[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12541-12542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4699]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Development of Natural Gas Resources in the Kenai National Wildlife 
Refuge, Alaska

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS) intends to gather information necessary for the 
preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) in response to a 
right-of-way application for construction of facilities associated with 
exploration and production of natural gas. The proposed project would 
be located in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, in the 
northwest section of the Kenai Peninsula, in two areas collectively 
known as Swanson River Satellites. The East Swanson area is 
approximately 5 miles east of the Swanson River Unit (T8N, R8W, SM). 
The North Swanson

[[Page 12542]]

area encompasses the Birch Hill Unit, and is approximately 3 miles 
northeast of the northern Swanson River Unit boundary (T9N, R9W, SM). A 
series of public meetings will be held during the preparation of the 
EIS. Notice of the dates, times, and locations of these public meetings 
will be advertised in local publications prior to the event. This 
notice is being furnished as required by the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) to obtain suggestions and 
information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues 
to be addressed in the EIS.

DATES: The public meeting dates are:
    1. March 13, 2001, 7 p.m., Anchorage, Alaska.
    2. March 15, 2001, 7 p.m., Soldotna, Alaska.
    Written comments should be received by March 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting locations are:
    1. Anchorage--Spenard Community Recreation Center, 2020 W. 48th 
Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99517.
    2. Soldotna--Soldotna Senior Center, 197 W. Park Avenue, Soldotna, 
Alaska 99669.
    Comments should be addressed to: Regional Director, Region 7, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, Alaska 99503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian L. Anderson, (907) 786-3379.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Union Oil Company of California d.b.a. 
Unocal has applied for a right-of-way grant to construct facilities, 
including roads, pipelines, drill pads, and other facilities necessary 
for exploration and production of natural gas resources within the 
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, a Conservation System Unit established 
by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) (Sec. 
303, Pub. L. 96-487, 16 U.S.C.668dd). The right-of-way application will 
be evaluated under regulations (43 CFR 36) implementing Title XI of 
ANILCA, Transportation and Utility Systems in and Across, and Access 
into, Conservation System Units in Alaska.
    Most of the surface estate within the project area is owned by the 
United States and is managed by the USFWS, although a portion of the 
surface estate involved has been conveyed to the Tyonek Native 
Corporation. The subsurface oil, gas and coal mineral estate is owned 
by Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI), with the exception of the 
Birch Hill Unit, where these minerals are leased from the United 
States. Under Title XI, CIRI is entitled to adequate and feasible 
access to their valid inholding for economic and other purposes, 
subject to reasonable regulations necessary to protect the natural and 
other values of the refuge. Unocal has leased the natural gas 
development rights from CIRI and the United States.
    Unocal proposes to develop natural gas exploration and production 
from up to three locations in the North Swanson area, and from up to 
three locations in the East Swanson area. The proposed road and 
pipeline rights-of-way for both East and North Swanson satellites total 
13 miles in length and will include primary and secondary product 
pipelines, a water disposal pipeline, and communications and electric 
power lines. Proposed roads will be maintained to provide access to 
well sites. In addition to natural gas wells, a water well and drainage 
sump will be installed at each site.
    The USFWS has determined that an EIS will be prepared to evaluate 
the potential direct, secondary, and cumulative impacts of constructing 
the proposed project, and to identify alternatives that would protect 
the resources of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The environmental 
review will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of NEPA 
(42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) as implemented by the Council on Environmental 
Quality regulations at 40 CFR 1500-1508, and the pertinent regulations 
of USFWS. Upon completion of the Draft EIS, a Notice of Availability 
will be published in the Federal Register.

David B. Allen,
Regional Director, Region 7, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4699 Filed 2-26-01; 8:45 am]
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