[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 81 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21993-21994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8504]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Los Padres National Forest; California; Oil and Gas Leasing 
Analysis

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest, 
published a Notice of Intent to conduct an analysis and prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for oil and gas leasing in the 
Federal Register on September 15, 1995 (Volume 60, Number 179, pages 
47929-47930). A revised notice of Intent is being issued because of the 
delay in filing the Final EIS. The original Notice of Intent of 
September 15, 1995 stated that the Final EIS was scheduled to be 
completed by April of 1997. The estimated date for completing the Final 
EIS is now June of 2005.

DATES: Scoping was conducted as described in the September 15, 1995 
Notice of Intent. Scoping comments submitted during scoping for the 
proposed action are part of the project record and were considered in 
the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS was distributed in December of 2001. 
Agency, organization, and public comment to the Draft EIS was accepted 
until April 19, 2002. These comments are being considered during the 
completion of the Final EIS. The final environmental impact statement 
is expected in June of 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Hess, Oil and Gas Resource 
Specialist, Los Padres National Forest, 1190 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 
93023, (805) 646-4348, ext. 311. E-mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    There is a need for identification of Los Padres National Forest 
lands were oil and gas exploration, development, and production would 
be appropriate. There is a need to respond to the Bureau of Land 
Management on outstanding requests (applications) for leasing. There is 
a need for information concerning the potential environmental impacts 
of existing leases.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Supervisor proposes to make additional areas of Los 
Padres National Forest lands available for oil and gas exploration, 
development, and production by selecting among alternative leasing 
scenarios. These scenarios vary in the amount of area available for 
leasing as well as the conditions (stipulations) under which the lands 
would be leased. The Forest Supervisor will also determine what 
specific lands will be offered for leasing. The various leasing 
scenarios are described in detail in Section 2.4.2 of the Draft EIS. 
The proposal will amend the Los Padres National Forest Land and 
Resource Management Plan in accordance with regulations for oil and

[[Page 21994]]

gas leasing found at 36 CFR 228, Subpart E--Oil and Gas Resources. 
Subsequently, the Regional Forester will authorize the Bureau of Land 
Management to offer specific National Forest System lands for lease.

Possible Alternatives

    Seven alternative leasing scenarios were analyzed and compared in 
the draft EIS. These alternatives are:

Alternative 1--No Action, No New Leasing;
Alternative 2--Emphasize Oil & Gas Development;
Alternative 3--Meet Forest Plan Direction;
Alternative 4--Emphasize Surface Resources;
Alternative 4a--Alternative 4 With Roadless Conservation Area Emphasis;
Alternative 5--Combination of Alternatives 3 and 4;
Alternative 5a--Alternative 5 With Roadless Conservation Area Emphasis.

    Alternative 5 and 5a were identified as ``Preferred Alternatives'' 
in the draft EIS. One or the other would be selected depending upon the 
outcome of the Roadless Rule.

Responsible Official

    Gloria Brown, Forest Supervisor, Los Padres National Forest, 
Goleta, California, is the responsible official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    In order to implement the proposed action the Forest Supervisor 
will amend the Los Padres Land and Resources Management Plan to 
incorporate the following leasing decisions:
    1. Decide within Los Padres National Forest which, if any, National 
Forest System lands not already withdrawn from mineral entry, are 
available for oil and gas leasing and under what conditions (lease 
stipulations). (Reference: 36 CFR 228.102(d)).
    2. Decide what specific National Forest System lands the Bureau of 
Land Management will be authorized to offer for lease, subject to 
Forest Service stipulations to be attached to leases issued by the 
Bureau of Land Management. (Reference: 36 CFR 228.102(e)).
    3. If requested, recommend leasing options to the Bureau of Land 
Management for the non-federal lands with federal mineral ownership 
that are within the administrative boundary of Los Padres National 
Forest.
    Subsequently, the BLM will decide whether or not to offer leases on 
the specific lands authorized by the Forest Service.

    Dated: April 6, 2005.
Gloria D. Brown,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 05-8504 Filed 4-27-05; 8:45 am]
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