CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Office announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for Wednesday, September 25 to auction off four oil and gas parcels totaling 159.38 acres.
The four parcels are located in different regions across the state, and exact locations can be seen on maps here. According to the BLM, the sale of the 159 acres is the smallest lease auction to date in Wyoming.
The BLM held a public comment period that closed on June 21 to assess whether the four parcels would be included in the September sale. The agency reviewed comments, potential deferrals and the related environmental analysis. A 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input opened on July 26 and will close on Monday, August 26.
The parcels the BLM has analyzed, as well as maps and instructions on how to submit a protest are available here.
According to the BLM, leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. 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 must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) in providing adequate environmental analysis, or fully explain the impacts future drilling could have on the climate, big game migration and sage grouse.
Back in March, the BLM was ordered to reassess its environmental impact statements for 120,000 acres of federal land leased for oil and gas development after two separate lawsuits challenged the sales.
Information on current and upcoming BLM leases is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System.
