[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 31145] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-15579] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [WY-040-05-1310-01] Expanded Moxa Arch Area Natural Gas Development Project, Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta Counties, WY; Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Lead Agency--Interior, Bureau of Land Management; Cooperating Agencies--Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and Fish and Wildlife Service; Agriculture, Forest Service. ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Expanded Moxa Arch Area Natural Gas Development Project Final EIS. The draft EIS was released April 14, 1995, for a 60-day public review. Over 300 copies of the draft EIS were issued and 23 comment letters were received. Some comments received expressed concern that the analysis of cumulative effects of mineral development on the non- mineral resources of southwestern Wyoming was lacking, including wildlife, and air quality; some felt a regional, cumulative EIS should be prepared before any further development is authorized; and some felt land use changes would occur causing industrialization of southwest Wyoming. The final EIS contains a cumulative air quality analysis addendum to the draft EIS and Errata addressing all concerns expressed by commentors. DATES: Comments on the final EIS will be accepted for 30 days following the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes their Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The EPA notice is expected to be published on June 21, 1996. ADDRESSES: Comments on the final EIS should be sent to Bureau of Land Management, Bill McMahan (Project Coordinator), 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Moxa Arch Operators (Amoco Production Company, Union Pacific Resources Company, Wexpro/Celsius Energy Company, Bannon Energy, Marathon Oil Company, Presidio Exploration, and other companies) propose to continue to infill drill additional development wells in their leased acreage within the Moxa Arch oil and gas development area (approximately 476,261 acres) of southwestern Wyoming. The expanded area, combined with the lands analyzed in two previous environmental analysis documents, forms the Expanded Moxa Arch Natural Gas Development (Moxa) analysis area. Collectively, the Moxa Operators' proposal would continue to infill drill in the Moxa natural gas field, where 957 wells are presently active and up to 1,325 additional wells could be drilled over the next 10 years. The Moxa Operators' plans and drilling schedules would be contingent upon both an increased demand for natural gas supplies in response to the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 and an adequate price for the gas at the wellhead. The Moxa Arch EIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action-- which would allow up to 1,325 new wells, Alternative A--which would allow up to 795 new wells (530 fewer than the Proposed Action), and Alternative B--the No Action Alternative. The draft and final EIS impact analysis focuses on the resource issues and concerns identified during public scoping and in response to comments received on the draft EIS. This draft EIS, in compliance with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (as amended), includes the Biological Assessment for the purpose of identifying any endangered or threatened species which are likely to be affected by the proposed action. Dated: June 6, 1996. Alan L. Kesterke, Associate State Director. [FR Doc. 96-15579 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-84-P