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:
Borealis Alaska Oil, Inc.
560 East 34th Ave., Suite 200
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Proposed Activity:
Review of a new plan 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 Borealis Alaska Oil, Inc. This program includes land-based oil and gas exploration drilling in two National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) leases near Inigok during the winter of 2021-2022. Activities include drilling, mobilization, snow trail/ice road and ice pad construction, possible well testing and demobilization. The plan proposes to address response planning standards of 82,500 barrels for a well blowout and 94 barrels for a rupture of the largest fuel storage tank.
Location:
North Slope, Alaska onshore exploration leases in NPR-A near Inigok. The leased land defines the Castle North Prospect. The proposed Castle North No. 1 and No. 2 well sites are approximately 40 miles west of the Colville River, 50 miles southwest of Nuiqsut, and 40 miles from the nearest coastline.
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 21-CP-5261
Any person wishing to submit a request for additional information or provide comments regarding this application may do so electronically via our public notice site at https://spar.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=QcsPW . If you are unable to submit comments via this site, you may submit them in writing to Manny Eichholz, Department of Environmental Conservation, SPAR/PPRP, 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK, 99709-3643, 907-451-2175 (phone), 907-451-2362 (fax), or manny.eichholz@alaska.gov . The full contents of all submitted comments are considered public records and will be posted online in full during the public comment period. Comments submitted in writing directly to the Plan Reviewer will be uploaded to the public comment site. It is preferable for commenters to submit directly through the public comment site.
The public comment period for this application begins on May 7, 2021 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on June 7, 2021. Requests for additional information and comments must be received by 11:59 pm on May 7, 2021. 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 office at 610 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709-3643; the department’s office at 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501-2617; 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 24, 2021. 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 an accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Brian Blessington at (907) 269-6272 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to May 28, 2021 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided