BLM Alaska District spokeswoman Sharon Wilson told Petroleum News in a written statement today that BLM “anticipates holding a National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska oil and gas lease sale in the late summer or early fall of 2008 based on the current schedule for the Northeast NPR-A supplemental EIS. This supplemental plan includes additional information and analyses completed since 2005. The draft supplement was released for public review and comment Aug. 24, and the comment period extends through Oct. 23. During the planning process the BLM is considering what lands may be appropriate for leasing and what mitigating measures may be required to protect the natural resources of the NPR-A. On completion of the National Environmental Policy Act process a definitive date will be set for a lease sale.”

Editor’s note: Watch for the full story in the Sept. 2 edition of Petroleum News.