[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81485-81486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27683]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[21X.LLAKR00000.L13100000.DB0000]


Notice of Availability of the Coastal Plain Marsh Creek East 
Seismic Exploration Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

[[Page 81486]]


ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which requires 
the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM), to establish and administer a competitive oil and gas 
program for the leasing, development, production, and transportation of 
oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain area within the Arctic 
National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the BLM, Arctic District Office, has 
prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No New 
Significant Impact (FONNSI) for proposed 3-dimensional seismic 
exploration in the Coastal Plain of the ANWR.

DATES: The BLM will accept comments concerning the adequacy of the 
analysis of the EA and the preliminary conclusions made in the Draft 
FONNSI. All comments must be received by December 30, 2020. Reviewers 
are encouraged to provide their comments in such a manner that they are 
useful to the agency's analysis. Therefore, comments should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments at the BLM ePlanning website (https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2003258/510), or by mail or in 
person at the BLM Arctic District Office, Attn: Coastal Plain Seismic 
EA, 222 University Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709. Comments not 
transmitted in accordance with these instructions may not be 
considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah LaMarr, Project Lead; by 
telephone, 907-474-2334; by email, [email protected]; or by mail, at the 
address in the ADDRESSES section.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact 
the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the 
above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business 
hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Section 20001 of Public Law 115-
97 (Dec. 22, 2017), requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
through the BLM, to establish and administer a competitive oil and gas 
program for the leasing, development, production, and transportation of 
oil and gas in and out of the Coastal Plain area within the ANWR. 
Kaktovik I[ntilde]upiat Corporation (KIC) has requested authorization 
to conduct 3-dimensional seismic exploration on the eastern side of the 
Coastal Plain during the 2020/2021 winter season starting in January 
2021, to acquire high-quality, high-resolution seismic data.
    Seismic exploration would occur on approximately 352,400 acres 
around the community of Kaktovik, to include 92,000 acres of Kaktovik 
I[ntilde]upiat Corporation lands and approximately 260,400 acres of 
federally managed lands. Seismic exploration generates acoustic waves 
that are picked up by sensors as the waves travel through and bounce 
off subsurface formations. From this information, images can be created 
that show subsurface structure and formations including those areas of 
potential hydrocarbons.
    Comments received in response to this notice, including names and 
addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for 
this proposed action.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6.

Chad B. Padgett,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-27683 Filed 12-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P