[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 71 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 21969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08674]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management


Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western 
Planning Area (WPA) Lease Sale 233 and Central Planning Area (CPA) 
Lease Sale 231, Oil and Gas Lease Sales MMAA104000

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

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    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: BOEM has prepared a Final Supplemental EIS on oil and gas 
lease sales, including sales tentatively scheduled in 2013 and 2014 in 
the WPA and CPA offshore the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
and Alabama. This Final Supplemental EIS updates the environmental and 
socioeconomic analyses evaluated in the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas 
Lease Sales: 2012-2017; Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 
238, 246, and 248; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 
241, and 247--Final Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 
2012-019) (2012-2017 Multisale EIS), completed in July 2012, in advance 
of proposed WPA Lease Sale 233 and proposed CPA Lease Sale 231.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM developed this Final Supplemental EIS 
in advance of proposed WPA Lease Sale 233 and proposed CPA Lease Sale 
231 to consider new information made available since completion of the 
2012-2017 Multisale EIS and to consider new information available 
regarding the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil spill, and cleanup; 
surveys of scientific journals and available scientific data and 
information from academic institutions and Federal, State, and local 
agencies. This Final Supplemental EIS provides updates on the baseline 
conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and natural gas 
leasing, exploration, development, and production in the WPA and CPA. 
BOEM conducted an extensive search for new information, including but 
not limited to information related to the Deepwater Horizon explosion, 
oil spill, and cleanup. Subject-matter experts surveyed scientific 
journals and available scientific data, gathered information, and 
interviewed personnel from academic institutions and Federal, State, 
and local agencies. BOEM has examined the potential impacts of routine 
activities and accidental events, including a possible low-probability, 
castastrophic event associated with a proposed lease sale, and the 
incremental contribution of a proposed lease sale to the cumulative 
impacts on environmental and socioeconomic resources. The oil and gas 
resource estimates and scenario information for this Final Supplemental 
EIS are presented as a range that would encompass the resources and 
activities estimated for a WPA and CPA proposed lease sale.
    Final Supplemental EIS Availability: BOEM has printed and will 
distribute a limited number of paper copies of the EIS. In keeping with 
the Department of the Interior's mission to protect natural resources 
and to limit costs while ensuring availability of the document to the 
public, BOEM will primarily distribute digital copies of this Final 
Supplemental EIS on compact discs. However, if you require a paper 
copy, BOEM will provide one upon request if copies are still available.
    1. You may obtain a copy of the Final Supplemental EIS from the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public 
Information Office (GM 250G), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-GULF).
    2. You may download or view the Final Supplemental EIS on BOEM's 
Internet Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment/NEPA/nepaprocess.aspx.
    BOEM has sent copies of the Final Supplemental EIS to several 
libraries along the Gulf Coast. To find out which libraries have copies 
of the Final Supplemental EIS for review, you may contact BOEM's Public 
Information Office or visit BOEM's Internet Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment/NEPA/nepaprocess.aspx.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Final 
Supplemental EIS, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Office of Environment (GM 
623E), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 
or by email at [email protected]. You may also contact Mr. Goeke 
by telephone at (504) 736-3233.

    Dated: April 9, 2013.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-08674 Filed 4-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P