[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 33 (Friday, February 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 7515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3291]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Environmental Documents Prepared for Proposed Mineral Exploration 
on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of the availability of Environmental Assessment (EA) and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

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SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS), in accordance with 
Federal regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA), announces the availability of two Environmental Assessments 
(EAs) and associated Findings of No Significant Impacts (FONSIs) 
prepared by MMS for oil and gas exploration activities proposed on the 
Alaska Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minerals Management Service, Alaska 
OCS Region, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-
5823; or [email protected]; or 1-800-764-2627. You may view the EAs 
on the MMS Web site at http://www.mms.gov/alaska.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMS prepares EAs for proposals for 
exploration drilling to evaluate oil and gas resource potential on the 
Alaska OCS. The EAs examine the potential environmental effects of 
activities described in the proposals and present MMS conclusions 
regarding the level and significance of those effects. The EAs are used 
as the basis for determining whether or not approvals of the proposals 
would significantly affect the quality of the human environment in the 
sense of NEPA Section 102(2)(C). A FONSI is prepared in those instances 
where MMS finds that approval will not result in significant effects on 
the quality of the human environment.
    Document Number: OCS EIS/EA MMS 2009-052. FONSI Date: October 15, 
2009. The EA evaluates the potential for significant impacts of the 
specific operations proposed in the Exploration Plan (EP), dated June 
2009, submitted to MMS by Shell Offshore Inc. The EP is for exploratory 
drilling operations that would be conducted in accordance with the OCS 
Lands Act Amendments and MMS operating regulations (30 CFR 250 and 30 
CFR 254). Shell proposes to drill two wells located on the company's 
leases in the Camden Bay area of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea to evaluate 
the Sivulliq and Torpedo prospects. The proposed drilling locations are 
Lease OCS-Y-1805 (Flaxman Island block 6658) and Lease OCS-Y-1941 
(Flaxman Island block 6610). Drilling operations would be conducted 
from the drill ship M/V Frontier Discoverer during the July-October 
2010 open-water period. Shell's proposal includes suspending all 
operations and removal of the drill ship and support vessels from the 
area beginning August 25 until completion of fall subsistence bowhead 
whaling by the Native Villages of Kaktovik and Nuiqsut, Alaska. 
Information about the methods by which the exploration activities would 
be conducted is detailed in the EP and the associated Environmental 
Impact Analysis and Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan.
    OCS EIS/EA MMS 2009-061. FONSI Date: December 7, 2009. The EA 
evaluates the potential for significant impacts of the specific 
drilling operations proposed in Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc.'s Exploration 
Plan (EP), dated July 2009; deemed submitted October 20, 2009. The EP 
is for exploratory drilling operations that would be conducted in 
accordance with the OCS Lands Act Amendments and MMS operating 
regulations (30 CFR 250 and 30 CFR 254). Shell proposes to drill up to 
three wells at five potential drill sites on the company's leases in 
the Alaskan Chukchi Sea to evaluate the Burger, Crackerjack, and SW 
Shoebill prospects. The potential drill sites are on Lease OCS-Y-2280 
(Posey block 6764), Lease OCS-Y-2267 (Posey block 6714), Lease OCS-Y-
2321 (Posey block 6912), Lease OCS-Y-2111 (Karo block 6864), and Lease 
OCS-Y-2142 (Karo block 7007). Drilling operations would be conducted 
from the drill ship M/V Frontier Discoverer during the July-October 
2010 open-water period. Information about the methods by which the 
exploration activities would be conducted is detailed in the EP and in 
the associated Environmental Impact Analysis and Oil Discharge 
Prevention and Contingency Plan.

    Dated: January 26, 2010.
Jeffery Loman,
Acting Regional Director, Alaska OCS Region, Minerals Management 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-3291 Filed 2-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P