[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 48883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24606]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-060-01-1310-00]
Gillette South Coalbed Methane Project, Campbell County, Wyoming;
Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability
of the Gillette South Coalbed Methane Project abbreviated (FEIS).
Together with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) issued in
March 1997, the FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of coalbed
methane development within the Gillette South assessment area. The
development area is located in Campbell County and generally located
within Townships 42 through 49 North; Ranges 70 through 73 West, 6th
Principal Meridian. The area is accessed by U.S. Highway 59 south of
Gillette, Wyoming. Access to the interior of the assessment area is
provided by a road system developed to service prior and ongoing
drilling and production activities.
DATES: Since the FEIS is abbreviated it must be reviewed with the DEIS.
Comments on the FEIS will be accepted for 30 days following the date
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes their Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register. The EPA notice is expected on or
about September 5, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the FEIS should be sent to Mr. Richard Zander,
Bureau of Land Management, Buffalo Resource Area, 1425 Fort Street,
Buffalo, Wyoming 82834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS issued in March 1997, received
twelve comments. These comments were addressed and considered in the
analysis of the FEIS. The FEIS analyzes a proposed action, and the no
action alternative. It also considers four other alternatives, Restrict
Timing of Approval of Federal Wells, Reduce Number of Federal Wells
Approved, Change the Method of Surface Water Disposal, and Inject
Produced Water Underground. The proposal presented by the operators is
to continue to drill additional wells on their leased acreage within
this methane gas development area.
Over the next 3 to 5 years, the operators propose to drill up to
400 (210 private or State and 190 Federal) additional wells to obtain
maximum recovery of methane gas from existing Federal (41 percent),
State, and private oil and gas leases. The FEIS describes the physical,
biological, cultural, historic, and socioeconomic resources in and
surrounding the project area. The focus of the impact analysis was
based upon resource issues, concerns identified during public scoping,
and the public and internal review comments received on the DEIS.
Dated: September 5, 1997.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 97-24606 Filed 9-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
