Bureau of Land Management Requests Comments Prior to Analyzing Expressions of Interest for Wayne National Forest

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Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Northeastern States

Media Contact:

The Bureau of Land Management Eastern States (BLM ES) has received dozens of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from industry operators, indicating their desire to explore and possibly develop Federal minerals that underlie the surface acres of the Athens Ranger District Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest. Parcels of interest are located in the Washington County Townships of Liberty, Lawrence, Grandview, Independence, and Ludlow; and the Monroe County Townships of Green, Jackson, Lee, Perry, Benton, Washington and Wayne.

The BLM ES previously invited comments prior to analyzing the environmental effects of the EOIs under consideration. All comments previously submitted regarding these EOIs are being considered; it is not necessary to resubmit them. The comment period is scheduled to close on Friday, January 22, 2016.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) to disclose the potential impacts from issuing Federal oil and gas leases will be coordinated by the BLM ES and the Wayne National Forest. Specific parcels of interest are identified on the BLM planning website. Search the map at 

https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do to locate these lands on the Wayne National Forest. Interested persons may also search the website under the project number: DOI-BLM-Eastern States-0030-2016-0002-EA. blm_es_comments@blm.gov, or mailed via postal service to:

Substantive comments may be provided via e-mail to:

BLM Northeastern States District

Attn: Kurt Wadzinski

626 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200

Milwaukee, WI 53202-4617


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.