News Release

For Release:  November 12, 2007       
Contact: Nora DeDios (661) 391-6129
CA-CC-08-09

BLM Announces Availability of Oil & Gas Lease Auction Environmental Assessment

The Bureau of Land Management has completed the environmental assessment (EA) for the oil and gas lease auction scheduled for March 12, 2008.  A 30-day public review and comment period runs from November 13, 2007 to December 13, 2007.

The EA has been prepared to analyze the environmental impacts of leasing the mineral estate for oil and gas exploration and development.  The lands considered for competitive lease auction are located in central Kern County and in Fresno County.

Shortly after the comment period closes, BLM will consider public comments and then issue a decision record.

To ensure compliance with the environmental laws and provide protection for threatened, endangered, and other special status species and their habitat, all lands considered for competitive lease will be subject to “limited surface use protected and sensitive species” special stipulations.

The EA is available online at:  http:www.blm.gov/ca/Bakersfield, or contact Nora DeDios at (661) 391-6129, or email ndedios@ca.blm.gov

-BLM-