```
[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 4076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2001]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-M
```