[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 62660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24690]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[MMAA 104000]
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas
Lease Sales Eastern Planning Area (EPA) Lease Sales 225 and 226
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Final Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS).
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SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (NEPA),
BOEM has prepared a Final EIS on oil and gas lease sales tentatively
scheduled to be held in 2014 and 2016 in the EPA offshore the states of
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Under the Outer
Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017 (Five-Year
Program), two lease sales are scheduled for the EPA. The proposed EPA
lease sales are Lease Sales 225 and 226.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Final EIS provides information on the
baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and
natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the
EPA. The Final EIS incorporates by reference the analysis presented in
the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012-2017; Western
Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248; Central Planning
Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247, Final Environmental
Impact Statement (2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS; OCS EIS/EA BOEM
2012-019) and Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2013-2014;
Western Planning Area Lease Sale 233; Central Planning Area Lease Sale
231, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (WPA 233/CPA 231
Supplemental EIS; OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-0118). The Final EIS also tiers
from the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA BOEM
2012-030). Subject matter experts surveyed scientific journals and
available scientific data, gathered information, and interviewed
personnel from academic institutions and Federal, State, and local
government agencies. BOEM has examined the potential impacts of routine
activities, potential accidental events, and the incremental
contribution of a proposed lease sale to the cumulative impacts on
environmental and socioeconomic resources. BOEM conducted an extensive
search for new information in consideration of the Deepwater Horizon
explosion, oil spill, and response. BOEM has also examined the
potential impacts of a low-probability catastrophic event. The oil and
gas resource estimates and scenario information for this Final EIS are
presented as a range that would encompass the resources and activities
estimated for an EPA proposed lease sale.
Final EIS Availability: BOEM has printed and will be distributing a
limited number of paper copies. In keeping with the Department of the
Interior's mission of the protection of natural resources and to limit
costs while ensuring availability of the document to the public, BOEM
will primarily distribute digital copies of this Final EIS on compact
discs. However, if you require a paper copy, BOEM will provide one upon
request if copies are still available.
1. You may obtain a copy of the Final EIS from the Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office
(GM 335A), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-GULF).
2. You may download or view the Final EIS on BOEM's Internet Web
site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment/NEPA/nepaprocess.aspx.
Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent copies of the
Final EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of the Final EIS for
review, you may contact BOEM's Public Information Office or visit
BOEM's Internet Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment/NEPA/nepaprocess.aspx.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Final EIS,
you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Chief, Environmental Assessment
Section, Office of Environment (GM 623E), Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 or by email at [email protected]. You
may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at (504) 736-3233.
Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40
CFR 1503) implementing the provisions of NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq. [1988]).
Dated: September 19, 2013.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-24690 Filed 10-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P