[Federal Register: March 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 52)] [Notices] [Page 13436-13437] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18mr99-98] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction of a Natural Gas Pipeline and Production Facilities in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska AGENCY: U.S. and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 a natural gas pipeline and production facilities in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. The proposed project would be located in the northwest section of the Kenai Peninsula, generally between Beaver Lake and the Swanson River Road (T7N, R10W and T7N, R9W, Seward Meridian, Alaska). A series of public meetings will be held during the preparation of the EIS. Notices 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 30, 1999, 7:00 p.m., Soldotna, Alaska. 2. April 1, 1999, 7:00 p.m., Anchorage, Alaska. Written comments should be received by April 15, 1999. ADDRESSES: The public meetings locations are: 1. Soldotna--Soldotna Senior Center, 197 W. Park Avenue, Soldotna, Alaska 99669. 2. Anchorage--Spenard Community Recreation Center, 2020 W. 48th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99517. 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: Marathon Oil Company has applied for a right-of-way grant to construct a natural gas pipeline and production facilities upon lands of 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. The surface estate within the project area is owned by the United States and is managed by the USFWS. The subsurface oil, gas and coal mineral estate is owned by Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI), an Alaska Corporation established under the provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) (Sec. 7, Pub. L. 92-203, 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). 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. As an operator under lease to CIRI, Marathon Oil Company proposes to develop natural gas production from two or more well sites including the [[Page 13437]] existing Wolf Lake #2 well site, and Galena well site. Development would include construction of a gas gathering pipeline connecting the well sites to existing production facilities at Marathon's Beaver Creek gas field. The applicant's proposed pipeline right-of-way is approximately 5.5 miles long, and would include a primary and secondary products pipelines, a water disposal pipeline, and communications and electric power lines, all of which would be buried. Pipeline construction would take place during the 2000/2001 winter season and is anticipated to take 30 to 40 days. No maintained roads would be constructed within the pipeline right-of-way, which would be allowed to revegetate following construction. Existing roads would be used for access to the well sites. Several small gas conditioning units and a telecommunications building would be located at each well 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 the USFWS. The EIS will also discuss the possible impacts attendant to potential development of future gas wells in the vicinity that would utilize the proposed pipeline. 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. 99-6620 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M