Texaco's Stagecoach Draw Unit; Wyoming; Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY-040-05-1310-01]

Texaco's Stagecoach Draw Unit; Wyoming; Availability of Draft

Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft environmental impact statement

(EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability

of Texaco's Stagecoach Draw Draft EIS analyzing the environmental

consequences of a proposed natural gas development and production

operation in the Stagecoach Draw Unit approximately 7 miles southwest

of Farson, Wyoming, Sweetwater County. The project area encompasses

23,575 acres within portions of Townships 22, 23, and 24 north, ranges

107 and 108 North.

DATES: Comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted for 45 days following

the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes their

Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The EPA notice is

expected to be published on March 10, 1995. There are presently no

plans to hold a public hearing on the Texaco Stagecoach Draw Unit Draft

EIS because of apparent lack of substantial environmental controversy

concerning the proposed project. Reviewers are encouraged to visit the

local BLM offices in Cheyenne and Rock Springs, Wyoming and talk with

the Managers about any concerns. If enough people indicate a desire to

testify by returning the tear-out sheet provided in the Draft EIS, a

public hearing(s) will be scheduled. Information on the hearing(s) will

be published in state and local newspapers and other media sources, and

direct mailing to the recipients of the Draft EIS to give the public

enough notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EIS should be sent to Bureau of Land

Management, Bill McMahan (Project Coordinator), P.O. Box 1869, Rock

Springs, WY 82902-1869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS analyzes a proposed action,

one development alternative, and the no action alternative. Texaco USA

proposes to develop a 23,575 acre natural gas field by drilling 72

wells on an average spacing of 320 acres over the next 6 to 10 years.

Texaco's plans and drilling schedules would be contingent upon both an

increased demand for natural gas supplies in response to the Clean Air

Act amendments of 1990 and an adequate price for the gas at the

wellhead. The Draft EIS describes the physical, biological, cultural,

historic, and socioeconomic resources in and surrounding the project

area. The focus for impact analysis was based upon resource issues and

concerns identified during the public scoping. Potential impacts of

concern from development were to antelope migrations and crucial winter

range; sage grouse and raptor breeding and nesting; sediment increases

to the Big Sandy River; groundwater contamination; Oregon, Mormon

Pioneer, Pony Express, and California Historic Trails condition and

viewshed; changes in livestock and wild horse management; and

cumulative effects. The Draft EIS, in compliance with Section 7(c) of

the Endangered Species Act (as amended), includes the Biological

Assessment for the purpose of identifying any endangered or threatened

species which are likely to be affected by the proposed action.

Dated: March 2, 1995.

Alan L. Kesterke,

Associate State Director.

[FR Doc. 95-5765 Filed 3-8-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-22-M