News Release

For Release:  Dedember 12, 2008       
Contact: Nora DeDios (661) 391-6129
CA-CC-09-16

BLM Announces Availability of Oil & Gas Lease Auction Environmental Assessment

The Bureau of Land Management has completed the environmental assessment for the oil and gas lease auction scheduled for March 11, 2009.  A 30-day public review and comment period runs from December 12, 2008, to January 12, 2009.

The EA was prepared to analyze the environmental impacts of leasing the mineral estate for oil and gas exploration and development.  The lands considered for competitive lease auction are located in Kern County.

Shortly after the comment period closes, BLM will consider public comments and then issue a decision.

To ensure compliance with the environmental laws and provide protection for threatened, endangered, and other special status species and their habitat, all lands considered for competitive lease are subject to “Limited Surface Use Protected and Sensitive Species” special stipulations.

The EA is available online at:  http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield.html, or contact Nora DeDios at (661) 391-6129, or email ndedios@ca.blm.gov

-BLM-