BLM Posts Sale Notice for December 2016 Oil and Gas Lease Sale

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Eastern States State Office

Media Contact:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern States Office has posted the proposed list of parcels for the upcoming quarterly competitive oil and gas lease sale, scheduled for December 13, 2016. Thirty-five parcels consisting of 1,676.29 acres will be offered for lease in Arkansas (1 parcel, 35.57 acres), Mississippi (1 parcel, 40.03 acres) and Ohio (33 parcels, 1,600.69 acres).

The sale will be conducted utilizing the EnergyNet internet-based auction system. Additional details about the internet auction process are included in the December 2016 Notice of Competitive Internet-Based Lease Sale, which can be found on BLM-Eastern States Oil and Gas Lease Sale webpage.  A hard copy of the Sale Notice and will also be posted in the BLM Public Room located in Suite 950, 20 M Street, Washington, D.C.

More information about the parcels, including maps, the environmental assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the parcels in Ohio on the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest can be found on BLM’s ePlanning website. Information about the parcel in Mississippi can be found in the Determination of NEPA Adequacy for Expression of Interest 1536b for the December 2016 Lease Sale. Information about the parcel in Arkansas can be found in the Environmental Assessment for Expressions of Interest 961 and 1108 under the March 2015 Lease Sale. 

The sale notice initiates a 30 day protest period. All protests must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., November 14, 2016. Protests should be as specific as possible. Those which contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response, but may be considered in the BLM decision-making process. Protests may be mailed to the BLM-Eastern States office at 20 M Street, Suite 950, Washington, D.C. 20003, or faxed to the attention of State Director at (202) 912-7798 or (202) 912-7799. For information on how to file a timely protest, please refer to the sale notice. Hard copies of the sale notice may also be obtained in person from the BLM-Eastern States State Office Public Room. 

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in any comments, please be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. 

For additional information about BLM Eastern States oil and gas leasing program, please contact Minerals Adjudication at (202) 912-7700. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.


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.