BLM evaluating oil and gas leasing proposals in Covington County, Alabama
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FALLS CHURCH, VA. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern States Office is seeking public comments on a proposal to offer approximately 80 acres of federal oil and gas leases in Covington County, Alabama in its upcoming competitive oil and gas lease sale.
With public scoping now completed, the BLM will consider the initial public comment as part of preparing environmental assessments for parcels. As previously announced, parcels for scoping include those that were deferred in the first and second quarters of 2021.
Comments on the proposal and its associated environmental analysis must be submitted through the BLM ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xMJ4A; maps and lease stipulations are also available on the website. The public comment period ends on November 28, 2021. The BLM Eastern States Office expects to publish a Notice of Competitive Lease Sale later this year.
In complying with the June 15, 2021 court order, the Department of the Interior will continue to exercise the authority and discretion provided under law to conduct leasing in a manner that fulfills Interior’s legal responsibilities. In addition, the BLM will proceed with oil and gas leasing in compliance with agency policy in Instruction Memorandum 2021-027 and all applicable laws and regulations.
The Department of the Interior will continue to review the BLM’s oil and gas leasing program, including completing a report, as part of analyzing changes needed to meet the President’s targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we 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.