[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