BLM Bakersfield seeks public comments on draft hydraulic fracturing impacts analysis
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comments on a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzing the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing associated with oil and gas development on public lands within the Bakersfield Field Office planning area, which includes Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties. The 45-day public comment period begins on April 26 and ends on June 10.
This effort supports the Administration’s goals of promoting environmentally responsible development of oil and gas on public lands, creating jobs and providing economic opportunities for local communities.
Public meetings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
May 21, 2019
Kern County Administrative Office
1115 Truxtun Ave., First Floor (Rotunda and Board Chambers)
Bakersfield, CA 93301
May 22, 2019
Embassy Suites by Hilton
333 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
May 23, 2019
Santa Barbara City College
West Campus—Fé Bland Forum
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93019
The Supplemental EIS for the Bakersfield Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP) responds to a May 2017 settlement agreement with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to analyze issues and potential environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing. Decisions made by this analysis will not affect valid existing rights or the authority of private landowners or other surface management agencies.
The 2014 Bakersfield Field Office RMP determined areas available for oil and gas development on BLM-administered public land and mineral estate in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area, which encompasses approximately 400,000 acres of public land and an additional 1.2 million acres of federal mineral estate.
In August 2018, the BLM published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Supplemental EIS and potential RMP Amendment. The BLM received approximately 8,400 comments during the NOI’s 30-day public scoping period, of which 211 comments were unique and substantive.
Public scoping during the NOI helped identify issues to be analyzed, including air and atmosphere, water quality and quantity, seismicity, special status plants and animals, minerals management, visual resources, fossils and soils, Native American and cultural values, livestock grazing and socioeconomics. Based on the analysis and public feedback, changes to the existing RMP will not be proposed at this time.
Written public comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS for the Bakersfield Field Office Resource Management Plan may be submitted at the project website: https://go.usa.gov/xE3Nw, or by mail to the Bakersfield Field Office, Attn: Bakersfield RMP Hydraulic Fracturing Analysis, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308.
Before including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal identifying information in a comment, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may ask the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
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.