[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 220 (Monday, November 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63746-63747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30487]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Big 
Thicket National Preserve, Texas

AGENCY: National Park Service, United States Department of the 
Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare and Oil and Gas Management Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement for Big Thicket National Preserve.

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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 
preparing an Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement 
for Big Thicket National Preserve in Hardin, Jefferson, Liberty, 
Orange, Tyler, Jasper, and Polk Counties, Texas, and is initiating the 
scoping process for this document. This statement will be approved by 
John E. Cook, Intermoutain Regional Director, National Park Service.

    The Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement 
is needed to

[[Page 63747]]

address the issues of how the National Park Service can protect its 
resources and values, ensure public safety, and minimize conflicts 
with visitors and park management while recognizing the rights of 
private mineral owners to develop their oil and gas resources. In 
the Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and 
its accompanying public involvement process, the National Park 
Service will formulate and evaluate the environmental impacts of a 
reasonable range of alternatives that will provide protection for 
resources and values at Big Thicket National Preserve while allowing 
for exploration and development 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.

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: A public scoping newsletter will be 
mailed in November 1998, to invite public participation in the scoping 
process and to describe the planning process. The general public and 
affected or interested parties are encouraged to provide comments and 
suggestions, and 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 December 3, 1998, at the 
Beaumont Hilton in Beaumont, Texas. The public and affected or 
interested parties may request additional meetings in other Texas 
cities. These requests should be made no later than January 17, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like to be placed on the 
mailing list or request a meeting in your city, please contact Linda 
Dansby, EIS Team Leader, P.O. Box 728, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504, 505/
988-6095 or Superintendent, Big Thicket National Preserve, at 409/839-
2691, ext. 223.

    Dated: November 6, 1998.
Richard R. Peterson,
Superintendent, Big Thicket National Preserve.
[FR Doc. 98-30487 Filed 11-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M