the ability to access oil
and gas located deep underground are the primary reasons for these
changes in development.
At this time it is necessary to review the analysis to determine
whether or not the effects of the changed pattern of oil and gas
development are different from those effects considered in the 2001
FEIS, and whether or not there is a need to change Land and Resource
Management Plan standards and guidelines (and possibly leasing
stipulations) in order to continue oil and gas development on the
Little Missouri and Cedar River National Grassland units of the Dakota
Prairie Grasslands.
DATES: Scoping is not required for supplements to environmental impact
statements (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)). Review and comments will be solicited
once the Draft SEIS is filed with EPA. The draft supplemental
environmental impact statement is expected in February, 2013 and the
final supplemental environmental impact statement is expected in May,
2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Dunlap, Interdisciplinary Team
Leader, at 240 W. Century Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503, by email at
[email protected] or by phone at 701-250-4463 x105.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
In light of a changed pattern of oil and gas activity from what was
anticipated in the 2001 RFDS, there is a need for the DPG to supplement
our analysis to determine if any changes need to be made to the
stipulations in the 2003 Oil and Gas Leasing ROD that authorizes oil
and gas leasing on the DPG. The purpose of the analysis is to determine
whether or not the effects anticipated in the 2001 FEIS are still
accurate and, if they are not, whether or not any additional management
direction and/or leasing stipulations are necessary to protect National
Forest System lands while still allowing for oil and gas development on
the DPG on those lands previously determined to be administratively
available for leasing.
Proposed Action
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands has conducted preliminary analysis of
the changed condition and, at this time, proposes no change to
management direction in the LRMP or to leasing stipulations from the
2003 ROD. However, consistent with 40 CFR 1502.9(2), we will supplement
the FEIS to consider the changed pattern of oil and gas development
relative to the updated RFDS. The updated RFDS is available by request
at the address below or online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=40652.
Responsible Official
Dennis Neitzke, Grasslands Supervisor, Dakota Prairie Grasslands,
[[Page 75120]]
240 W. Century Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Based on the supplemented EIS, the Grasslands Supervisor will
determine whether or not additional management direction would be
incorporated into the Dakota Prairie Grasslands LRMP.
Dated: December 11, 2012.
Sherri K. Schwenke,
Acting Grasslands Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2012-30407 Filed 12-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P