[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2000)] [Notices] [Pages 1413-1416] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 00-434] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Request for Information and Interest in a Commercial Sand and Gravel Lease Sale Offshore Northern New Jersey AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Request for Information and Interest (RFII). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In 1996, the MMS received a request from a private company for a competitive sand and gravel commercial lease sale offshore northern New Jersey. A RFII was published in the Federal Register on May 21, 1996 (Vol. 61, No. 99). The MMS deferred further action, that is, preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) after the company advised that they were pursuing other sources of sand and gravel. In 1998, and again in 1999, the company requested that MMS end the deferral of the competitive lease sale process and prepare an EIS. Because a significant amount of time has passed, MMS has decided to issue another RFII and to focus the area being considered to a much smaller one than that identified in the 1996 request. This smaller, more focused area reflects comments received on the earlier RFII [[Page 1414]] and is depicted on the accompanying page-size map. This RFII is published pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356 (1988)), and accompanying regulations (30 CFR part 281). Purpose of the RFII The purpose of the RFII is to gather comments, information and indications of interest from interested parties about a possible commercial sand and gravel lease sale offshore northern New Jersey. This does not mean that a preliminary decision to lease in this area has been made. The MMS would like comments addressing the area identified, including information on: Commercial, navigational, recreational, and multiple-use considerations; Environmental concerns, including information on biological and physical resources; Archaeological resources; and Social and economic issues. This RFII is one of the early steps in a public-participation process that includes a thorough environmental analysis and compliance with the State's coastal zone management program. If a decision is made to prepare an EIS, the MMS will provide for several additional opportunities for public comment. Description of the Area The RFII area is located off the northern coast of New Jersey beginning 3 nautical miles (nm) from shore and extending southward 12 nm from slightly north of Long Branch to slightly south of Belmar. The landward boundary is the 3 nm line separating the Federal OCS and State submerged land jurisdictions. The seaward edge of the area is narrowest on the north (10 nm from shore) and widens slightly on the south (12 nm from shore). The area contains 10 whole OCS blocks and 4 partial blocks. Generally OCS blocks are 9 square miles. A large scale map of the RFII area showing boundaries of the RFII area with numbered blocks is available from MMS at the following address: Minerals Management Service, Division of International Activities and Marine Minerals, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4030, Herndon, VA 22070, Phone: (703) 787-1300, FAX: (703) 787-1284. BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P [[Page 1415]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN10JA00.013 BILLING CODE 4310-MR-C [[Page 1416]] Relation to Coastal Management Plans The MMS specifically requests comments on potential conflicts with approved local coastal management plans (CMP) that may result from future commercial sand and gravel mining within the RFII area. We request that you identify specific CMP policies; the types of conflicts you foresee; and possible steps that MMS could take to avoid or mitigate these conflicts. Your comments may address the entire area under consideration or portions of the area. We request that you list block numbers or clearly outline the subject area on the large-scale RFII map. Areas of Specific Industry Interest We request that industry respondents indicate specific blocks or areas within the RFII area that are of particular interest for consideration in a possible OCS sand and gravel lease sale. Industry respondents are asked to outline their area(s) of interest on the large-scale RFII map and to submit a list of block numbers nominated (including both whole and partial blocks). Although identities of those indicating interest in specific areas within this RFII become a matter of public record, the blocks that the individual company(s) identifies are considered proprietary information. Industry respondents should rank areas of specific interest according to priority: 1 (high), 2 (medium), and 3 (low). Areas identified that do not indicate priorities will be considered priority 3. The name and telephone number of a person in the respondent's organization to contact for additional information or clarification should be included in the response. Commenting Procedures The MMS must receive your comments, information and/or indications of interest (in envelopes labeled RFII Information (or Indication of Interest)) no later than 90 days following publication of this document in the Federal Register. Please submit the RFII map with comments and/ or indications of interest to: Minerals Management Service, Division of International Activities and Marine Minerals, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4030, Herndon, VA 22070. The MMS will hold information meetings on February 28, 2000, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Bradley Beach Borough Hall, Bradley Beach, New Jersey, and on February 29, 2000, at the Holiday Inn, 1000 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Additional Information 1. The MMS would like to clarify that any possible sand and gravel commercial lease sale within the RFII area will not include any requirements for the end use of the sand and gravel. 2. The MMS will restrict dredging to relatively shallow and uniform depths to preserve ocean bottom topography and promote rapid recolonization of biota in dredged areas. The MMS will prohibit the mining of deep pits for use in the disposal of any material. 3. The MMS has completed an Environmental Report assessing possible consequences associated with using OCS sand for beach nourishment along the U.S. east coast from Northern New Jersey to the Virginia/North Carolina border. A self-contained and separate appendix within the Environmental Report assesses potential environmental impacts of offshore mining for construction aggregate material. The appendix may provide useful information as parties prepare responses to this RFII. The Environmental Report, and the appendix are available through the MMS's internet web-site at www.mms.gov/intermar/marineac.htm. Use of Responses to the RFII The MMS will use information in response to this RFII in several ways. First, MMS will use comments on possible environmental impacts and multiple use conflicts to help in our analysis and handling of concerns in and near the RFII area. Based on this information we will make a preliminary determination on the potential advantages and disadvantages of OCS sand and gravel exploration and development within the RFII area and whether to prepare an EIS. Second, MMS will use the responses to identify specific areas within the RFII area that are of interest for potential commercial sand and gravel leasing and development. Third, comments will be used to identify potential conflicts among offshore activities and State or local coastal zone management plans. Finally, comments may be used to develop requirements to ensure safe and environmentally sound activities. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol A. Hartgen, International Activities and Marine Minerals, (703) 787-1300. Dated: January 4, 2000. WC Rosenbusch, Director, Minerals Management Service. [FR Doc. 00-434 Filed 1-7-00; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P