BLM seeks comments on proposal for Wind River/Bighorn Basin District portion of February lease sale

— August 2, 2013

(Press release) The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on the environmental assessment (EA) for the Wind River/Bighorn Basin District portion of the February 2014 oil and gas lease sale.

The initial list of parcels derived from public nominations within the Wind River/Bighorn Basin District contains 89 nominated parcels totaling 107,276.093 acres. Of the 89 parcels, 35 occur in Greater SageGrouse core area and, as a result, 19 full parcels and 16 partial parcels amounting to 30,347.690 acres were recommended for deferral and not further analyzed in the EA, leaving 70 full or partial parcels for analysis. The parcels are offered in compliance with the Grass Creek Resource Management Plan (RMP) Record of Decision (ROD) approved in 1998, the Washakie RMP ROD approved in 1988, the Cody RMP ROD approved in 1990 and the Lander RMP ROD approved in 1986.

The draft EA is available online at: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/energy/Oil_and_Gas/Leasing.html.

Three alternatives are analyzed: under Alternative 1 (no action alternative), no parcels would be offered for sale; under Alternative 2, 70 nominated full or partial parcels containing 79,928.403 acres would be offered for sale with no further recommended deferrals; and under Alternative 3 (proposed action alternative), 43 parcels containing 53,839.370 acres would be offered for sale and, if sold, a lease issued.

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. Email comments to lander_wymail@blm.gov with “February 2014 Lease Parcels” in the subject line. Mail written comments to Stuart Cerovski, Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, Lander, WY, 82520. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 28, 2013.

The public comments and information submitted regarding this project including names, email addresses and street addresses of the respondents will be available for public review and disclosure at the LFO at 1335 Main Street during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) weekdays, except holidays.

Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name, address or street address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this plainly at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests are honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, are made available for public inspection in their entirety.

For more information, please contact BLM Resource Advisor Stuart Cerovski at 307-332-8400 or email scerovsk@blm.gov.