[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 111 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15129]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent

AGENCY: National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Oil and Gas Management Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement for Padre Island National Seashore, 
Texas.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service is 
proposing to prepare an Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental 
Impact Statement for Padre Island National Seashore in Kleberg, Kenedy, 
and Willacy Counties, Texas, and is initiating the scoping process for 
this document.
    The Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement is 
needed to address the issues of how the National Park Service can best 
protect resources and visitor use activities at Padre Island National 
Seashore while at the same time permitting surface use for oil and gas 
exploration, development, and transportation operations in the exercise 
of nonfederal oil and gas mineral rights. In the Oil and Gas Management 
Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and its accompanying public review 
process, the National Park Service will formulate and evaluate the 
environmental impacts of a reasonable range of alternatives that will 
provide the greatest protection for sensitive resources and values at 
Padre Island National Seashore while allowing for cost-effect 
exploration of the private mineral estate. Distinct management issues 
include identifying which park resources and values are most sensitive 
to oil and gas exploration and development disturbance, defining impact 
mitigation requirements to protect such resources and values, 
establishing reasonable performance standards and providing pertinent 
information to oil and gas owners and operators that will facilitate 
operations planning and approval.
    A public scoping newsletter will be mailed in June 1997; this 
newsletter will describe the planning process and seek public and 
agency input and suggestions. The general public and affected and 
interested parties are encouraged to identify issues and other 
reasonable alternatives that should be addressed in the Oil and Gas 
Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement.
    An Open House meeting will be held on July 9, 1997, at the Onmi 
Bayfront, 900 N. Shoreline, Corpus Christi, Texas, in the Laguna Madre 
Room from 5:00-7:00 p.m.; the public and affected interested parties 
may request additional meetings in other Texas cities. These requests 
should be made no later than July 25, 1997.
    If you would like to be placed on the mailing list or request a 
meeting in your city, contact: Project Coordinator PAIS O&GMP/EIS, c/o 
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, P.O. Box 329, Johnson City, 
TX 78636 or (e:mail) Donna__O'L[email protected].

    Dated: May 28, 1997.
Paul Eubank,
Acting Superintendent, Padre Island National Seashore.
[FR Doc. 97-15129 Filed 6-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P