BLM releases environmental assessment for oil and gas lease sale in North Dakota
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The Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office today opened a 30-day public protest period to receive public input on 19 oil and gas parcels totaling 8,061.61 acres that may be included in an upcoming lease sale in North Dakota. The protest period ends August 28, 2023.
The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in May 2023 and a public comment period in June 2023 on the parcels, potential deferrals and the related environmental analysis.
The parcels the BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to protest the environmental assessment are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2023957/510.
As authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, BLM will apply a 16.67 percent royalty rate for any new leases from this sale. More information about the Act is available on BLM's online fact sheet.
Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans. The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.
All parcels leased as part of an oil and gas lease sale include appropriate stipulations to protect important natural resources. Information on current and upcoming BLM lease sales is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System.
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.