What type of environmental review occurs during the 5-year leasing program development process?
The five-year leasing program is subject to analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Comprehensive analyses of the environmental and socioeconomic impacts are required by NEPA. The Bureau will use the highest level of review and documentation under NEPA, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), to evaluate the five-year leasing program. It will identify any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided or mitigated, alternatives to the proposed action, the relationship between short-term resources and long-term productivity, and irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources. This process also incorporates opportunities at several steps in the process for public and stakeholder review and comment. EISs for the past two five-year leasing programs can be ordered through Bureau Information Center. For further information on NEPA, please visit the President’s Council on Environmental Quality website.
