BLM issues final EIS for trans-Alaska pipeline renewal

The Bureau of Land Management released the final environmental impact statement for the trans-Alaska pipeline system right of way renewal Nov. 29.

The FEIS analyzed in detail three alternatives: renew for 30 years; do not renew; renew for a period of less than 30 years.

BLM said that renewal for 30 years was identified as the agency’s preferred alternative.

A final decision, a formal record of decision, is expected from the Department of the Interior in January. The state signed off on renewal Nov. 26.

BLM said the seven-volume document, available online at http://tapseis.anl.gov, describes the environmental, social and economic impacts of renewing the federal right of way for up to 30 years. It also includes responses to and text changes stemming from comments presented by the public during hearings and public review of the draft EIS in July and August.

The agency said it received 589 messages, letters or individual testimonies, yielding about 3,200 individual comments.