[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16048-16049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06297]
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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, Central Planning Area (CPA) Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Public Meetings.
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Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations
(40 CFR 1503) implementing the provisions of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.) (NEPA).
SUMMARY: BOEM has prepared a Draft Supplemental EIS for proposed OCS
oil and gas Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247, which are tentatively
scheduled to be held in March 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively, in
the CPA offshore the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
This Draft Supplemental EIS updates the environmental and socioeconomic
analyses for proposed
[[Page 16049]]
CPA Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247 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 (OCS EIS/EA BOEM
2012-019) (2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS) and in the 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 (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-0118) (WPA 233/CPA
231 Supplemental EIS). The 2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS was
completed in July 2012. The WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS was
completed in April 2013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM developed this Draft Supplemental EIS
for proposed CPA Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247 to consider new
information made available since completion of the 2012-2017 WPA/CPA
Multisale EIS and WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS, and to consider,
among others, new information on the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil
spill, and response. This Draft Supplemental EIS provides updates on
the baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and
natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the
CPA. BOEM conducted an extensive search for new information in
consideration of the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil spill, and
response, reviewing scientific journals and available scientific data
and information from academic institutions and Federal, State, and
local agencies; and interviewing personnel from academic institutions
and Federal, State, and local agencies. BOEM has examined the potential
impacts of routine activities and accidental events and the proposed
lease sales' incremental contribution to the cumulative impacts on
environmental and socioeconomic resources. The oil and gas resource
estimates and scenario information for this Draft Supplemental EIS are
presented as a range that would encompass the resources and activities
estimated for a proposed CPA lease sale.
Draft Supplemental EIS Availability: BOEM has printed and will
distribute a limited number of paper copies. In keeping with the
Department of the Interior's mission to protect natural resources and
to limit costs while ensuring availability of the document to the
public, BOEM will primarily distribute digital copies of this Draft
Supplemental 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 Draft Supplemental 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 Draft Supplemental EIS on BOEM's
Internet Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment//.aspx.
Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent copies of the
Draft Supplemental EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of the
Draft Supplemental 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.
Comments: Federal, State, and local government agencies and other
interested parties are requested to send their written comments on the
Draft Supplemental EIS in one of the following ways:
1. In an envelope labeled ``Comments on the CPA 235, 241, and 247
Draft Supplemental EIS'' and mailed (or hand carried) to 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;
2. Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and search for ``Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Gulf of
Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 235,
241, and 247''. (Note: It is important to include the quotation marks
in your search terms.) Click on the ``Comment Now!'' button to the
right of the document link. Enter your information and comment, then
click ``Submit''; or
3. BOEM's email address: [email protected].
Comments should be submitted no later than 45 days from the
publication of this NOA.
Public Meetings: BOEM will also hold public meetings to obtain
comments regarding the Draft Supplemental EIS. These meetings are
scheduled as follows:
New Orleans, Louisiana: April 7, 2014, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
70123, one meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT.
Gulfport, Mississippi: April 8, 2014, Courtyard by
Marriott Gulfport Beachfront MS Hotel, 1600 East Beach Boulevard,
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501; one meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT;
and
Mobile, Alabama: April 9, 2014, Five Rivers--Alabama's
Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort,
Alabama 36527; one meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Draft
Supplemental EIS, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Office of Environment (GM
623E), 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.
Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses
BOEM does not consider anonymous comments; please include your name
and address as part of your submittal. BOEM makes all comments,
including the names and addresses of respondents, available for public
review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may
request that BOEM withhold their names and/or addresses from the public
record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state
your preference prominently at the beginning of your comment. All
submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations
or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their
entirety.
Dated: March 14, 2014.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-06297 Filed 3-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P