The Bureau of Land Management said today that it will prepare a land use plan for approximately 10 million acres in the northwest corner of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The land is immediately west of lands covered in a plan released in 1998. A draft environmental impact statement is planned for release in November 2002.
BLM seeks information and comment on issues such as: resources present, such as wilderness, wildlife and subsistence; what measures should be considered to protect various resources and uses; current and potential future activities, including possible oil and gas development; conflicts with approved coastal management plans and other land use plans; subsistence uses and needs; environmental justice.
BLM said oil and gas companies are requested to nominate (and rank by priority) areas within the plan area that should be considered for oil and gas leasing. Nominations must be depicted on a call map available from BLM. Individual nominations will be held confidential consistent with applicable law.
BLM will host public meetings in Point Lay, Anaktuvuk Pass, Wainwright, Atqasuk, Barrow, Nuiqsut, Fairbanks and Anchorage during December and January. Specific dates and locations will be posted on the BLM website as the schedule becomes available: http://aurora.ak.blm.gov/npra
Comments will be accepted through Jan. 17.
