[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 53932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26500]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ES-020-1310-00]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Planning Analyses/Environmental 
Assessment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

SUMMARY: The Jackson District Office, Eastern States, through a third 
party contractor (John Chance & Associates), will prepare a Planning 
Analyses/Environmental Assessment (PA/EA) for consideration of leasing 
Federal mineral estate for oil and gas exploration and development. The 
mineral estate is located on the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant 
(LAAP). Consent to lease has been obtained from the Department of 
Defense, the Surface Managing Agency.
    This notice is issued pursuant to Title 40 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) 1501.7 and Title 43 CFR 1610.2(c). The planning 
effort will follow the procedures set forth in 43 CFR Part 1600.
    The public is invited to participate in this PA/EA process by 
assisting with the identification of issues and criteria to be 
addressed in the PA/EA.

DATES: Comments relating to the identification of issues and criteria 
for the PA/EA will be accepted for 30 days from the date of publication 
of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to John E. Chance & Associates, Inc., 
Attention Steve Ellsworth, 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, Louisiana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clay W. Moore, National Environmental Policy Act Coordinator, BLM, 
Jackson District, 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404, Jackson, MS 39206, 
(601) 977-5400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15,341 acre LAAP is located 
approximately 15 miles east of Shreveport, Louisiana and five miles 
west of Minden, Louisiana in Webster Parish. The entire facility is 
under non-competitive oil and gas lease application. The BLM has 
responsibility to consider applications to lease Federal mineral estate 
for oil and gas exploration and development.
    Preliminary examination of the LAAP has identified the following 
issues: (1) The installation mission prohibits drilling within all 
fenced-in areas around various military facilities and drilling is not 
allowed in contaminated areas, (2) Wetland, floodplain and riparian 
areas are present on the LAAP; (3) Suitable habitat for the endangered 
Red Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) is present, however, active RCW colonies 
were not located. A cultural resources survey and a threatened and 
endangered (T&E) species survey has been completed on the LAAP; (4) 
Federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers or Wilderness areas are not 
located on the LAAP; (5) Lands classified as Farm Lands (prime or 
unique) are not present on the LAAP, (6) Areas of Critical 
Environmental Concern (this classification is reserved for lands 
administered by the BLM) are not located on the LAAP.
    The issues noted above could change as a result of input from the 
public or State and Federal agencies.
Bruce E. Dawson,
District Manager, Jackson.
[FR Doc. 96-26500 Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-M