By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Sept. 14 -- The US Minerals Management Service has requested information for 10 tentatively scheduled Outer Continental Shelf lease sales in the western and central Gulf of Mexico as part of a hearing process for the 2002-07 leasing program.
This is the third time the MMS has issued of a multisale call for information for proposed Gulf of Mexico lease sales.
The call covers western gulf sales 184, 187, 192, 196 and 200, as well as central sales 185, 190, 194, 198 and 201. An also-issued notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement covers all these sales except western gulf Sale 184, which will have a separate assessment.
The request for information is pursuant to the MMS proposal in July to hold 20 sales off Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico during the next 5-year leasing program (OGJ, July 20, 2001).
A draft multisale EIS for the remaining nine areas will be published in April 2002. The final EIS for the 5-year plan is due in November 2002.
The proposed sale areas will consider all available unleased acreage, with certain small exceptions, in the Gulf of Mexico, off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and portions of Alabama.
"As always, we seek an open and frank exchange of views and information as we identify the issues and concerns in these areas," said MMS Acting Director, Tom Kitsos. "This open process allows the federal and state governments to gain an in-depth understanding and benefit from the involvement of all the parties."
