Environmental Law : NEPA; Environmental Assessments Public Lands: National Forest Management Act; Land and Resource Management Plans

摘要

In 2002, BLM, with the consent of the Forest Service, began leasing about 9500 acres within the Huron-Manistee National Forest. The Forest Service controls the surface activities while BLM deals with sub-surface operations. The Forest Service is the lead agency to do the necessary NEPA reviews. Savoy Energy holds three federal and state oil and gas leases covering 640 acres. In May 2003, it seeks a permit to drill a directional well and to locate some surface equipment. The application is withdrawn after some opposition arises because the target location is under a significant parcel of state forest land. A branch of the Au Sable River courses through this state forest tract. The state forest tract is burdened by a no surface occupancy limitation necessitating the proposed directionally drilled well. In August 2004, the Forest Service issues an environmental assessment (EA) and a biological assessment (BA). After reviewing them the Forest Service issues a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the proposed directional well.