[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 25058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10166]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 5, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 25058]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Wasatch-Cache National Forest; Utah; Table Top Exploratory Oil 
Well

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact 
statement to the Table Top Exploratory Oil Well Project.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service announces its intent to prepare a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to the Table Top 
Exploratory Oil Well Final Environment Impact Statement (FEIS). The 
Table Top Exploratory Oil Well FEIS evaluated alternatives for well pad 
locations, gravel sources, and associated road improvements in response 
to a Surface Use Plan of Operations to drill an exploratory oil well.

DATES: Scoping will not be conducted in accordance with 40 CFR 
1502.9(c)(4). The draft supplemental environmental impact statement is 
expected in August 2004 and the final supplemental environmental impact 
statement is expected in December 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Faye Krueger, Acting Forest 
Supervisor, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 8236 Federal Building, 125 
South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Ryberg, District Ranger, (307) 
789-3194, Evanston Ranger District, P.O. Box 1880, Evanston, Wyoming, 
82930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 6, 1994, then Forest Supervisor 
Susan Giannettino made a decision to approve Chevron USA's proposal to 
construct and drill an exploratory oil well in the Main Fork Drainage 
on the Evanston Ranger District. Construction on the access road to the 
wellpad site began in September 1995. In October 1995 work stopped on 
construction because of frozen conditions Chevron withdrew as Unit 
Operator. Later Double Eagle was approved by the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) as Unit Operator and is the current proponent of the 
project. In 1997 a suspension of lease terms was requested which BLM 
did not grant. The decision was vacated by Interior Board of Land 
Appeals in April of 1999 and BLM granted a suspension retroactive to 
April 1996. The suspension request was based on nearby unleased lands 
being available for lease. The current suspension will terminate upon 
commencement of operations; one year after the effective date of newly 
issued Federal Leases resulting from the unleased lands being offered 
in a competitive sale; or when the authorized officer deems the 
suspension is no longer in the interest of conservation. Double Eagle 
has acquired the nearby unleased lands and is now ready to move 
forward.
    New circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns 
such as the recently revised 2003 Forest Plan and the listing of the 
Canada lynx as threatened by the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000 have 
been identified. The SEIS will be limited in its scope and address 
environmental impacts directly related to the decision made in January 
1994.
    If a new decision is not needed following preparation of the 
supplemental environmental impact statement, the action is not subject 
to appeal in accordance with 36 CFR 215.12.

Cooperating Agency

    The Bureau of Land Management, Utah State Office is a cooperating 
agency.

Responsible Official

    Faye Krueger, Acting Forest Supervisor, 8236 Federal Building, 125 
South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138.

    Dated: April 27, 2004.
Faye Krueger,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 04-10166 Filed 5-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M