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Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: June 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 120)]
[Notices]
[Page 38571-38572]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jn00-91]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY070-00-1310-EJ]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement
for oil and gas development in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, in
Campbell, Sheridan, Johnson and the northern portion of Converse
Counties.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) must analyze the impacts of actions we
permit on Federal lands and minerals. As part of this analysis, the
cumulative affects of the proposed action and other activities
occurring in the area must be considered. Two Environmental Assessments
(EAs) (Gillette North, and Lower Prairie Dog Creek) and two
Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) (Gillette South and WYODAK) to
address proposed coalbed methane (CBM) development have been completed
in the area. A third EA, the WYODAK drainage EA, is currently underway.
When the WYODAK EIS was completed in November of 1999, it became
apparent there was a demand to drill additional wells above the 5,890
analyzed.
    Part of the new analysis will be to determine if the Buffalo
Resource Management Plan needs to be updated in order to support
continued development.
    Our recent reasonable foreseeable development scenario indicates we
could see an additional 30,000 CBM wells and 3,000 oil wells or more in
the Powder River Basin between now and the year 2010 if development
success continues as it has been. These numbers include development on
all ownerships.

DATES: Comments to be considered in the draft EIS should be submitted
by June 30, 2000. The draft EIS should be available for public review
by April 15, of 2001.

ADDRESSES: Questions or concerns should be addressed to Paul Beels in
the BLM Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Beels, phone 307-684-1100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following are some of the major issues
raised during the preparation of the WYODAK CBM EIS and in addition,
comments received for the WYODAK

[[Page 38572]]

drainage EA. These issues are provided to help you understand what has
occurred in past environmental documents and perhaps stimulate
additional thoughts, questions, and issues.
     People were concerned with the loss of hydraulic head
related to groundwater associated with the coal seam. Concerns related
to lowering of water levels and increased pumping costs because water
would have to be pumped from greater depths.
     Questions were posed on what effects the coalbed methane
development would have on air quality. Of concern were possible
hazardous emissions and pollutants released as a result of compressor
emissions.
     Disposing water on the surface raised concerns about water
quality due to possible increased erosion and effects on irrigated
lands.
     There were concerns about potential for increased weed
infestations.
     There were concerns about long-term affects resulting from
depletion of groundwater.
     Concerns were raised regarding impacts to threatened and
endangered species, grouse, and raptors.
     Gas venting from recently drilled wells was a concern.
     Noise from operation of compressors was a concern.
     Concern was expressed about the effects of surface
disposal of water and operating a ranch with ongoing methane
development operations.
    Public scoping meetings will be held on June 6, 2000, at 7 p.m. at
the Holiday Inn in Sheridan, Wyoming; June 7, 2000, at 7 p.m. at
Colonel Bozeman's in Buffalo, Wyoming; June 8, 2000, at 7 p.m. at the
Thunder Basin Hotel in Gillette, Wyoming; and June 12, 2000, at 7 p.m.
at the Best Western in Douglas, Wyoming. The purpose of the meetings is
to solicit comments regarding the proposal and answer questions about
issues or concerns you may have. We will use the feedback in the
preparation of the EIS.

    Dated: June 14, 2000.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 00-15582 Filed 6-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P

 
 

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