[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25501-25504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12543]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service


Request for Federal Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale for Sand 
and Gravel Resources

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Request for Information and Interest (RFIN).

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SUMMARY: On February 12, 1996, the Minerals Management Service received 
a request for a nonenergy minerals (sand and gravel) lease sale. After 
reviewing the request, MMS decided to initiate steps which may lead to 
a lease sale, the first being the publication of this RFIN.

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The planning area under consideration in this RFIN is depicted on the 
accompanying page-sized map.

    Authority: This RFIN is published pursuant to the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, 
(1988) (OCSLA), and the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR 281).

Purpose of the RFIN

    The purpose of the RFIN is to (1) determine whether additional 
interest exists in obtaining leases for sand and gravel resources on 
the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and where that interest lies within 
the planning area and (2) obtain other information that would be 
relevant to the decision to hold a sand and gravel lease sale.
    Information and nominations within the defined planning area are 
sought from all interested parties. State and local governments, 
industry, other Federal agencies and all other interested parties may 
respond to a Request for Information and Interest. Information provided 
may include but is not limited to geologic, archaeologic, 
environmental, socioeconomic, biologic, navigational, recreational, 
commercial and multiple-use considerations within the planning area. 
This early planning and consultation step is important for ensuring 
that all interests and concerns are communicated to the Department of 
the Interior (DOI) for future decisions in the leasing process pursuant 
to the OCS Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356 (1988)), and 
regulations at 30 CFR Part 281. This RFIN does not imply, nor should it 
be construed to indicate, that a preliminary decision to lease in the 
area described below has been made. However, should MMS later decide to 
offer any of the planning area for lease, parties to such action will 
be expected to comply with all applicable laws including the National 
Environmental Policy Act, the OCS Lands Act, and the Coastal Zone 
Management Act.

Description of the Area

    The RFIN planning area is located off the northern coast of New 
Jersey beginning 3 nautical miles from shore and extending north to 
south from Sandy Hook to Surf City. The landward boundary is coincident 
with the 3-mile demarcation between the Federal OCS and State submerged 
lands jurisdiction. The seaward width of the RFIN planing area is 
narrowest in the north (approximately 12 miles) and broadens gradually 
to the south. The total area available for nominations and comments 
consists of 160 whole or partial blocks (each whole block is 
approximately 9 square miles). Respondents may nominate and comment on 
any acreage within the entire RFIN planning area. A large scale map of 
the RFIN planning area (hereinafter referred to as the RFIN map) 
showing boundaries of the RFIN planning area with numbered blocks is 
available from MMS at the following address: Minerals Management 
Service, Office of International Activities and Marine Minerals (or 
INTERMAR), 381 Elden St., Mail Stop 4030, Herndon, VA 22070 [Phone: 
(703) 787-1292-FAX: (703) 787-1284].
    The RFIN responses will help determine if lease tract size should 
differ from present block configurations. Tract sizes will be 
established if a proposed leasing notice is issued.

Instructions on the RFIN

    Industry respondents are requested to nominate specific blocks or 
acreage within the RFIN planning area that they would like considered 
in a potential OCS lease sale. Nominations must be depicted on the 
large scale RFIN map by outlining the area(s) of interest. Respondents 
are also asked to submit a list of block numbers nominated (including 
both whole and partial blocks) to facilitate correct interpretation of 
their nominations on the RFIN map. Although the identities of those 
submitting nominations become a matter of public record, the individual 
acreage or block nominations are deemed to be proprietary information.

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    Respondents should rank areas nominated according to priority of 
interest based on priority 1 (high), 2 (medium), or 3 (low). Areas 
nominated that do not indicate priorities will be considered priority 
3. Respondents are encouraged to be specific in indicating areas or 
blocks by priority. Blanket priorities on large areas are less useful 
in the analysis of industry interest. The name and telephone number of 
a person in the respondent's organization to contact for additional 
information or clarifications should be included in the response.
    Comments are sought from all interested parties about particular 
geological, environmental, biological, archaeological, navigational, 
recreational, commercial, social, and economic conditions, multiple-use 
considerations, or other information that might bear upon potential 
leasing and development in the RFIN planning area. Comments are also 
sought on potential conflicts with federally approved State and local 
coastal zone management plans (CMPs) that may result from the proposed 
sale or future mineral development activities. If possible, these 
comments should identify specific CMP policies, the nature of the 
conflicts foreseen, and steps that MMS could take to avoid or mitigate 
the potential conflicts. Comments may be in terms of broad areas or 
restricted to particular blocks. Those submitting comments are 
requested to list block numbers or clearly outline the subject area on 
the large-scale RFIN map.
    Nominations, information, and/or comments must be received no later 
than 60 days following publication of this document in the Federal 
Register in envelopes labeled ``Nominations (or Information) for 
Northern New Jersey RFIN''. The RFIN map with indications of interest 
and/or comments should be submitted to: Minerals Management Service, 
Office of International Activities and Marine Minerals (or INTERMAR), 
381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4030, Herndon, VA 22070.

Use of Information From the RFIN

    Information submitted in response to this RFIN serves several 
purposes. First, responses will be used to identify areas of potential 
mineral leasing and development. Second, comments on possible 
environmental impacts and multiple-use conflicts will aid in the 
analysis and handling of concerns in and near the RFIN planning area. 
Based on this information a preliminary determination will be made on 
the potential advantages and disadvantages of OCS sand and gravel 
exploration and development for the RFIN planning area and whether the 
prelease process should be continued. Third, comments may be used to 
identify potential conflicts between offshore activities and State or 
local CMPs. Finally, comments may be used in developing lease terms and 
conditions to ensure safe offshore mineral development activities, if 
the lease sale is held.

Shallow Dredging and Prohibition on Disposal

    To preserve ocean bottom topography and promote rapid 
recolonization of biota in dredged areas, MMS intends to restrict 
dredging to relatively shallow and uniform depths. The Agency does not 
intend to issue leases in areas designated as mud dump sites nor will 
it permit lessees to mine deep pits for use in the disposal of any 
material.
    While the MMS is generally aware of the existence of navigation 
channels, mud dump sites, shipwrecks and other factors that could have 
a bearing on leasing in the planning area, more detailed information is 
solicited to insure that these factors receive full consideration.

    Dated: May 12, 1996.
Cynthia Quarterman,
Director, Minerals Management Service.

BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P

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[FR Doc. 96-12543 Filed 5-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-C