[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 16048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06288]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas 
Lease Sales, Western Planning Area (WPA) Lease Sales 238, 246, and 248 
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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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 Supplemental EIS for proposed OCS oil and gas 
Lease Sales 238, 246, and 248, which are tentatively scheduled to be 
held in August 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively, in the WPA offshore 
the States of Texas and Louisiana. This Final Supplemental EIS updates 
the baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and 
natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the 
WPA since publication of 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 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS) 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 (OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-0118) (WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental 
EIS). The 2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS was completed in July 2012. 
The WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS was completed in April 2013.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM developed this Final Supplemental EIS 
for proposed WPA Lease Sales 238, 246, and 248 to consider new 
information made available since completion of the 2012-2017 WPA/CPA 
Multisale EIS and WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS. 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. BOEM conducted an 
extensive search for new information, including but not limited to, 
information related to the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil spill, and 
response. BOEM's search included reviewing scientific journals and 
available scientific data as well as interviews of 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 catastrophic event, 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 Final 
Supplemental EIS are presented as a range that would encompass the 
resources and activities estimated for a proposed WPA lease sale.
    Final Supplemental EIS Availability: You may download or view the 
Final Supplemental EIS on BOEM's Internet Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment//.aspx. 
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 the Final Supplemental EIS on compact 
discs. However, if you require a paper copy, BOEM will provide one upon 
request if copies are still available. 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 335A), 1201 Elmwood 
Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-
GULF).
    Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent copies of the 
Final Supplemental EIS. 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.

    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: March 13, 2014.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-06288 Filed 3-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P