Carbon and Emery Counties, UT; EIS on Natural Gas Development

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[UT-066-1310-03]

Carbon and Emery Counties, UT; EIS on Natural Gas Development

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Utah.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare and Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS) on Natural Gas Development in Carbon and Emery Counties, Utah,

and Notice of Scoping Meetings.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management, Price Field Office,

will be directing the preparation of an EIS by a third-party contractor

on the impacts of proposed natural gas development on public and

private lands in Carbon and Emery Counties in central Utah.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Development of natural gas in the Castle

Valley area is proposed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Chandler and

Associates, Inc., Questar Pipeline Company and Texaco Exploration and

Production, Inc. The BLM is preparing an EIS to analyze a conceptual

natural gas development model based on industry's proposal.

Description of the Proposed Action

Field development of existing Federal leases within an area of

approximately 96,000 acres in the Castle Valley area of Carbon and

Emery Counties, Utah is proposed. The project would involve

approximately 375 wells and related facilities including roads,

pipelines, power lines, compressor stations and water disposal

facilities.

The BLM also proposes to approve development of natural gas within

the project area and approve individual drilling applications and right

of way authorizations.

Possible Alternatives

The EIS will analyze the Proposed Action and the No-Action

Alternative. Other alternatives may include various well spacing

options and resource protection alternatives.

Anticipated Issues

Potential issues include air quality, social and economic impacts,

ground water, water disposal, wildlife, and threatened and endangered

species.

Other Relevant Information

The tentative project schedule is as follows: Begin Public Comment

Period--February 1997, File draft EIS--June, 1998, File Final EIS--

November, 1998, Record of Decision--January 1999.

Public Scoping Meetings

Three public scoping meetings will be held. The location and

schedule for the meeting are as follows: February 11, 1997, 7:00 pm,

Price City Hall, Price, Utah, February 12, 1997, 7:00 pm, Emery County

Courthouse, Castle Dale, Utah, February 13, 1997, 7:00 pm, Bureau of

Land Management, Salt Lake District Office, 2370 South, 2300 West, Salt

Lake City, Utah.

Public Input Requested

Comments should address issues to be considered, feasible

alternatives to examine, and relevant information to be aware of or

having a bearing on the proposal.

DATES: The comment period for scoping of the EIS will commence with

publication of this notice. Written comments must be submitted on or

before March 14, 1997. Three public scoping meetings will be held to

receive oral comments on February 11, 12 and 13, 1997, at the times and

locations listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to George Diwachak, Team Leader, The

Ferron Natural Gas EIS, Bureau of Land Management, P.O. Box 45155, Salt

Lake City, UT, 84145-0155.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL: George Diwachak, (801) 539-4043.

Dated: January 22, 1997.

G. William Lamb,

State Director, Utah.

[FR Doc. 97-2001 Filed 1-27-97; 8:45 am]

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