[Federal Register: May 8, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 89)]
[Notices]
[Page 30954-30955]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08my02-143]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[UT-080-1310-DO]
Inland Resources, Inc. Monument Butte-Myton Bench Oil Field
Development, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, UT, Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) on the Inland Resources, Inc. Monument Butte-Myton Bench Oil
Field Development, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Vernal Utah
Field Office will be writing an EIS on proposed expansion of existing
oil field development operations. The EIS area encompasses
approximately 65,500 acres in the greater Monument Butte-Myton Bench
oil and gas production region. The project is located primarily on BLM
administered lands (59,757 acres). The project area also includes lands
administered by the State of Utah (5,777 acres), and several private
landowners (41 acres). Inland operates the majority of the mineral
lease rights underlying both the public and private lands.
[[Page 30955]]
As part of a successful application of waterflood technology, the
proponent proposed to expand its waterflood operations by drilling 600
to 900 additional wells within the Monument Butte-Myton Bench oil field
through the year 2015. Based on a 40 acre spacing pattern, Inland
Resources, Inc. would drill approximately 50 percent of the wells as
producing wells and 50 percent as water injection wells. The water
injection wells would allow reservoir pressure to be managed and oil
recovery to be maximized. Estimated new surface disturbance for the
project would include 1,710 acres. The existing road network within the
project area would provide the primary access routes to the new well
sites. No additional compression facilities is expected to be required
to accommodate the new wells.
Major issues include potential impacts to status plants and
animals, air quality, and soils. Alternatives identified at this time
include the proposed action and the no action alternatives.
DATES: This notice announces the public scoping process. Comments on
issues can be submitted in writing to the address listed below. All
public meetings will be announced through the local news media, and the
BLM Vernal Field Office web site (www.blm.gov/utah/vernal) at least 15
days prior to the event.
Public Participation: Public meetings will be held during the
scoping period. In order to ensure local community participation and
input, public meeting locations will be in Duchesne and Uintah
Counties, Utah. In addition, formal opportunities for public
participation will be provided through comment on the alternatives and
upon publication of the BLM draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the Environmental
Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, 170 South
500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078; Fax 435-781-4410. Documents pertinent to
this proposal may be examined at the Vernal Field Office located in
Vernal, Utah. Comments, including names and street addresses of
respondents, will be available for public review at the Vernal Field
Office located in Vernal, Utah during regular business hours 7:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays , and may be
published as part of the EIS. Individual respondents may request
confidentially. If you wish to withhold your name or street address
from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information
Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written
comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law.
All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations
or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their
entirety.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have
your name added to our mailing list, contact Duane De Paepe, Telephone
435-781-4403, or e-mail ddepaepe@ut.blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The management of BLM public lands and
resources encompassed by the project area is directed and guided by the
BLM's Record of Decision for the Diamond Mountain Resource Management
Plan. The majority of the proposed project lies within an area that was
previously partially developed for oil and gas production and is
designated as Category 2 for oil and gas leasing by the BLM. Category 2
areas are those that are open to oil and gas leasing with stipulations
to protect sensitive surface resources.
Authority: Pub. L. 94-579, 43 CFR 8364.1.
Dated: March 18, 2002.
Sally Wisely,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 02-11435 Filed 5-7-02; 8:45 am]
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