Request for Information on Offshore
Oil & Gas Leases

BOEM Press Release - The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) seeks a wide array of input, including information on the economic, social, and environmental values of all Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) resources, as well as the potential impact of oil and gas exploration and development on other resource values of the OCS and the marine, coastal, and human environments.

Using the information received, BOEM will prepare a Draft Proposed Program, followed by a Proposed Program and a Proposed Final Program. Throughout the planning process, BOEM will consult with all interested parties and will seek additional public comment.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is soliciting information and requesting comments on the preparation of a new five-year National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program) for 2019-2024 pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act. Upon completion, the National OCS Program for 2019-2024 will replace the National OCS Program for 2017-2022 (2017-2022 Program), which was approved on January 17, 2017, and will succeed the National OCS Program for 2012-2017 on July 1, 2017.

BOEM must receive all comments and information by August 17, 2017.

Submit comments and information via the Federal internet commenting system at http://www.regulations.gov by following the instructions in the “Public Comment Procedure” section of this notice. Mail comments and information, including all privileged or proprietary information, by U.S. mail to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, National Program Manager, BOEM, 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop VAM-LD, Sterling, VA 20166.

For further information, contact: Ms. Kelly Hammerle, National Program Manager, at (703) 787-1613.

Supplementary Information

The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., declares that it is the policy of the United States that the OCS, as “a vital national resource reserve,” should be available for “expeditious and orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards” and consistent with maintaining competition and other national needs. 43 U.S.C. 1333(3). Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344, requires the Department of the Interior (DOI) to invite and solicit information from interested and affected parties during the preparation of a National OCS Program.

The National OCS Program sets forth the proposed schedule of lease sales for the subsequent five-year period, and enables the Federal Government, States, industry, and other interested parties to begin planning for the later steps in the leasing process. The Secretary decides whether to proceed with each specific lease sale on the schedule included in an approved National OCS Program only after meeting all the requirements of the OCS Lands Act and other applicable statutes.