An application package for an Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan, under Alaska Statute 46.04.030 and in accordance with 18 AAC 75, has been received by the Department of Environmental Conservation.  The details are as follow:

Applicant:                   
Great Bear Petroleum Operating LLC
3705 Arctic Blvd, Suite 2324
Anchorage, AK 99503

Proposed Activity:      
Review of a major amendment application package for an Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan that is required to commit adequate resources to meet all planning requirements for prevention and response for a realistic maximum discharge from the operations of Great Bear Petroleum Operating LLC. The plan addresses year-round exploration drilling from sites approved for all season drilling and winter-only exploration drilling from ice pads connected to North Slope infrastructure via the Dalton Highway and ice roads.  The major amendment is to add two new locations to the plan (Alkaid & Phecda Road Pads); updates to maps and figures, including new figures such as the General Layout of Fracturing Equipment and Flow Test Operations; and updates to Response Planning Standard (RPS) for Scenario #2 and Scenario #4 to increase oil storage tank capacity from 400 barrels to 600 barrels and to increase the summer drilling RPS from 1,000 barrels per day to 5,500 barrels per day for 15 days, totaling 82,500 barrels.

Location:                    
North Slope, Alaska adjacent to the Dalton Highway, near or within the Sagavanirktok River floodplain, approximately 20 to 35 miles south of Prudhoe Bay

Potential Results:       
A potential risk exists of oil spills entering the lands or waters of the state as a result of this operation.

Activity identified as: 
State Contingency Plan Number 16-CP-5191

Any person wishing to submit a request for additional information or provide comments regarding this application may do so in writing to Kimberley Maher, Department of Environmental Conservation, SPAR/PPRP, 610 University Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99709, 907-451-2124 (phone), 907-451-2362 (fax), or kimberley.maher@alaska.gov

The public comment period for this application begins on April 17, 2020 and ends on May 18, 2020. Requests for additional information and comments must be received by 5:00 pm on May 18, 2020.  It is the responsibility of the commenter to verify that facsimile and email submissions are received by the deadline.  An additional comment period may be provided in accordance with 18 AAC 75.455(d).     

Copies of the application package are available for public review at the following locations: the department's offices at 610 University Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99709 and 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501; and the department’s website at http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/SPAR/PublicMVC/IPP/CPlansUnderReview.

The department will hold a public hearing on the plan application if it determines that good cause exists.  Residents in the affected area or the governing body of an affected municipality may request a public hearing by writing to the Department of Environmental Conservation, at the above address prior to May 4, 2020.  The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Kate Orozco at (907) 465-6171 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to May 1, 2020 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.