Comment Period for Proposed Federal Oil and Gas Leasing in the Wayne National Forest Set to Close May 31, 2016
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On April 28, 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northeastern States District (NSD) released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), addressing proposed oil and gas leasing of federally-managed minerals within the Wayne National Forest, in Monroe, Noble, and Washington Counties, Ohio. The comment period is set to close on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. The BLM encourages interested members of the public to review and comment on the EA. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than May 31, 2016, by electronic mail (e-mail), facsimile (FAX), or regular mail addressed as follows: E-mail: blm_es_comments@blm.gov Fax Number: (414) 297-4409, Kurt Wadzinski U.S. Postal Service: BLM Northeastern States District The EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of leasing Federal oil and gas resources on an estimated 40,000 subsurface acres underlying land in the Marietta Unit of the Athens Ranger District, Wayne National Forest. Of the 40,000 acres being studied, about 18,000 acres are being considered for lease at this time. The EA was prepared in accordance with the with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and related federal laws and regulation. Prior to releasing the EA, the BLM and US Forest Service conducted three public meetings in Marietta, Athens, and Ironton, Ohio on November 17, 18, and 19, 2015, respectively. A project website for the EA was established in November 2015, accessible through the BLM National NEPA register located at: The BLM has already begun receiving valuable public input on the EA. The BLM plans on updating the EA in response to substantive public comments received. Upon completion, the updated EA would then be made available for a 30-day public protest period, after which the BLM would render a decision on the proposed leasing, and any additional stipulations deemed necessary for protection of human health and the environment. The EA does not propose to authorize any ground disturbance or hydraulic fracturing at this time. The proposal is whether or not to offer oil and gas leases (mineral rights) at a competitive sale. Additional NEPA review, including opportunities for public participation, would be required before any proposed drilling and associated hydraulic fracturing would be authorized. The EA does consider the impacts of potential future drilling, including stipulations for protection of the human environment; however, no drilling is considered at this time. The stipulations would be based on the US Forest Service Land and Resource Management Plan and Supplemental Analysis (2012). Best management practices for conducting Federal oil and gas exploration and development (the Gold Book) may be found at: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/oil_and_gas/best_management_practices/gold_book.html For additional information regarding BLM Eastern States oil and gas lease sales, please visit the website at http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/prog/minerals.html. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware 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. All submissions from organizations, businesses, and individuals identifying themselves as representatives of organizations or businesses, will be available for public review. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDST. | ||
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands. |
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.