Gulf of Mexico, Outer Continental Shelf, Eastern Planning Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 197 (2005) Environmental Assessment

AGENCY:

Minerals Management Service.

ACTION:

Notice of availability of an environmental assessment.

SUMMARY:

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for proposed Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Eastern Planning Area (EPA) Lease Sale 197. In this EA, MMS reexamined the potential environmental effects of the proposed action and its alternative based on any new information regarding potential impacts and issues that were not available at the time the Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales 189 and 197; Eastern Planning Area; Final Environmental Impact Statement; Volumes I and II (Multisale EIS) was completed in May 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, Mr. Dennis Chew, telephone (504) 736-2793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Multisale EIS analyzed the effects of a typical lease sale by presenting a set of ranges for resource estimates, project exploration and development activities, and impact-producing factors for either of the proposed EPA lease sales. The level of activities projected for proposed Lease Sale 197 falls within these ranges. No new significant impacts were identified for proposed Lease Sale 197 that were not already assessed in the Multisale EIS. Proposed EPA Lease Sale 197 is the second EPA lease sale scheduled in the Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program: 2002-2007. As a result, MMS determined that a supplemental EIS is not required and prepared a Finding of No New Significant Impact (FONNSI).

Public Comments: Interested parties may submit written comments on this EA/FONNSI within 30 days of this Notice's publication to the Regional Supervisor, Leasing and Environment (MS 5410), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Comments should be enclosed in an envelope labeled “Comments on EPA Lease Sale 197 EA/FONNSI.” You may also send comments to the MMS e-mail address: environment@mms.gov. All comments received will be considered in the decisionmaking process for EPA Lease Sale 197.

EA Availability: To obtain a copy of the EA, you may contact the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Attention: Public Information Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 114, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 (1-800-200-GULF). You may also view the EA on the MMS Web site at http://www.gomr.mms.gov.