The BEA prepares program-level National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act reports; provides oversight, policy guidance, and direction for NEPA and other environmental laws and regulations affecting OCS activities; and participates in international conventions and treaty activities.

Essential Functions

  5-Year Leasing Program

  MMS and NEPA

  Environmental Sensitivity and Productivity Analysis

  Environmental and Social Costs, Consumer Surplus Benefits, and Alternative Energy Analysis

Environmental Statutes and Executive Orders

The MMS must comply with numerous environmental statutes, regulations, and executive orders to carry out its mission. This links below, describe those legal requirements and our environmental policies and procedures that apply to the OCS Energy Program. Where available, links are provided to other websites with the full text of the laws, relevant regulations, and guidance issued by other agencies.

  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

  Endangered Species Act (ESA)

  Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

  Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)

  Clean Air Act (CAA)

  Clean Water Act (CWA)

  National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

  Fishery Conservation and Management Act (FCMA)

  Executive Order 12114: Environmental Effects Abroad

  Executive Order 12898: Environmental Justice

  Executive Order 13007: Indian Sacred Sites

  Executive Order 13089: Coral Reef Protection

Cooperation

  International Agreements

  Analytical Support for Responses to Congress, States, and Other Parties. The BEA prepares correspondence to elected officials and other parties, and responds to question on environmental issues following MMS testimony before Congressional committees and during the annual budget appropriations process.

  Liaison with Other Agencies and Organizations.  The BEA professional staff conducts ongoing liaison, consultation, and outreach activities with various other bureaus within DOI, agencies external to DOI, State agencies, the environmental community, industry organizations, and other groups which are directly associated with mineral and energy development. These activities are both routine in order to keep up with activities of these groups and ad hoc as special problems arise.

Other

   The Environmental Component of the MMS Corporate Database

   Environmental Oversight for Proposals for Marine Minerals Program

   Government Performance and Results Act