HomeMy WebLinkAbout20130453.tiffUnited States Forest
USDA Department of Service
Agriculture
Pawnee
National Grassland
660 "O" Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Voice: (970) 346-5000 TDD: (970) 346.5015
Web: www.fs.usda.gov/arp
Fax: (970) 346-5014
File Code: 1950
Date: February 7, 2013
Dear Interested Party,
The US Forest Service (Forest Service) is requesting public comment regarding a Proposed Action on the
Pawnee National Grassland (PNG).
Background
Noble Energy, Inc. (Noble Energy) has applied to the Forest Service for use and occupancy of National
Forest System (NFS) lands on the PNG to: l) change portions of existing two -track roads to
crowned/ditched gravel roads; 2) construct an underground natural gas pipeline; and, 3) construct an
underground natural gas liquids pipeline.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposes to authorize Noble Energy to use and occupy NFS lands on the PNG for the
following:
1. Reconstruct approximately 2.9 miles of two National Forest System Roads NFSR 109 and 736 to
change them from two -track roads to crowned/ditched gravel roads. These roads would be used
to access an existing oil and gas well for year-round operation and maintenance and to haul
produced crude oil from the well to market. Noble Energy would also operate and maintain the
roads and their associated rights -of -way under a special use permit.
2. Construct approximately 0.6 mile of underground, 4 -inch poly, natural gas pipeline (an additional
1.5 miles of this pipeline would be on private lands). This pipeline would transport natural gas
produced by an existing oil and gas well to an existing natural gas pipeline on private lands.
Noble Energy would also operate and maintain this pipeline as part of the existing authorization
for this oil and gas well.
3. Construct approximately 1.25 miles of underground, 6 -inch steel, natural gas liquids pipeline (an
additional 3.35 miles would be built on private lands). This pipeline would allow for liquid
product produced by the Lilli Gas Plant to be moved to market. Noble Energy would operate
and maintain this pipeline and its associated right-of-way under a special use permit.
The proposed road work and natural gas pipeline would be located approximately 9 miles northwest of
New Raymer, CO. The proposed natural gas liquids pipeline would be located approximately 3 miles
northwest of New Raymer, CO. A map of the project area is enclosed.
Documenting the NEPA Decision
A Forest Service Inter -Disciplinary Team (IDT) has reviewed the proposed action in the context of the
applicable laws, Forest Service policy, and other guidance, including the 1997 Revision to the Land and
Resource Management Plan for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National
Grassland. The IDT has determined that the proposed action would comply with this direction.
According to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the Forest Service must analyze the site -
specific effects of implementing the Proposed Action Alternative as well as a No Action Alternative. If
the Forest Service selects the proposed action alternative, it would authorize the projects subject to the
terms and conditions listed as design criteria for the Proposed Action in the EA. A copy of this EA is
available for review upon request. See below.
Cuncvv` n(c �Y� 2-13 -13
Caring for the Land and Serving People
2013-0453
Submitting Comments
Comments on this proposed action may be submitted orally or in writing via letter, fax, or email. Oral
comments may be submitted by calling 970-346-5000, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Written comments may be mailed to: Lilli Field Roads & Pipelines
Project, Pawnee National Grassland, 660 "O" Street, Greeley, CO 80631. Written comments may also
be faxed to 970-346-5014 or submitted via email to comments-rocky-mountain-arapaho-roosevelt-
pawnee@fs.fed.us. Comments received via email should have the name of the project (Lilli Field Roads
& Pipelines Project) included in the subject line. For emailed comments, the sender should receive an
automated electronic acknowledgement from the Forest Service as confirmation of receipt. If the sender
does not receive this automated reply, it is the sender's responsibility to ensure timely submission of
comments by other means.
This comment period coincides with public scoping and will be the only opportunity to comment offered.
Comments must be submitted per 36 CFR 215. Those who comment may be eligible to appeal.
Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication of a legal notice in the Denver Post on February
8, 2013, or shortly thereafter.
If you would like additional information about this project or a copy of the EA, please contact Vern
Koehler at 970-346-5000 or by email at vkoehler@fs.fed.us.
Sincerely,
LORI A. BELL
District Ranger
cc: Vernon E Koehler
Enclosure
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