BLM APPROVES OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT UPDATES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management released its decision based on the supplemental environmental impact statement for oil and gas leasing and development on public lands in portions of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties.
The decision fulfills the BLM’s commitment to a July 2022 settlement agreement and will allow the BLM to resume oil and gas leasing within the Bakersfield Field Office. The effort is consistent with Secretary's Order 3418, which supports federal direction to expand domestic energy opportunities. The order emphasizes the responsible development of oil, natural gas, coal, strategic minerals, and alternative energy resources on public lands in a manner that is efficient, affordable, and reliable.
The Record of Decision and other documents are available at the BLM’s National NEPA Register.
The BLM Bakersfield Field Office manages approximately 400,000 acres of public land and 1.2 million acres of federal mineral estate in central California, supporting about 3,500 jobs and over $200 million annually. Royalties of $65–90 million are collected each year, with roughly half returned to the State of California and half to the U.S. Treasury.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.