[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 25 (Monday, February 7, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6890-6891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02423]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[20X.LLAK930000.L51010000.000000.LVRWL20L1090]


Notice of Preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Willow Master Development Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of preparation of a supplemental environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is preparing a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to address 
deficiencies identified by the U.S. District Court for Alaska in the 
2020 Willow Master Development Plan (MDP)/Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) issued in October 2020, 
and to ensure compliance with applicable law. The BLM will not be 
holding a formal scoping period but has begun outreach to stakeholders 
and will accept input and comments through informal scoping for up to 
30 days following the date of publication.

DATES: The BLM requests input concerning the scope of the analysis, and 
identification of relevant information, studies, and analyses to be 
considered in the SEIS, which must be received by March 9, 2022. The 
draft SEIS is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit input by any of the following methods:

 ePlanning Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/109410/510
 Mail: 222 W 7th Avenue, Stop #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513
 More details and instructions for submitting public comment 
can be found on the BLM ePlanning website at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/109410/510

Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the ePlanning 
website.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Stephanie Rice at 907-271-3202, or by 
email at [email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication devices 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Willow project was originally analyzed 
in the 2020 Willow MDP/Final EIS and authorized in a ROD issued in 
October 2020. In August 2021, the U.S. District Court for Alaska 
vacated the ROD and remanded the matter to BLM to correct deficiencies 
in the EIS regarding analysis of foreign greenhouse gas emissions and 
screening of alternatives for detailed analysis. The BLM will prepare a 
SEIS to address the deficiencies identified by the Court's decision, 
and to ensure compliance with applicable law, including (but not 
limited to) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; the Alaska National Interest 
Lands Conservation Act; and the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production 
Act. This process will incorporate input from federal agencies, 
environmental organizations, Alaska Native Tribes, organizations, and 
corporations, numerous State of Alaska agencies and the affected 
communities along the North Slope.
    Additional opportunities for public participation, including public 
meetings, will be available upon publication of the draft SEIS. The BLM 
will continue to consult with potentially affected Federally recognized 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive 
Order 13175, and with affected Alaska Native corporations under the 
Department's Policy on Consultation with Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act Corporations (Aug. 10, 2012). We respectfully request 
participation in consultation by these Alaska Native entities to 
receive their views and recommendations on the Willow MDP. The BLM will 
hold individual consultations upon request.

Comments

    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be

[[Page 6891]]

provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. Comments received 
in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of 
those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed 
action. Comments submitted anonymously will also be accepted and 
considered.

Thomas A. Heinlein,
Acting State Director, BLM Alaska.
[FR Doc. 2022-02423 Filed 2-4-22; 8:45 am]
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