[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40539-40540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19845]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-040-07-1310-00]


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management announces the availability of 
the Jonah Field II Natural Gas Development Project (Jonah Field) Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which analyzes the environmental 
consequences of the Jonah Field proposed natural gas development and 
production operation. The Jonah Field project area is approximately 32 
miles south of Pinedale, Wyoming, and 28 miles north of Farson, 
Wyoming, and located within portions of Townships 28 and 29 North, 
Ranges 107, 108, and 109 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Sublette 
County, Wyoming. The project area encompasses a potential natural gas 
field of up to 59,600 acres, where 49 wells are presently active or 
have been previously analyzed, and where up to 450 additional wells 
could be drilled over the next 15 years.

DATES: Comments on the DEIS 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 July 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the DEIS should be sent to Bureau of Land 
Management, Arlan Hiner, Team Leader, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock 
Springs, WY 82901.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: McMurry Oil Company, Snyder Oil Corporation, 
Amoco Production Co., and Western Gas Resources, Inc. (Operators) 
propose to explore and develop their existing leases within the Jonah 
Field project area. The Operators propose to expand the Jonah Field 
from 49 current wells by drilling up to 450 additional wells over the 
next 15 years. The wells would be drilled on 80-acre spacing (i.e., a 
well density of eight wells per 640 acres). The Operators' plans and 
drilling schedules would be contingent upon an adequate price for the 
gas at the wellhead.
    The Jonah Field DEIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action, a 
Sensitive Resource Protection Alternative, a Maximum Density of 4 Well 
Locations/Section, and the No Action Alternative. Based on the issues 
and concerns identified during the scoping process, the DEIS focuses on 
the impacts to socio-economics, wildlife, air quality, land use, and 
cumulative effects. Key issues include effects upon people and 
communities near the project area and the State as a whole; effects to 
antelope and antelope habitat, sage grouse and raptor breeding and 
nesting; potential reductions in air quality and visibility; potential 
reductions in water quality; impacts for surface disturbance; and 
transportation planning.
    The DEIS, in compliance with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species 
Act (as amended), includes the Biological Assessment for the purpose of 
identifying endangered or threatened species which may be affected by 
the proposed action.
    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will 
be available for public review at the address listed above during 
regular

[[Page 40540]]

business hours (7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except 
holidays, and may be published as part of the DEIS. Individual 
respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your 
name or street address from public review or from disclosure under the 
Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the 
beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the 
extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

    Dated: July 16, 1997.
Alan L. Kesterke,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 97-19845 Filed 7-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P