The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) announced that it will begin work on a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the remaining oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico scheduled in the 2007-2012 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Five-Year Plan. The announcement is one of many steps being taken to gain public input as BOEMRE assesses the environmental impact post-Deepwater Horizon.
“This SEIS is a vehicle for BOEMRE, other government scientists and the public to gather and consider new information obtained and analyzed as a result of the Deepwater Horizon blowout and spill. This SEIS is an important step in that process. As we move forward, we will continue to perform research and analysis on these important issues,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. “These continued assessments will allow us to make objective, science-based decisions about the activities involved in offshore energy exploration, development and production.”
Environmental analyses conducted by BOEMRE and other federal government scientists are major components of the offshore oil and gas leasing process and is included in reviews of both pre-lease and post-lease activities. The Notice of Intent to Prepare a SEIS also announces the public scoping process, which will assist BOEMRE in determining the significant issues that need to be analyzed in the SEIS as well as possible alternatives to consider.
The notice will be available for public inspection early next week through the Federal Register’s website at: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/public-inspection/index.html