[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 46 (Thursday, March 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 12968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5765]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

[WY-040-05-1310-01]


Texaco's Stagecoach Draw Unit; Wyoming; Availability of Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft environmental impact statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of Texaco's Stagecoach Draw Draft EIS analyzing the environmental 
consequences of a proposed natural gas development and production 
operation in the Stagecoach Draw Unit approximately 7 miles southwest 
of Farson, Wyoming, Sweetwater County. The project area encompasses 
23,575 acres within portions of Townships 22, 23, and 24 north, ranges 
107 and 108 North.

DATES: Comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted for 45 days following 
the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes their 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The EPA notice is 
expected to be published on March 10, 1995. There are presently no 
plans to hold a public hearing on the Texaco Stagecoach Draw Unit Draft 
EIS because of apparent lack of substantial environmental controversy 
concerning the proposed project. Reviewers are encouraged to visit the 
local BLM offices in Cheyenne and Rock Springs, Wyoming and talk with 
the Managers about any concerns. If enough people indicate a desire to 
testify by returning the tear-out sheet provided in the Draft EIS, a 
public hearing(s) will be scheduled. Information on the hearing(s) will 
be published in state and local newspapers and other media sources, and 
direct mailing to the recipients of the Draft EIS to give the public 
enough notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EIS should be sent to Bureau of Land 
Management, Bill McMahan (Project Coordinator), P.O. Box 1869, Rock 
Springs, WY 82902-1869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS analyzes a proposed action, 
one development alternative, and the no action alternative. Texaco USA 
proposes to develop a 23,575 acre natural gas field by drilling 72 
wells on an average spacing of 320 acres over the next 6 to 10 years. 
Texaco's plans and drilling schedules would be contingent upon both an 
increased demand for natural gas supplies in response to the Clean Air 
Act amendments of 1990 and an adequate price for the gas at the 
wellhead. The Draft EIS describes the physical, biological, cultural, 
historic, and socioeconomic resources in and surrounding the project 
area. The focus for impact analysis was based upon resource issues and 
concerns identified during the public scoping. Potential impacts of 
concern from development were to antelope migrations and crucial winter 
range; sage grouse and raptor breeding and nesting; sediment increases 
to the Big Sandy River; groundwater contamination; Oregon, Mormon 
Pioneer, Pony Express, and California Historic Trails condition and 
viewshed; changes in livestock and wild horse management; and 
cumulative effects. The Draft EIS, in compliance with Section 7(c) of 
the Endangered Species Act (as amended), includes the Biological 
Assessment for the purpose of identifying any endangered or threatened 
species which are likely to be affected by the proposed action.

    Dated: March 2, 1995.
Alan L. Kesterke,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 95-5765 Filed 3-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-M