[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 31145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15579]



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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WY-040-05-1310-01]


Expanded Moxa Arch Area Natural Gas Development Project, 
Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta Counties, WY; Availability of Final 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Lead Agency--Interior, Bureau of Land Management; Cooperating 
Agencies--Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and Fish and Wildlife 
Service; Agriculture, Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Expanded Moxa Arch Area Natural Gas Development Project Final 
EIS. The draft EIS was released April 14, 1995, for a 60-day public 
review. Over 300 copies of the draft EIS were issued and 23 comment 
letters were received. Some comments received expressed concern that 
the analysis of cumulative effects of mineral development on the non-
mineral resources of southwestern Wyoming was lacking, including 
wildlife, and air quality; some felt a regional, cumulative EIS should 
be prepared before any further development is authorized; and some felt 
land use changes would occur causing industrialization of southwest 
Wyoming. The final EIS contains a cumulative air quality analysis 
addendum to the draft EIS and Errata addressing all concerns expressed 
by commentors.

DATES: Comments on the final EIS will be accepted for 30 days following 
the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes their 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The EPA notice is 
expected to be published on June 21, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the final EIS should be sent to Bureau of Land 
Management, Bill McMahan (Project Coordinator), 280 Highway 191 North, 
Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Moxa Arch Operators (Amoco Production 
Company, Union Pacific Resources Company, Wexpro/Celsius Energy 
Company, Bannon Energy, Marathon Oil Company, Presidio Exploration, and 
other companies) propose to continue to infill drill additional 
development wells in their leased acreage within the Moxa Arch oil and 
gas development area (approximately 476,261 acres) of southwestern 
Wyoming. The expanded area, combined with the lands analyzed in two 
previous environmental analysis documents, forms the Expanded Moxa Arch 
Natural Gas Development (Moxa) analysis area.
    Collectively, the Moxa Operators' proposal would continue to infill 
drill in the Moxa natural gas field, where 957 wells are presently 
active and up to 1,325 additional wells could be drilled over the next 
10 years. The Moxa Operators' plans and drilling schedules would be 
contingent upon both an increased demand for natural gas supplies in 
response to the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 and an adequate price 
for the gas at the wellhead.
    The Moxa Arch EIS analyzes the impacts of the Proposed Action--
which would allow up to 1,325 new wells, Alternative A--which would 
allow up to 795 new wells (530 fewer than the Proposed Action), and 
Alternative B--the No Action Alternative. The draft and final EIS 
impact analysis focuses on the resource issues and concerns identified 
during public scoping and in response to comments received on the draft 
EIS. This draft EIS, in compliance with Section 7(c) of the Endangered 
Species Act (as amended), includes the Biological Assessment for the 
purpose of identifying any endangered or threatened species which are 
likely to be affected by the proposed action.

    Dated: June 6, 1996.
Alan L. Kesterke,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 96-15579 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P