Environmental statements; notice of intent: Big Thicket National Preserve, TX,

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Federal Register: November 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 220)NoticesPage 63746-63747From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr16no98-104

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

AGENCY: National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare and Oil and Gas Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement for Big Thicket National Preserve.

SUMMARY: In accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service is preparing an Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Big Thicket National Preserve in Hardin, Jefferson, Liberty, Orange, Tyler, Jasper, and Polk Counties, Texas, and is initiating the scoping process for this document. This statement will be approved by John E. Cook, Intermoutain Regional Director, National Park Service.

The Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement is needed to

[Page 63747]address the issues of how the National Park Service can protect its resources and values, ensure public safety, and minimize conflicts with visitors and park management while recognizing the rights of private mineral owners to develop their oil and gas resources. In the Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and its accompanying public involvement process, the National Park Service will formulate and evaluate the environmental impacts of a reasonable range of alternatives that will provide protection for resources and values at Big Thicket National Preserve while allowing for exploration and development of the private mineral estate. Distinct management issues include identifying which park resources and values are most sensitive to oil and gas exploration and development disturbance, defining impact mitigation requirements to protect such resources and values, establishing reasonable performance standards and providing pertinent information to oil and gas owners and operators that will facilitate operations planning.

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: A public scoping newsletter will be mailed in November 1998, to invite public participation in the scoping process and to describe the planning process. The general public and affected or interested parties are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions, and to identify issues and other reasonable alternatives that should be addressed in the Oil and Gas Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement.

An Open House meeting will be held on December 3, 1998, at the Beaumont Hilton in Beaumont, Texas. The public and affected or interested parties may request additional meetings in other Texas cities. These requests should be made no later than January 17, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you would like to be placed on the mailing list or request a meeting in your city, please contact Linda Dansby, EIS Team Leader, P.O. Box 728, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504, 505/ 988-6095 or Superintendent, Big Thicket National Preserve, at 409/839- 2691, ext. 223.

Dated: November 6, 1998. Richard R. Peterson, Superintendent, Big Thicket National Preserve.

FR Doc. 98-30487Filed11-13-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4310-70-M

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