[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 24 (Friday, February 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2327]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[NM-920-04-4110-03]

 

Availability of Record of Decision (ROD) for the Dark Canyon 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the ROD for the Final Dark Canyon 
EIS.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico State Office, 
announces the availability to the public of the ROD for the Final Dark 
Canyon EIS. The Final Dark Canyon EIS analyzes the impacts on the 
environment from reasonable foreseeable development of oil and gas 
resources within Dark Canyon, located in Eddy County, NM. The EIS 
analyzes seven alternatives, including the no action alternative and 
the Applicant's (Yates Energy Corporation) proposed action to drill the 
Diamondback Federal #1 Well on Federal Lease NM-62161.
    The ROD documents the Bureau's decision to select Alternative G 
(the Preferred Alternative) of the Final EIS. The Decision approves the 
Applicant's proposed Diamondback Federal #1 Well, with the location 
moved 300 meters to the northeast and establishes a ``Cave Protection 
Zone'' (CPZ) within the EIS Study Area that would prohibit surface 
occupancy on existing leases. Drilling would be allowed within the EIS 
Study Area, but outside the CPZ, with enhanced precautionary 
operations. Future leasing would be denied within the EIS Study Area. 
By Memorandum of August 13, 1993, the National Park Service (NPS) 
concurred with the BLM in the selection of the agency's Preferred 
Alternative.
    The Dark Canyon EIS Study Area encompasses approximately 8,320 
acres and lies about 20 miles southwest of the city of Carlsbad, NM. 
The EIS Study Area is in the BLM's Carlsbad Resource Area and totally 
encompasses the Dark Canyon Special Management Area, noted for its 
rugged and scenic landscape as well as cave resources.
    The BLM was the lead agency for preparation of the EIS, because the 
BLM is responsible for permitting oil and gas exploration on federal 
mineral estate. The NPS, Southwest Region, was a cooperating agency for 
preparation of the EIS because the Study Area borders Carlsbad Caverns 
National Park to the south, and because the alternatives described in 
the EIS could affect NPS cave resources, particularly Lechuguilla Cave.

ADDRESSES: Questions or concerns on this ROD can be directed to: BLM, 
New Mexico State Office, ATTN: Joe Incardine (NM-911), P.O. Box 27115, 
Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115. A limited number of copies of the ROD and the 
Final EIS are also available from the BLM Roswell District Office, 1717 
W. Second St., P.O. Box 1397, Roswell, NM 88202-1397 and from the BLM 
Carlsbad Resource Area Office, 620 E. Greene, Carlsbad, NM 88220. 
Copies of the ROD have been mailed to those addresses on the mailing 
list for the Final Dark Canyon EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Incardine, EIS Team Leader, at 
(505) 438-7458 or Don Boyer, Assistant Team Leader, at (505) 438-7439 
at the above New Mexico State Office address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft Dark Canyon EIS was filed with the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and released for public review on 
September 18, 1992. A formal public hearing was held on the Draft EIS 
to receive oral and written comments on the adequacy of the Draft EIS 
and the merits of the alternatives discussed in Carlsbad, NM, on 
October 22, 1992. The public comment period for the Draft EIS closed on 
November 20, 1992. The Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS was 
published in the Federal Register on September 18, 1992.
    Following issuance of the Draft EIS to the public, over 1,000 
comments were received by the BLM and were analyzed and considered in 
the preparation of the Final EIS. During preparation of the Final EIS, 
additional formal and informal meetings were held with interested 
publics and agencies to develop additional information and new 
alternatives for the proposal based on the public comment received on 
the Draft EIS. These meetings included an informal open house and 
public meeting held in Carlsbad, NM, on May 27, 1993, to inform the 
public of the progress on the project, including development of two 
additional alternatives and additional scientific data to be used in 
the analysis of impacts and development of mitigation measures. The 
Final EIS was released to the public and filed with EPA on December 17, 
1993, with over 800 copies mailed out to agencies, organizations and 
the general public.
    Following the end of the 30-day availability period for the Final 
EIS, the ROD was prepared and signed by the BLM New Mexico Acting State 
Director on January 31, 1994.

    Dated: January 27, 1994.
William C. Calkins,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 94-2327 Filed 2-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-M