BLM Alaska Invites Public Comment on NPR-A Seismic Survey
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Office today posted a draft environmental assessment (EA) of a proposal from ConocoPhillips to conduct a seismic survey in the Willow development area of the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A) for a 30-day comment period.
The EA will determine if the proposed action results in new significant environmental impacts. It analyzes a revised application for seismic activity that is limited to surveying the reservoir area associated with the Willow project.
BACKGROUND
In March 2023, the Interior Department issued a Record of Decision regarding the proposed Willow Master Development Plan in the NPR-A. The Department substantially reduced the size of the project, which is being developed by ConocoPhillips on oil and gas leases acquired beginning in the late 1990s. The company also relinquished rights to approximately 68,000 acres of its existing leases in the NPR-A, including approximately 60,000 acres in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area.
More information on the proposed project is available on BLM’s ePlanning page.
The BLM manages more than 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.