BOEM’s Office of Environmental Programs prepares National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) analysis, and provides oversight, policy guidance, and direction for NEPA throughout the Bureau.
Environmental Studies
BOEM provides information on ongoing and completed environmental studies on the Environmental Studies Information page.
Programmatic Environmental Assessment of Environmental Studies Funded by BOEM
BOEM prepared NEPA documentation for the Environmental Studies Program. The document analyzes potential impacts of typical activities associated with environmental studies. Potential impacts on analyzed resources are expected to be negligible to minor, affecting few individuals over a short period and limited spatial area with standard mitigation measures in place. See the Programmatic EA and resulting Finding of No Significant Impacts for additional information.
Evaluating Connections: BOEM Environmental Studies and Assessments
BOEM conducted an evaluation to understand how ESP-funded research contributed to BOEM’s assessments (e.g. NEPA documents, Essential Fish Habitat Assessments, National Historic Preservation Act documents) and vice versa. Through this evaluation, BOEM gained an understanding of the extent to which study results are getting incorporated into assessments, information needs are being identified through the assessment process, and studies and assessments are informing policy decisions.
Oil and Gas Leasing
NEPA Documents
BOEM produces NEPA documents at several different stages throughout the oil and gas development process. During the formation of the National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, BOEM’s Office of Environmental Programs prepares a NEPA document. Regional offices prepare NEPA documents in preparation for lease sales held within the Five-Year National OCS Program as well as any NEPA reviews or documents required for exploration, development, and production. You can find these NEPA documents using the links below:
OCLSA Analysis
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) requires examination of environmental sensitivity and marine productivity in potential lease areas for the National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. These are two of the prime issues that the Secretary of the Interior must consider when making a decision about size, timing, and location of future lease sales. This analysis is included in the program documents.
Other Programs
Below are links to where to find environmental documents for other programs in BOEM.