MMS call for multiple sale input a first

The Minerals Management Service is seeking input and nominations for five proposed Central Gulf of Mexico sales, the first time it has done so for more than one sale. MMS issued a call for information and nominations and notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for five sales in the central and western gulf. MMS Director Cynthia Quarterman said, "MMS is modifying its prelease planning and decision process for proposed lease sales in the Central and western Gulf of Mexico."

Aug. 12, 1996

2 min read

The Minerals Management Service is seeking input and nominations for five proposed Central Gulf of Mexico sales, the first time it has done so for more than one sale.

MMS issued a call for information and nominations and notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for five sales in the central and western gulf.

MMS Director Cynthia Quarterman said, "MMS is modifying its prelease planning and decision process for proposed lease sales in the Central and western Gulf of Mexico."

"We have over a dozen years experience in preparing for and holding annual lease sales in these two planning areas of the gulf, where the sale proposals in each case are very similar from year to year."

The Central Gulf multisale process will incorporate planning and analysis for Sales 169, 172, 175, 178, and 182 tentatively scheduled for March of each year from 1998 through 2002.

Later this year MMS plans to propose a similar multisale process for western gulf Sales 171, 174, 177, and 180.

Quarterman said, "Although we are proposing to prepare a single EIS for all five central gulf sales, we will not compromise our environmental standards or our commitment to amass the best and most comprehensive scientific data on which to base leasing decisions. Either an environmental assessment or supplemental EIS and a consistency determination will be prepared for each sale after the first sale."

She said the new method will better focus the environmental process by making impact types and levels that change between sales more recognizable, highlight new issues, allow for presale planning that spans only 1 year for sales after 1998 rather than the current 2 year process, and eliminate the repetitive issuance of a complete EIS for each sale.