Intent To Conduct Public Scoping and Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for Fontenelle Natural Gas Infill Projects, Wyoming

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[WY-040-95-1310-01]

Intent To Conduct Public Scoping and Prepare Environmental Impact

Statement for Fontenelle Natural Gas Infill Projects, Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct public scoping and prepare an

environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The action proposed is to conduct scoping and to prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposal of DALEN Oil & Gas

Co., Cabot Oil & Gas Co., and several other oil and gas companies

(Companies) to drill up to approximately 1,322 infill wells in the

existing Fontenelle and Lincoln Road natural gas fields over the next

10 years beginning in 1995. The projects would occur within an area of

existing oil and gas activity which is referred to as the ``cumulative

study area.'' The cumulative study area encompasses all or portions of

27 townships (T. 22-28 N., R. 108-113 W.) or approximately 900 square

miles. The Green River forms the western edge of the cumulative study

area. The area is characterized by intermittent drainages, sagebrush-

greasewood vegetation and an absence of residences. Lands within the

cumulative study area are primarily BLM and Bureau of Reclamation-

administered but include minor amounts of State and private land.

Affected lands are primarily used for grazing, recreation, and oil and

gas production.

DATES: A Scoping Notice will be distributed by mail on or about the

date of this notice. Responses and comments will be accepted for 30

days following the date of this notice. No public meetings are

scheduled at this time. The comments and concerns received in response

to the scoping will aid the BLM in identifying alternatives and assure

all issues are analyzed in the EIS. Should public demand warrant a

public meeting, it will be scheduled at a later date.

ADDRESSES: Information and a copy of the Scoping Notice for the

proposed Fontenelle Natural Gas Infill Drilling Projects EIS can be

obtained by writing or visiting the following offices:

BLM, Wyoming State Office, 2515 Warren Ave., P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne,

Wyoming 82003.

BLM, Rock Springs District Office, Highway 191 North of Rock Springs,

P.O. Box 1869, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82902-1869.

BLM, Green River Resource Area Office, 1993 Dewar Drive, Rock Springs,

Wyoming 82902-1170.

Scoping comments should be sent to: Bureau of Land Management, Rock

Springs District Office, ATTN: Bill McMahan, Project Manager, P.O. Box

1869, Rock Springs, Wyoming, 82902-1869.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill McMahan, Project Manager, Bureau

of Land Management, Rock Springs District Office, P.O. Box 1869, Rock

Springs, Wyoming, 82902-1869, phone (307) 382-5350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The intent of the Fontenelle Natural Gas

Infill Drilling Projects is to enhance natural gas recovery from the

Fontenelle and Lincoln Road lease areas, allowing the Companies to

provide more natural gas to pipeline companies distributing and

supplying natural gas to consumers. This would benefit consumers by

making additional supplies of clean-burning natural gas available. The

additional wells will maximize production in an area where

approximately 447 wells are already producing. The existing wells, plus

the maximum potential development wells, could result in up to

approximately 1,769 wells within the combined Fontenelle and Lincoln

Road fields. However, the level and rate of additional drilling and

development will be contingent upon gas prices and energy tax credits.

In addition to wellheads and production units, associated facilities

will include access roads, natural gas gathering pipeline systems, and

individual well tank facilities.

An environmental assessment and supplement were prepared on natural

gas development within the Fontenelle and Lincoln Road areas in 1991

and 1992 respectively. The decisions for these environmental analyses

concluded that a certain level of development could be authorized

without resulting in significant impact to the human environment.

Development concurrent with the preparation of the Fontenelle Natural

Gas Infill Drilling Projects would be authorized so long as it remains

within the scope of the existing environmental analyses and decisions.

Land and resource management issues and concerns associated with the

construction of roads, well pads, and pipelines; the drilling and

completion of wells; and the operation and maintenance of a producing

well field that will be analyzed in the EIS include:

Potential impacts to big game crucial winter range and

habitat.

Potential impacts to wildlife caused by poaching,

harassment and increased vehicular access.

Potential impacts to sage grouse breeding and nesting

habitat.

Potential impacts to raptors, raptor breeding and nesting

habitat.

Potential impacts to migratory birds.

Potential impacts to vegetation and reclamation problems

associated with arid, saline or highly erosive soils.

Potential impacts to air quality.

Potential impacts to petrified wood collecting areas.

Potential impacts to intermittent streams.

Potential impacts on steep slopes.

Potential impacts to cultural resources, including

historic trails.

Potential impacts to wetlands and riparian areas.

Potential impacts to surface and groundwater quality.

Potential impacts associated with hazardous materials and

spills.

Reclamation, revegetation and restoration of disturbed

areas.

Potential impacts to federally-listed threatened and

endangered species and Federal candidate species (plant and animal),

including the black-footed ferret, peregrine falcon, bald eagle,

ferruginous hawk, and sensitive fish species within the Green River.

Potential impacts to State Priority 1 bird and mammal

species.

Potential impacts on the Green River and Seedskadee

National Wildlife Refuge.

Potential conflicts with livestock, wild horses and range

improvements.

Potential impacts to visual resource qualities.

Potential impacts to recreation opportunities.

Potential impacts caused by increased traffic.

Potential royalty and tax revenues.

Potential impacts on housing.

Potential social and economic effects on local

communities.

Potential impacts associated with increased public access

and road density.

Compliance with Federal, State and local permit

requirements.

Compatibility with BLM management plans and resource

management objectives.

Monitoring and enforcement of mitigation measures.

Cumulative impacts.

Opportunities that may be derived from the proposed

projects include:

Increased royalties and tax revenues to local, State, and

Federal Governments.

Added employment and economic benefits to communities.

An increase in Wyoming's share of new and existing natural

gas markets.

Development of additional supplies of natural gas that

would assist in the attainment of clear air in conformance with Federal

air quality standards.

Dated: December 9, 1994.

Alan K. Kesterke,

Associate State Director.

[FR Doc. 94-30807 Filed 12-15-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-22-P