[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 231 (Friday, December 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69582-69583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20376]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY-030-1310-DB]


Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project; Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project, 
Rawlins, Wyoming.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project FEIS. The FEIS 
analyzes the environmental consequences of a proposed natural gas 
development and production operations on the 270,080 acre Atlantic Rim 
project area. The area is located within the administrative 
jurisdiction of the BLM Rawlins Field Office, and runs in an arc 
between Rawlins and Baggs in:

Tps. 12 to 20 N., Rs. 89 to 93 W.,

Sixth Principal Meridian, Carbon County, Wyoming

ADDRESSES: A copy of the FEIS has been sent to affected Federal, State, 
and local government agencies and to interested parties. The document 
is available electronically on the following Web site: http://www.wy.blm.gov/rfo/nepa.htm. If you are interested in viewing material 
referenced or posted to the BLM Web site, please contact the Rawlins 
Field Office.
    Copies of the FEIS will be available for public inspection at the 
following locations:
     Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 
Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003.
     Bureau of Land Management, Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. 
Third Street, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Simons, Project Lead, BLM 
Rawlins Field Office, 1300 N. Third Street, Rawlins, WY 82301. Requests 
for information may be sent electronically to: [email protected]. Mr. Simons may also be reached at (307) 328-4328.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anadarko E & P Company, LP, is the lead 
proponent for a proposal to explore for and develop natural gas 
resources in the Atlantic Rim project area. Double Eagle Petroleum and 
Mining Company and Warren Resources, Inc., are also participating in 
this proposal. The Operators propose to drill up to 2,000 wells--1,800 
completed to coal formations and 200 to other geologic targets for 
natural gas. Drilling would occur within the Atlantic Rim Project Area 
over the next 20 years with life-of-project expected to be 30 to 50 
years. Well density completed in coal formations would be up to eight 
wells per 640-acre section of land; wells in other geologic formations 
would be spaced no tighter than four wells per section.
    The proposal arises from the results of exploratory drilling under 
an interim drilling plan. Prior to preparation of the Atlantic Rim EIS, 
six exploratory plans of development (PODs) of up to 24 wells each were 
completed in areas believed to have potential for commercial quantities 
of natural gas within the project area. Approximately 325 oil and gas 
wells have been drilled or approved for drilling within the Atlantic 
Rim project area.
    On June 26, 2001, the BLM published the Notice of Intent to prepare 
an EIS for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project in the 
Federal Register. Based on issues and concerns identified during 
scoping and throughout the NEPA process, the Atlantic Rim FEIS focuses 
on impacts to air quality, biological and physical resources, 
transportation, socio-economics, and cumulative effects. In compliance 
with Section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended, the FEIS 
includes a biological assessment for the purpose of identifying 
endangered or threatened species which may be affected by the Proposed 
Action.
    On December 16, 2005, BLM published its Notice of Availability of 
the Draft EIS for this project in the Federal Register. The 60-day 
public comment period ended on February 16, 2006. Over 60,000 comments 
were received on the Draft EIS.
    The Atlantic Rim FEIS analyzes four alternatives in detail:
    1. The Proposed Action Alternative;
    2. Alternative A--The No Action Alternative, which means the 
project as proposed would be rejected by the BLM;
    3. Alternative B--See discussion below;

[[Page 69583]]

    4. Alternative C--Special protection of sensitive resources; and,
    5. Alternative D--Natural gas development with disturbance 
limitations.
    The agency's preferred alternative is Alternative D.
    Based on comments received to the draft EIS, the effects of long 
delays on allowable oil and gas development on leaseholders and mineral 
rights, and the need for BLM to allow reasonable access across Federal 
lands for mineral development on private and State lands, Alternative B 
in the Draft EIS was dropped from further consideration.
    The Atlantic Rim FEIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action 
(development of 2,000 natural gas wells), principally including the 
construction of access roads, pipelines, and other ancillary facilities 
(gas processing plant, compressor stations, water disposal sites, 
etc.). In Alternative A, the No Action Alternative, BLM would reject 
the proposed action as submitted. For Alternative C, disturbance would 
be reduced compared to the proposed action and would be intensively 
mitigated or limited where sensitive resource values exist or overlap. 
Examples of sensitive resources include threatened, endangered, and 
sensitive wildlife; fish and plant species; fragile soils; and unique 
cultural features. Comments received on the Draft EIS indicated the 
level of disturbance and number of well pad restrictions may render the 
project unfeasible under this alternative. Alternative D is similar to 
the Proposed Action, but would limit surface disturbance to a 
percentage of the project area at any one time.

    Dated: September 8, 2006.
Donald A. Simpson,
Acting State Director.
 [FR Doc. E6-20376 Filed 11-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P