BLM retains public scoping period for Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program environmental impact statement
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ANCHORAGE – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing that it will retain the current public scoping period for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program environmental impact statement (EIS), scheduled to close on June 19, 2018.
“I have heard diverse and extensive messages across the State regarding thoughts, interests and concerns of a broad range of stakeholders, and these consistent messages will inform the development of the EIS. The heartfelt and quality comments we have received to date are what we have come to expect from Alaskans. I sincerely appreciate the interest shown in the Coastal Plain EIS.” stated Joe Balash, U.S. Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals.
On April 20, 2018, the BLM published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS in the Federal Register which began a 60-day public scoping period. Meetings have been held across the state, in the communities of Arctic Village, Utqiaġvik, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. Upcoming meeting will be held in Venetie, Kaktovik and Washington, D.C. The project website and complete meeting schedule are accessible through the BLM Alaska website at www.blm.gov/alaska.
Comments on the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS may be submitted by any of the following methods:
- Website: www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis
- Mail: Attn: Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS
222 West 7th Avenue, Stop #13
The Leasing EIS will serve to inform the BLM’s implementation of the Tax Act, including the requirement to hold not fewer than two lease sales area-wide. It may also inform post-lease activities, including seismic and drilling exploration, development, and transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain. Specifically, the Leasing EIS will consider and analyze the potential environmental impacts of various leasing alternatives, including the areas to offer for sale, and the terms and conditions (i.e., lease stipulations and best management practices) to be applied to leases and associated oil and gas activities to properly balance oil and gas development with existing uses and conservation of surface resources, and to limit the footprint of production and support facilities on Federal lands to no more than 2,000 surface acres. The area comprising the Coastal Plain includes approximately 1.6 million acres within the approximately 19.3 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
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.