Pacific OCS Revenue Facts
The Mineral Management Service's Minerals Revenue
Management is responsible for the collection and disbursement of revenue collected
from the leasing and development of the Nation's onshore and offshore mineral resources.
From 1953 through fiscal year 1997, total revenues resulting from the Minerals Management
Service's offshore oil and gas program total over $120 billion, of which over $6 billion
was generated in the Pacific OCS region (offshore oil and gas leasing and development off
Washington, Oregon, and California).
Revenue from the offshore oil and gas program -- royalties, rents, and bonuses -- is
used to the benefit of the country in many different ways. On average, approximately
two-thirds of the revenue goes to the general fund of the United States Treasury to help
pay for government programs and services and to States that receive a portion of the
revenue collected from offshore oil and gas activity within a band that is 3 to 6 miles
off their shore, as specified in section 8(g) of the OCS Lands Act. In California,
this activity takes place on the OCS adjacent to the counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura,
Los Angeles, and Orange.
The remaining third of the revenue is provided to one of two funds:
- Land and Water Conservation Fund to help Federal,
State, and local governments acquire and develop parklands and recreation projects.
Between 70 and 90 percent of the funds provided to the Land
and Water Conservation Fund are from OCS mineral revenues. Secretary of the
Interior Bruce Babbitt noted that the basic intent of the Land
and Water Conservation Fund "is to devote revenue from one public resource,
oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf, to the perpetuation of another public
resource, outdoor recreation lands at the federal, state, and local levels."
- Historic Preservation Fund to help protect and preserve the finest examples of America's
cultural heritage. OCS contributions to the National Historic Preservation Fund have
totaled over $700 million.
California received more than $1.7 billion dollars from these special
funds through 1997
More than $940 million from the Land
and Water Conservation Fund was used to acquire and improve federal lands, such as
national parks and national forests, throughout the state including:
More than $230 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund was used to match funds
raised by California State and local government to acquire or improve parks and recreation
areas including projects in the following counties:
More than $15 million from the Historic Preservation
Fund has been used to help preserve
California's Historic Properties
in the State.
From 1986 to 2003, more than
$678 million has been disbursed to California from
Section 8(g) (OCS Lands Act) Funds
and, in some cases, used
by the State for coastal improvement projects and other programs.
Web Master:
Nollie
Gildow-Owens
Page content last updated 08/06/2008
Page last published
08/06/2008