[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75119-75120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30407]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Dakota Prairie Grasslands, North Dakota; Oil and Gas Development 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: In June of 2003, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Record of 
Decision for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Little Missouri and Cedar River 
National Grasslands was signed. This decision spelled out leasing 
stipulations, consistent with the Revised Dakota Prairie Grasslands 
Land and Resource Management Plan, based on the 2001 Northern Great 
Plains Management Plans Revision FEIS which included a Reasonably 
Foreseeable Development Scenario (RFDS) for Oil and Gas for the Little 
Missouri and Cedar River National Grasslands.
    In the 11 years since the analysis was completed there has been a 
change in the manner in which oil and gas development has occurred on 
the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, primarily that multiple (4-6) wells can 
be drilled from a single well pad rather than just one; as was most 
common in the past. The improvements in horizontal drilling and 
hydraulic fracturing technologies to improve the ability to access oil 
and gas located deep underground are the primary reasons for these 
changes in development.
    At this time it is necessary to review the analysis to determine 
whether or not the effects of the changed pattern of oil and gas 
development are different from those effects considered in the 2001 
FEIS, and whether or not there is a need to change Land and Resource 
Management Plan standards and guidelines (and possibly leasing 
stipulations) in order to continue oil and gas development on the 
Little Missouri and Cedar River National Grassland units of the Dakota 
Prairie Grasslands.

DATES: Scoping is not required for supplements to environmental impact 
statements (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)). Review and comments will be solicited 
once the Draft SEIS is filed with EPA. The draft supplemental 
environmental impact statement is expected in February, 2013 and the 
final supplemental environmental impact statement is expected in May, 
2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Dunlap, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader, at 240 W. Century Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503, by email at 
[email protected] or by phone at 701-250-4463 x105.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    In light of a changed pattern of oil and gas activity from what was 
anticipated in the 2001 RFDS, there is a need for the DPG to supplement 
our analysis to determine if any changes need to be made to the 
stipulations in the 2003 Oil and Gas Leasing ROD that authorizes oil 
and gas leasing on the DPG. The purpose of the analysis is to determine 
whether or not the effects anticipated in the 2001 FEIS are still 
accurate and, if they are not, whether or not any additional management 
direction and/or leasing stipulations are necessary to protect National 
Forest System lands while still allowing for oil and gas development on 
the DPG on those lands previously determined to be administratively 
available for leasing.

Proposed Action

    The Dakota Prairie Grasslands has conducted preliminary analysis of 
the changed condition and, at this time, proposes no change to 
management direction in the LRMP or to leasing stipulations from the 
2003 ROD. However, consistent with 40 CFR 1502.9(2), we will supplement 
the FEIS to consider the changed pattern of oil and gas development 
relative to the updated RFDS. The updated RFDS is available by request 
at the address below or online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=40652.

Responsible Official

    Dennis Neitzke, Grasslands Supervisor, Dakota Prairie Grasslands,

[[Page 75120]]

240 W. Century Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Based on the supplemented EIS, the Grasslands Supervisor will 
determine whether or not additional management direction would be 
incorporated into the Dakota Prairie Grasslands LRMP.

    Dated: December 11, 2012.
Sherri K. Schwenke,
Acting Grasslands Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2012-30407 Filed 12-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P