2017-2022 Gulf Of Mexico Multisale Environmental Impact Statement

In the Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program: 2017-2022 (Five-Year Program), 10 regionwide lease sales (encompassing the Western Planning Area, Central Planning Area, and the portion of the Eastern Planning Area not subject to Congressional moratorium) are scheduled for the Gulf of Mexico. Federal regulations allow for several related or similar proposals to be analyzed in one environmental impact statement (EIS) (40 CFR § 1502.4). Since each lease sale proposal and projected activities are very similar for each proposed lease sale area, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has prepared a single EIS for the 10 proposed lease sales: Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2017-2022; Gulf of Mexico Lease Sales 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 256, 257, 259, and 261; Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft Multisale EIS).

This Draft Multisale EIS analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed actions on the marine, coastal, and human environments. It is important to note that this Draft Multisale EIS was prepared using the best information that was publicly available at the time the document was prepared. This Multisale EIS’s analysis focuses on identifying and disclosing the baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the GOM. This Multisale EIS will also assist decisionmakers in making informed, future decisions regarding the approval of operations, as well as leasing. At the completion of this EIS process, a decision will be made only for proposed Lease Sale 249. Any and all subsequent lease sales will have sale-specific NEPA analyses.

Multisale-Regionwide-Map

Map above is available for download

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Scoping

Scoping is an integral part of the NEPA process, and the public is encouraged to participate and submit comments on the proposed action during the scoping period. The Public comments are especially valuable at this early stage regarding the potential environmental impacts of a proposed action. These comments are used in the development of alternatives to be analyzed and an examination of a proposed action and its possible effects, establishing the depth of environmental analysis needed, and determining data requirements and analysis procedures.

Notice of Intent (NOI)
Scoping Meeting Dates and Locations
- April 12, 2015 – New Orleans, Louisiana
  - Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70123
- April 14, 2015 – Houston, Texas
  - Hilton Garden Inn Houston/Bush Intercontinental Airport, 15400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston, Texas 77032
- May 19, 2015 – Panama City, Florida
  - Hilton Garden Inn Panama City, 1101 US Hwy 231, Panama City, Florida 32405
- May 20, 2015 – Mobile, Alabama
  - Hilton Garden Inn Mobile West, 828 West I-65 Service Road South, Mobile, Alabama 36609
- May 21, 2015 – Gulfport, Mississippi
  - Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront MS Hotel, 1600 East Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Mississippi 3950

Draft EIS

Notice of Availability (NOA)
Executive Summary
2017-2022 Multisale EIS Draft Document (Volume 1, Volume 2)
Public Meeting Dates and Locations
- May 9, 2016 – Beaumont, Texas
  - Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Beaumont – Plaza, 3950 I-10 South at Walden Rd., Beaumont, Texas 77705
- May 12, 2016 – New Orleans, Louisiana
  - Sheraton Metairie – New Orleans Hotel, 4 Galleria Blvd., Metairie, Louisiana 70001
- May 17, 2016 – Panama City, Florida
  - Bay Point Golf Resort and Spa, 4114 Jan Cooley Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida 32408
- May 18, 2016 – Mobile, Alabama
  - Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water St., Mobile, Alabama 36602
- May 19, 2016 – Gulfport, Mississippi
  - Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront MS Hotel, 1600 East Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Mississippi 39501