[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38571-38572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15582]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY070-00-1310-EJ]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
for oil and gas development in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, in 
Campbell, Sheridan, Johnson and the northern portion of Converse 
Counties.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) must analyze the impacts of actions we 
permit on Federal lands and minerals. As part of this analysis, the 
cumulative affects of the proposed action and other activities 
occurring in the area must be considered. Two Environmental Assessments 
(EAs) (Gillette North, and Lower Prairie Dog Creek) and two 
Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) (Gillette South and WYODAK) to 
address proposed coalbed methane (CBM) development have been completed 
in the area. A third EA, the WYODAK drainage EA, is currently underway. 
When the WYODAK EIS was completed in November of 1999, it became 
apparent there was a demand to drill additional wells above the 5,890 
analyzed.
    Part of the new analysis will be to determine if the Buffalo 
Resource Management Plan needs to be updated in order to support 
continued development.
    Our recent reasonable foreseeable development scenario indicates we 
could see an additional 30,000 CBM wells and 3,000 oil wells or more in 
the Powder River Basin between now and the year 2010 if development 
success continues as it has been. These numbers include development on 
all ownerships.

DATES: Comments to be considered in the draft EIS should be submitted 
by June 30, 2000. The draft EIS should be available for public review 
by April 15, of 2001.

ADDRESSES: Questions or concerns should be addressed to Paul Beels in 
the BLM Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Beels, phone 307-684-1100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following are some of the major issues 
raised during the preparation of the WYODAK CBM EIS and in addition, 
comments received for the WYODAK

[[Page 38572]]

drainage EA. These issues are provided to help you understand what has 
occurred in past environmental documents and perhaps stimulate 
additional thoughts, questions, and issues.
     People were concerned with the loss of hydraulic head 
related to groundwater associated with the coal seam. Concerns related 
to lowering of water levels and increased pumping costs because water 
would have to be pumped from greater depths.
     Questions were posed on what effects the coalbed methane 
development would have on air quality. Of concern were possible 
hazardous emissions and pollutants released as a result of compressor 
emissions.
     Disposing water on the surface raised concerns about water 
quality due to possible increased erosion and effects on irrigated 
lands.
     There were concerns about potential for increased weed 
infestations.
     There were concerns about long-term affects resulting from 
depletion of groundwater.
     Concerns were raised regarding impacts to threatened and 
endangered species, grouse, and raptors.
     Gas venting from recently drilled wells was a concern.
     Noise from operation of compressors was a concern.
     Concern was expressed about the effects of surface 
disposal of water and operating a ranch with ongoing methane 
development operations.
    Public scoping meetings will be held on June 6, 2000, at 7 p.m. at 
the Holiday Inn in Sheridan, Wyoming; June 7, 2000, at 7 p.m. at 
Colonel Bozeman's in Buffalo, Wyoming; June 8, 2000, at 7 p.m. at the 
Thunder Basin Hotel in Gillette, Wyoming; and June 12, 2000, at 7 p.m. 
at the Best Western in Douglas, Wyoming. The purpose of the meetings is 
to solicit comments regarding the proposal and answer questions about 
issues or concerns you may have. We will use the feedback in the 
preparation of the EIS.

    Dated: June 14, 2000.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 00-15582 Filed 6-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P