[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16048-16049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06297]


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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, Central Planning Area (CPA) Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Public Meetings.

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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 of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.) (NEPA).

SUMMARY: BOEM has prepared a Draft Supplemental EIS for proposed OCS 
oil and gas Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247, which are tentatively 
scheduled to be held in March 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively, in 
the CPA offshore the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. 
This Draft Supplemental EIS updates the environmental and socioeconomic 
analyses for proposed

[[Page 16049]]

CPA Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247 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 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS) and in the 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 Draft Supplemental EIS 
for proposed CPA Lease Sales 235, 241, and 247 to consider new 
information made available since completion of the 2012-2017 WPA/CPA 
Multisale EIS and WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS, and to consider, 
among others, new information on the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil 
spill, and response. This Draft Supplemental EIS provides updates on 
the baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and 
natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the 
CPA. BOEM conducted an extensive search for new information in 
consideration of the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil spill, and 
response, reviewing scientific journals and available scientific data 
and information from academic institutions and Federal, State, and 
local agencies; and interviewing personnel from academic institutions 
and Federal, State, and local agencies. BOEM has examined the potential 
impacts of routine activities and accidental events and 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 Draft Supplemental EIS are 
presented as a range that would encompass the resources and activities 
estimated for a proposed CPA lease sale.
    Draft Supplemental EIS Availability: BOEM has printed and will 
distribute a limited number of paper copies. 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 Draft 
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 Draft 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).
    2. You may download or view the Draft Supplemental EIS on BOEM's 
Internet Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Assessment//.aspx.
    Several libraries along the Gulf Coast have been sent copies of the 
Draft Supplemental EIS. To find out which libraries have copies of the 
Draft 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.
    Comments: Federal, State, and local government agencies and other 
interested parties are requested to send their written comments on the 
Draft Supplemental EIS in one of the following ways:
    1. In an envelope labeled ``Comments on the CPA 235, 241, and 247 
Draft Supplemental EIS'' and mailed (or hand carried) to 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;
    2. Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and search for ``Oil and Gas Lease Sales: Gulf of 
Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 235, 
241, and 247''. (Note: It is important to include the quotation marks 
in your search terms.) Click on the ``Comment Now!'' button to the 
right of the document link. Enter your information and comment, then 
click ``Submit''; or
    3. BOEM's email address: [email protected].
    Comments should be submitted no later than 45 days from the 
publication of this NOA.
    Public Meetings: BOEM will also hold public meetings to obtain 
comments regarding the Draft Supplemental EIS. These meetings are 
scheduled as follows:
     New Orleans, Louisiana: April 7, 2014, Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70123, one meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT.
     Gulfport, Mississippi: April 8, 2014, Courtyard by 
Marriott Gulfport Beachfront MS Hotel, 1600 East Beach Boulevard, 
Gulfport, Mississippi 39501; one meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT; 
and
     Mobile, Alabama: April 9, 2014, Five Rivers--Alabama's 
Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, 
Alabama 36527; one meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Draft 
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.

Public Disclosure of Names and Addresses

    BOEM does not consider anonymous comments; please include your name 
and address as part of your submittal. BOEM makes all comments, 
including the names and addresses of respondents, available for public 
review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may 
request that BOEM withhold their names and/or addresses from the public 
record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. 
If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state 
your preference prominently at the beginning of your comment. All 
submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their 
entirety.

    Dated: March 14, 2014.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2014-06297 Filed 3-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P