[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69717-69718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30878]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ES-020-03-1310-EI]


Notice of Intent To Prepare Planning Analyze/Environmental 
Assessments

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Planning Analysis/Environmental 
Assessment.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice that the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM), Jackson Field Office, Eastern States intends to 
prepare Planning Analysis/Environmental Assessment (PA/EA) to consider 
leasing one tract of Federal mineral estate for oil and gas exploration 
and development. The PA/EA will fulfill the needs and obligations set 
forth by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land 
Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and BLM management policies. The BLM 
will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the 
management decisions that are best suited to local, regional, and 
national needs and concerns.

DATES: This notice initiatives the public scoping process. Comments on 
issues and planning criteria can be submitted in writing to the address 
listed below. Due to the limited scope of this PA/EA process, public 
meetings are not scheduled. BLM will, however, consider requests for 
one or more public meetings.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Bureau of Land Management, Jackson Field 
Office, 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404, Jackson, MS 39206.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Reiss, Lead for PA/EA, Jackson 
Field Office, (601-977-5400).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM has responsibility to consider 
nominations to lease Federal mineral estate for oil and gas exploration 
and development. An interdisciplinary team will be used in the 
preparation of the PA/EA. The preliminary issues associated with 
issuance of the lease for Federal Oil and Gas, as identified below, are 
subject to change as a result of public input. The issues are: (1) 
Potential impacts of oil and gas leasing and the resulting exploration 
and development on the surface resources as a result of leasing the 
federal minerals and (2) consideration of proposed restrictions (lease 
stipulations), involving future development of this lease (lease 
rights, surface use, and protection of surface resources). One PA/EA 
will be prepared for this tract. Tract location, along with acreage, is 
listed below.

Mississippi, Monroe County, Huntsville Meridian

T14S, R19W: Sec 15, 320 acres; Tract 113, Lots 2, 3, 4 and 5.

    Consideration is being given to the request to lease Federal 
Minerals under this Tract. The Corp Of Engineers is the surface 
management agency and is requiring a ``No Surface Occupancy 
Stipulation'', as a condition of consent

[[Page 69718]]

to lease. Operations could be allowed to directionally drill a well 
under the tract, but will not result in surface disturbance on the 
tract. However, surface disturbance could occur on lands adjacent to 
this proposed lease.

Bruce Dawson,
Field Manager, Jackson Field Office.
[FR Doc. 03-30878 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-M