The Bureau of Land Management Eastern States seeks public input on proposals for upcoming competitive oil and gas lease sale
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FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Bureau of Land Management Eastern States is seeking public scoping comments on 20 parcels totaling approximately 6,816 acres proposed for an upcoming competitive oil and gas lease sale in Covington County, Alabama, as well as Jones and Franklin counties in Mississippi. In compliance with a recent district court decision (Louisiana v Biden), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is asking for public feedback on parcels that were previously under consideration for competitive auction at the deferred 2021 Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 lease sales. To the extent parcels had already been deferred from those sales through analysis completed by the prior administration, those parcels will not be reevaluated.
Following a 30-day scoping period and taking into account comments received, the BLM will undertake environmental reviews of parcels for potential leasing and provide an opportunity for public comment in accordance with Instruction Memorandum 2021-027. Following this review, available parcels will be identified, along with applicable stipulations, for public comment. The BLM anticipates publishing a Notice of Competitive Lease Sale later this year.
Maps, parcel lists, and instructions for submitting comments on the Covington County parcels are available online at the BLM ePlanning website at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015577/510; for parcels in Jones and Franklin counties, visit https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015576/510 and https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015623/510, respectively. The scoping period will end on Oct. 1, 2021.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised 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.
In complying with the June 15, 2021 court order, the Department of the Interior will continue to exercise the authority and discretion provided under law to conduct leasing in a manner that fulfills Interior’s legal responsibilities. In addition, the BLM will proceed with oil and gas leasing in compliance with agency policy in Instruction Memorandum 2021-027 and all applicable laws and regulations.
The Department of the Interior will continue to review the BLM’s oil and gas leasing program, including completing a report, as part of analyzing changes needed to meet the President’s targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
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.