Request for Information on Offshore
Oil & Gas Leases

 

BOEM Press Release - The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) seeks a wide array of input, including information on the economic, social, and environmental values of all Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) resources, as well as the potential impact of oil and gas exploration and development on other resource values of the OCS and the marine, coastal, and human environments.

Using the information received, BOEM will prepare a Draft Proposed Program, followed by a Proposed Program and a Proposed Final Program. Throughout the planning process, BOEM will consult with all interested parties and will seek additional public comment.

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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is soliciting information and requesting comments on the preparation of a new five-year National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program) for 2019-2024 pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act. Upon completion, the National OCS Program for 2019-2024 will replace the National OCS Program for 2017-2022 (2017-2022 Program), which was approved on January 17, 2017, and will succeed the National OCS Program for 2012-2017 on July 1, 2017.

BOEM must receive all comments and information by August 17, 2017.

Submit comments and information via the Federal internet commenting system at http://www.regulations.gov by following the instructions in the “Public Comment Procedure” section of this notice. Mail comments and information, including all privileged or proprietary information, by U.S. mail to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, National Program Manager, BOEM, 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop VAM-LD, Sterling, VA 20166.

For further information, contact: Ms. Kelly Hammerle, National Program Manager, at (703) 787-1613.

Supplementary Information

The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., declares that it is the policy of the United States that the OCS, as “a vital national resource reserve,” should be available for “expeditious and orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards” and consistent with maintaining competition and other national needs. 43 U.S.C. 1333(3). Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344, requires the Department of the Interior (DOI) to invite and solicit information from interested and affected parties during the preparation of a National OCS Program.

The National OCS Program sets forth the proposed schedule of lease sales for the subsequent five-year period, and enables the Federal Government, States, industry, and other interested parties to begin planning for the later steps in the leasing process. The Secretary decides whether to proceed with each specific lease sale on the schedule included in an approved National OCS Program only after meeting all the requirements of the OCS Lands Act and other applicable statutes.

CONTENTS

Global Lobster Trade

When the Civil War Came to Maine

Editorial – You Watch My Back: Season 40

Uncertainty in Stock Assessments Impacts Harvest Rates

Letter – Commissioner’s Letter on LD575

If Lobster Landings Fall, Profits Could Too

Widely-Used Marine Seismic Gun Negatively Impacts Zooplankton

Hydrographic Surveys in Penobscot and Jericho Bays

Shrimp Fishermen, Shut Out For Now, Weigh in on Future Management Measures

2017 Seafood Throwdown Schedule

DOC Decision May Impact ASMFC’s Ability to Conserve Atlantic Coastal Fisheries

Dept. of Commerce
Picks Council Seats

Where New England’s Catch Goes and Why It Matters

Marine Species Distribution Shifts Will Continue Under Ocean Warming

Given the Right Tools, Fishermen Perform Data Collection

Nicholas Walsh – Fiduciary Duty

Stonington Races: Big Turn Out on a Great Day

2017 GMC Double Cab 4x4 at Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Race, August 12, 2017

24th Year for Stonington Races

Codfather Attempts to Leverage Permits and Boats

NMFS Fishing Vessel Capital Construction Fund Procedure Changes

From Beaches to the Bottom of the Sea, Microplastics Everywhere

Macroalgae Cultivation

The Voice of Safety – Life Saving Technique Easy and Available

Meeting

Life Jacket Project!

Hampton, NH Fisherman Takes Case to US Supreme Court

Groundfishing and Lobstering on the Same Trip

Data Yields Trajectory of Maine’s Coastal Fisheries at PMM

Request for Information on Offshore Oil & Gas Leases

2017 Maine Lobster
Boat Racing Schedule

Lee Wilbur – Learnin’ To Love Fishin’

Classifieds

Book Review – Phillip Barter, Maine Master

Back Then – Shay’s Tent