[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30954-30955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11435]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT-080-1310-DO]


Inland Resources, Inc. Monument Butte-Myton Bench Oil Field 
Development, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, UT, Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) on the Inland Resources, Inc. Monument Butte-Myton Bench Oil 
Field Development, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Vernal Utah 
Field Office will be writing an EIS on proposed expansion of existing 
oil field development operations. The EIS area encompasses 
approximately 65,500 acres in the greater Monument Butte-Myton Bench 
oil and gas production region. The project is located primarily on BLM 
administered lands (59,757 acres). The project area also includes lands 
administered by the State of Utah (5,777 acres), and several private 
landowners (41 acres). Inland operates the majority of the mineral 
lease rights underlying both the public and private lands.

[[Page 30955]]

    As part of a successful application of waterflood technology, the 
proponent proposed to expand its waterflood operations by drilling 600 
to 900 additional wells within the Monument Butte-Myton Bench oil field 
through the year 2015. Based on a 40 acre spacing pattern, Inland 
Resources, Inc. would drill approximately 50 percent of the wells as 
producing wells and 50 percent as water injection wells. The water 
injection wells would allow reservoir pressure to be managed and oil 
recovery to be maximized. Estimated new surface disturbance for the 
project would include 1,710 acres. The existing road network within the 
project area would provide the primary access routes to the new well 
sites. No additional compression facilities is expected to be required 
to accommodate the new wells.
    Major issues include potential impacts to status plants and 
animals, air quality, and soils. Alternatives identified at this time 
include the proposed action and the no action alternatives.

DATES: This notice announces the public scoping process. Comments on 
issues can be submitted in writing to the address listed below. All 
public meetings will be announced through the local news media, and the 
BLM Vernal Field Office web site (www.blm.gov/utah/vernal) at least 15 
days prior to the event.
    Public Participation: Public meetings will be held during the 
scoping period. In order to ensure local community participation and 
input, public meeting locations will be in Duchesne and Uintah 
Counties, Utah. In addition, formal opportunities for public 
participation will be provided through comment on the alternatives and 
upon publication of the BLM draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Environmental 
Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, 170 South 
500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078; Fax 435-781-4410. Documents pertinent to 
this proposal may be examined at the Vernal Field Office located in 
Vernal, Utah. Comments, including names and street addresses of 
respondents, will be available for public review at the Vernal Field 
Office located in Vernal, Utah during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays , and may be 
published as part of the EIS. Individual respondents may request 
confidentially. If you wish to withhold your name or street address 
from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information 
Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written 
comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. 
All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their 
entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Duane De Paepe, Telephone 
435-781-4403, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The management of BLM public lands and 
resources encompassed by the project area is directed and guided by the 
BLM's Record of Decision for the Diamond Mountain Resource Management 
Plan. The majority of the proposed project lies within an area that was 
previously partially developed for oil and gas production and is 
designated as Category 2 for oil and gas leasing by the BLM. Category 2 
areas are those that are open to oil and gas leasing with stipulations 
to protect sensitive surface resources.

    Authority: Pub. L. 94-579, 43 CFR 8364.1.

    Dated: March 18, 2002.
Sally Wisely,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 02-11435 Filed 5-7-02; 8:45 am]
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