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Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project; Wyoming

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

 [Federal Register: December 1, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 231)]
[Notices]
[Page 69582-69583]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01de06-95]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-030-1310-DB]

Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project; Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS) for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project,
Rawlins, Wyoming.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability
of the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project FEIS. The FEIS
analyzes the environmental consequences of a proposed natural gas
development and production operations on the 270,080 acre Atlantic Rim
project area. The area is located within the administrative
jurisdiction of the BLM Rawlins Field Office, and runs in an arc
between Rawlins and Baggs in:

Tps. 12 to 20 N., Rs. 89 to 93 W.,

Sixth Principal Meridian, Carbon County, Wyoming

ADDRESSES: A copy of the FEIS has been sent to affected Federal, State,
and local government agencies and to interested parties. The document
is available electronically on the following Web site: 
http://www.wy.blm.gov/rfo/nepa.htm. If you are interested in viewing
material referenced or posted to the BLM Web site, please contact the
Rawlins Field Office.
    Copies of the FEIS will be available for public inspection at the
following locations:
    ? Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353
Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003.
    ? Bureau of Land Management, Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N.
Third Street, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Simons, Project Lead, BLM
Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. Third Street, Rawlins, WY 82301. Requests
for information may be sent electronically to: 
atlantic_rim_eis_wymail@blm.gov. Mr. Simons may also be reached at
(307) 328-4328.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anadarko E & P Company, LP, is the lead
proponent for a proposal to explore for and develop natural gas
resources in the Atlantic Rim project area. Double Eagle Petroleum and
Mining Company and Warren Resources, Inc., are also participating in
this proposal. The Operators propose to drill up to 2,000 wells--1,800
completed to coal formations and 200 to other geologic targets for
natural gas. Drilling would occur within the Atlantic Rim Project Area
over the next 20 years with life-of-project expected to be 30 to 50
years. Well density completed in coal formations would be up to eight
wells per 640-acre section of land; wells in other geologic formations
would be spaced no tighter than four wells per section.
    The proposal arises from the results of exploratory drilling under
an interim drilling plan. Prior to preparation of the Atlantic Rim EIS,
six exploratory plans of development (PODs) of up to 24 wells each were
completed in areas believed to have potential for commercial quantities
of natural gas within the project area. Approximately 325 oil and gas
wells have been drilled or approved for drilling within the Atlantic
Rim project area.
    On June 26, 2001, the BLM published the Notice of Intent to prepare
an EIS for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project in the
Federal Register. Based on issues and concerns identified during
scoping and throughout the NEPA process, the Atlantic Rim FEIS focuses
on impacts to air quality, biological and physical resources,
transportation, socio-economics, and cumulative effects. In compliance
with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended, the FEIS
includes a biological assessment for the purpose of identifying endangered
or threatened species which may be affected by the Proposed Action.
    On December 16, 2005, BLM published its Notice of Availability of
the Draft EIS for this project in the Federal Register. The 60-day
public comment period ended on February 16, 2006. Over 60,000 comments
were received on the Draft EIS.
    The Atlantic Rim FEIS analyzes four alternatives in detail:
    1. The Proposed Action Alternative;
    2. Alternative A--The No Action Alternative, which means the
project as proposed would be rejected by the BLM;
    3. Alternative B--See discussion below;

[[Page 69583]]

    4. Alternative C--Special protection of sensitive resources; and,
    5. Alternative D--Natural gas development with disturbance limitations.
    The agency's preferred alternative is Alternative D.
    Based on comments received to the draft EIS, the effects of long
delays on allowable oil and gas development on leaseholders and mineral
rights, and the need for BLM to allow reasonable access across Federal
lands for mineral development on private and State lands, Alternative B
in the Draft EIS was dropped from further consideration.
    The Atlantic Rim FEIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action
(development of 2,000 natural gas wells), principally including the
construction of access roads, pipelines, and other ancillary facilities
(gas processing plant, compressor stations, water disposal sites,
etc.). In Alternative A, the No Action Alternative, BLM would reject
the proposed action as submitted. For Alternative C, disturbance would
be reduced compared to the proposed action and would be intensively
mitigated or limited where sensitive resource values exist or overlap.
Examples of sensitive resources include threatened, endangered, and
sensitive wildlife; fish and plant species; fragile soils; and unique
cultural features. Comments received on the Draft EIS indicated the
level of disturbance and number of well pad restrictions may render the
project unfeasible under this alternative. Alternative D is similar to
the Proposed Action, but would limit surface disturbance to a
percentage of the project area at any one time.

    Dated: September 8, 2006.
Donald A. Simpson,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. E6-20376 Filed 11-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P

 
 

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