[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66865-66866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27167]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SERO-BISO-11057; PMP00EI05.YP0000, PPWONRADE2]


Record of Decision for the Oil and Gas Management Plan, Big South 
Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces 
the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Oil and Gas 
Management Plan (Plan) for Big South Fork National River and Recreation 
Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River. On September 5, 2012, the 
Southeast Regional Director, approved the ROD for the plan. The ROD 
identifies Alternative C (Comprehensive Implementation of 9B 
Regulations, a New Management Framework for Plugging and Reclamation, 
and Establishment of Special Management Areas) as the NPS's selected 
action.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS selected action is Alternative C: 
Comprehensive Implementation of 9B Regulations, New Management 
Framework for Plugging and Reclamation, and Establishment of Special 
Management Areas. This alternative includes proactive enforcement of 
the NPS regulations pertaining to non-federal oil and gas operations 
(Title 36 of the Code of

[[Page 66866]]

Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 9 Subpart B) and existing plans of 
operations; clear communication with the public and operators about 
current legal and policy requirements; increased inspections and 
monitoring to identify sites that are found to be impacting, or 
threatening to impact, park resources beyond the operations area to 
bring these sites into compliance; focusing staff resources on the 
implementation and compliance with the regulatory framework; a new 
management framework for efficiently completing compliance processes 
necessary for plugging and reclamation of wells; and establishment of 
Special Management Areas to provide protection for areas where park 
resources and values are particularly susceptible to adverse impacts 
from oil and gas development. The plan will guide oil and gas 
management in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and 
Obed Wild and Scenic River over the next 15 to 20 years.
    The ROD includes a statement of the decision made, a summary of the 
other alternative considered, the basis for the decision, a description 
of the environmentally preferable alternative, and a summary of public 
and agency involvement in the decision-making process. Copies of the 
ROD may be obtained from the contact listed below or online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/biso_obri_ ogmp--rod.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Niki Stephanie Nicholas, 
Superintendent, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, 4564 
Leatherwood Road, Oneida, TN 37841; Telephone: (423) 569-9778; and Obed 
Wild and Scenic River, 208 North Maiden St., Wartburg, Tennessee 37887; 
Telephone: (423) 346-6294.

    Authority:  The authority for publishing this notice is 
contained in NEPA and Section 6.2 of the NPS Director's Order 
12 Handbook.

    The responsible official for this Record of Decision is the 
Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service, 100 Alabama 
Street SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

    Dated: October 10, 2012.
 David Vela,
Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-27167 Filed 11-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JD-P