BLM begins new NPR-A planning effort

The Bureau of Land Management said July 28 that it will begin preparation of an integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

This is the first time a plan has been done for the entire NPR-A, BLM Alaska spokeswoman Ruth McCoard told Petroleum News July 29.

“We need to update our plans and we need to establish the planning guidance for the large unplanned southern portion” of NPR-A, McCoard said. The new plan, which has been in the works for some time, will give BLM the opportunity to have consistent management for the entire NPR-A, she said.

BLM said the new plan will incorporate the most current information and lay out management goals, objectives and actions that would be consistent across the entire NPR-A. The plan will also take into account emerging issues such as climate change and the recent listing of polar bears as a threatened and endangered species, the agency said.

The public scoping process began July 28; BLM said it would last at least 60 days, with the final ending date to be posted on the BLM website.

Public scoping meetings will be held at Anaktuvuk Pass, Anchorage, Atqasuk, Barrow, Fairbanks, Nuiqsut and Wainwright.

—Petroleum News