[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30807]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WY-040-95-1310-01]

 

Intent To Conduct Public Scoping and Prepare Environmental Impact 
Statement for Fontenelle Natural Gas Infill Projects, Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct public scoping and prepare an 
environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The action proposed is to conduct scoping and to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposal of DALEN Oil & Gas 
Co., Cabot Oil & Gas Co., and several other oil and gas companies 
(Companies) to drill up to approximately 1,322 infill wells in the 
existing Fontenelle and Lincoln Road natural gas fields over the next 
10 years beginning in 1995. The projects would occur within an area of 
existing oil and gas activity which is referred to as the ``cumulative 
study area.'' The cumulative study area encompasses all or portions of 
27 townships (T. 22-28 N., R. 108-113 W.) or approximately 900 square 
miles. The Green River forms the western edge of the cumulative study 
area. The area is characterized by intermittent drainages, sagebrush-
greasewood vegetation and an absence of residences. Lands within the 
cumulative study area are primarily BLM and Bureau of Reclamation-
administered but include minor amounts of State and private land. 
Affected lands are primarily used for grazing, recreation, and oil and 
gas production.

DATES: A Scoping Notice will be distributed by mail on or about the 
date of this notice. Responses and comments will be accepted for 30 
days following the date of this notice. No public meetings are 
scheduled at this time. The comments and concerns received in response 
to the scoping will aid the BLM in identifying alternatives and assure 
all issues are analyzed in the EIS. Should public demand warrant a 
public meeting, it will be scheduled at a later date.

ADDRESSES: Information and a copy of the Scoping Notice for the 
proposed Fontenelle Natural Gas Infill Drilling Projects EIS can be 
obtained by writing or visiting the following offices:

BLM, Wyoming State Office, 2515 Warren Ave., P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, 
Wyoming 82003.
BLM, Rock Springs District Office, Highway 191 North of Rock Springs, 
P.O. Box 1869, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82902-1869.
BLM, Green River Resource Area Office, 1993 Dewar Drive, Rock Springs, 
Wyoming 82902-1170.

    Scoping comments should be sent to: Bureau of Land Management, Rock 
Springs District Office, ATTN: Bill McMahan, Project Manager, P.O. Box 
1869, Rock Springs, Wyoming, 82902-1869.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill McMahan, Project Manager, Bureau 
of Land Management, Rock Springs District Office, P.O. Box 1869, Rock 
Springs, Wyoming, 82902-1869, phone (307) 382-5350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The intent of the Fontenelle Natural Gas 
Infill Drilling Projects is to enhance natural gas recovery from the 
Fontenelle and Lincoln Road lease areas, allowing the Companies to 
provide more natural gas to pipeline companies distributing and 
supplying natural gas to consumers. This would benefit consumers by 
making additional supplies of clean-burning natural gas available. The 
additional wells will maximize production in an area where 
approximately 447 wells are already producing. The existing wells, plus 
the maximum potential development wells, could result in up to 
approximately 1,769 wells within the combined Fontenelle and Lincoln 
Road fields. However, the level and rate of additional drilling and 
development will be contingent upon gas prices and energy tax credits. 
In addition to wellheads and production units, associated facilities 
will include access roads, natural gas gathering pipeline systems, and 
individual well tank facilities.
    An environmental assessment and supplement were prepared on natural 
gas development within the Fontenelle and Lincoln Road areas in 1991 
and 1992 respectively. The decisions for these environmental analyses 
concluded that a certain level of development could be authorized 
without resulting in significant impact to the human environment. 
Development concurrent with the preparation of the Fontenelle Natural 
Gas Infill Drilling Projects would be authorized so long as it remains 
within the scope of the existing environmental analyses and decisions. 
Land and resource management issues and concerns associated with the 
construction of roads, well pads, and pipelines; the drilling and 
completion of wells; and the operation and maintenance of a producing 
well field that will be analyzed in the EIS include:
     Potential impacts to big game crucial winter range and 
habitat.
     Potential impacts to wildlife caused by poaching, 
harassment and increased vehicular access.
     Potential impacts to sage grouse breeding and nesting 
habitat.
     Potential impacts to raptors, raptor breeding and nesting 
habitat.
     Potential impacts to migratory birds.
     Potential impacts to vegetation and reclamation problems 
associated with arid, saline or highly erosive soils.
     Potential impacts to air quality.
     Potential impacts to petrified wood collecting areas.
     Potential impacts to intermittent streams.
     Potential impacts on steep slopes.
     Potential impacts to cultural resources, including 
historic trails.
     Potential impacts to wetlands and riparian areas.
     Potential impacts to surface and groundwater quality.
     Potential impacts associated with hazardous materials and 
spills.
     Reclamation, revegetation and restoration of disturbed 
areas.
     Potential impacts to federally-listed threatened and 
endangered species and Federal candidate species (plant and animal), 
including the black-footed ferret, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, 
ferruginous hawk, and sensitive fish species within the Green River.
     Potential impacts to State Priority 1 bird and mammal 
species.
     Potential impacts on the Green River and Seedskadee 
National Wildlife Refuge.
     Potential conflicts with livestock, wild horses and range 
improvements.
     Potential impacts to visual resource qualities.
     Potential impacts to recreation opportunities.
     Potential impacts caused by increased traffic.
     Potential royalty and tax revenues.
     Potential impacts on housing.
     Potential social and economic effects on local 
communities.
     Potential impacts associated with increased public access 
and road density.
     Compliance with Federal, State and local permit 
requirements.
     Compatibility with BLM management plans and resource 
management objectives.
     Monitoring and enforcement of mitigation measures.
     Cumulative impacts.
     Opportunities that may be derived from the proposed 
projects include:
     Increased royalties and tax revenues to local, State, and 
Federal Governments.
     Added employment and economic benefits to communities.
     An increase in Wyoming's share of new and existing natural 
gas markets.
     Development of additional supplies of natural gas that 
would assist in the attainment of clear air in conformance with Federal 
air quality standards.

    Dated: December 9, 1994.
Alan K. Kesterke,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 94-30807 Filed 12-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P