[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3636-3637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1063]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service (MMS)


Geological and Geophysical Exploration (G&G) on the Atlantic 
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement (PEIS) and Call for Interest for Future Industry G&G 
Activity on the Atlantic OCS.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural 
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), MMS is 
announcing its intent to prepare a PEIS to evaluate potential 
environmental effects of multiple G&G activities on the Atlantic OCS. 
This NOI initiates the scoping process for this PEIS and also seeks 
interest from other Federal agencies, and State, tribal, and local 
governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the 
preparation of the EIS. Through the scoping process, Federal, state, 
and local government agencies and other interested parties have the 
opportunity to aid MMS in determining the significant issues and 
alternatives for analysis in the PEIS. Comments received in response to 
the NOI will assist MMS in developing the scope of the PEIS. This early 
planning and consultation step is important to ensure that all 
interests and concerns are communicated to MMS as it develops this PEIS 
and ultimately for future decisions regarding G&G operations under MMS 
regulatory authority.
    In order to assist MMS in developing the scope of G&G activities to 
be covered within the PEIS, we are also using this NOI to solicit 
information from industry on any potential interest for future G&G 
activities on the Atlantic OCS, including seismic surveys (high-
resolution surveys as well as various types of seismic exploration and 
development surveys), side-scan sonar surveys, all types of 
electromagnetic surveys, geological and geochemical sampling, and 
remote sensing (including gravity and magnetic surveys) and the 
geographic areas of these activities. The MMS will specifically use 
this information to develop the scope of the PEIS scenario and its 
proposed action area. If details on activities, desired geographic 
locations, or other relevant information are not provided to MMS 
through this Call for Interest, then this information may not be 
included in the PEIS scenario and may require additional NEPA analysis 
if proposed at a later date.
    With this NOI, MMS notes that this PEIS is dependent upon 
availability of funding. MMS welcomes participation from outside 
sources consistent with appropriate authorities and mechanisms to award 
a contract to conduct the essential analyses and prepare the PEIS. The 
MMS would maintain sole oversight over selection and management of 
contractors and would maintain full authority over the content of the 
PEIS, protected resources analyses, and final decisions. Outside 
sources that are considering participating in this PEIS process should 
submit an expression of interest, along with the requested information 
on potential activities and geographic scope, to the MMS, Gulf of 
Mexico OCS Region's Regional Supervisor for Leasing and Environment 
(see Comments section for contact information).

[[Page 3637]]

    If a PEIS is funded and started in early 2009, MMS estimates 
completion of the PEIS by late 2010. Without funding, completion of the 
PEIS would be uncertain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    Authority: MMS has the authority under the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA as amended; 43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, (1994)) and 
its implementing regulations at 30 CFR Part 251 to issue prelease 
permits for the collection of G&G data. These regulations discuss 
and identify both the authority and applicability of this 
responsibility as well as discussing the types of G&G activities 
that require a permit, the instructions for filing a permit, and the 
obligations and rights under a permit. This NOI is published 
pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) implementing the 
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1988)) (NEPA).
    Background: This NOI is the initial step in the NEPA process. The 
MMS plans to fully comply with all pertinent laws, rules, and 
regulations and will allow the public an adequate opportunity to 
participate in the NEPA process, including through scoping meetings and 
public comment periods.
    The PEIS will evaluate environmental impacts of multiple G&G 
activities on the Atlantic OCS, and more specifically the proposed 
action area developed for the draft PEIS (see description of action 
area), subject to MMS regulatory authority. These activities include, 
but are not limited to, seismic surveys, side-scan sonar surveys, 
electromagnetic surveys, geological and geochemical sampling, and 
remote sensing. More information on G&G activities can be found on 
pages 13-15 of MMS's Leasing Oil and Natural Gas Resources: Outer 
Continental Shelf (see http://www.mms.gov/ld/PDFs/GreenBook-LeasingDocument.pdf) and MMS's Geological and Geophysical Exploration 
for Mineral Resources on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf: 
Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (see http://www.gomr.mms.gov/PDFs/2004/2004-054.pdf).
    The PEIS will be completed prior to authorizing any new, large-
scale G&G activities on the Atlantic OCS. In the interim, MMS may still 
consider small scale, limited permit requests but only if a NEPA 
environmental assessment is conducted and finds there is no potential 
for significant impacts from that specific proposed activity nor that 
the cumulative nature of a collection of smaller, limited surveys would 
result in significant impacts under NEPA.
    Description of Area: The action area to be evaluated under this 
PEIS may include the entire Atlantic OCS but will ultimately be 
determined based on information provided to MMS by industry and public 
commentors as a result of this NOI and Call for Interest.
    Request for Cooperating Agencies: The DOI policy is to invite other 
Federal agencies, and State, tribal, and local governments to consider 
becoming cooperating agencies in the preparation of an EIS. Per Council 
of Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, qualified agencies and 
governments are those with ``jurisdiction by law or special 
expertise.'' Cooperating agency status neither enlarges nor diminishes 
the final decisionmaking authority of any agency involved in the NEPA 
process.
    The MMS invites qualified government entities to inquire about 
cooperating agency status for this EIS. Upon request, the MMS will 
provide qualified cooperating agencies with a written summary of ground 
rules for cooperating agencies, including time schedules and critical 
action dates, milestones, responsibilities, scope and detail of 
cooperating agencies' contributions, and handling of predecisional 
information. The MMS anticipates this summary will form the basis for a 
Memorandum of Understanding between the MMS and each cooperating 
agency. You should also consider the CEQ's ``Factors for Determining 
Cooperating Agency Status.'' This document is available on the CEQ Web 
site at: http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/cooperating/cooperatingagencymemofactors.html. Even if your organization is not a 
cooperating agency, you will continue to have opportunities to provide 
information and comments to MMS during the normal public input phases 
of the NEPA/EIS process.
    Notice of Public Scoping Meetings on the PEIS: MMS will hold public 
scoping meetings on the PEIS. The purpose of these meetings will be to 
solicit comments on the scope of the PEIS, identify significant issues 
to be analyzed in the PEIS, and identify possible alternatives to a 
proposed action. The public scoping meetings will be scheduled at a 
later date and a Federal Register notice will be published announcing 
the date, time, and location of the meetings and will include a map of 
the Atlantic OCS.
    Comments: In addition to participation in the scoping meetings, 
Federal, state, and local government agencies and other interested 
parties are invited to send their written comments on the scope of the 
PEIS, significant issues that should be addressed, alternatives that 
should be considered, scenario development, and the types of G&G 
activities and geographical areas of interest on the Atlantic OCS. In 
particular, MMS would like to know the interest level and geographic 
location for seismic exploration activity (2D and 3D), magnetotelluric 
and controlled source electromagnetic surveys, coring, deep and/or 
shallow stratigraphic test wells, geochemical surveys, aeromagnetic, 
and aerogravity surveys.
    Comments may be submitted in one of the following two ways:
    1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on 
the PEIS Scope'' and mailed (or hand carried) to the Regional 
Supervisor, Leasing and Environment (MS 5410), Minerals Management 
Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New 
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394.
    2. Electronically to the MMS e-mail address: [email protected].
    If you would like your name added to the MMS mailing list, please 
send an e-mail to the MMS e-mail address: [email protected] with the 
subject line ``Atlantic OCS mailing list.'' For further information 
regarding the Atlantic OCS G&G PEIS please visit our Web site at: 
http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/offshore/atlocs/atlocs.html.

DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than March 23, 2009, at 
the addresses specified above. If a PEIS is funded and started by early 
2009, MMS estimates completion of the PEIS by late 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on this NOI, please 
contact Mr. Casey Rowe, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS 
Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (MS 5412), New Orleans, Louisiana 
70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2781. For information on MMS policies 
associated with this NOI, please contact Mr. Joe Christopher, Regional 
Supervisor, Leasing and Environment (MS 5410), Minerals Management 
Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New 
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, telephone (504) 736-2759.

    Dated: January 9, 2009.
Randall B. Luthi,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
[FR Doc. E9-1063 Filed 1-16-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P