[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 48883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24606]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-060-01-1310-00]


Gillette South Coalbed Methane Project, Campbell County, Wyoming; 
Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Gillette South Coalbed Methane Project abbreviated (FEIS). 
Together with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) issued in 
March 1997, the FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of coalbed 
methane development within the Gillette South assessment area. The 
development area is located in Campbell County and generally located 
within Townships 42 through 49 North; Ranges 70 through 73 West, 6th 
Principal Meridian. The area is accessed by U.S. Highway 59 south of 
Gillette, Wyoming. Access to the interior of the assessment area is 
provided by a road system developed to service prior and ongoing 
drilling and production activities.

DATES: Since the FEIS is abbreviated it must be reviewed with the DEIS. 
Comments on the FEIS will be accepted for 30 days following the date 
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes their Notice of 
Availability in the Federal Register. The EPA notice is expected on or 
about September 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the FEIS should be sent to Mr. Richard Zander, 
Bureau of Land Management, Buffalo Resource Area, 1425 Fort Street, 
Buffalo, Wyoming 82834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS issued in March 1997, received 
twelve comments. These comments were addressed and considered in the 
analysis of the FEIS. The FEIS analyzes a proposed action, and the no 
action alternative. It also considers four other alternatives, Restrict 
Timing of Approval of Federal Wells, Reduce Number of Federal Wells 
Approved, Change the Method of Surface Water Disposal, and Inject 
Produced Water Underground. The proposal presented by the operators is 
to continue to drill additional wells on their leased acreage within 
this methane gas development area.
    Over the next 3 to 5 years, the operators propose to drill up to 
400 (210 private or State and 190 Federal) additional wells to obtain 
maximum recovery of methane gas from existing Federal (41 percent), 
State, and private oil and gas leases. The FEIS describes the physical, 
biological, cultural, historic, and socioeconomic resources in and 
surrounding the project area. The focus of the impact analysis was 
based upon resource issues, concerns identified during public scoping, 
and the public and internal review comments received on the DEIS.

    Dated: September 5, 1997.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 97-24606 Filed 9-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P