[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5849-5851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3010]



[[Page 5849]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service (MMS)


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil 
and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2002-2007

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Call for Information and Nominations/Notice of Intent (Call/
NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

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SUMMARY: The purpose of the Call/NOI is to gather information and 
nominations on oil and gas leasing, exploration, and development and 
production for the two tentatively scheduled OCS lease sales in a 
portion of the Eastern GOM Planning Area south of Alabama. This 
information is important for ensuring that all interests and concerns 
are communicated to the Department of the Interior to use in making 
future decisions in the leasing processes for these two proposed sales.

DATES: Nominations and comments must be received no later than March 
11, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Call/NOI, 
please contact Ms. Jane Burrell Johnson, Minerals Management Service, 
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2811. For information on the 
Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS, please contact Mr. Joseph 
Christopher,Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 
1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, 
telephone (504) 736-2788.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MMS proposes to adopt a multisale process 
for the Eastern GOM sales in the 2002-2007 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing 
Program. This multisale process will cover both proposed sales in the 
Eastern Planning Area, Eastern GOM Sale 189 and Eastern GOM Sale 197. 
The Call/NOI, the initial step in the process, will cover both of these 
sales. There will also be complete National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), OCS Lands Act, and Coastal Zone Management Act coverage for 
each sale. For the 2002-2007 OCS Leasing Program, we propose to prepare 
a two-sale EIS for Eastern GOM Sales 189 and 197. We also propose to 
prepare a subsequent Environmental Assessment (EA) for Eastern GOM Sale 
197, focusing primarily on new issues, to determine whether we should 
prepare either a Finding of No New Significant Impact or a supplemental 
EIS for that sale.
    This is the first multisale process for the Eastern GOM. It is not, 
however, the very first multisale process. Beginning in 1996, MMS 
adopted multisale processes for sales in the Central and Western GOM. 
The multisale processes for those planning areas incorporated prelease 
planning and analysis steps for all sales proposed in the approved 5-
Year OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. MMS is also using a multisale 
process in the Beaufort Sea. MMS proposes to adopt a similar process 
for the Eastern GOM sales in the 2002-2007 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing 
Program. A single multisale process will cover both proposed sales in 
this planning area through the final EIS stage. However, we will 
prepare proposed and final Notices of Sale and Consistency 
Determinations for each sale.

Call for Information and Nominations

1. Authority

    This Call is published pursuant to the OCS Lands Act as amended (43 
U.S.C. 1331-1356, (1994)), and the regulations issued thereunder (30 
CFR part 256).

2. Purpose of Call

    The purpose of the Call is to gather information for the following 
tentatively scheduled OCS Lease Sales in a portion of the Eastern GOM 
Planning Area south of Alabama:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Sale, OCS planning area                Tentative sale date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sale 189, Eastern GOM..................  December 2003.
Sale 197, Eastern GOM..................  March 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Information and nominations on oil and gas leasing, exploration, 
and development and production within the Eastern GOM are sought from 
all interested parties. This early planning and consultation step is 
important for ensuring that all interests and concerns are communicated 
to the Department of the Interior for future decisions in the leasing 
process pursuant to the OCS Lands Act, and regulations at 30 CFR part 
256.
    Responses are requested relative to proposed sales in the Eastern 
GOM OCS Planning Area. Since each sale proposal and projected 
activities are very similar, MMS is proposing to prepare a single EIS 
for the two Eastern Planning Area lease sales scheduled for 2003 and 
2005 in the proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing 
Program: 2002-2007. There will be complete NEPA coverage for each 
sale--one EIS on both sales and a subsequent EA for the second sale, 
focusing primarily on new issues. We will prepare a Consistency 
Determination and proposed and final Notices of Sale for each proposed 
sale in accordance with Coastal Zone Management Act and OCS Lands Act 
requirements.
    This Call does not indicate a preliminary decision to lease in the 
area described below. Final delineation for possible leasing will be 
made at a later date and in compliance with applicable laws including 
all requirements of the NEPA and OCS Lands Act. Established 
Departmental procedures will be employed.

3. Description of Area

    The general area of this Call covers unleased whole blocks located 
within the portion of the Eastern GOM Planning Area that is west of 87 
degrees 30 minutes West Longitude and which range from 100 to 196 miles 
south of Alabama, and from about 70 to 148 miles offshore Louisiana. 
This area is the same area that was offered for lease in Eastern GOM 
Sale 181 held in December 2001. The area available for nominations and 
comments at this time consists of approximately 1.5 million acres, of 
which approximately 0.8 million acres are currently available for bid 
in Sales 189 and/or 197.
    A standard Call for Information Map depicting the proposed Eastern 
GOM sale area on a block-by-block basis is available without charge 
from: Minerals Management Service, Public Information Unit (MS 5034), 
1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, 
Telephone: 
1-800-200-GULF.

4. Instructions on Call

    The standard Call for Information Map and indications of interest 
and comments must be submitted to: Ms. Jane Burrell Johnson, Minerals 
Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park 
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Envelopes should be 
labeled ``Nominations for Proposed 2002-2007 Lease Sales in the Eastern 
Gulf of Mexico'' or ``Comments on the Call for Information and 
Nominations for Proposed 2002-2007 Lease Sales in the Eastern Gulf of 
Mexico.''
    The standard Call for Information Map delineates the Call area, all 
of which has been identified by MMS as having potential for the 
discovery of accumulations of oil and gas. Respondents are requested to 
indicate interest in and comment on any or all of the Federal acreage 
within the boundaries of the Call area that they wish to have included 
in each of the proposed sales in the Eastern GOM.
    Although individual indications of interest are considered to be 
privileged

[[Page 5850]]

and proprietary information, the names of persons or entities 
indicating interest or submitting comments will be of public record. 
Those indicating such interest are required to do so on the standard 
Call for Information Map by outlining the areas of interest along block 
lines.
    Respondents should rank areas in which they have expressed interest 
according to priority of their interest (e.g., priority 1 [high], 2 
[medium], or 3 [low]). Respondents are encouraged to be specific in 
indicating blocks by priority, as blanket nominations on large areas 
are not useful in the analysis of industry interest. Areas where 
interest has been indicated but on which respondents have not indicated 
priorities will be considered priority 3 [low].
    Respondents may also submit a detailed list of blocks nominated (by 
Official Protraction Diagram designations) to ensure correct 
interpretation of their nominations. Official Protraction Diagrams can 
be purchased from the Public Information Unit referred to under Item 3, 
``Description of Area.''
    Comments are sought from all interested parties about particular 
geological, environmental, biological, archaeological and socioeconomic 
conditions or conflicts, or other information that might bear upon the 
potential leasing and development of particular areas. Comments are 
also sought on possible conflicts between future OCS oil and gas 
activities that may result from the proposed sales and State Coastal 
Management Programs. If possible, these comments should identify 
specific Coastal Management Plans policies of concern, the nature of 
the conflict foreseen, and steps that MMS could take to avoid or 
mitigate the potential conflict. Comments may either be in terms of 
broad areas or restricted to particular blocks of concern. Those 
submitting comments are requested to list block numbers or outline the 
subject area on the standard Call for Information Map.

5. Use of Information From Call

    Information submitted in response to this Call will be used for 
several purposes. First, responses will be used to identify the areas 
of potential for oil and gas development. Second, comments on possible 
environmental effects and potential use conflicts will be used in the 
analysis of environmental conditions in and near the Call area. This 
information will be used to make a preliminary determination of the 
potential advantages and disadvantages of oil and gas exploration and 
development to the region and the Nation. A third purpose for this Call 
is to use the comments collected in the scoping process for the EIS and 
to develop proposed actions and alternatives. Fourth, comments may be 
used in developing lease terms and conditions to ensure safe offshore 
operations. And, fifth, comments may be used to assess potential 
conflicts between offshore gas and oil activities and a State's Coastal 
Management Plan.

6. Existing Information

    MMS routinely assesses the status of information acquisition 
efforts and the quality of the information base for potential decisions 
on tentatively scheduled lease sales. As a result of this continually 
ongoing assessment, it has been determined that the status of the 
existing data available for planning, analysis, and decisionmaking is 
adequate and extensive.
    An extensive environmental studies program has been underway in the 
GOM since 1973. The emphasis, including continuing studies, has been on 
environmental characterization of biologically sensitive habitats, 
physical oceanography, ocean-circulation modeling, and ecological 
effects of oil and gas activities. A complete listing of available 
study reports, and information for ordering copies, can be obtained 
from the Public Information Unit referenced under Item 3, ``Description 
of Area.'' The reports may also be ordered, for a fee, from the U.S. 
Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, 5285 
Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, or telephone (703) 487-
4650. In addition, a program status report for continuing studies in 
this area and a list of final and interim study reports for 2001-2002 
can be obtained from the Chief, Environmental Sciences Section (MS 
5430), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (see address under Item 3, 
``Description of Area''), or telephone (504) 736-2752. Summary Reports 
and Indices and technical and geological reports are available for 
review at Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region. 
Copies of the Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Summary Reports may be 
obtained from the Technical Services Branch, Minerals Management 
Service, 381 Elden Street, MS 4063, Herndon, Virginia 20170, phone: 
(703) 787-1080.

7. Tentative Schedule

    The following is a list of tentative milestone dates applicable to 
sales covered by this Call:

  Multisale Process Milestones for Proposed 2002-2007 Eastern GOM Sales
                               189 and 197
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call/NOI(Sales 189 and 197).........  January 2002.
Comments Received on Call/NOI(Sales   March 2002.
 189 and 197).
Area Identification Decision(Sales    May 2002.
 189 and 197).
Draft EIS Published(Sales 189 and     November 2002.
 197).
Public Hearings on Draft EIS(Sales    January 2003.
 189 and 197).
Final EIS (Sales 189 and 197).......  June 2003.
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   Sale-Specific Process Milestones for Proposed 2002-2007 Eastern GOM
                            Sales 189 and 197
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information to Begin Sale    March 2004.
 197 Sale-Specific Process.
Sale 197 Environmental Review (EA/       October 2004.
 Finding of No New Significant Impact/
 Supplemental EIS (EA/FONSI/SEIS))
 Published.
Consistency Determination..............  5 Months Before Each Sale.
Proposed Notice of Sale................  4 Months Before Each Sale.
Final Notice of Sale...................  1 Month Before Each Sale.
Tentative Sale Dates...................  December 2003 (Sale 189) and
                                          March 2005 (Sale 197).
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[[Page 5851]]

Notice of Intent To Prepare an EIS

1. Authority

    The NOI is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) 
implementing the provisions of the NEPA of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq. (1988)).

2. Purpose of the Notice of Intent

    Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions 
of the NEPA, MMS is announcing its intent to prepare an EIS on the two 
proposed Eastern GOM oil and gas lease sales, tentatively scheduled for 
2003 and 2005. The NOI also serves to announce the scoping process for 
this EIS. Throughout the scoping process, Federal, State, and local 
government agencies, and other interested parties have the opportunity 
to aid MMS in determining the significant issues and alternatives to be 
analyzed in the EIS.
    The EIS analysis will focus on the potential environmental effects 
of oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and 
production in the areas identified through the Area Identification 
procedure. Alternatives that may be considered for each sale are to 
delay the sale, cancel the sale, or modify the sale.

3. Supplemental Information

    Federal regulations allow for multiple proposals to be analyzed in 
one EIS (40 CFR 1502.4). Since each sale proposal and projected 
activities are very similar, MMS is proposing to prepare a single EIS 
(multisale EIS) for the two Eastern Planning Area lease sales scheduled 
for 2003 and 2005 in the draft proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and 
Gas Leasing Program: 2002-2007. The multisale approach is intended to 
focus the NEPA/EIS process on differences between the proposed sales 
and on new issues and information. The multisale EIS will eliminate the 
repetitive issuance of complete draft and final EISs for each proposed 
lease sale. The resource estimates and scenario information for the EIS 
analyses will be presented as a range that would encompass the 
resources and activities estimated for either of the proposed lease 
sales. At the completion of this EIS process, a decision will be made 
only for proposed Sale 189, scheduled to be held in 2003. Subsequent to 
this first sale, a NEPA review will be conducted for proposed lease 
Sale 197 scheduled for 2005. Formal consultation with other Federal 
agencies, the affected States, and the public will be carried out to 
assist in the determination of whether or not the information and 
analyses in the original multisale EIS are still valid. These 
consultations and the NEPA review will be completed before a decision 
is made on proposed Sale 197.

4. For Further Information Contact

    Mr. Joseph Christopher, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico 
OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-
2394, telephone (504) 736-2774.

5. Comments

    Federal, State, and local government agencies, and other interested 
parties are requested to send their written comments on the scope of 
the EIS, significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives 
that should be considered to the Regional Supervisor, Leasing and 
Environment (MS 5410), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, at the address under 
Item 4, For Further Information Contact. Comments should be enclosed in 
an envelope labeled ``Comments on the Eastern Multisale EIS.'' Comments 
should be submitted no later than March 25, 2002. Scoping meetings will 
be held in appropriate locations to obtain additional comments and 
information regarding the scope of the EIS. Information on the dates 
and locations of the scoping meetings will be made available to 
interested parties via mailouts and advertisements in appropriate 
newspapers.

    Dated: January 25, 2002.
Lucy Querques Denett,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 02-3010 Filed 2-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P