[Federal Register: April 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 72)] [Notices] [Page 18438-18439] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr15ap98-125] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [ES-030-08-1310-01] Notice of Availability; Mosquito Creek Lake Draft Planning Analysis Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Milwaukee Field Office, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and notice of comment period and public meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and in cooperation and coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Milwaukee Field Office, has prepared the Mosquito Creek Lake Draft Planning Analysis and Environmental Assessment (PA/EA) for oil and gas leasing. The purpose of the Draft PA/EA is to assess the impacts of leasing and subsequent development of Federal oil and gas reserves under the COE's Mosquito Creek Lake project in Trumbull County, Ohio. Copies are available for public and agency review from the address below. This notice also announces that comments on the Draft PA/EA will be received and public meetings for the purpose of receiving comments on the Draft document will be held. Other meetings may be scheduled at the request of the public and other governmental entities. DATES: Written comments on the Draft PA/EA must be postmarked no later than June 14, 1998. Oral and/or written comments may be presented at two scheduled public meetings. The first will be held on May 11, 1998, in the Warren City Council Chambers, Municipal Justice Building, 141 South Street S.E., Warren, Ohio. The second will be held on May 12, 1998, at Cortland Elementary School, 264 Park Avenue in Cortland, Ohio. Both meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with registration beginning at 6:30 p.m. The comment period for the Draft PA/EA commences with the publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Milwaukee Field Office, PO Box 631, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0631. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Saarela, Team Leader, at (414) 297-4437, or Chris Hanson, Assistant Field Manager, Division of Natural Resource Management at (414) 297-4421. [[Page 18439]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft PA/EA analyzed two alternatives: (1) No action/no lease; and (2) lease under a no surface occupancy stipulation. Analysis focused on addressing several issues, including impacts to water quality (municipal and private drinking water supplies and fishing opportunities), aesthetics, wetlands, threatened and endangered species, recreation, cultural/historic/Native American resources, public health and safety, and liability. Comments on the Draft PA/EA will be used to formulate the proposed PA/EA. After the release of the proposed plan, any person who participated in the planning process and has an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the approval of the plan may file a protest with the Director of the BLM. After resolution of any protests, BLM will release a Final PA/EA, which will be the basis of BLM/COE decisions for the management of Federal mineral resources in the planning area. Dated: April 8, 1998. James W. Dryden, Field Manager. [FR Doc. 98-9878 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-P