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Fisheries Home » Protected Resources » Permits

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean

Final EIS (October 2016)

On October 11, 2016, NOAA released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean. The FEIS evaluates, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the alternative approaches for authorizing the take of marine mammals incidental to oil and gas exploration activities in the Arctic Ocean pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Supporting Document on the Final EIS

Supplemental Draft EIS (March 2013)

On March 21, 2013, NOAA released the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean, which analyzes how a broad range of potential offshore oil and gas activities in the Arctic could affect marine mammals, other resources, and Alaska Native communities.

NOAA prepared a summary indicating sections of the document that contain substantive changes [pdf] from the December 2011 draft EIS.

Comments on the Supplemental Draft EIS

The comment period for the Supplemental Draft EIS closed on June 27, 2013. 

NOAA Fisheries accepted written and oral comments in April 2013 at the following Public Hearing locations. Transcripts of the hearings are linked below:

Supporting Document on the Supplemental Draft EIS

Draft EIS (December 2011)

NOAA Fisheries released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze the impacts of oil and gas offshore exploration activities (such as seismic surveys and exploratory drilling) in Federal and state waters of the U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) [pdf] [41.3 MB]

Comments on the Draft EIS

The comment period for the Draft EIS closed on February 28, 2012.

Draft EIS Public Meetings Schedule

Public meetings were held in January and February 2012.

Scoping Meetings

NOAA Fisheries conducted public scoping meetings in the following cities and communities during February and March 2010. The individual meeting transcripts are linked below:

  1. Anchorage [pdf]
  2. Barrow [pdf]
  3. Kaktovik [pdf]
  4. Kotzebue [pdf]
  5. Nuiqsut [pdf]
  6. Point Hope [pdf]
  7. Point Lay [pdf]
  8. Wainwright [pdf]

NOAA Fisheries invited comments and input from the public, organizations and interest groups, local governments, and Federal and state agencies on issues surrounding the proposal, including input on the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that should be considered in the EIS. NOAA Fisheries received handwritten comments at public scoping meetings and comments that were submitted via mail, e-mail, and fax.

Supporting Documents on the Draft EIS

Updated: October 21, 2016