WYOMING — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on its supplemental analysis for the Environmental Assessment, which was completed for the June 2022 oil and gas lease sale in Wyoming that was challenged by federal court.
According to a BLM press release, the lease sale offered 122 parcels totaling 119,565 acres. Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources, but before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans.
The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders. The BLM writes that all parcels that are included in a federal oil and gas lease sale include “appropriate stipulations” to protect important natural resources.
However, the sale was challenged and remanded to BLM by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for further National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis of potential environmental effects. In other words, the federal court found that the BLM moved forward with the lease sale despite known risks to drinking water, wildlife and climate.
The comment period is open and closes Dec. 19. For those wishing to leave a public comment, comments can be submitted through the “participate now” option here.
Information on current and upcoming BLM leases is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System.
