[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 105 (Thursday, June 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13378]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

 

Rocky Mountain Region; AA Production, Inc.; Twin-Creeks-Unit; 
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; Gunnison County, 
Colorado; Notice

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on an AA Production, Inc., proposal to drill 4 coal bed 
methane wells on existing leases and construct a transportation system 
to these wells within the Clear Creek Roadless Area on the Gunnison 
National Forest, Paonia Ranger District, approximately 23 miles north, 
northwest of the town of Paonia, Colorado.

DATES: An open house is scheduled for June 9, 1994, at the Panonia Town 
Hall from 2-5 p.m. and from 6-9 p.m. to display and discuss the Twin-
Creeks-Unit proposal. Comments concerning the scope and issues of the 
analysis should be received by July 15, 1994; Publication of Draft EIS: 
December, 1994; final EIS: July, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Twin-Creeks-Unit, Paonia Ranger 
District, PO Box 1030, North Rio Grande Ave., Paonia, CO 81428.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Ward, Paonia Ranger District, PO Box 1030, North Rio Grande Ave., 
Paoni, CO 81428, (303) 527-4260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AA Production, Inc. has submitted a proposal 
to drill 4 coal bed methane wells with foreseeable development of 
additional wells if the first 4 are successful. Drilling would occur on 
existing leases granted before 1980 in the Clear Creek Roadless area 
between Deadhorse Creek and Jones Park. The wells would be located 
within one mile of an existing road (FDR 844) and a pipeline which 
parallels the road. The 4 proposed wells are more precisely located in 
the Southwest Quarter of Section 21--Township 10 South--Range 90 West 
of the 6th Principal Meridian.
    It is important to remain clear about the decisions to be made on 
the Twin-Creeks-Unit proposal. Decisions on whether or not this area of 
the Forest will or will not be available for oil and gas leasing have 
already been made. AA Production, Inc., holds valid oil & gas leases 
and have a legal right to drill on their leases. The 1993 Forest Oil & 
Gas Leasing EIS has allocated the Clear Creek Roadless area to oil & 
gas development. These decisions will not be revisited, unless an 
unavoidable effect on some very significant resource is discovered 
through this analysis. At this point, we do not anticipate any effects 
such as this. We do have an obligation to consider all environmental 
factors, analyzed to the latest standards, before we allow the proposed 
oil and gas development to occur so appropriate protection or 
mitigation measures can be developed and implemented. This EIS will 
accomplish this.
    The Forest Service will decide how, when, and exactly where, oil & 
gas development will occur while minimizing effects on the human 
environment to the extent practical. The Forest Service has 
responsibility for managing surface resources. Specifically, Forest 
Service decisions to be made are:

1. Determine specifically where, how, when, and under what conditions 
the transportation system and well pads will be developed for the 4 
wells proposed for drilling.
2. Determine general locations for the foreseeable wells, and any other 
mitigation needed in addition to those for the first 4 proposed wells.
3. Determine if there are site specific unavoidable effects on very 
significant resources in the area which would preclude drilling or 
surface occupancy.

    Any well development other than the current proposal to drill 4 
wells will require additional site specific environmental analysis.
    The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for deciding how 
actual down-hole drilling activities will occur and has the authority 
to approve the Application For Permit To Drill (APD).
    Preliminary scoping has identified nine issues. These issued are: 
(1) Visual Quality, (2) The proposed wells are within a roadless area 
identified during the 1979 RARE II process, (3) Transportation System, 
Development, (4) Wildlife Management and Protection including 
Threatened, Endangered, & Sensitive Wildlife & Plants, (5) Retention of 
Water Quality, Wetlands, and Riparian areas, (6) Soils & Geologic 
Hazards, (7) Effects on Recreation Opportunities & Outfitter Guides, 
(8) Social & Economic Effects, (9) Cultural & Historic Resources.
    Scoping will consist of public meetings, news releases, and a 
scoping letter sent to people, organizations, and public agencies who 
may be interested in this project. An open house is scheduled for June 
9, 1994. A new release to local media and interested parties is being 
made in conjunction with the June 9 meeting.
    The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be consulted on possible 
effects on threatened and endangered plant and animal species and may 
be asked to provide expertise for the environmental analysis. The 
Forest Service may consult with other local, State, or Federal agencies 
as needed. The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey 
will be asked to serve as Cooperating Agencies. The U.S. Geological 
Survey will serve as a coal-bed-methane well expert. The Bureau of Land 
Management will serve as a drilling expert and is responsible for 
approving actual down-hole drilling techniques. The U.S. Forest Service 
will be the Lead Agency.
    The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will 
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency's notice 
of availability appears in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements must structure their 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could have been raised 
at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not 
raised until after completion of the final environmental impact 
statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. 
Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, 
Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of 
these rulings, it is very important that those interested in this 
proposed action participate by the close of the 45 day draft 
environmental impact statement comment period so that substantive 
comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a 
time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the 
final environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer 
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Please note that comments on 
the draft environmental impact statement will be regarded as public 
information.
    The responsible Bureau of Land Management official is Sally Wisley, 
Area Manager, San Juan Resource Area, Federal Building, 701 Camino Del 
Rio, Durango, Colorado 81301.
    The responsible Forest Service official is Ray L. Kingston, Paonia 
District Ranger, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, 
P.O. Box 1030, North Rio Grande Avenue, Paonia, Colorado 81428.

    Dated: May 26, 1994.
Ray L. Kingston,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 94-13378 Filed 6-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M