Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Scoping and To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[WY-040-96-1310-01]

Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Scoping and To Prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will conduct public

scoping and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for McMurry

Oil Company's and Snyder Oil Corporation's (Companies) proposal to

drill approximately 300 natural gas wells within and north of the

existing Jonah Prospect Natural Gas Field in Sublette County, Wyoming.

The Jonah Field II Natural Gas Development Project (Project) area

encompasses 63,000 acres in Townships 28 and 29 North, Ranges 107, 108,

and 109 West, 6th Principal Meridian. The Companies propose to drill

between 150 and 450 wells on an 80-acre spacing over a 10 year period

beginning in 1997.

Lands within the project area are primarily public lands

administered by BLM. Four sections of land owned by the State of

Wyoming (two split-estate sections with state minerals and Federal

surface) and one section of private surface and Federal minerals are

within the project area. These lands are used primarily for livestock

grazing, wildlife habitat, watershed, and natural gas production.

DATES: A public scoping notice was distributed July 12, 1996. Responses

and comments will be accepted through August 23, 1996. A public tour of

the project area is scheduled for the afternoon of July 29, 1996. A

public scoping meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., July 29, 1996, at the

Best Western Motel, 864 West Pine Street, Pinedale, Wyoming.

ADDRESSES: Send all scoping comments to: Leslie Theiss, Area Manager,

Pinedale Resource Area, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming 82041.

Additional information about attending the tour, the public

meeting, or to receive a copy of the scoping notice for the Project may

be obtained from the following offices:

BLM, Pinedale Resource Area, 132 Mill Street, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale,

Wyoming 82041. Phone number 307-367-4358.

BLM, Rock Springs District Office, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs,

Wyoming 82901. Phone number 307-382-5350.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Curry, Pinedale Resource Area or

Teri Deakins, Rock Springs District Office.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The purpose of the project is to expand

natural gas recovery from the Jonah

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Field area, allowing the Companies to provide natural gas to pipeline

companies distributing and supplying natural gas to consumers. The

Jonah Field currently has 17 producing wells. The existing wells, plus

the additional wells, could result in development of between 150 and

450 natural gas wells within the Jonah Field II area with 300 wells the

most likely development scenario. However, the level and rate of

additional drilling and development will be contingent upon natural gas

prices and delineation of the producing formation. Facilities at each

new well site will include an individual separator, a dehydrator, and

production units. Associated facilities will include access roads, a 3

to 4 inch diameter buried natural gas gathering system, replacement of

existing 8 inch natural gas transmission pipeline with a 12 inch

pipeline, and expansion of the natural gas powered compressor station.

An environmental assessment was prepared on natural gas development

within the Jonah Prospect Field in 1994. The decision concluded that a

certain level of development could be authorized without resulting in

significant impact to the human environment. Additional delineation

wells may be approved during preparation of the EIS so long as it

remains within the scope of the existing environmental analysis and BLM

policy on drilling exploration and delineation wells. 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 natural gas field that

will be analyzed in the EIS include:

No surface occupancy within 1/2 mile of a ferruginous hawk

nest.

Potential impacts to nesting raptors.

Threatened/Endangered/Candidate species (plant and

animal).

Potential impacts of sage grouse breeding, nesting, and

winter range habitat.

Potential impacts to Sublette antelope herd migration.

Revegetation and restoration of short-term disturbances

and long-term stabilization, and control of noxious weeds.

Potential conflicts with livestock and range improvements.

Potential impacts on cultural resources (prehistoric and

historic resources).

Increase drilling related traffic on Federal and State

highways and increased public access to the area.

Social and economic affects to the local communities

(increased Federal, State, and local revenues).

Potential impacts to surface and groundwater resources.

Air quality and potential impacts to nearby Wilderness

Areas.

Potential impacts on wetlands and/or riparian areas.

Potential impacts on paleontology.

Hazardous substances.

Potential impacts to wildlife habitat and fish habitat

(Colorado River water depletions, if applicable).

Human and domestic animal safety.

Potential impacts to State Priority One bird and mammals.

Cumulative impacts--from the company's proposal added to

other energy-related activities that are on-going or planned in the

vicinity of the Jonah Field II.

Split-estate concerns.

Dated: July 23, 1996.

Alan R. Pierson,

State Director.

[FR Doc. 96-19148 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-84-P