[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 222 (Friday, November 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28481]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CO-922-05-1310-01]

 

Oil and Gas Leasing Final Environmental Impact Statement by the 
Grand Mesa

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Adoption by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of 
the Oil and Gas Leasing Final Environmental Impact Statement by the 
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Title 40 CFR Part 
1500.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for 
Oil and Gas Leasing on Lands Administered by the Grand Mesa, 
Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests has been prepared by the U.S. 
Forest Service (FS) and BLM. The BLM participated in preparation of the 
FEIS as a cooperating agency in accordance with Title 40 CFR Part 
1501.6 and national and local agreements.
    The FEIS addresses oil and gas leasing on certain lands in the 
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests that are legally 
open to leasing. It is tiered to and supplements the Grand Mesa, 
Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan FEIS). 
The Forest plan became effective in 1983. The Oil and Gas Leasing EIS 
provides more detailed information on the potential effects of oil and 
gas leasing needed to meet current laws, regulations and requirements 
not in place at the time the Forest Plan FEIS was completed.
    The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, provides the Secretary 
of the Interior the authority to issue oil and gas leases on lands 
where oil and gas rights are held by the Federal Government. This 
authority has been delegated to BLM. The issuance of oil and gas leases 
on National Forest System Lands by BLM requires the consent of the 
Secretary of Agriculture under the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing 
Reform Act of 1987. This authority to object or not object to leasing 
and to require specific conditions for leasing has been delegated to 
Forest Supervisors.
    In accordance with Title 40, CFR, Part 1506.3(c), the BLM is 
adopting the FEIS for the purpose of issuing oil and gas leases and 
approving operations on lands within the administrative boundaries of 
the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Comments and 
concerns of the Department of the Interior have been satisfied. The 
FEIS meets the requirements of the regulations for implementing the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Title 43 CFR, Part 
1600).
    Copies of the FEIS are available from the U.S. Forest Service, 
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, 2250 Highway 50, 
Delta, Colorado 81416. Public reading copies will be available at the 
following BLM locations:

Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 
80215
Montrose District Office, 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, Colorado 
81401
Grand Junction District Office, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, 
Colorado 81506

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Rhett, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Office, (CO-922), 
2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215.

    Dated: October 21, 1994.
Linda S. Colville,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 94-28481 Filed 11-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-M