The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced it will initiate a 60-day scoping process for public comment on preparing a joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement with the state of California on a revised Development and Production Plan submitted by Pacific Operators Offshore, LLC. The revised Development and Production Plan proposes development of oil and gas resources from three existing state-issued oil and gas leases in state waters from an existing offshore platform located in federal waters approximately 3.7 miles offshore Carpinteria, CA.
The Carpinteria Offshore Field Redevelopment Project includes both state and federal leases, under the jurisdiction of the California State Lands Commission and BOEM, respectively. This proposed revision seeks to develop state of California oil and gas resources by drilling extended-reach wells from a platform located in federal waters into adjacent state leases within three miles of the California coastline. The scope of BOEM’s authority is limited to evaluating, based on the best available science including the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement, the potential use of the existing platform. The state of California will consider BOEM’s evaluation in making a final decision on the project.
“While the state of California has the ultimate authority to approve or deny this project, it is our responsibility to review the potential environmental effects related to the possible use of this platform based on strong science and healthy public engagement,” said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. “As we begin this joint environmental review with the state of California, we stand committed to a collaborative and transparent process.”
To satisfy requirements under both the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act, BOEM and the California State Lands Commission have agreed to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement specific to the proposed development activities. Today’s announcement initiates a comment period to allow the public an opportunity to review and provide information on the issues that should be considered by BOEM in preparing the Environmental Impact Statement for the plan. The California State Lands Commission is issuing a similar Notice of Preparation.
Upon completion of the technical and joint environmental review, BOEM must decide whether to approve the revised Development and Production Plan, require modifications, or deny the plan revision. The state of California will approve or deny the proposed project. If approved, the proposed project will be subject to federal and state regulatory oversight. Revenues generated from this state production project will go to the state of California.
BOEM and the California State Lands Commission will hold joint scoping meetings to obtain additional comments and information on significant issues that should be addressed and alternatives that should be considered in the scope of the joint Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement. Two public scoping meetings are currently scheduled:
DATE: January 19, 2012
TIME: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. PST
LOCATION: Carpinteria City Council Chambers
5775 Carpinteria Avenue
Carpinteria, CA 93013-2697
Written comments may also be submitted by mail to: Carpinteria EIS Coordinator, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific OCS Region, 770 Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, CA 93010-6064; or by e-mail to: carpinteriaredevelopment@mrsenv.com (comments will be reviewed by both BOEM and CSLC). The comment period is open for 60 days.
Information on the Environmental Impact Statement, the Development and Production Plan and today’s Federal Register Notice are available online: http://www.boem.gov/Carpinteria-DPP/.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management manages the exploration and development of the nation's offshore energy resources. The Bureau seeks to balance economic development, energy independence, and environmental protection through responsible management of offshore conventional and renewable energy development based on the best available science.