EA for Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale Available for Public Comment
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BATTLE MOUNTAIN, Nev. – The Environmental Assessment (EA) for parcels of public land nominated for lease in the Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale scheduled for June 13, 2017 on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Battle Mountain District is available for public review and comment. These parcels have the potential for future oil and gas exploration and development. The public review period concludes February 3, 2017.
The BLM received nominations for 106 parcels of public land to offer for leasing, totaling approximately 195,732 acres. A detailed listing of parcels is available in the EA and online. Lease stipulations identified in the Shoshone-Eureka (1986) and Tonopah (1997) Resource Management Plans are attached to all parcels to help protect resources.
The EA analyzes potential impacts of three alternatives: the Proposed Action, Partial Deferral Alternative and No Leasing Alternative. Under the Proposed Action, all 106 proposed lease parcels would be included in the lease sale. Under the Partial Deferral Alternative, parcels and parts of parcels totaling approximately 104,176 acres would be deferred pending development of new stipulations in an updated land use plan for the Battle Mountain District that would provide additional protection for wetland/riparian habitat, floodplains, playas, and historic sites. Approximately 91,556 acres would still be available for leasing under the Partial Deferral Alternative. Under the No Leasing Alternative, none of the parcels would be offered for lease sale.
The EA can be viewed on the BLM NEPA Register Page at http://bit.ly/2hVKmYv. Written comments will be accepted until February 3, 2017 and can be submitted to the BLM Battle Mountain District Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820, or to the Tonopah Field Office at P.O Box 911, Tonopah, NV 89049; or emailed to jfatooh@blm.gov with “2017 Oil and Gas Lease EA comment” in the subject line.
For more information about the EA, contact Joy Fatooh, BLM Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at (775) 482-7835. For more information about the lease sale, go to https://on.doi.gov/2hXgXsn.
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.