### 70478 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 219 / Monday, November 14, 2011 / Notices

BOEM has a right to access geophysical
data and information collected under a permit in the OCS.

Every bidder submitting a bid on a block in Sale 218, or participating as a joint bidder in such a bid, must submit
at the time of bid submission a Geophysical Data and Information Statement (GDIS) in a separate and sealed envelope, identifying any enhanced or reprocessed geophysical data and information generated or used as part of the decision to bid or participate in a bid on the block (including the use of Controlled Source Electromagnetics, Gravity, etc.). The
data identified in the GDIS should clearly identify whether the data or
information are multi-client (speculative) data sets available directly from geophysical contractors or exclusive (proprietary) data sets specially processed for or by bidders. In addition, the GDIS should clearlyidentify the data type (2–D or 3–D, prestack or post-stack and time or depth); areal extent ( i.e., number of line miles for 2–D or number of blocks for 3–D) and migration algorithm (Wave Equation Migration, Reverse Time Migration, etc.) of the data and
information. The statement must also include the name, phone number and full address of a contact person, and an alternate, who are both knowledgeable
about the information and data listed and available for 30 days post-sale, the processing company, date processing was completed, owner of the original data set (who initially acquired the data), original data survey name and permit number. BOEM reserves the right to query about alternate data sets and to quality check and compare the listed
and alternative data sets to determine which data set most closely meets the
needs of the fair market value determination process.

The statement must also identify each block upon which the bidder submitted a bid or participated as a partner in a bid, but for which it did not useenhanced or reprocessed pre- or poststack geophysical data and information as part of the decision to bid or to participate in the bid. The GDIS must be submitted, even if no enhanced geophysical data and information were used in bid preparation for the block.

In the event a company supplies any type of data to BOEM, that company must meet the following requirements to qualify for reimbursement:

1. The company must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). The initial registration is valid for one year and must be updated annually thereafter. The Web site for registering is: http://www.ccr.gov. This is a requirement that was implemented on October 1, 2003, and requires all entities doing business with the Government to complete a business profile in the CCR. Payments are made electronically based on the banking

information contained in the CCR. Therefore, if the company is not actively registered in the CCR, BOEM will not be able to reimburse or pay that company for any data supplied.

2. Effective May 1, 2011, the Department of Interior is requiring all of its agencies and bureaus to use the Department of Treasury’s Internet Payment Platform (IPP) for electronic invoicing. The company must enroll at the IPP Web site if it has not already done so. Access will then be granted to use IPP for submitting requests for payment. When a request for payment is submitted, it must include the assigned Purchase Order Number on the request.

3. In addition, the company must complete an on-line Representations and Certifications application at www.bpn.gov. Even though the company may have never provided this information previously, it must now do

so in order to do business with the

Government or receive reimbursement.

Note: The GDIS Information Table can be submitted digitally on a CD or DVD as an Excel Spreadsheet.

Force Majeure: The BOEM Regional Director of the GOM Region has the discretion to change any date, time, and/or location specified in the Final NOS 218 Package in case of a force majeure event that the RD deems may interfere with the carrying out of a fair and proper lease sale process. Such events may include, but are not limited to, natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods), wars, riots, and acts of terrorism, fire, strikes, civil

disorder or other events of a similar nature. In case of such events, bidders should call (504) 736–0557 or access our

Web site at: http://www.gomr.boem.gov for information about any changes.

Dated: November 8, 2011.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

[FR Doc. 2011–29340 Filed 11–10–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR** 

**Bureau of Ocean Energy Management**

**Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Western**  **Planning Area (WPA), Oil and Gas**
**Lease Sale for the 2007–2012 5-Year OCS Program** 

**AGENCY :**  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

**ACTION :**  Notice of Availability (NOA).

**SUMMARY :**  BOEM has prepared a ROD on an oil and gas lease sale tentatively scheduled for December 14, 2011 for WPA Lease Sale 218, which is the final
WPA lease sale in the 2007–2012 5-Year OCS Program. The proposed sale is in
the GOM WPA off the States of Texas and Louisiana. In preparing its decision,
BOEM considered alternatives to the Proposed Action and the impacts as presented in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and all comments received throughout the NEPA process. The Final SEIS updated the environmental and socioeconomic analyses for WPA Lease Sale 218, originally evaluated in the
GOM OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2007–2012; WPA Sales 204, 207, 210, 215, and 218; Central Planning Area (CPA) Sales 205, 206, 208, 213, 216, and 222, Final EIS (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007– 018) (Multisale EIS), completed in April 2007 and updated the environmental and socioeconomic analyses for WPA
Lease Sale 218 in the GOM OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2009–2012; CPA Sales 208, 213, 216, and 222; WPA Sales 210, 215, and 218; Final SEIS (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2008–041) (2009–2012 Supplemental EIS), completed in September 2008. BOEM has selected the proposed action, identified as the Agency’s preferred alternative (Alternative A) in the Final SEIS, and
will offer for lease all unleased blocks within the WPA for oil and gas operations, except whole and partial blocks within the boundary of the
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and whole and partial blocks in the Western Gap buffer area.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  On June 18, 2010, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) was renamed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE). Effective October 1, 2011, BOEMRE was reorganized and separated into two separate bureaus, BOEM and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). BOEM is responsible for managing development
of the nation’s offshore resources in an environmentally and economically


### 70479 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 219 / Monday, November 14, 2011 / Notices

responsible way. BOEM’s functions include: leasing, plan administration, environmental studies, NEPA analysis, resource evaluation, economic analysis, and renewable energy. BSEE is responsible for enforcing safety and environmental regulations. BSEE functions include: All field operations including permitting and inspections, research, offshore regulatory programs, oil spill response, and training and environmental compliance.

BOEMRE developed the Final EIS for
WPA Lease Sale 218 in order to
consider new circumstances and information available since publication of the prior EIS’s or arising from, among other things, the Deepwater Horizon event and spill. In this Final EIS,
BOEMRE evaluated three alternatives:

Alternative A—The Proposed Action: This is the Agency’s preferred
alternative. This alternative would offer
for lease all unleased blocks within the WPA for oil and gas operations, except whole and partial blocks within the boundary of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and whole and partial blocks in the Western Gap
buffer area. The WPA sale area encompasses about 28.7 million acres. Approximately 18.3 million ac (64 percent) of the WPA sale area is currently unleased. The estimated amount of resources projected to be developed as a result of the proposed
WPA lease sale is 0.222–0.423 billion barrels of oil (BBO) and 1.495–2.647 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas.

Alternative B—The Proposed Action Excluding the Unleased Blocks Near Biologically Sensitive Topographic

Features: This alternative would offer
for lease all unleased blocks in the WPA, as described for the proposed action (Alternative A), with the exception of any unleased blocks subject to the Topographic Features Stipulation.

Alternative C—No Action: This is the cancellation of the proposed WPA lease sale. The opportunity for development
of the estimated 0.222–0.423 BBO and 1.495–2.647 Tcf of gas that could have resulted from the proposed WPA lease sale would be precluded or postponed. Any potential environmental impacts resulting from the proposed lease sale
would not occur or would be postponed.

After careful consideration, BOEM has selected the proposed action, identified as the Agency’s preferred alternative (Alternative A) in the Final SEIS. BOEM’s selection of the preferred alternative reflects an orderly resource development with protection of the human, marine, and coastal environments while simultaneously ensuring that the public receives an equitable return for these resources and that free-market competition is
maintained.

Record of Decision Availability: To obtain a single printed or CD–ROM copy of the ROD for WPA Lease Sale 218, you may contact the BOEM, GOM OCS Region, Public Information Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 250, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394 (1–800–200–GULF). An electronic copy of the ROD is available
at the BOEM’s Internet Web site at http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/homepg/ regulate/environ/nepa/ nepaprocess.html.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  For more information on the ROD, you may contact Mr. Gary D. Goeke, BOEM, GOM OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard (MS 5410), New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394. You may also contact Mr. Goeke by telephone at (504) 736–3233.

Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR part 1506) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1988)).

Dated: November 8, 2011. Tommy P. Beaudreau, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

[FR Doc. 2011–29343 Filed 11–10–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR**

**Fish and Wildlife Service**

**[FWS–R2–ES–2010–N174; 20124–1112– 0000–F2]** 

**Draft Environmental Assessment and Safe Harbor Agreement for the** 
**Houston Toad Within Nine Texas**
**Counties**

**AGENCY :**  Fish and Wildlife Service,

Interior.

**ACTION :**  Notice of availability; receipt of application.

**SUMMARY :**  The Environmental Defense Fund (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to a section of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of 30 years, would authorize incidental take of the endangered Houston toad ( Bufo houstonensis) as a result of conservation actions, land management,
and other land-use activities. We invite the public to review and comment on the permit application and the associated draft Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement).

**DATES :**  Written comments should be received on or before January 13, 2012.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments or requests for copies or more information by any of the following methods. You may request hard copies
or a CD–ROM of the documents.

• Email: Edith

_Erfling@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Clear Lake Ecological Services
Field Office draft Houston Toad Programatic SHA/draft EA’’ in the subject line of the message.

• Fax: [Attn: Field Supervisor], (281) 488–5882.

• U.S. Mail: 17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211, Houston, Texas 77058.

• In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call (281) 286–8282 to make an appointment (necessary for view/pickup only) during regular business hours at 17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211,
Houston, Texas 77058. For more information on locations for viewing or obtaining documents, see ‘‘Public Availability of Documents’’ under

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**

. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Marty Tuegel, at the Service’s Southwest Regional Office, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103 (505) 248–6651).

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Under a Safe Harbor Agreement, participating property owners voluntarily undertake management activities to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Safe Harbor Agreements encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation efforts for listed species by assuring property owners they will not be subjected to increased property use
restrictions as a result of increased target species abundance due to their efforts to improve conditions for listed species on their property. Application requirements and issuance criteria for enhancement of survival permits through Safe Harbor Agreements are
found in 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32.

Non-Federal landowners within Austin, Bastrop, Burleson, Colorado, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Milam, and Robertson Counties, Texas, may be enrolled under the proposed Agreement if it is approved by entering into a Cooperative Agreement with the Applicant. The Cooperative Agreement will include: (1) A map of the property and its legal location; (2) the portion of the property to be enrolled and its acreage; (3) a description of the habitat types that occur on the portion of the property to be enrolled, including