BLM extends Coastal Plain comment period

Petroleum News

The Bureau of Land Management said Jan. 30 that it is extending the public comment period for the draft environmental impact statement for the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program and is adding meetings.

The draft EIS was made available for public review and comment Dec. 21.

“We received requests from Alaska communities and tribes as well as non-profit organizations from across the nation asking for additional time and meeting locations,” said Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Joe Balash. “After considering these requests, we have decided to extend the comment period to March 13. This meeting schedule and format design will give the public an opportunity to engage our scientists and experts directly on key parts of the Draft EIS.”

The meeting schedule is as follows with meeting times and locations to be updated on BLM’s ePlanning Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS Meeting webpage as situations warrant, the agency said.

Feb. 4, Fairbanks, Carlson Center;

Feb. 5, Kaktovik, Harold Kaveolook School;

Feb. 6, Utqiagvik, Inupiat Heritage Center;

Feb. 7, Fort Yukon, Fort Yukon Community Center;

Feb. 9, Arctic Village, Community Hall;

Feb. 10, Venetie, Village of Venetie Tribal Hall;

Feb. 11, Anchorage, Dena’ina Convention Center;

Feb. 13, Washington, D.C., National Housing Center.

- Petroleum News