Environmental Assessment Fort Apache Energy, Inc. Proposal to Directionally Drill and Produce: The Baptist Foundation No. 1 and Nordin No. 1 Wells from Two Locations Outside the Turkey Creek Unit in Tyler County, Texas

The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to assess the potential resource impact related to the drilling of Fort Apache Energy Inc.'s (Fort Apache) proposed Baptist Foundation No. 1 and Nordin No. 1 wells under Big Thicket National Preserve's (Preserve) Turkey Creek Unit located in Tyler County.

The purpose of the analysis is twofold: 1) carry out compliance responsibilities under various statutes including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and 2) determine whether the directional well qualifies for an exemption under §9.32(e) of the NPS nonfederal oil and gas regulations at 36 CFR Part 9, Subpart B. An exemption may be issued if the NPS determines that the operation poses no significant threat of damage to park resources.

The NPS prepared this EA in compliance with NEPA to provide the decision-making framework that 1) explores a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates potential impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to minimize the degree of these impacts. The NPS has chosen Alternative B, which allows for the drilling of the Baptist Foundation No. 1 and Nordin No. 1 wells to bottomhole locations under the Turkey Creek Unit, as its preferred alternative. The NPS believes this alternative would fulfill its park protection mandates while allowing Fort Apache to exercise their property right interests.

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Environmental Assessment   (27.1 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.