BLM seeks comments on August 2014 oil and gas lease sale parcels

(BLM press release) — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Plains District (HPD) is seeking public comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the HPD portions of the August 2014 oil and gas lease sale.

The initial list of parcels derived from public nominations within the HPD contains 117 individual parcels (totaling 48,128 federal mineral acres) varying in size from 39.47 to 2,007.71 acres.  Forty parcels are located within the Buffalo Field Office, 41 within the Casper Field Office, and 36 are in the Newcastle Field Office.  They are offered in compliance with the Buffalo Resource Management Plan (RMP) Record of Decision (ROD) approved in October 1985, the Casper RMP ROD approved in October 2007, Nebraska RMP ROD approved in May 1992, and the Newcastle RMP ROD approved in September 2000.

The draft EA is available online.  Three alternatives are analyzed:  under Alternative A, the No Action, no parcels would be offered for lease; under Alternative B, the Proposed Action, 59 parcels (28,956 federal mineral acres); and under Alternative C, Offer All Parcels for Sale, 87 parcels (38,497 federal mineral acres).

Public comments are an important component of the National Environmental Policy Act process and help identify issues, concerns, and mitigation opportunities not covered in the EA.  Mail or deliver written comments to: Mike Robinson, High Plains District Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604.  Comments can be e-mailed to Casper_WYMail@blm.gov with “August 2014 Lease Parcels” in the subject line. Comments will be accepted until Feb. 19, 2014.

For more information, please contact Mike Robinson at (307) 261-7520 or e-mailm75robin@blm.gov.