BLM seeks Public Comment on Oil and Gas Leases

   The Bureau of Land Management is conducting a scoping process to solicit public comments on how oil and gas resources on federal
mineral estate should be managed in the BLM's Hollister Field Office and whether the BLM should include areas of California beyond  the Hollister Field Office in this process.

    The public scoping process is the first step in preparing an Environmental Impact Statement.  Public open houses will be from 6 PM to 8 PM:

    On February 11, 2014 at the Cesar Chavez Library, 615 Williams Road in Salinas and February 12, 2014 at the Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant at 24505 W. Dorris Ave. in Coalinga.

   BLM states that "the purpose of this planning process is to analyze the effects of alternative oil and gas management approaches on lands with federal mineral estate within the BLM's Hollister Field Office.

   The need for the plan amendment is to incorporate new information about well stimulation technologies, natural resource conditions and socioeconomic trends to update the reasonably foreseeable development scenario and the Hollister Field Office Resource Management Plan.

   The decision to be made is to establish additional lease stipulations, conditions of approval, or best management practices to guide safe and responsible oil and gas development. 

   Depending on the results of this scoping process, the BLM may also use this process to consider amending RMPs for other field offices in California with oil and gas leasing and development (including the Mother Lode Field Office).

   Early public involvement is crucial to identify various issues that should be addressed in the EIS. Public input will be used in developing alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS.'

   You may submit written comments to the Bureau of Land Management, California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Oil and Gas Leasing and Development Comments, Attn: Sara Acridge, Project Manager, Sacramento, CA 95825 of via email at BLM_CA_OGEIS@blm.gov