Alpine Satellite Development Plan Supplemental
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BLM DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT for the Alpine Satellite Development Plan for the Proposed Greater Mooses Tooth One Alaska Development Project Volume 1: Chapters 1-7 Cooperating Agencies: U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District • State of Alaska •North Slope Borough • Native Village of Nuiqsut The Bureau of Land Management Today Our Vision To enhance the quality of life for all citizens through the balanced stewardship of America’s public lands and resources. Our Mission To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. BLM/AK/PL-14/002+5101+AK9300 Cover Photos: 1. Aerial of Blackfish Creek downstream from GMT1 1 Drilling pad, National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. 2. Caribou, North Slope, Alaska 2 3 4 3. Ice road construction, National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. 4. Aerial of production pad, North Slope, Alaska. © ConocoPhillips. Alpine Satellite Development Plan GMT1 Development Project DRAFT Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Volume 1: Chapters 1-7 Prepared by: U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Anchorage, Alaska In cooperation with: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. DOI Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. DOI Bureau of Ocean Energy Management State of Alaska Native Village of Nuiqsut North Slope Borough February 2014 Alpine Satellite Development Plan GMT1 Development Project DRAFT Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Lead Agency U.S. Department of the Interior (USDOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Proposed Action: To provide ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. (CPAI) with legal access across public land managed by the BLM, and authorizations to construct, operate, and maintain a drill site, pipelines, an access road, and ancillary facilities to develop and produce petroleum resources on BLM- managed lands within the Greater Mooses Tooth Unit (GMTU) of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). Abstract: CPAI is proposing to produce hydrocarbon resources from a surface location on federal oil and gas lease AA-081798 in the NPR-A. The proposed GMT1 project includes a drill site in the GMTU, a pipeline and road corridor to CPAI facilities at Colville Delta 5 (CD5), an ancillary water pipeline between CD1 and CD4, and a new gravel source. CD1, CD2, CD3 and CD4 are existing facilities. CD5 is currently authorized and expected to be in operation by late 2015. Development of the GMT1 project is dependent upon construction of CD5. This Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is being prepared to evaluate relevant new circumstances and information which have arisen since the Alpine Satellite Development Plan (ASDP) Final EIS was issued in September 2004, to provide opportunities for public participation, as well as to address changes to CPAI’s proposed development plan for GMT1 (referred to as CD6 in the ASDP EIS). GMT1 is part of the ASDP, for which a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared by the BLM, with a Record of Decision (ROD) approving issuance of the BLM authorizations needed for development of the Alpine Field. The currently proposed GMT1 Development Project is very similar to the CD6 development approved for permitting in the 2004 ASDP ROD, with changes which reduce the overall impact. These changes include moving the drill site location out of the Fish Creek setback; reducing the road and pipeline length, thereby reducing amount of fill required and impacts to wetlands; and increasing the length of the Tiŋmiaqsiġvik (Ublutuoch) River bridge. The BLM has lead responsibility for preparation of this Draft SEIS. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. DOI Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. DOI Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, State of Alaska, Native Village of Nuiqsut, and the North Slope Borough are participating in the analysis as Cooperating Agencies. The Draft SEIS documents the potential effects to: Physiography, Geology, Soils and Permafrost, Sand and Gravel, Paleontological Resources, Water Resources, Surface Water Quality, Climate and Meteorology, Air Quality, Noise, Terrestrial Vegetation and Wetlands, Fish, Birds, Terrestrial Mammals, Marine Mammals, Threatened and Endangered Species, Socio-cultural Environment, State and Local Economy, Subsistence Harvest and Uses, Environmental Justice, Cultural Resources, Land Use, Recreation, Visual Resources, and Transportation. The potential effects of spilled crude oil produced fluids, seawater, and other chemicals have also been evaluated. This Draft SEIS provides documentation of the analysis of the proposed action and alternatives, based upon issues and concerns identified through the scoping process and meetings of the cooperating agencies. Further Contact Bridget Psarianos of the Bureau of Land Management, at (907- Information: 271-4208) or visit the SEIS website at www.blm.gov/ak. Comments Comments on issues related to the GMT1 Draft SEIS may be submitted by: Email: [email protected] Fax: 907–271–3933 Mail: GMT1 Draft SEIS Comments 222 West 7th Avenue, Stop #13 Anchorage, AK 99513. Contents of Volume 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 1.1 Project Location and Land Status ................................................................................. 1 1.2 History of Operations in the Area ................................................................................. 2 1.3 Purpose and Need for the Project .................................................................................. 3 1.4 Purpose and Need for Federal Action ............................................................................ 4 1.4.1 Support for Federal Decisions .................................................................................. 5 1.4.2 Laws, Regulations, and Permits .............................................................................. 5 1.4.3 Related NEPA Analyses ......................................................................................... 11 1.4.4 Scope of SEIS ......................................................................................................... 13 1.4.5 Changes and New Information .............................................................................. 13 1.5 Public Involvement ...................................................................................................... 16 1.5.1 Scoping ................................................................................................................... 16 1.5.2 Other Stakeholder opportunities ........................................................................... 17 CHAPTER 2: PROPOSED PROJECT AND ALTERNATIVES ................................ 19 2.1 Project as Proposed in 2004 ASDP Record of Decision ............................................... 19 2.2 Summary of Proposed Project Changes from 2004 ..................................................... 20 2.3 Alternatives to the Proposed Project ........................................................................... 20 2.3.1 Alternatives Selection Process ............................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Alternatives Considered But Not Carried Forward .............................................. 22 2.3.3 Alternatives Carried Forward in the SEIS............................................................ 22 2.4 Alternative A: CPAI Proposed Project ......................................................................... 23 2.4.1 Location .................................................................................................................. 24 2.4.2 Drill Site Design and Facilities .............................................................................. 24 2.4.3 Pipelines ................................................................................................................. 25 2.4.4 Gravel Road ............................................................................................................ 27 2.4.5 Bridges and Culverts ............................................................................................. 27 2.4.6 Gravel supply options ............................................................................................ 28 2.4.7 Construction Activities........................................................................................... 30 2.4.8 Drilling and Operations ......................................................................................... 39 2.5 Alternative B ................................................................................................................ 42 2.6 Alternative C ................................................................................................................ 43 2.7 Alternative D ................................................................................................................ 45 2.8 Alternative E ................................................................................................................ 49 CHAPTER 3: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ............................................................ 51 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 51 3.1.1 Project Study Area ................................................................................................