[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 62660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24690]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[MMAA 104000]


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas 
Lease Sales Eastern Planning Area (EPA) Lease Sales 225 and 226

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

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

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SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (NEPA), 
BOEM has prepared a Final EIS on oil and gas lease sales tentatively 
scheduled to be held in 2014 and 2016 in the EPA offshore the states of 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Under the Outer 
Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017 (Five-Year 
Program), two lease sales are scheduled for the EPA. The proposed EPA 
lease sales are Lease Sales 225 and 226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Final EIS provides information on the 
baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and 
natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the 
EPA. The Final EIS incorporates by reference the analysis presented 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 (2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS; OCS EIS/EA BOEM 
2012-019) and Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2013-2014; 
Western Planning Area Lease Sale 233; Central Planning Area Lease Sale 
231, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (WPA 233/CPA 231 
Supplemental EIS; OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-0118). The Final EIS also tiers 
from the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017 
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 
2012-030). Subject matter experts surveyed scientific journals and 
available scientific data, gathered information, and interviewed 
personnel from academic institutions and Federal, State, and local 
government agencies. BOEM has examined the potential impacts of routine 
activities, potential accidental events, and the incremental 
contribution of a proposed lease sale to the cumulative impacts on 
environmental and socioeconomic resources. BOEM conducted an extensive 
search for new information in consideration of the Deepwater Horizon 
explosion, oil spill, and response. BOEM has also examined the 
potential impacts of a low-probability catastrophic event. The oil and 
gas resource estimates and scenario information for this Final EIS are 
presented as a range that would encompass the resources and activities 
estimated for an EPA proposed lease sale.
    Final EIS Availability: BOEM has printed and will be distributing a 
limited number of paper copies. In keeping with the Department of the 
Interior's mission of the protection of natural resources and to limit 
costs while ensuring availability of the document to the public, BOEM 
will primarily distribute digital copies of this Final 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 EIS from the Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Public Information Office 
(GM 335A), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-GULF).
    2. You may download or view the Final EIS 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 
Final EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of the Final 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 EIS, 
you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, Chief, Environmental Assessment 
Section, Office of Environment (GM 623E), Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 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.

    Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40 
CFR 1503) implementing the provisions of NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq. [1988]).

    Dated: September 19, 2013.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-24690 Filed 10-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P