[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 185 (Monday, September 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56185-56186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19131]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-160.95-1310-DU]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Amendment to the Caliente Resource 
Management Plan Regarding Bureau of Land Management Administration of 
Newly Transferred Lands at Naval Petroleum Reserve 2 (NPR-2) 
in Kern County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Amend the Caliente Resource Management Plan 
to provide for management of lands by BLM on newly transferred lands at 
the Naval Petroleum Reserve 2 (NPR-2) in Kern County, 
California.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to amend the 
Caliente Resource Management Plan (RMP) to cover newly transferred 
lands at NPR-2 and prepare an environmental assessment to analyze the 
effects of that action. The lands addressed by this amendment were 
formerly under the

[[Page 56186]]

jurisdiction of the Department of Energy. However, the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) transferred management 
responsibility from the DOE to the BLM effective August 8, 2005. As 
directed in the Act, ``the principal purpose of the lands subject to 
transfer * * * is the production of hydrocarbon resources, and the 
Secretary of the Interior shall manage the lands in a fashion 
consistent with this purpose.'' Accordingly, this plan amendment will 
specify management prescriptions at NPR-2 for oil and gas related 
operations and specific realty actions covered under 43 CFR part 2000 
by extending existing management prescriptions from the current 
Caliente RMP.
    The proposed action identifies the suitability of the newly 
transferred lands for leasing for oil and gas exploration and 
development and any constraints thereon, in addition to addressing both 
ongoing and new oil and gas related activities on lands that are 
already leased. The amendment will also identify guidance for specific 
realty program actions, including any constraints on repositioning land 
through exchange, sale or acquisition. The land affected comprises only 
the federal portion of NPR-2. Total acreage is approximately 10,451 
acres, located in Townships 31 South, Ranges 23-24 East; and 32 South, 
Ranges 23-25 East, MDBM. Approximately 7,919 acres, 76% of the 
transferred land, already contain ongoing oil and gas operations and 
little change is expected in those areas. Approximately 2,532 acres, or 
24% of the transferred land, is unleased.

DATES: The publication of this notice initiates the public scoping 
process. Public comments concerning the scope of the draft RMP 
amendment for NPR-2 should be submitted within 30 days of the date of 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Comments are 
requested on potential issues, alternatives, as well as any suggested 
planning criteria that BLM should use to guide the plan amendment 
process.
    Public Participation: Public input will be accepted throughout the 
preparation period. If sufficient interest exists, an open house will 
be held at the BLM field office in Bakersfield, CA. Information 
concerning the planning process, including any public participation 
opportunities, will be announced by BLM through news releases, direct 
mailings or other applicable means of public notification. Current 
information about the NPR-2 planning process is also maintained at the 
Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93308, 
telephone (661) 391-6000.

ADDRESSES: Scoping comments should be sent to Jeff Prude, NPR-2 
Amendment Project Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field 
Office, 3801 Pegasus Dr., Bakersfield, California, 93308; Fax (661) 
391-6156, or e-mail at [email protected]. BLM will maintain a record of 
public documents related to the development of the RMP amendment at the 
Bakersfield Field Office at the address listed above. Comments, 
including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available 
for public review at the Bakersfield Field Office during regular 
business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding federal holidays, and may be published as part of the 
environmental assessment. Individual respondents may request 
confidentiality. Individuals who wish to withhold their name or street 
address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of 
Information Act must state this prominently at the beginning of their 
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 or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Jeff Prude, telephone 
(661) 391-6140 or e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject federal lands at NPR-2 were 
transferred from jurisdiction of the Department of Energy to the Bureau 
of Land Management as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, 
effective August 8, 2005. A plan amendment is needed because the 
existing 1997 Caliente RMP does not specifically address management of 
NPR-2 (since it was not managed by the BLM at the time of the RMP 
approval). The lands have all been explored or developed for oil and 
gas operations. All management prescriptions, including oilfield and 
realty related actions covered in the amendment, will remain consistent 
with the law, best environmental practice, and balanced use of 
resources.
    The land that was transferred to the BLM contains habitat suitable 
for several rare plants and animals. The amendment will fulfill the 
needs and obligations set forth in Section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 202 of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act (FLPMA), and BLM planning regulations contained in 
43 CFR part 1600. 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. Preliminary issues 
and management concerns have been identified by BLM personnel, other 
agencies, and in meetings with individuals and user groups, including: 
Making the unleased lands available for competitive oil and gas 
leasing; providing consistent management for ongoing oil and gas 
operations on existing leases; land tenure adjustments; management and 
protection of sensitive, rare, threatened or endangered species; fire 
management; management integration with other agencies; management 
consistent with community needs; and access and transportation on the 
public lands. Disciplines involved in the planning process will include 
specialists with expertise in wildlife management, minerals and 
geology, water resources, archaeology, lands and realty, recreation, 
rangeland management, botany, soils, information technology, sociology, 
and economics. Likely alternatives to be evaluated may include: (1) 
``No Action'' Alternative--no new land use plan allocations related to 
oil and gas or realty actions; (2) ``Lease with Special Stipulations 
Consistent with existing Caliente RMP'' Alternative, which will 
``prevent unnecessary degradation and * * * provide for ultimate 
economic recovery of the (hydrocarbon) resources,'' ensure consistency 
with similar adjacent parcels, and maximize the enhancement and 
protection of the Area's biological, natural, cultural, and scenic 
values; and (3) ``Resource Use'' Alternative--Emphasize oil and gas 
production through use of Standard Lease Terms and Conditions.

    Dated: August 17, 2005.
Ron Huntsinger,
Bakersfield BLM Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 05-19131 Filed 9-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P