[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38004-38005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17902]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[UT-070-99-1310-00]


Price Field Office; Notice of Availability of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the Ferron 
Natural Gas Project

SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) have been prepared by the 
Bureau of Land Management, Price Field Office. The EIS was prepared to 
analyze impacts of alternatives for a coal bed methane--natural gas 
development project proposed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 
(Anadarko), Chandler and Associates, LLC (Chandler), Texaco Exploration 
and Production, Inc (Texaco), and Questar Pipeline Company (Questar). 
The ROD documents the Bureau of Land Management decision approving 
development of the Ferron Natural Gas Project located in Carbon and 
Emery Counties, Utah. The Final EIS and ROD are being released 
concurrently for review as allowed by 40 CFR 1506.10(b)(2) for agencies 
that have a formally established appeal process.

DATES: The Final EIS and ROD will be distributed and made available to 
the public on July 16, 1999. Copies of the Final and ROD will be mailed 
to individuals, agencies or companies who previously requested copies 
by responding to an inquiry by the Bureau of Land Management. Parties 
adversely affected by the Record of Decision have until August 16, 
1999, to file a Notice of Appeal in the office issuing this decision 
(43 CFR 4.411). The decision to allow Anadarko, Chandler, Texaco and 
Questar to develop oil and gas leases and other related facilities as 
specified in the ROD will be in full force and effect on August 16, 
1999 unless a stay is granted. A petition for a stay of the decision 
must be filed as specified in 43 CFR 3165.4 and/or 43 CFR 2804.1.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS and ROD can be obtained from the 
Bureau of Land Management Price Field Office, 125 South 600 West, 
Price, Utah, the

[[Page 38005]]

Bureau of Land Management, Utah State Office, 324 South State Street, 
Salt Lake City, Utah or by calling (435) 636-3600 and requesting a 
copy. The Final EIS and ROD will be available for inspection at the 
Bureau of Land Management Price Field Office and Utah State Office. Any 
notice of appeal or petition for stay should be addressed to Sally 
Wisely, Utah State Director, Bureau of Land Management, P.O. Box 45155, 
Salt Lake City, UT, 84145-0155.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Diwachak, EIS Team Leader, 
(801) 539-4043.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS analyzes direct, indirect and 
cumulative impacts from a proposal to develop natural gas from coal 
seams in the Castle Valley area of Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah. 
Environmental impacts from the proposed project and alternatives were 
considered and analyzed in a Draft EIS prepared and released for public 
review in October 1998. Based on comments received on the DEIS, 
modifications and revisions were made.
    The approved project (Alternative 2, Proposed Action with 
Environmental Protection Measures) would involve the construction, 
drilling, completion, and stimulation of approximately 335 natural gas 
wells drilled into coal beds of the Ferron Formation. Associated access 
roads, gas and water pipelines, electrical distribution lines, 
compressor stations, disposal wells and related facilities would also 
be constructed. A 27 mile long, 20-inch gas transmission line would be 
constructed to transport produced gas.
    The Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Manti-La Sal 
National Forest, participated in the preparation of the EIS as a 
cooperating agency, as there are FS lands included in the Project Area. 
The FS is responsible for making a decision on individual drilling and 
special use permit applications on National Forest lands. The FS will 
consider a separate Record of Decision for the portions of the Ferron 
Natural Gas Project within the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
    The State of Utah, Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining participated as 
a cooperating agency to provide technical support during preparation of 
the EIS.

    Dated: July 8, 1999.
Linda Colville,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 99-17902 Filed 7-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-M