[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82319-82320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33605]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management


Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western 
Planning Area (WPA) and Central Planning Area (CPA), Oil and Gas Lease 
Sales for 2012-2017

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and Public Meetings.

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

    Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40 
CFR 1503) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. 
(1988)).
SUMMARY: The BOEM has prepared a Draft EIS on oil and gas lease sales 
tentatively scheduled in 2012-2017 in the WPA and CPA offshore the 
States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Under the 
proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017 
(5-Year Program), five annual areawide lease sales are scheduled for 
the WPA and five annual areawide lease sales are scheduled for the CPA. 
The proposed WPA lease sales are Lease Sale 229 in 2012, Lease Sale 233 
in 2013, Lease Sale 238 in 2014, Lease Sale 246 in 2015, and Lease Sale 
248 in 2016; the proposed CPA lease sales are Lease Sale 227 in 2013, 
Lease Sale 231 in 2014, Lease Sale 235 in 2015, Lease Sale 241 in 2016, 
and Lease Sale 247 in 2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BOEM has prepared a draft EIS (Multisale 
EIS) for the five WPA and five CPA Gulf of Mexico lease sales scheduled 
for 2012-2017 in the proposed 5-Year Program. This draft Multisale EIS 
provides information on the baseline conditions and potential 
environmental effects of oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, 
development, and production in the WPA and CPA. The BOEM conducted an 
extensive

[[Page 82320]]

search for information pertinent to the lease sales, including 
consideration of the Deepwater Horizon event, surveys of scientific 
journals and credible scientific data and information from academic 
institutions and Federal, State, and local agencies, and interviews 
with personnel from academic institutions and Federal, State, and local 
agencies. The BOEM has examined potential impacts of routine activities 
and accidental events, including a possible low probability, 
catastrophic event associated with the proposed lease sales, as well as 
the proposed lease sales' incremental contribution to the cumulative 
impacts on environmental and socioeconomic resources. The oil and gas 
resource estimates and scenario information for this draft Multisale 
EIS are presented as a range that would encompass the resources and 
activities estimated for the WPA and CPA proposed lease sales.
    Draft Multisale EIS Availability: To obtain a single, printed or 
CD-ROM copy of the draft Multisale EIS, you may contact the Bureau of 
Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information 
Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-GULF). An electronic copy of the Draft 
EIS is available on BOEM's Internet Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment/NEPA/nepaprocess.aspx. Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent 
copies of the Draft EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of the 
Draft EIS for review, and their locations, you may contact BOEM's 
Public Information Office.
    Comments: Federal, State, and local government agencies and other 
interested parties are requested to send their written comments on the 
Draft EIS in one of the following two ways:
    1. In written form enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Comments on 
the Draft Multisale EIS'' and mailed (or hand carried) to Mr. Gary D. 
Goeke, Chief, Regional Assessment Section, Office of the Environment 
(MS 5410), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS 
Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394.
    2. Electronically to the BOEM email address: [email protected].
    Comments should be submitted no later than 45 days from the 
publication of this NOA or February 13, 2012.
    Public Meetings: The BOEM will hold public meetings to obtain 
comments regarding the Draft EIS. These meetings are scheduled as 
follows:
     Houston, Texas: January 10, 2012, Houston Airport Marriott 
at George Bush Intercontinental, 18700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 
Houston, Texas 77032, beginning at 1 p.m. CST;
     New Orleans, Louisiana: January 11, 2012, Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70123, beginning at 1 p.m. CST; and
     Mobile, Alabama: January 12, 2012, Five Rivers--Alabama's 
Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, 
Alabama, 36527, beginning at 1 p.m. CST.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Draft EIS, 
you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (MS 5410), New 
Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, or by email at [email protected]. 
You may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at (504) 736-3233.

    Dated: December 7, 2011.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Deputy Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2011-33605 Filed 12-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P