U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Alaska

July 2018

Final Scoping Report

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program 

Environmental Impact Statement
The Bureau of Land Management’s multiple-use mission 

is to sustain the health and productivity of the public 

lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future 

generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing 

such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, 

mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on 

public lands.

Cover Photo: Jeff Jones
July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS i 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page 

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 1-1

1.1 Background..................................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 Purpose and Need for the Environmental Impact Statement............................................ 1-1

1.3 Overview of the Scoping Process and Scoping Report....................................................... 1-2

1.4 Description of the Scoping Process......................................................................................... 1-5

1.4.1 Scoping ............................................................................................................................. 1-5

1.4.2 Tribal Coordination and Government-to-Government Consultation ............. 1-5

1.4.3 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation 

Consultation.................................................................................................................... 1-7

1.4.4 Internal Scoping Meeting.............................................................................................. 1-7

1.4.5 Public Scoping Meetings............................................................................................... 1-8

1.5 Method of Comment Collection and Analysis...................................................................... 1-9

2. COMMENT SUMMARY.................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 Summary of Public Comments Received ................................................................................ 2-1

2.1.1 Commenters by Affiliation .......................................................................................... 2-1

2.1.2 Number of Comments by Issue Category .............................................................. 2-2

3. ISSUE STATEMENTS AND COMMENT SUMMARIES ........................................................ 3-1

3.1 NEPA............................................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.2 Public Outreach ............................................................................................................................ 3-2

3.2.1 Government-to-Government Consultation............................................................ 3-2

3.3 Purpose and Need........................................................................................................................ 3-3

3.4 Range of Alternatives................................................................................................................... 3-3

3.5 Best Available Information—Baseline Data............................................................................ 3-4

3.6 Direct/Indirect Impacts ............................................................................................................... 3-4

3.7 Cumulative Impacts...................................................................................................................... 3-5

3.8 Other Laws.................................................................................................................................... 3-5

3.9 Resources....................................................................................................................................... 3-7

3.9.1 Air Quality and Climate ............................................................................................... 3-7

3.9.2 Cultural Resources........................................................................................................ 3-8

3.9.3 Fish and Wildlife............................................................................................................. 3-9

3.9.4 Paleontological Resources......................................................................................... 3-15

3.9.5 Soil Resources.............................................................................................................. 3-15

3.9.6 Special Status Species.................................................................................................. 3-16

3.9.7 Vegetation...................................................................................................................... 3-17

3.9.8 Visual Resource Management................................................................................... 3-18

3.9.9 Water Resources......................................................................................................... 3-18

3.9.10 Wildland Fire Management........................................................................................ 3-20

3.9.11 Wetlands and Riparian Areas................................................................................... 3-20

3.10 Resource Uses............................................................................................................................. 3-20

3.10.1 Lands and Realty .......................................................................................................... 3-20

3.10.2 Fluid Minerals................................................................................................................ 3-21

3.10.3 Locatable Minerals....................................................................................................... 3-22

3.10.4 Nonenergy Leasable Minerals................................................................................... 3-23

3.10.5 Mineral Materials.......................................................................................................... 3-23
Table of Contents

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3.10.6 Night Sky........................................................................................................................ 3-23

3.10.7 Acoustics........................................................................................................................ 3-24

3.10.8 Recreation ..................................................................................................................... 3-24

3.10.9 Renewable Energy ....................................................................................................... 3-25

3.10.10 Subsistence Uses and Resources ............................................................................. 3-26

3.10.11 Travel and Transportation......................................................................................... 3-27

3.11 Special Designations................................................................................................................... 3-27

3.11.1 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ............................................................................... 3-27

3.11.2 Wild and Scenic Rivers............................................................................................... 3-28

3.11.3 Wilderness Areas........................................................................................................ 3-28

3.11.4 Wilderness Characteristics....................................................................................... 3-29

3.12 Socioeconomic Concerns......................................................................................................... 3-30

3.12.1 Public Safety and Hazardous Materials................................................................... 3-30

3.12.2 Socioeconomics ........................................................................................................... 3-31

3.12.3 Tribal Interests............................................................................................................. 3-32

3.12.4 Environmental Justice.................................................................................................. 3-33

3.12.5 Socio-cultural Systems................................................................................................ 3-33

4. FUTURE STEPS .............................................................................................................. 4-1

4.1 Future Steps and Public Participation Opportunities........................................................... 4-1

4.2 Contact Information .................................................................................................................... 4-2

5. REFERENCES.................................................................................................................. 5-1

TABLES Page 

1-1 Government-to-Government Meetings to Date ................................................................................. 1-7

1-2 Scoping Meetings in 2018........................................................................................................................... 1-8

2-1 Submissions by Affiliation........................................................................................................................... 2-1

2-2 Number of Individual Substantive Comments by Issue Category.................................................... 2-2

MAP Page 

1-1 Program Area ............................................................................................................................................... 1-3

APPENDICES

A Notice of Intent

B Outreach Materials

C Meeting Materials
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Full Phrase

ANCSA Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

ANILCA Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act

Arctic Refuge Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

BLM United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management

BMP best management practice

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

EIS environmental impact statement 

Leasing EIS Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended

NOI Notice of Intent

NPR-A National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska 

ROD Record of Decision

Tax Act Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Public Law 115-97 (December 22, 2017) 

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service
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CHAPTER 1 

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

The United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM), Alaska State Office, Anchorage is preparing an environmental impact 

statement (EIS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 

1969, as amended (NEPA). Its purpose is to implement an oil and gas leasing 

program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) Coastal Plain. 

The Coastal Plain program area is composed of approximately 1.6 million acres 

in the approximately 19.3-million-acre Arctic Refuge (Map 1-1, Program Area).

The Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS (Leasing EIS) will implement 

the leasing program, pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Public Law 

115-97, of December 22, 2017 (the Tax Act). It requires the Secretary of the 

Interior, acting through the BLM, to establish and administer a competitive oil 

and gas program for leasing, developing, producing, and transporting oil and gas 

in and from the Coastal Plain area in the Arctic Refuge. 

Congress identified the Coastal Plain, pursuant to Section 1002 of the Alaska 

National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, for its potential for oil and 

natural gas. 

The BLM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register on April 20, 

2018, announcing the beginning of a 60-day public scoping period to solicit public 

comments and to identify issues (see Appendix A). The comment period ended 

on June 19, 2018. The BLM has continued to accept comments beyond this date, 

but they are not included in this report, which describes the scoping process and 

summarizes the comments received during the comment period only. 

1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Section 20001 of the Tax Act requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting 

through the BLM, to establish and administer a competitive oil and gas program 

for leasing, developing, producing, and transporting oil and gas in and from the 
1. Introduction (Purpose and Need for the Environmental Impact Statement)

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Coastal Plain area in the Arctic Refuge. Further, it requires no fewer than two 

lease sales be held by December 22, 2024, and that each sale offer no fewer 

than 400,000 acres area-wide of those lands with the highest potential for the 

discovery of hydrocarbons within the Coastal Plain. It allows for up to 2,000 

surface acres of federal land to be covered by production and support facilities. 

The BLM is undertaking the Leasing EIS to implement the leasing program 

consistent with the Tax Act. The Leasing EIS will inform the BLM as it

implements the Tax Act, including the requirement to hold multiple lease sales

and to permit associated post-lease activities. 

The program also includes seismic and drilling exploration, development, and 

transport of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain. Specifically, the Leasing 

EIS considers and analyzes the environmental impact of various leasing 

alternatives, including the areas that will be offered for sale, and the lease 

stipulations and required operating procedures to be applied to leases and 

associated oil and gas activities. These are intended to properly balance the 

proposed program with surface resources protection. The alternatives also limit 

the footprint of production and support facilities on federal lands to no more 

than 2,000 surface acres. 

The decisions evaluated in this Leasing EIS would not authorize any drilling 

associated with the exploration or development of oil and gas on the Coastal 

Plain. Future on-the-ground actions requiring BLM approval, including 

exploration plans or development proposals, would require further NEPA 

analysis based on specific and detailed information about where and what kind 

of activity is proposed. The BLM Authorized Officer may require additional sitespecific terms and conditions before any oil and gas activity is authorized.

1.3 OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPING PROCESS AND SCOPING REPORT

Public involvement is a vital and legally required component of the NEPA 

process. It vests the public in the decision-making process and allows for full 

environmental disclosure. Guidance for implementing public involvement under 

NEPA is codified in 40 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) 1506.6. 

Scoping is an open and early step in the NEPA process that helps the BLM to 

determine the scope of issues to be addressed and to identify significant issues 

related to the proposed program. Information collected during scoping may also 

be used to develop the alternatives to be analyzed in a NEPA document. 

In accordance with the BLM NEPA Handbook, Section 9.1.3 (BLM 2008), the 

BLM must document the public scoping results. This scoping report summarizes 

the scoping process and the comments received during the formal scoping 

period, including those provided during tribal coordination, government-togovernment consultation, the internal scoping meeting, and public scoping 

meetings. 

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1.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE SCOPING PROCESS

As required by NEPA and its public involvement guidance, the BLM solicited

comments from relevant agencies and the public, then organized and analyzed all 

comments that it received. Then the agency evaluated the position statement of 

each comment and extracted the overarching issues that it would address 

during the NEPA process. These issues define the scope of analysis for the 

Leasing EIS and are used to develop the project alternatives.

1.4.1 Scoping

As defined under NEPA, the scoping period began with the publication of the 

NOI in the Federal Register on April 20, 2018. It was titled Notice of Intent to 

Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas 

Leasing Program, Alaska (see Appendix A). During this period, the BLM sought 

public comments to determine relevant issues that could influence the scope of 

the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and to guide the process for 

developing the Leasing EIS.

The official comment period ended on June 19, 2018. Comments received or 

postmarked by this date are summarized and presented in this document. To 

the extent practicable, the comments received past this date will be considered 

during the development of the Leasing EIS, but late comments were not 

summarized in this report.

The BLM used several additional methods of outreach to notify the public of the 

Leasing EIS and the scheduled public meetings. It placed advertisements in the 

Anchorage Daily News, the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, and the Arctic Sounder. The 

BLM also distributed public notices via press releases, emails, public service 

announcements, and flyers. Nongovernmental organizations were also active in 

notifying constituents of the Leasing EIS process and meetings. Additionally, the 

BLM maintains a project website with information related to the development of 

the Leasing EIS: https://goo.gl/HVo5Mj. The website includes background 

documents, maps, information on public meetings, and contact information. See 

Appendix B for outreach materials.

1.4.2 Tribal Coordination and Government-to-Government Consultation

The BLM, as the lead federal agency, coordinates directly with federally 

recognized tribal governments during preparation of the Leasing EIS. This is 

done in compliance with Executive Order 13175, Consultation and 

Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, and the BLM’s Tribal 

Consultation Policy. 

There are several avenues of participation open to tribes, including through the 

public process, as stakeholders, as cooperating agencies with special expertise, 

and through the government-to-government relationship. This section is a 

description of activities under the government-to-government relationship 

between federal agencies and federally recognized tribes; this is recognized as a 

special relationship, based on tribal sovereignty.
1. Introduction (Description of the Scoping Process)

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The BLM has identified a total of 16 tribal entities potentially affected by the 

leasing program. Consistent with its policies concerning government-togovernment consultation with tribes, the BLM first sent a letter offering the 

opportunity to participate in formal government-to-government consultation, to 

participate as a cooperating agency, or to simply receive information about the 

project. on March 2, 2018 to:

• Arctic Village Traditional Council

• Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope

• Native Village of Kaktovik

• Native Village of Venetie

• Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government

A second invitation letter to participate in government-to-government 

consultation was sent out by the BLM on April 23, 2018, to the following tribal 

entities:

• Beaver Village Council

• Birch Creek Village Council

• Chalkyitski Village Council

• Gwitchyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Government (Fort Yukon)

• Naqsragmiut Tribal Council (Anaktuvuk Pass)

• Native Village of Barrow Iñupiat Traditional Government

• Native Village of Fort Yukon

• Native Village of Nuiqsut

• Native Village of Stevens

To date, the BLM has held government-to-government consultation meetings 

with the following tribal governments:

• Arctic Village Council

• Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government

• Venetie Village Council

• Native Village of Kaktovik

Two tribes requested government-to-government consultation that were not 

included in the initial communications from the BLM and BLM has agreed to 

consult with, as follows:
1. Introduction (Description of the Scoping Process)

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• Circle Village Council

• Native Village of Eagle

The dates and locations of government-to-government meetings that have taken 

place so far are shown in Table 1-1. Discussions with potentially affected tribal 

governments will occur throughout the EIS process.

Table 1-1

Government-to-Government Meetings to Date

Location Date Tribal Government

Arctic Village May 23, 2018 Arctic Village Council, Native Village of Venetie Tribal 

Government, and Venetie Village Council

Venetie June 11, 2018 Arctic Village Council, Native Village of Venetie Tribal 

Government, and Venetie Village Council

Kaktovik June 13, 2018 Native Village of Kaktovik

1.4.3 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation 

Consultation

The BLM also sent a letter of notification and inquiry on March 2, 2018 to 

Arctic Slope Regional Corporation and Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation, offering 

the opportunity to participate in ANCSA consultation. To date, the BLM has 

held consultation meetings with both of these ANCSA Corporations, as well as 

Doyon, Limited, to discuss the EIS process.

1.4.4 Internal Scoping Meeting

Cooperating agencies are those that have jurisdiction by law or special 

expertise, including tribes that request cooperating agency status. At the outset 

of the EIS process, the BLM asked agencies if they would like to be involved; 

those that have signed on as cooperating agencies to date are as follows:

• US Fish and Wildlife Service

• US Environmental Protection Agency

• State of Alaska

• The North Slope Borough

Tribal governments that requested and have signed on for participation as 

cooperating agencies to date are as follows:

• Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government

• Venetie Village Council

• Arctic Village Council

• Native Village of Kaktovik
1. Introduction (Description of the Scoping Process)

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On May 3, 2018, the BLM held an internal agency scoping meeting. The purpose 

of this meeting was to identify issues related to the authorities or special 

expertise of the cooperating agencies. During the meeting, agency resource 

specialists provided comments relevant to their resource disciplines. Several of 

the cooperating agencies also provided written scoping comments to more fully 

identify issues related to their mandates and special expertise.

1.4.5 Public Scoping Meetings

Seven public scoping meetings were held in communities in and near the 

program area, in communities around Alaska, and in Washington, DC. In 

addition to the BLM and USFWS representatives and members of the EIS team, 

a court reporter was present to document comments in a transcript of each 

meeting. The dates and locations of the public scoping meetings are provided in

Table 1-2.

Table 1-2

Scoping Meetings in 2018

Location Date Venue

Arctic Village May 24, 2018 Arctic Village Community Hall

Fairbanks May 29, 2018 Carlson Center

Anchorage May 30, 2018 Dena'ina Center

Utqiagvik May 31, 2018 Iñupiat Heritage Center

Venetie June 12, 2018 Venetie Community Hall

Kaktovik June 12, 2018 Harold Kaveolook School

Washington, DC June 15, 2018 National Housing Center

The scoping meetings held in Arctic Village, Venetie, and Kaktovik each began 

with a presentation by the BLM describing the background and purposes of the 

EIS, the project schedule, and opportunities for further public involvement (see 

Appendix C for scoping meeting materials). Following the presentation, the 

meetings transitioned into a public comment format, where attendees could 

provide their thoughts on the EIS and the planning process.

The meetings held in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Utqiagvik, and Washington, DC, all 

began with an open house session, where attendees could view informational 

posters and maps. Representatives from the BLM and the USFWS (as the land 

management agency) were available to answer questions. Following the open 

house period, the BLM gave a PowerPoint slide presentation. Based on prior 

planning discussions with community leaders, the BLM employed a Gwich'in 

language translator for meetings in Arctic Village and Venetie; and an Iñupiat 

translator for the meeting in Kaktovik. A public comment period followed the 

presentation. Copies of scoping information and blank comment forms were 

available at all seven meetings.
1. Introduction (Description of the Scoping Process)

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The scoping meetings were attended by 1,062 people,1 and oral comments were 

offered by 334 people.

1.5 METHOD OF COMMENT COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

All written submissions received on or before June 19, 2018, were evaluated 

and are considered in this scoping summary report. It provides an overall 

summary of the types of comments received related to each issue. Comment 

submissions will be posted to the project website: https://goo.gl/HVo5Mj.

The BLM received 4,226 unique written submissions during the public scoping 

period; the number of substantive comments extracted from these submissions 

varied between all letters. Overall, 4,546 substantive comments were identified 

using the Comment Analysis Response Application, an ePlanning software of the 

BLM. 

To ensure that public comments were properly registered and that none were 

overlooked, the BLM used a multiphase management and tracking system. 

Written submissions were given a unique identifier and were logged into the 

BLM’s comment response and analysis database. It then reviewed each 

submission and extracted individual substantive comments. 

The BLM reviewed each comment to determine if it pertained to an issue that 

will be resolved though the EIS. Each comment was assigned to one of the two 

following categories:

1. Substantive comments related specifically to the Coastal Plain Oil 

and Gas Leasing Program EIS

2. Comments that are nonsubstantive or pertain to issues beyond the 

scope of the program

All comments in the first category were further classified by commenter 

affiliation, geographical area, process category, and issue category, as described 

in Chapter 2, Comment Summary. Comments were next entered into the 

tracking database for analysis.

The results of the comment analysis are summarized in Chapter 2.

 1 This total includes attendees who signed in at a public scoping meeting. It is possible that attendees were present 

at meetings who did not officially sign in.
1. Introduction (Method of Comment Collection and Analysis)

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CHAPTER 2

COMMENT SUMMARY

2.1 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED

2.1.1 Commenters by Affiliation

The BLM categorized all submissions received by the commenter’s affiliation. 

Table 2-1, below, shows the number and proportion of commenters by 

affiliation. Letters written on business, agency, or organization letterhead or 

letters where the commenter signed using an official agency title were 

considered to represent that organization or agency; all other letters were 

considered to represent individuals. In addition, some commenters made 

multiple submissions, and some letters had more than one signatory.

Table 2-1

Submissions by Affiliation

Affiliation Number of 

Commenters*

Percentage of Total 

Commenters

Government (federal, state, tribal, and local) 58 1.4

Organizations (businesses and nonprofits) 143 3.3

Individuals 4,025 95.3

Total 4,226 100

*Calculations do not include form letters or petition signatories. All numbers are approximate.

In addition to unique submissions, nonprofit organizations and individuals 

submitted a large number of form letters and petition signatures. Letters that 

represented slight variations of the form letter without additional substantive

comments were treated as form letters. Form letter submissions containing 

additional substantive comments were categorized as unique submissions. In 

total, the BLM received 756,228 form letter and signed petition submissions, 

based on 124 different form letter campaigns and 16 petitions.
2. Comment Summary (Summary of Public Comments Received)

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Note that analyzing identical submissions as a group did not reduce the 

importance of the comment. The NEPA regulations on public comments are 

clear that the public involvement process is not a vote but an opportunity to 

“determine the scope and the significant issues to be analyzed in depth in the 

environmental impact statement” (40 CFR 1501.7[a][2]), as well as to “identify 

and eliminate from detailed study the issues which are not significant, or which 

have been covered by prior environmental review” (40 CFR 1501.7[a][3]).

2.1.2 Number of Comments by Issue Category

Table 2-2 shows the number and proportion of comments received by issue 

category. The 4,546 substantive comments were categorized into 42 issue 

categories. Chapter 3, Issue Statements and Comment Summaries, provides a 

detailed analysis of the comments received for each issue category.

Table 2-2

Number of Individual Substantive Comments by Issue Category

Issue Category Number of Individual 

Comments*

Percentage of Total 

Comments

NEPA 125 2.8

Public Outreach 381 8.4

Government-to-Government Consultation 10 <1

Purpose and Need 61 1.3

Range of Alternatives 162 3.6

Best Available Information and Baseline Data 517 11.4

Direct and Indirect Impacts 159 3.5

Cumulative Impacts 115 2.5

Other Laws 280 6.2

Resources (General) 48 1.1

Air Quality and Climate 241 5.3

Cultural Resources 32 <1

Fish and Wildlife 735 16.1

Paleontological Resources 5 <1

Soil Resources 55 1.2

Special Status Species 184 4.0

Vegetation 39 <1

Visual Resource Management 10 <1

Water Resources 118 2.6

Wildland Fire Management 1 <1

Wetlands and Riparian Areas 6 <1

Resource Uses (General) 4 <1

Lands and Realty 27 <1

Fluid Minerals 251 5.6

Locatable Minerals 4 <1

Nonenergy Leasable Minerals 2 <1
2. Comment Summary (Summary of Public Comments Received)

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Table 2-2

Number of Individual Substantive Comments by Issue Category

Issue Category Number of Individual 

Comments*

Percentage of Total 

Comments

Mineral Materials 15 <1

Night Sky 3 <1

Acoustics 24 <1

Recreation 59 1.3

Renewable Energy 23 <1

Subsistence Uses and Resources 145 3.1

Travel and Transportation 45 <1

Special Designations

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 43 <1

Wild and Scenic Rivers 11 <1

Wilderness Areas 38 <1

Wilderness Characteristics 39 <1

Socioeconomic Concerns

Public Safety and Hazardous Materials 162 3.6

Socioeconomics 153 3.4

Tribal Interests 93 2.1

Environmental Justice 32 <1

Socio-cultural Systems 89 2.0

Total 4,546 100 *

All numbers are approximate. 

< = less than
2. Comment Summary (Summary of Public Comments Received)

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CHAPTER 3

ISSUE STATEMENTS AND COMMENT SUMMARIES

For NEPA analysis, an issue is a point of disagreement, debate, or dispute with a 

proposed program, based on an anticipated environmental effect. An issue is 

more than just a position statement, such as disagreement with development on 

public lands. The BLM will use the issues and other information collected during

scoping to help formulate a reasonable range of alternatives that it will analyze 

during the EIS process.

The issue statements presented below are preliminary and are based on the 

best information known to date. A summary of the comments received has also 

been developed that apply to each issue; for the full context of comments, see 

submissions posted on the project website, https://goo.gl/HVo5Mj.

The process of developing this EIS will afford opportunities for collaboration 

with local, state, federal, and tribal governments, land management agencies, 

public interest groups, and public land users. As a result of ongoing 

collaboration, the issues and concerns may be updated and supplemented to 

accurately reflect public comments and concerns.

3.1 NEPA

Issue: How would the accelerated NEPA process and page limits outlined 

in Secretarial Order 3355 affect the environmental analysis?

Comment Summary

Commenters were concerned that the 1-year timeline for this EIS would result 

in rushed analysis and would compromise the BLM’s and the USFWS’s 

responsible land management mandates. They were concerned that the 

streamlined timeline would result in hasty decision-making and would hinder 

meaningful participation by the local communities and the public. Commenters

noted that the accelerated timeline may put the BLM at risk for violating federal 

conservation laws. 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (NEPA)

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Commenters suggested that the page limits are arbitrary and would hinder the 

analysis of environmental consequences. Another commenter referred to a 

similar project, the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska EIS, which required

three volumes, spanning nearly 1,200 pages, to adequately analyze impacts.

3.2 PUBLIC OUTREACH

Issue: How would the public and local stakeholders be involved and 

informed throughout the NEPA process? How would streamlining affect 

the public’s role in the NEPA process?

Comment Summary

Commenters were concerned that there were not enough public scoping 

meetings and requested additional public meetings in the lower 48 states, 

specifically in Seattle, Austin, and Washington, DC. Commenters requested

meetings in many additional Alaskan and Canadian towns, including Fort Yukon, 

Beaver, Circle, Fort McPherson, Aklavik, Beaver, Birch Creek, and Chalkyitsik.

Commenters requested that translators be available at these meetings and that 

all information relating to the project be available in all Alaska native languages,

including Gwich'in and Inupiaq. Commenters requested that the BLM ensure 

that the Hunters and Trappers Committees, Renewable Resource Councils, and 

the public be notified of all meetings. 

Commenters were concerned that the speaking times at the public meetings 

were not long enough to give everyone a chance to speak and requested more 

meetings be scheduled during the scoping phase of this project to allow more 

opportunities to express their concerns.

Commenters were also concerned with the duration of the comment period

and requested a comment period extension of at least 60 days. Commenters 

noted that the timing of the scoping comment period was not convenient for 

subsistence harvesters and other community members who are busy during the 

summer. Summer is an important time for many Alaskans to make their living, 

so these community members could not participate fully in the scoping process.

3.2.1 Government-to-Government Consultation

Issue: How would government-to-government consultation occur, and 

which interested parties would be coordinated with during this NEPA 

process?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that the BLM has an obligation to reach out to every tribal 

council that is part of the Iñupiat and Gwich'in communities to host public 

meetings and to include them in the NEPA process. Commenters would like the 

BLM to extend consultation invitations to Canadian communities that depend 

on the Porcupine caribou herd.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Public Outreach)

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Commenters would like USFWS’s role as a cooperating agency to include their 

oversight and development of the affected environment and impacts analysis 

portions of the EIS. Commenters believe that the USFWS has baseline data and 

ongoing studies that should be incorporated into the EIS. 

3.3 PURPOSE AND NEED

Issue: What is the purpose and need for this project? Have other areas 

been considered outside of the Coastal Plain for the oil and gas leasing 

program?

Comment Summary

Commenters asked what the purpose and need is for leasing in the identified

program area when other areas on the North Slope might be available that have 

been leased but not yet developed.

Commenters stated that the EIS should consider all the purposes of the Arctic 

Refuge in the purpose and need and not just provide for an oil and gas program 

on the Coastal Plain.

3.4 RANGE OF ALTERNATIVES

Issue: What types of activities would be included in the EIS alternatives?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested a “no action” alternative be included for analysis in the 

EIS. They suggested the BLM take an approach similar to the National 

Petroleum Reserve-Alaska EIS, which identified and evaluated five alternatives. 

Other commenters requested that the EIS propose an alternative that protects

resources by identifying special designation areas that prohibit exploration, 

leasing, development, and production at all times or at specific times of the year. 

A commenter requested that all post-lease activities be included in the scope of 

the EIS. 

Commenters requested that the BLM analyze a range of alternatives that 

includes all possible site scenarios for the 2,000-acre limit across the entire 

Coastal Plain program area. They also asked that the BLM include specific 

analyses for each 400,000-acre lease sale. Additionally, commenters suggested a 

“smallest footprint” alternative.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Best Available Information—Baseline Data)

3-4 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

3.5 BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION—BASELINE DATA

Issue: What baseline studies would the BLM consult when developing the 

EIS?

Comment Summary

Commenters provided the BLM with studies, references, and other baseline 

information that they would like to be considered in the EIS development. They 

stated that while academic research should inform the EIS, the BLM should also 

include indigenous knowledge provided by tribes and the local community. 

Commenters would also like to be informed on whether the BLM would

conduct new baseline studies as part of this Leasing EIS.

3.6 DIRECT/INDIRECT IMPACTS

Issue: What is the extent of the 2,000-acre surface disturbance limit, as 

identified in the Tax Act, and what types of surface disturbance are 

expected? How will the 2,000-acre footprint be measured and enforced?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that the impacts caused by individual projects are likely to 

extend beyond the projected 2,000-acre disturbance limits. They would like to 

know if this limit includes construction of all infrastructure, including roads, drill 

pads, pipelines, wells, aircraft facilities, landing strips, and boat ramps. 

Commenters also requested that the disturbance limit include all operations for 

production and delivery of oil, such as those involving vehicles, heavy 

equipment, oil pumping, and pipelines. 

Commenters were concerned that the BLM has not included the disturbance 

that an oil spill could cause beyond the 2,000-acre disturbance limit. They 

requested clarification on where the acres of disturbance are likely to occur, 

and whether it will be concentrated in a certain area or dispersed throughout 

the program area. 

Commenters expressed concerns about the method used to account for the 

2,000-acre footprint of development. They stated that a patchwork of drilling 

platforms and structures linked by roads may total 2,000 acres but would have 

impacts extending far beyond that area. Commenters suggested that the total 

footprint should be calculated as a polygon with borders around the outermost 

structures in the program area. Additionally, they requested that the BLM’s 

method to determine the footprint be included in the EIS.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Direct/Indirect Impacts)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-5

Final Scoping Report

Issue: How is the BLM considering impacts on resources in the program 

area?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that the EIS should include both readily predictable impacts,

such as the disruption of a shoreline from equipment, and unpredictable 

impacts, such as damage from spills. Commenters have requested that a full risk 

assessment be done. They would like a full analysis of impacts resulting from all 

stages of development. 

Commenters had specific concerns with the short- and long-term impacts on

the local populations and the environment from an oil and gas leasing program. 

They would like to know how the BLM is considering these impacts. 

3.7 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Issue: What are the cumulative impacts of the oil and gas development in 

the program area?

Comment Summary

An area that includes portions of Canada and areas of the North Slope outside 

of the program area should be included in the cumulative impacts analysis.

3.8 OTHER LAWS

Issue: How would the BLM respect and adhere to the agreements with 

Canada, particularly those regarding migratory and transboundary 

species?

Comment Summary

Commenters would like the BLM to recognize and address how this program 

would comply with agreements and treaties with Canada in the EIS, including

the following:

• Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the 

Government of the United States on the Conservation of the 

Porcupine Caribou Herd (IPCA) (1987)

• MOU Between the United States and Canada on Conservation and 

Management of Shared Polar Bear Populations (2008)

• Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears (1973)

• Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds in the United 

States and Canada (1916)

• Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, Between His Britannic 

Majesty and the United States of America (commonly known as the 

Jay Treaty) of 1794
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Other Laws)

3-6 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

Commenters stated that the US government is required by the 1987 agreement 

to take appropriate action to conserve the Porcupine caribou herd and its 

habitat. Commenters ask that the BLM further consider Canadian interests in 

deliberations and management actions. Commenters emphasized that the EIS 

must address trans-boundary impacts of development on the Coastal Plain and 

how management actions may affect the conservation of the Porcupine caribou 

herd, US/Canada relations, and the Alaskan, Canadian, Gwich'in, and Iñupiat

people. A commenter would like the BLM to assess how development can be 

done while meeting the intent and objectives of the International Porcupine 

Caribou Agreement. 

Issue: How will the BLM adhere to requirements outlined in applicable 

federal, tribal, state, and local plans, laws, and statutes?

Comment Summary

Commenters would like the BLM to recognize and address how this program 

will follow federal, tribal, state, and local plans, laws, and statutes in the EIS, 

including but not limited to:

• Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA)

• Alaska Statute 16.04.094 

• Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

• Clean Air Act 

• Clean Water Act

• Endangered Species Act

• Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act

• Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (Section 12.6.4)

• Inuvialuit Final Agreement 

• Marine Mammal Protection Act

• Migratory Bird Treaty Act

• NEPA

• National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act

• Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement

• Public Law 115-97

• Refuge Administration Act

• Production Act (Section 104[b])

• Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Other Laws)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-7

Final Scoping Report

• Wilderness Act

• Yukon Umbrella Agreement (Section 16.3.11)

3.9 RESOURCES

3.9.1 Air Quality and Climate

Issue: How would the BLM monitor and protect air quality from the 

proposed program impacts?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM monitor the impacts of oil and gas-related 

infrastructure construction and vehicle use on air quality. They stated that there 

is a need for the BLM to collect baseline air quality data. Commenters noted

concerns for air quality impacts on nearby communities, land management, and 

visitor use. Specifically, they expressed concerns about localized emissions of 

nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulates from heavy 

machinery and vehicles. In addition, they mentioned fugitive leaks of methane 

from pipes and emission of hazardous air pollutants.

Dust from transportation and construction was another concern for 

commenters. They expressed concern about health repercussions for residents,

including respiratory diseases, cancer (especially lung cancer), and other noncancer health impacts.

Commenters recommended that the BLM evaluate current air quality conditions 

and trends in the program area for each of the criteria pollutants relevant to the 

proposed program and that it identify direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts 

from potential development. They requested that a plan for monitoring air 

quality be included in the EIS. Commenters stated the BLM should also develop 

a reasonably foreseeable range of air quality scenarios with low, medium, and 

high emissions.

Commenters suggested that the BLM conduct near-field and far-field modeling 

analyses of air quality to assess impacts on sensitive locations and populations.

Commenters also stated that BLM must complete a Prevention of Significant 

Deterioration PSD increment analysis to determine how much of the available 

increments have already been consumed in the affected area and how much 

additional increment is available for consumption up to the level set by the

National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

3-8 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

Issue: Will the EIS include an analysis of cumulative impacts on air quality 

and greenhouse gas emissions on the Coastal Plain program area and the 

North Slope from the management alternatives, as well as the synergistic 

impacts on global climate change from the proposed program?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM address the short- and long-term effects 

of management alternatives and development on global climate change and 

greenhouse gas emissions. They also stated that greenhouse gas emissions from 

extracting, processing, transporting/transmitting, and combusting fossil fuels 

should undergo a complete life cycle assessment in low, medium, and high 

emission scenarios. 

Commenters requested that the BLM assess the climate impacts of both the 

extraction and eventual use of oil and gas from the Coastal Plain. A commenter 

suggested that better estimates of extractable hydrocarbons would improve the 

quality of the assessment and warranted more research before leasing.

Commenters also requested that the BLM examine how climate change may 

directly affect the Coastal Plain, particularly for rising average temperatures,

permafrost loss, wildlife migration and life cycle changes, and coastal erosion.

They stated that the BLM should include an analysis of current regional climate 

trends on the North Slope in the EIS, along with projections of regional climate 

trends with and without development.

3.9.2 Cultural Resources

Issue: How would cultural resources and sites be affected by potential 

actions identified in the EIS alternatives and how would the BLM monitor 

these impacts?

Comment Summary

Commenters were concerned that leasing may affect cultural resources in the 

program area. They requested that the BLM consult the North Slope Borough’s 

Traditional Land Use Inventory and the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey to 

ensure that potential development is routed away from known sites.

Commenters expressed concern about impacts on the integrity of those sites in 

or near the program area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Specifically, commenters were concerned that leasing or development near

these sites would affect their National Register of Historic Places eligibility.

Additionally, commenters stated that the Coastal Plain may meet at least half 

the criteria of a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural 

Organization) World Heritage Site. They suggested that the BLM consider 

whether the ability of the Coastal Plain to meet those criteria in the future 

would be significantly affected. 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-9

Final Scoping Report

Commenters requested that the BLM consult with the State Historic 

Preservation Officer and affected community members in the case of 

unavoidable impacts on sites eligible for listing on the National Register of 

Historic Places.

In addition, commenters requested that the BLM invite members of affected 

communities to share information on cultural sites known only to community 

members.

Commenters were also concerned with disturbance or destruction of unknown 

archaeological sites and artifacts through ground-disturbing activities during 

potential development; they requested that archaeological monitors be present

during such activities.

3.9.3 Fish and Wildlife

Issue: How would the proposed program and production affect the 

Porcupine caribou herd, including population levels, reproductive success, 

habitat fragmentation, predation, migration patterns, and their associated 

habitat requirements? Will the EIS require the BLM to monitor, mitigate, 

and address the cumulative impacts on caribou and other wildlife 

populations from the proposed program and climate change? How would

the BLM address impacts on Canadian interests in caribou herds and 

coordinate data sharing with Canada on sensitive habitat for caribou 

herds?

Comment Summary

Commenters made the following suggestions:

• Requested that the BLM fully analyze how the proposed program

and any associated facilities and access routes could affect 

population levels and habitat of caribou, including calving grounds, 

insect relief habitat, and migration routes. They requested these 

data be used to develop leasing stipulations that protect these 

habitats, including considering no leasing or no surface occupancy in 

important caribou habitat. Commenters were concerned that the 

proposed program would displace caribou and reduce available 

foraging and calving habitat and insect relief areas.

• Suggested that the BLM consider a zone of influence and modeling 

of potential impacts at the individual and population level for 

caribou

• Requested that the EIS analyze data from the Porcupine caribou 

herd and take a precautionary approach when using data from other 

herds, due to the differing ecological and geographical context of 

the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

3-10 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

• Expressed concern regarding the impacts of the proposed program

on the reproductive success of caribou, due to diminished forage 

quality and habitat availability

• Requested that the EIS account for differences in geography 

between migration routes of the Porcupine caribou herd and other 

northern herds (e.g., Teshekpuk and Central Arctic) and

acknowledged the inevitability of infrastructure creep on caribou 

habitat.

• Noted that increased hunting opportunities can affect the migration 

patterns of caribou

• Expressed concern that the proposed program could displace 

caribou, forcing the caribou into areas of poor quality forage. They

expressed concern that the proposed program could displace 

caribou, leading to increased predation.

• Expressed concern that the proposed program could affect caribou 

calf survival rates by decreasing the quality and quantity of tussock

cottongrass (genus Eriophorum), which young calves depend on for 

nutrition

• Requested that the EIS examine baseline descriptions of Porcupine 

caribou. Specifically, they asked it to look at timing and use of 

sensitive habitats, including inter-annual variability in use and the 

changing role of sensitive habitats during a severe population low. 

Other topics for the BLM to examine are annual movement 

ecology, migration routes, and mineral lick use.

• Expressed concern that caribou exhibit slow degrees of habituation, 

if any, to the proposed program in caribou habitat

• Requested that the EIS include further scientific investigation into 

caribou habituation

• Expressed concern regarding the effect of pipelines on the capacity 

of caribou to avoid insects by decreasing their ability to seek relief 

habitat

• Requested that the EIS include a description of the use and 

importance of the Coastal Plain to species movement during 

different life stages and seasons and across multiple years. The 

discussion should include scientifically defendable methods of 

delineation and areas for importance ratings.

• Noted that the cumulative effects of climate change and the 

proposed program may result in negative impacts on caribou and 

other wildlife populations
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-11

Final Scoping Report

• Requested that the EIS explain the monitoring tools used to 

distinguish natural fluctuations in Porcupine caribou herd 

populations from declines associated with the proposed program

• Requested that the EIS identify gaps in knowledge that may increase 

the uncertainties of any proposed caribou-specific mitigation 

scenarios

• Requested that the EIS evaluate the indirect effects of the proposed 

program on the predator and scavenger species that rely on 

Porcupine caribou

• Requested that the EIS adhere to wildlife monitoring standards in 

order to maintain the health of caribou in the program area

• Requested that studies and monitoring be conducted in order to 

understand how caribou are likely to respond to warming 

conditions

• Requested that the EIS fully analyze existing and reasonably 

foreseeable impacts of climate change on caribou and other wildlife 

populations, including in the environmental baseline and affected 

environment, across alternatives, and within cumulative effects

• Requested that the EIS explain the monitoring tools used to 

distinguish natural fluctuations in Porcupine caribou herd 

populations from declines associated with the proposed program

• Requested that the EIS take into account the long-term studies 

documenting the disturbance and environmental degradation from 

oil development in Prudhoe Bay and the impact on caribou herds in 

the region

• Suggested that the EIS include detailed and fine-scale modeling of 

climate change impacts on the Arctic Refuge that could affect 

wildlife.

• Requested that the EIS analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative 

impacts of the proposed program on marine species, including noise 

pollution and oil spills, as well as cumulative impacts from increased 

greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change and other 

development actions in the Southern Beaufort Sea

• Expressed the need to identify wildlife migration routes and the 

mitigation of impacts on these routes through the use of bypass or 

pass-through structures

• Noted that caribou herds occupy and migrate across international 

boundaries and that data from the entire range of the herd would 

be needed for a robust impact analysis

• Requested that the BLM seek input from Canadian scientists, 

governments, and Indigenous knowledge holders on the potential 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

3-12 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

effects of oil and gas activities on caribou and the transboundary 

impacts of the proposed activities

• Requested a review on the relevant sections of the 1987 Agreement 

Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the 

United States of America on the Conservation of the Porcupine 

Caribou Herd, with specific reference to what constitutes a 

“significant, long-term, adverse impact” on the herd or its habitat

• Expressed the need for the BLM to research the impacts of 

development activities on caribou herds in Canada

• Requested that the EIS include data regarding availability of 

alternative suitable habitat for caribou

Issue: How would the proposed program affect migratory bird nesting,

breeding, and foraging habitat at the individual and population level? Will 

the BLM analyze the potential for increased populations of predators, 

such as the Arctic fox and raven, on migratory birds?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that impacts on migratory bird breeding grounds may lead 

to negative impacts on migratory birds at the population level. They stated that 

at least 158 species of migratory birds have been recorded in the northern 

foothills, Coastal Plain, and adjacent marine waters, with at least 57 species

regularly breeding, not breeding, or both in the Coastal Plain. Commenters 

recommended including best management practices (BMPs) and stipulations,

which minimize loss and disturbance of resident and migratory birds, including 

red-throated loons and other species of conservation concern.

Commenters expressed concern that nesting birds would be vulnerable to oil 

spills. 

Commeters stated that the cumulative effect analysis should include activities 

across the Arctic Coastal Plain (including Canada) as well as impacts outside of 

Alaska in areas where migratory birds stage and winter.

Commenters noted that predation from Arctic foxes and ravens on migratory 

birds has increased at other drilling areas near the Arctic Refuge and that 

predation may increase due to the proposed program. 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-13

Final Scoping Report

Issue: How would management actions identified in the EIS affect other 

wildlife species, and how would the BLM monitor and reduce or mitigate 

these impacts?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that mitigation may be necessary to reduce potential 

negative impacts from the proposed program that could affect a wide variety of 

wildlife, including anadromous fish, migratory birds, and large mammals. 

Commenters expressed the need for an in-depth analysis of the impacts on all 

wildlife in the program area at the individual and population levels. 

Commenters requested that the EIS include the impacts of the proposed 

program on snow goose populations. They expressed concern regarding the 

impacts on muskoxen, both at the individual and population level, and muskoxen 

habitat resulting from oil and gas exploration and development in riparian zones 

and throughout muskoxen habitat. One commenter requested mitigation 

measures be developed in the event that muskoxen relocate to their former 

habitats. 

Commenters noted that increased human presence and access to the region 

due to an increase of roads would likely lead to increased hunting and poaching 

of muskoxen. Commenters expressed concern that increasing muskoxen

hunting could result in population level impacts.

Commenters requested that the EIS consider and analyze the direct, indirect, 

and cumulative effects of an oil and gas program on species recognized under 

Alaska’s State Wildlife Action Plan as well as how a program may affect the 

coordination and management of the plan itself. 

Issue: How would the EIS address indirect and direct impacts on wildlife

from road construction, noise, and water, land, and air traffic?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that, except in cases of emergency, refueling helicopters 

and aircraft should be prohibited on or near bodies of water. Commenters 

requested the EIS evaluate the impacts of the use of any nonessential air and 

vessel traffic that may be associated with the action or alternatives.

Commenters were concerned that aircraft and vessel noise would disturb 

marine mammals at the individual and population levels. On land, commenters 

were concerned that vehicular collisions would increase, along with increased 

traffic.

Commenters suggested that any aircraft used in oil and gas exploration should 

maintain an altitude sufficient to avoid harassing concentrations of caribou and 

other wildlife.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

3-14 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

Commenters were concerned that traffic from trucks, planes, and ships would 

disturb wildlife, reduce habitat functionality, and cause habitat avoidance.

Commenters expressed the need for the EIS to consider how noise associated 

with the proposed program would affect bird courtship and territorial 

vocalizations.

Commenters were concerned that light and sound associated with the 

proposed program could lead to negative impacts on wildlife (see Sections 

3.10.6, Night Sky, and 3.10.7, Acoustics).

Issue: How would the BLM analyze the effect of the proposed program,

including seismic exploration, on marine wildlife populations, individuals, 

and habitat?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service 

to determine whether oil and gas leasing may affect marine species and to

ensure that permitted activities do not jeopardize threatened marine species.

Commenters requested that the EIS identify sufficient and contiguous coastal 

habitat that would be left undeveloped to protect fish and wildlife.

Commenters requested that the EIS include the potential impacts of ocean 

acidification on wildlife in the refuge. 

Commenters noted that damage to wetlands and reduction in surface water 

would affect fish. They request that the EIS evaluate direct and cumulative 

impacts on fish resulting from ice road and pad development.

Commenters were concerned that the proposed program would decrease the 

quality of fish spawning habitat and impede fish migration.

Commenters requested that the EIS discuss mitigation measures to decrease 

the impacts of marine traffic on marine wildlife and habitat.

Commenters requested that the EIS describe the current quality and capacity of 

marine habitat and its use by wildlife and that it identify known migration routes 

and timing of wildlife.

Commenters requested that the EIS include existing BLM regulations, guidance, 

or policies providing direction for ballast water and noxious species 

management, a description of current conditions, and BMPs that it would use to 

address invasive species.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-15

Final Scoping Report

Commenters requested that the EIS address the impact of a major, catastrophic 

oil spill on the Coastal Plain and the potential impact on terrestrial mammals 

and marine mammals.

Commenters noted that contaminants from oil drilling can accumulate on the 

sea floor and affect organisms with malformations and genetic damage.

Commenters noted that seismic exploration may affect terrestrial and marine 

wildlife and wildlife corridors.

3.9.4 Paleontological Resources

Issue: What measures would be taken to mitigate damage to or loss of 

paleontological resources during exploration and development?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the EIS include plans for identifying, evaluating, and 

protecting paleontological resources in the Coastal Plain. In addition, they

expressed the need for protocols for processing items of paleontological 

interest unearthed during development. Commenters also suggested that an 

inventory of known sites of paleontological, archaeological, or scientific 

importance be included in the EIS.

3.9.5 Soil Resources

Issue: What measures would be taken to avoid or minimize damage to 

pipelines and other structures due to increasingly unstable permafrost?

Comment Summary

Commenters expressed concerns about damage to structures built on

permafrost soils, which current research indicates is degrading in some areas

due to increasing Arctic temperatures. Commenters were specifically

concerned with pipelines, which could experience fugitive leaking if built on 

thawing permafrost or taliks. In addition, commenters noted that increased 

impermeable surfaces could negatively affect soil resources.

Issue: How would ground transportation and road construction affect soil 

resources in the program area?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that soil compaction and localized temperature increases

from roads could negatively affect permafrost, exacerbating thermal erosion, 

thermokarst, discontinuity, and active layer thickening. Commenters suggested

that the BLM conduct more research on which soils in the program area are 

most and least susceptible to degradation or erosion.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

3-16 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

Issue: Would the EIS analyze the effects of seismic exploration and 

exploratory drilling on permafrost?

Comment Summary

Commenters presented concerns about the effects of seismic exploration and 

exploratory drilling on the stability of permafrost soils in the program area. 

They suggested that it could increase thermal erosion and thermokarst.

Issue: Would the EIS include an analysis of the cumulative impacts of oil 

and gas extraction on Coastal Plain permafrost?

Comment Summary

Commenters expressed concern about the effects of the proposed program on 

the climate of the North Slope of localized and global greenhouse gas emissions, 

specifically noting the already rising temperatures and increasing discontinuity of 

permafrost. Commenters also requested that the analysis include a discussion of 

carbon emissions from thawing permafrost.

3.9.6 Special Status Species

Issue: How would the BLM coordinate with federal, state, local, and 

international agencies to minimize or mitigate potential impacts on polar 

bears and other special status species that may result from infrastructure,

such as roads, airstrips, and pipelines, and the associated equipment and 

vehicles, such as trucks and planes?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted the presence of habitat for special status species in the 

program area that may be affected by the proposed program. They noted that 

the proposed program on the Coastal Plain could reduce and fragment available

terrestrial denning habitat for polar bears, and they requested mitigation 

measures and subsequent monitoring be planned for areas in and near critical 

habitat for polar bears.

Commenters noted that the proposed program is within the range of the 

Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation of polar bears, which is listed as 

threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. They noted that the 

estimated size of this subpopulation had decreased from 1,526 in 2006 to 900 in 

2010 and that size and body condition had also declined. Commenters also

mentioned that polar bears were spending more time on land in recent years 

and noted that the importance of the Arctic Refuge Coastal Plan as denning area 

was likely to increase. Commenters recommended BMPs and stipulations be 

developed in close cooperation with the Marine Mammals Management Office 

to ensure their effectiveness and also consistency with measures required in 

Marine Mammal Protection Act incidental take authorizations.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-17

Final Scoping Report

Commenters also noted the United States’ legal obligation to conserve polar 

bear habitat, in compliance with the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of 

Polar Bears. They also requested that the EIS include input from appropriate 

Canadian officials on species listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.

Commenters also expressed concerns about increased human-polar bear 

conflict due to increased terrestrial denning.

Issue: Would the EIS analyze potential impacts on polar bears and marine 

mammals from oil spills?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that polar bears and other marine mammals could be 

affected by oil spills, and that damage to marine mammal habitat from spills 

could decrease available prey for polar bears. Commenters requested that the 

BLM consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service on potential impacts of 

spills on marine mammals under their jurisdiction, including ringed seals, 

bearded seals, and bowhead whales.

Commenters stated that the BLM should conduct a thorough analysis of 

impacts, including spills on marine mammals, to ensure compliance with the 

Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1973, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 

and the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Act of 

2006.

3.9.7 Vegetation

Issue: How would the BLM revegetate the Coastal Plain after the 

proposed program?

Comment Summary

Commenters suggested that flora in the program area could be adversely 

affected by oil and gas exploration, transportation, and construction.

Commenters added that removal or destruction of vegetation could change the 

natural thermal regime of permafrost in the program area, leading to increased 

erosion, thermokarst, and active layer thickening.

Commenters also noted the lack of success of previous vegetation restoration 

in the Arctic, citing incomplete species composition, compared to the former

undisturbed habitat.

Issue: How would oil and gas activities affect tussock cottongrass?

Comment Summary

Commenters expressed concerns about the preservation of tussock cottongrass

(genus Eriophorum), which is a primary food source for calving caribou, prevents 

erosion, and preserves the integrity of underlying permafrost. Additionally, 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

3-18 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

commenters noted that dust accumulation can alter vegetation community 

composition and soil pH next to roads and gravel pads.

Issue: How would the BLM prevent or reduce the introduction of invasive 

species to the program area during the proposed program?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that a baseline assessment of invasive species presence 

be included in the EIS. In addition, they requested that a plan to prevent and 

monitor future proliferation of nonnative species be included in the EIS.

Issue: How would the BLM protect vegetation, soils, and permafrost?

Comment Summary

Commenters expressed concern about the need to protect the underlying 

permafrost and vegetation from the proposed program. They also noted the 

importance of riparian willows as overwintering habitat for moose and 

ptarmigan and recommended the inclusion of BMPs to avoid disturbance during 

winter operations and infrastructure development.

3.9.8 Visual Resource Management

Issue: How would the proposed program affect visual resources in and 

next to the program area?

Comment Summary

Commenters expressed concern of impacts on visual resources from the 

proposed program and asserted that these impacts would extend outside the 

program area. One commenter suggested that the BLM should determine 

objectives for each scenic and visual resource area and evaluate how 

development could affect the objectives. Another commenter noted that many 

of the potential impacts on visitors would result from changes to the viewshed;

thus, modeling visibility of reasonably foreseeable infrastructure and operations 

from permanent development on the diverse terrain should be included. This 

would provide guidance on infrastructure setbacks in high visitor use areas, 

including river corridors.

3.9.9 Water Resources

Issue: How would the BLM address impacts on water quantity associated 

with water withdrawal methods used for the proposed program? How 

would the BLM address impacts to water quality within the program area?

Comment Summary

Commenters expressed concern about the degradation or contamination of 

potable water sources (both surface and groundwater) and the potential effect 

on wildlife and humans in the Coastal Plain. They were especially concerned 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-19

Final Scoping Report

with wastewater disposal practices, noting that the proposed program requires 

a large quantity of water diversions and withdrawals. They expressed concern 

that the Arctic Refuge does not have readily accessible or available water in high 

quantities. Commenters suggested that desalinization of marine waters be 

evaluated as a potential alternative to limited freshwater resources. 

Commenters requested that the BLM list potential water sources, characterize 

baseline water quality, and analyze impacts on aquatic and riverine systems 

associated with diversions, withdrawals, and wastewater.

Commenters noted that ANILCA states that one purpose of the Arctic Refuge 

is to ensure water of sufficient quality and quantity to conserve fish and wildlife 

populations and habitats in their natural diversity. Commenters recommended 

that the EIS adopt BMPs used for the development of the National Petroleum 

Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), prohibiting water withdrawal from rivers at all times, 

and prohibit withdrawals from springs and aufeis1.

Commenters stated that degradation of water quality and quantity on the 

Coastal Plain could negatively affect overwintering fish, caribou, polar bears, and 

other fauna that consume or inhabit water in the program area.

Issue: Would the EIS include an analysis of potential impacts of the 

proposed program on marine and coastal areas?

Comment Summary

Commenters suggested that the BLM document and analyze coastal and marine 

hydrology during different seasons, coastal and underwater geology, 

characteristics of sea ice coverage and movement, coastal and marine currents, 

and the physical and chemical characteristics of marine and coastal zones. They 

added that the EIS should analyze impacts associated with the proposed 

program on coastal lagoons, including fresh water inflow and coastal stability.

Issue: Would the BLM analyze the hydrological repercussions of ice roads?

Comment Summary

Commenters presented concerns about the long-term impacts of ice roads on 

hydrology and the program area’s natural thermal regime and recommended 

further study before their use. They noted that liquid water is especially scarce 

during winter, and it likely is not sufficient for more than 10 miles of ice roads.

Additionally, commenters stated that effects associated with the construction of 

ice roads and other surface disturbances related to hydrologic processes within 

rive corridors and lake recharge should be analyzed. A commenter requested 

that any current data on the environmental impact of ice roads be included in 

the EIS.

 1 Aufeis can be found along rivers in Alaska’s arctic regions. Aufeis is a sheet-like mass of layered ice that forms 

from successive flows of groundwater during freezing temperatures.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resources)

3-20 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

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Issue: What are the impacts of and methods for pipelines that would cross 

rivers?

Comment Summary

A commenter suggested the EIS analyze pipeline river crossing methods.

3.9.10 Wildland Fire Management

Issue: How would surface disturbance affect the fire regime and 

management of fire in the program area?

Comment Summary

A commenter noted that changes in soil hydrology could influence the fire

regime in the program area.

3.9.11 Wetlands and Riparian Areas

Issue: How would the proposed program affect wetland and riparian areas 

and the species that depend on these areas during various life stages?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested the EIS analyze potential impacts from the proposed 

program on aquatic and riverine systems and that the BLM consider the 

localized and downstream effects. One commenter suggested that the EIS 

should include an analysis of recovery patterns from past, present, and future

activities under the proposed program and how wetland areas could be affected.

Another commenter noted that various species such as muskoxen, caribou, and 

polar bears, rely on riparian areas for movement, calving, and feeding.

3.10 RESOURCE USES

3.10.1 Lands and Realty

Issue: Would the BLM conduct a review of closed and pending Alaska 

Native allotments?

Comment Summary

A commenter requested that the BLM conduct a thorough review of closed and 

pending Alaska Native allotments, especially those close to the withdrawal area 

of the military from Barter Island. Additionally, commenters requested that 

unresolved Alaska Native allotment claims be resolved before leasing begins.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resource Uses)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-21

Final Scoping Report

Issue: Would the EIS include a geospatial data gap analysis as it relates to 

high-resolution topography over the program area?

Comment Summary

Commenters stated that the program area is mapped only to mid-level 

topographic resolution. They suggested this resolution is not sufficient for

accurately delineating, identifying cultural and environmental exclusion zones,

optimizing siting and routing decisions to limit disturbance, and determining

optimal access points (according to slope elevation, water body crossings, 

subsistence trails, vegetation, and other concerns). Commenters also suggested 

the data gap analysis include bathymetry and cartographic charting data to 

support an understanding of marine transportation and coastal access 

alternatives.

Issue: Would the BLM guarantee access for residents to Coastal Plain

hunting, fishing, camping, and subsistence use sites?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM include an inventory of subsistence use, 

scenic, and biologically and culturally sensitive sites in the EIS. They suggested 

that these sites be excluded from the proposed program to preserve their 

utility to residents and visitors.

3.10.2 Fluid Minerals

Issue: How would the BLM estimate the potential amount of oil and gas

available in the program area?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM investigate the potential for oil and gas

production in the program area and consider the opportunity to extend the 

working life of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, thus extending the benefits

that the pipeline provides.

Issue: How would the BLM investigate direct and indirect impacts of oil 

and gas exploration and development?

Comment Summary

Commenters stated that the BLM needs to consider direct, indirect, and 

cumulative impacts of all aspects of oil and gas exploration and development; 

examples given are access routes, support facilities and other infrastructure 

needed for exploration and development, and potential future impacts. 

Commenters stated that a thorough investigation of the impacts of seismic 

activities related to oil and gas exploration and development should be included 

in the EIS.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resource Uses)

3-22 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

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A commenter requested that the BLM consider the possibility of increased 

seismicity due to the proposed program.

Another commenter suggested that the BLM should review and use new 

technology that could reduce the impacts of development. 

Issue: What leasing restrictions would be implemented to mitigate adverse 

effects of oil and gas leasing and development on the Coastal Plain and 

how would the BLM ensure that lessees would cover costs for spill cleanup 

and site reclamation?

Comment Summary

Commenters suggested that the BLM require a bonding process to ensure 

potential cleanup costs would be covered by lessees. Commenters requested

that the BLM consider restrictions on leasing in order to mitigate adverse 

effects on the Coastal Plain.

Issue: Should cultural sites, subsistence use areas, and other areas used by 

local communities be excluded from lease sales?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that community trails, campsites, cultural sites, and 

subsistence use areas should be excluded from lease sales.

A commenter suggested that the BLM collaborate with the Kaktovik Iñupiat 

Corporation to use its lands next to the program area as a support area for 

development activities. 

A commenter suggested that development should be kept away from the 

southern border of the Coastal Plain in order to minimize impacts on the 

designated wilderness to the south.

Issue: What other currently developed areas are there that the BLM could 

consider for expanded oil and gas leasing, instead of the Coastal Plain?

Comment Summary

Commenters suggested that the BLM expand oil and gas leasing and exploration 

in the NPR-A or other areas of the country, instead of the Coastal Plain.

3.10.3 Locatable Minerals

Issue: How would the proposed program affect opportunities for locatable 

mineral exploration and extraction in the program area?

Comment Summary

A commenter cited a report prepared by the US Geological Survey and noted

that the program area could contain opportunities for locatable mineral 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resource Uses)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-23

Final Scoping Report

exploration and extraction for valuable minerals, such as gold and copper. This 

commenter also noted that the mineral resource potential for beach sand type 

placer gold or heavy minerals is currently unknown for the program area.

3.10.4 Nonenergy Leasable Minerals

Issue: How would the proposed program affect opportunities for 

nonenergy leasable mineral exploration and extraction in the program 

area?

Comment Summary

A commenter cited a report prepared by the US Geological Survey and noted 

the program area could contain opportunities to explore and extract nonenergy 

leasable minerals such as phosphate and the rare-earth elements yttrium and 

ytterbium.

3.10.5 Mineral Materials

Issue: Where would gravel be extracted in the program area for the 

proposed program?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM consider the impacts of extracting gravel 

for the proposed program and asked that the EIS analyze where gravel 

extraction would occur in the program area.

Issue: What would be the long-term and short-term impacts of gravel 

extraction on the environment?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM develop a strategy for the disposing of 

gravel removed during field closure and reclamation of the proposed program.

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM analyze the impacts of creating gravel 

mines and associated overburden piles on permafrost, ecology, and hydrology in 

the program area.

3.10.6 Night Sky

Issue: How would the proposed program in the program area affect night 

skies?

Comment Summary

A commenter noted that potential impacts on visitors would result from 

changes to the viewshed, including the night sky, and could have impacts on 

aurora borealis viewing, stargazing, and other related visitor experiences.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resource Uses)

3-24 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

3.10.7 Acoustics

Issue: How would the BLM assess the potential effects of noise on wildlife?

Comment Summary

Commenters expressed concern about noise pollution extending beyond the 

footprint of production and support facilities. Commenters were concerned 

about how noise may interfere with the behavior and spatial distribution of 

wildlife, specifically how noise pollution may cause wildlife to avoid certain areas.

Issue: Would the BLM analyze the effect of construction and development 

on the natural soundscape of the Coastal Plain?

Comment Summary

Commenters are concerned about impacts in the natural soundscape and 

natural silence in the Arctic Refuge. Commenters have stated that soundscapes 

are intrinsic elements of wilderness and their perpetuation is important for 

meeting the Arctic Refuge’s purpose. A commenter asked that acoustic 

modeling be used to fully analyze impacts on the natural soundscape.

Issue: What baseline information is available, and would additional studies 

be performed during this EIS process to analyze impacts on acoustics?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that acoustic issues should be considered in the EIS,

including the need for baseline (pre-development) acoustic conditions, acoustic 

characteristics of development-related noise sources, modeled spatial 

predictions of acoustic impacts, disturbance-response information for wildlife 

and people, and the combined acoustic and visual disturbance caused by aircraft.

3.10.8 Recreation

Issue: What kind of recreation would be allowed in the program area?

Comment Summary

Commenters are concerned that development may limit access to certain 

recreation opportunities in the Arctic Refuge. Some commenters would like the 

opportunity to continue low-impact ecotourism in the program area, while 

other commenters said that public recreation should not be allowed at all.

Issue: How would recreation be affected in the Coastal Plain?

Comment Summary

Commenters stated that the proposed program and associated activities are not 

compatible with recreation and could discourage recreationists from coming to 

the area. Some commenters were concerned that the proposed program would 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resource Uses)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-25

Final Scoping Report

impede public access, while others suggested public access should be eliminated 

entirely from the program area.

Commenters noted that the identified purpose of the Arctic Wildlife National 

Range, as proposed in 1960, was the preservation of wilderness values, wildlife,

and recreation. Commenters recommended that the EIS analyze the following: 

• Possible impacts on recreation experiences and opportunities by 

persistent compacted snow trails, which may lead to surface ice 

buildup and possible impacts on flow

• Effects on recreation by staging and exploration, keeping in mind 

that recreation occurs mainly from February through October

• Effects on night skies, open landscape views, and other visual 

resources as they affect aurora borealis viewing and other visitor 

experiences

• Effects on soundscapes as they affect visitor experiences

• Economic effects on commercial guides and outfitters who operate 

in the Coastal Plain

• Evaluation and minimization of all effects on resources in river 

drainages that have been recommended to Congress for Wild and 

Scenic River designation, as required by the Wild and Scenic River 

Act

• Evaluation and minimization of all effects on resources, which 

include visitor opportunities, in the Mollie Beattie Wilderness

3.10.9 Renewable Energy

Issue: Would the EIS consider renewable energy as an alternative?

Comment Summary

Commenters recommended investing in renewable energy alternatives to 

reduce climate change impacts in the Arctic Refuge and around the globe. 

Commenters suggested that investing in alternative energy sources, such as 

solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal energy, would provide more reliable 

infrastructure and cheaper energy, which could have fewer impacts on local 

resources than the proposed program.

Commenters also stated that renewable energy investment could create 

sustainable jobs, provide energy independence, and allow our nation to be less 

dependent on fossil fuels.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resource Uses)

3-26 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

Issue: How does the proposed program advance our energy independence 

and national security?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that a full energy independence and national security 

analysis be performed during this EIS process.

3.10.10 Subsistence Uses and Resources

Issue: Would the EIS include an analysis of impacts on the social and 

cultural values of subsistence resources, along with the availability of 

subsistence food resources?

Comment Summary

Commenters were concerned about how the proposed program could affect 

fish and wildlife, such as the Porcupine caribou herd, bowhead whales, and 

migratory waterfowl. Native populations, including Gwich'in, and Iñupiat, have 

relied on these subsistence resources for generations. Commenters stated that 

the proposed program could reduce resource populations, displace them from 

traditional harvesting areas, and reduce access. Some commenters have asked 

that the BLM establish a subsistence advisory panel. The BLM should also 

consider food security and subsistence use rights as part of the EIS analysis.

Commenters stated that impacts on subsistence hunters from the proposed 

program can include the direct impacts of activity and infrastructure and

changes in hunter behavior by having to avoid industrial areas for personal safety 

or fear of contaminants. They recommended that alternatives or cooperative 

measures be identified and evaluated, in cooperation with potentially affected 

people. Such measures would reduce the negative effects of oil and gas industry 

activity on subsistence resources harvested. Best management practices should 

be evaluated that take contemporary hunting practices and locations where 

harvest occurs into consideration.

Commenters recommended evaluating the effects of oil and gas industry activity 

on the health of fish, wildlife, and vegetation used for subsistence. Such effects 

would come from exposure to contaminants. Commenters recommend

including BMPs for baseline monitoring and minimizing contaminant exposure of 

important subsistence resources.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Resource Uses)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-27

Final Scoping Report

3.10.11 Travel and Transportation

Issue: How would the EIS address potential impacts from the construction 

and use of new access roads and transportation in the program area? How 

would new transportation systems interact with existing systems and uses,

such as subsistence resources?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the Leasing EIS fully analyze the impacts of 

transporting equipment, personnel, and supplies in the program area. They were

concerned about the impacts that these activities and road construction and

maintenance would have on resources and resource uses. Commenters stated 

that travel and transportation via air, ship, and vehicle could have impacts on

vegetation, fish, wildlife, and recreation. 

Commenters were concerned about who would have access to the new roads 

and whether local communities would be able to incorporate them into existing 

transportation networks. 

Issue: Where would travel and transportation routes be located in the 

program area, and how would rights-of-way be issued in the program 

area?

Comment Summary

Commenters suggested that the BLM consider identifying transportation 

corridors needed to facilitate access for the proposed program as part of the 

EIS. A commenter mentioned that a right-of-way must be constructed for 

transportation and utility systems of the oil and gas program. This would be 

done to fulfill the requirements of the Alaska National Interest Lands 

Conservation Act of 1980. 

3.11 SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS 

3.11.1 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 

Issue: How would the EIS consider existing Arctic Refuge management 

plans and other National Wildlife Refuge System directives, such as the 

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan, 

National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, and the Arctic 

Refuge’s establishing purposes?

Comment Summary

Commenters stated that the EIS should evaluate the effects of the various 

alternatives on the following purposes of the Arctic Refuge: 

• Preservation of unique wildlife, wilderness, and recreational values
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Special Designations)

3-28 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

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• Conservation of fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their 

natural diversity

• Fulfillment of international treaty obligations of the United States 

with respect to fish and wildlife and their habitats

• Continued subsistence uses by residents

• Ensuring water quality and quantity in the refuge

• Providing for an oil and gas program on the Coastal Plain

Commenters stated that the proposed program conflicts with the Arctic 

Refuge’s establishing purposes (Public Land Order 2214) to preserve its unique 

wildlife, wilderness, and recreation values. Commenters wanted the BLM to 

analyze impacts on these resources in the Leasing EIS. They said that the BLM 

should consider current Arctic Refuge management plans in the EIS, specifically 

the Arctic Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which includes direction 

for the proposed program and lease sales. Commenters would like the BLM to 

address whether the Arctic Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan would

need to be revised to be consistent with the Tax Act.

3.11.2 Wild and Scenic Rivers

Issue: How would the EIS analyze impacts on rivers found to be eligible 

and suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the BLM consider the impacts to rivers possessing

outstandingly remarkable values, including the Marsh Fork of the Canning, the 

main tem of the Canning, Hulahula, Kongakut, Jago, and Okpilak Rivers.

3.11.3 Wilderness Areas

Issue: How would designated wilderness areas be affected by the proposed 

program on the Coastal Plain?

Comment Summary

Commenters requested that the impacts analysis area of the Leasing EIS include 

the Mollie Beattie Wilderness. For example, commenters believe that the 

viewshed of the Mollie Beattie Wilderness could be affected by the proposed 

program. 

Commenters stated that the proposed program is not compatible with the 

designated wilderness in the Arctic Refuge. Preserving wilderness is one of its

original establishing purposes, and commenters believed that the proposed 

program is not compatible with this original purpose.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Special Designations)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-29

Final Scoping Report

Commenters requested that the BLM analyze impacts on the Mollie Beattie 

Wilderness and on nearby Canadian public lands. A portion of the Vuntut

National Park (Canada) has a “declared wilderness area”; these lands potentially 

exhibit what would be considered wilderness characteristics, as defined in the 

Wilderness Act of 1964. Commenters would like the BLM to analyze the effect 

of the program on these Canadian lands and on the remainder of the Arctic 

Refuge, as an ecosystem.

3.11.4 Wilderness Characteristics

Issue: How would impacts on the wilderness character of the program 

area be addressed in the EIS?

Comment Summary

Commenters were concerned about impacts on wilderness character from the 

proposed program. Some commenters believed that the value of preserving 

wilderness should outweigh the economic value that oil and gas drilling in the 

Coastal Plain would provide to the country.

Issue: How should wilderness character be managed in light of the US Fish 

and Wildlife Service’s Record of Decision for the Arctic National Wildlife 

Refuge Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Final Environmental 

Impact Statement, which recommends that the Coastal Plain Wilderness 

Study Area be designated as wilderness?

Comment Summary

Commenters believed that the program area exhibits wilderness characteristics,

and they would like the wilderness values of the Coastal Plain to be preserved. 

Commenters believe that one of the features of value when considering 

wilderness characteristics is that this is the only protected coast in the Alaskan 

Arctic. Commenters believed that by allowing the proposed program, 

wilderness characteristics could be damaged so as to change the recommended 

wilderness designation eligibility.

Commenters requested that the BLM consider the USFWS’s recommendation 

of the Coastal Plain program area to be designated as wilderness. Commenters 

would like the EIS to engage this topic and requested that the gathered

information that led to this wilderness recommendation be included in the 

current EIS. Some commenters opined that the public’s support for wilderness 

designation has not been given adequate consideration. Some commenters 

expressed the opinion that leasing land for the proposed program on the 

Coastal Plain is contradictory to a wilderness recommendation.

Commenters suggested that the EIS describe and evaluate impacts on the 

following four primary qualities of wilderness, as described in the Wilderness 

Act of 1964:
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Special Designations)

3-30 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

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• Undeveloped—Free from roads, structures, and other evidence of 

modern human occupation or improvements, where the land 

essentially retains its original character and ecological function

• Untrammeled—Essentially unrestricted and free from modern

human control or manipulation

• Natural—When ecological systems are substantially free from the 

effects of modern civilization

• Primitive or unconfined recreation in wilderness settings—

Characterized by freedom from management restrictions on visitor 

behavior

3.12 SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS

3.12.1 Public Safety and Hazardous Materials

Issue: How would the EIS analyze the potential impacts on human and 

wildlife health and safety from the proposed program, including planning 

for potential oil spills or waste produced?

Comment Summary

Commenters were concerned about potential oil spills and leaks and the 

difficulty that cleaning up a spill would pose, given the remoteness and arctic 

conditions of the program area. There were also concerns about the impacts on 

human and wildlife health from exposure to methane gas, reduced air quality, 

reduced water quality, and noise pollution. There are concerns about human 

and wildlife health impacts from spills, cleanups, fires, refuse and waste 

containers, sewage, injection fluids pumped into the ground, and the potential 

for contaminated groundwater. Another commenter suggested that the EIS 

discuss the potential for seismic risk and how this risk would be evaluated, 

monitored, and managed.

Many commenters also expressed concerns about who would pay for an oil spill 

cleanup and mitigation. Other commenters stated that the EIS should define and 

quantify the benefits that this oil and gas leasing would have on health and safety 

for the employees and their families.

One commenter stated that the BLM should analyze the direct, indirect, and 

cumulative health effects of its proposed program. Many commenters requested 

that the BLM complete a human health impact assessment. Some specified that 

the BLM should undertake a screening process to determine which aspects of 

health—including impacts on public, environmental, mental, social, and cultural 

health—could be affected by the proposed project. Depending on the screening 

results, a health impact assessment may need to be conducted to determine the 

direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts on human health. Commenters 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Socioeconomic Concerns)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-31

Final Scoping Report

recommended that the BLM involve public health professionals to assist with 

this assessment and to determine the appropriate level of analysis.

Commenters also requested that a village health assessment be completed to 

provide a baseline measure of the health of the community and to ensure that 

the health of Kaktovik is not negatively affected should any development occur.

Commenters also stated that if native communities do not have access to 

healthy traditional food resources, direct health impacts from poor diet would

occur, medically, socially, and economically.

One commenter noted that resource development activities have been shown 

to correlate to increased life expectancy within the North Slope region.

3.12.2 Socioeconomics

Issue: How would the EIS assess the impacts of the proposed program on 

state and local economies, local communities, native populations, and 

nonmarket values?

Comment Summary

Commenters stated that the short-term economic gains and few jobs created 

from this project do not outweigh the negative environmental and cultural 

impacts. They were concerned about potential negative impacts on tourism, 

fishing, and local native economies from the proposed program and requested 

that the EIS analyze economic impacts on other industries as a result of 

development. There were also concerns that any jobs created would be short

term and given to outside labor or non-local workers only.

Commenters also expressed concerns that the economic benefits of this project 

would apply to only a few individuals and corporations and that profit-sharing 

would not extend to the state or local economies. In contrast, others stated 

that development would provide economic opportunities for local communities 

and that the BLM should include an evaluation of the direct local benefit of 

leasing and development, including analysis of benefits to Alaska Native 

corporations.

One commenter requested that the BLM require lessees to develop an 

economic opportunity plan before construction begins. One commenter also 

requested that development of local infrastructure be considered in the

alternatives.

Commenters also suggested the use of project labor agreements to keep costs 

down and make construction contracting efficient. Additionally, it was stated 

that the EIS should include analysis of the economic and social benefits of using 

project labor agreements for construction activities that could result from

leasing.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Socioeconomic Concerns)

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Some commenters stated that the project would bring beneficial economic 

surpluses to Alaska, thereby improving its public services. Others stated the 

analysis of potential revenue from any lease sales must use accurate projections,

based on similar recent sales, to avoid overestimating economic contributions. 

Commenters requested that the EIS examine the impact of global energy 

markets on the scale of development and economic viability.

Commenters stated that development in the Arctic Refuge would allow the US 

to rely on domestic, as opposed to foreign, energy sources. Commenters also 

stated that completing this project would extend the economic life of other oil 

fields in Alaska. 

Commenters requested an economic assessment of the leasing and construction 

implementation phases of this project, including direct and indirect impacts, and 

analysis of short-term and long-term impacts. Some specifically requested that 

economic analysis be presented in a peer-reviewed report. One commenter 

requested that the BLM examine option values to account for the value 

associated with the timing of resource extraction.

Commenters requested that the BLM assess the nonmarket values of the Arctic 

Refuge. Commenters also requested that the EIS contain an analysis of the social 

and economic impacts from climate change, including the social cost of carbon 

and methane.

Commenters also requested that the EIS include an analysis of the social impacts 

of development on local communities, including impacts on women and girls and 

impacts from increased variability in household incomes in communities.

One commenter requested that the economic benefits of this project be used 

to explore alternative energy sources.

3.12.3 Tribal Interests

Issue: How would the EIS address and analyze impacts on local tribes?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that the BLM should recognize tribal treaties, agreements,

and other constructive arrangements concluded with states or their successors.

Commenters described specific requirements for oil and gas developers that 

should be in place before development begins that would have economic

implications for tribes and tribal members. These requirements included

consultations, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) leasing 

preferences, subsistence protections, required Arctic Slope ANCSA 

Corporation Economic Development and Land Use Plans, and preferential 

hiring, training, and contracting for Arctic Slope shareholders and tribal 

members. 
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Socioeconomic Concerns)

July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 3-33

Final Scoping Report

Commenters are concerned about impacts on tribes, such as the Gwich'in and 

Iñupiat, who rely on the Porcupine caribou herd for subsistence needs, such as 

food and clothing. Access, including off-highway vehicle trails, to the area for 

subsistence use should be provided for in the plan. A travel management plan 

and access for tribes to travel in the program area should be addressed. This is 

because there are concerns that tribal access issues have historically been 

ignored, but development access issues are being expedited. 

There are concerns from commenters that impact aid for tribes affected by the 

project has not been or would not be addressed. Some commenters also 

request that traditional Alaska Native allotments be reviewed through this 

planning effort.

3.12.4 Environmental Justice 

Issue: How would the EIS address and analyze impacts on environmental 

justice populations?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that applying arbitrary page and timing limitations for EIS 

planning would not provide an adequate analysis for impacts on environmental 

justice populations.

Commenters requested meaningful engagement of remote communities and 

Alaska Native tribes and that the plan disclose all efforts taken to meet 

requirements consistent with Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to 

Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income Populations. The 

plan should describe efforts to avoid or mitigate disproportionate and adverse 

environmental or human health impacts on environmental justice populations.

Commenters request that more refined geographic areas, other than Census 

tracts, be used to accurately assess impacts on environmental justice 

populations. The plan should also address how climate change would affect 

environmental justice populations.

3.12.5 Socio-cultural Systems

Issue: How would the BLM address and analyze impacts on traditional 

and cultural beliefs and value systems of the Gwich'in and the Iñupiat

people?

Comment Summary

Commenters noted that local tribes are culturally tied to the Coastal Plain and 

the Porcupine caribou herd. Commenters expressed the opinion that the 

proposed program is a threat to these cultural and spiritual values and 

traditional way of life for the local tribes and that the EIS should analyze the 

social, cultural, and economic impacts of development on tribes.
3. Issue Statements and Comment Summaries (Socioeconomic Concerns)

3-34 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

Specifically, commenters requested that the EIS analyze positive and negative 

economic changes to families and communities, income inequalities from 

development, changes to local social norms from outside temporary workers, 

impacts on the traditional subsistence-based economy, food scarcity, the 

replacement costs, both nutritionally and monetarily, of traditional foods, the 

accessibility of traditional use areas, and the impacts of light and noise pollution 

on traditional use areas.

Commenters report that the area is known to the Gwich'in as “The Sacred 

Place Where Life Begins” and that tribal entities should be consulted for their 

ancestral knowledge of the area. Commenters would like lessees of the 

program area to be required to attend cultural and environmental seminars 

presented by tribes.
July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 4-1

Final Scoping Report

CHAPTER 4

FUTURE STEPS

4.1 FUTURE STEPS AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

The next phase of the BLM’s EIS process is to develop draft leasing program 

alternatives for the EIS, based on the issues presented in Chapter 3. This

includes the areas that will be offered for sale and the lease stipulations and

required operating procedures to be applied to leases and associated oil and gas 

activities. These alternatives will address issues identified during scoping and will 

meet goals and objectives to be developed by the BLM’s interdisciplinary team

in coordination with cooperating agencies. In compliance with NEPA, the 

Council on Environmental Quality regulations, and the BLM regulations and 

guidance, alternatives should be reasonable and implementable. The BLM will 

also meet with cooperating agencies and interested tribes and ANCSA 

Corporations to seek their input on the development of the alternatives. A 

detailed analysis of the alternatives and term lease stipulations and required 

operating procedures will be completed, and the BLM will then identify the 

preferred alternative in the draft Leasing EIS if has one at that time.

The analysis of the alternatives will be documented in the draft Leasing EIS. 

Although the BLM welcomes public input at any time during the environmental 

analysis process, the next official public comment period will begin when the 

draft Leasing EIS is published, which is anticipated in fall 2018. The availability of 

the draft document will be announced via a Notice of Availability in the Federal 

Register, and a public comment period of at least 45 days will follow. Public 

meetings will be held during the draft Leasing EIS comment period. 

At the conclusion of the public comment period, the BLM will revise the draft 

Leasing EIS, followed by publication of the final Leasing EIS. The final Leasing EIS 

will identify BLM’s preferred alternative. The availability of the final Leasing EIS 

will be announced in a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The date that 

the notice appears in the Federal Register will begin the required 30-day waiting

period before a Record of Decision (ROD) may be issued. 
4. Future Steps

4-2 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

The BLM will prepare the ROD to document the selected alternative and any 

accompanying additional mitigation measures, and the approving official will sign

it. No action concerning the proposal will be allowed until the ROD has been 

issued, except under conditions specified in Council on Environmental Quality

regulations 40 CFR 1506.1.

4.2 CONTACT INFORMATION

The public is encouraged to participate throughout the environmental analysis 

process for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS. Those wishing to 

be added to or deleted from the distribution list, or wishing to change their 

contact information, or requesting further information may email a request 

to blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov or mail a request to the following address:

Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS

222 West 7th Avenue, #13

Anchorage, AK 99513

Please provide your name, mailing address, and email address, as well as the 

preferred method to receive information. Before submitting written comments 

on a NEPA action, be advised that your entire comment—including personally 

identifiable information (such as your address, phone number, and email 

address)—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request 

that your personally identifiable information be withheld from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
July 2018 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 5-1

Final Scoping Report

CHAPTER 5

REFERENCES

BLM (United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management). 2008. Handbook H-1790-

1-Scoping. BLM, Washington, DC. January 30, 2008.
5. References

5-2 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS July 2018

Final Scoping Report

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Appendix A

Notice of Intent


sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

17562 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices 

Duty-Free Entry Summaries 

As of April 22, 2018, filers may 

resume filing GSP-eligible entry 

summaries without the payment of 

estimated duties. 

GSP Duty Refunds 

Formal/Informal Entries 

CBP will automatically liquidate or 

reliquidate formal and informal entries 

of GSP-eligible merchandise that were 

entered on or after January 1, 2018 

through April 21, 2018, and filed 

electronically via the Automated Broker 

Interface (ABI) using Special Program 

Indicator (SPI) Code ‘‘A’’ as a prefix to 

the listed tariff number. Such entry 

filings will be treated as a conforming 

request for a liquidation or reliquidation 

pursuant to section 501(b)(2)(A) of the 

Act, and no further action by the filer is 

required to initiate a retroactive GSP 

duty refund. To avoid confusion, 

importers should not submit postimportation GSP claims on tariff items 

filed with the SPI ‘‘A’’ at entry 

summary. CBP expects to begin 

processing automatic refunds for these 

entries shortly after April 22, 2018. 

CBP will not automatically process 

GSP duty refunds for formal covered 

entries that were not filed electronically 

via ABI, nor for formal and informal 

covered entries that were filed 

electronically via ABI with payment of 

estimated duties, but without inclusion 

of the SPI Code ‘‘A’’ as a prefix to the 

listed tariff number. In both situations, 

requests for liquidation or reliquidation 

of covered entries must be made no later 

than September 19, 2018, pursuant to 

the procedures set forth in http:// 

www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/ 

trade-agreements/special-tradelegislation/generalized-systempreferences. 

Mail Entries 

For merchandise that was imported 

via the mail, addressees must request 

liquidation or reliquidation of covered 

entries no later than September 19, 

2018, pursuant to the procedures set 

forth in http://www.cbp.gov/trade/ 

priority-issues/trade-agreements/ 

special-trade-legislation/generalizedsystem-preferences. 

Baggage Declarations and Non-ABI 

Informals 

For non-ABI informal entries and 

baggage declarations, travelers/ 

importers must request liquidation or 

reliquidation of covered entries no later 

than September 19, 2018, pursuant to 

the procedures set forth in http:// 

www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/ 

trade-agreements/special-tradelegislation/generalized-systempreferences. 

Dated: April 18, 2018. 

Brenda B. Smith, 

Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of 

Trade. 

[FR Doc. 2018–08411 Filed 4–18–18; 4:15 pm] 

BILLING CODE 9111–14–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[18X.LLAK930100.L16100000.PN0000] 

Notice of Intent To Prepare an 

Environmental Impact Statement for 

the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing 

Program, Alaska 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 


Interior. 


ACTION: Notice of Intent. 


SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 

20001 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 

2017 (Tax Act), and the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 

(NEPA) as amended, and in a manner 

similar to the administration of lease 

sales under the Naval Petroleum 

Reserves Production Act of 1976, as 

amended, the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) Alaska State Office, 

Anchorage, Alaska, intends to prepare a 

Leasing Environmental Impact 

Statement (Leasing EIS) to implement 

an oil and gas leasing program within 

the area defined as the ‘‘Coastal Plain.’’ 

DATES: This Notice initiates the public 

scoping process for the Leasing EIS. 

Comments on issues, impacts and 

potential alternatives to be analyzed 

may be submitted in writing until June 

19, 2018. The BLM will hold public 

scoping meetings in Anchorage, Arctic 

Village, Fairbanks, Kaktovik and 

Utqiag ̇vik. The BLM may hold 

additional public scoping meetings in 

other communities if there is strong 

community interest. The dates, times, 

and locations of scoping meetings will 

be announced through local news 

media, newspapers, and the BLM 

website. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

by any of the following methods: 

• Website: [insert full URL]. 

• Email: blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@ 

blm.gov. 

• Mail: BLM, Alaska State Office, 

Attention—Coastal Plain EIS, 222 West 

7th Avenue, #13, Anchorage, AK 

99513–7599. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Nicole Hayes, 907–271–4354; email 

blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov; or 

by mail: Bureau of Land Management, 

222 West 7th Avenue, #13, Anchorage, 

Alaska 99513–7599. You may also 

request to be added to the mailing list 

for the EIS. Documents pertaining to the 

EIS may be examined at http:// 

www.blm.gov/alaska. 

Persons who use a 

telecommunications device for the deaf 

(TDD) may call the Federal Relay 

Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to 

contact the above individual during 

normal business hours. FRS is available 

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave 

a message or question with the above 

individual. You will receive a reply 

during normal business hours. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM 

is undertaking a Coastal Plain Oil and 

Gas Leasing EIS to implement the 

leasing program pursuant to the Tax Act 

(Pub. L. 115–97, Dec. 22, 2017). The 

Leasing EIS will serve to inform BLM’s 

implementation of the Tax Act, 

including the requirement to hold not 

fewer than two lease sales area-wide. It 

may also inform post-lease activities, 

including seismic and drilling 

exploration, development, and 

transportation of oil and gas in and from 

the Coastal Plain. Specifically, the 

Leasing EIS will consider and analyze 

the potential environmental impacts of 

various leasing alternatives, including 

the areas to offer for sale, and the terms 

and conditions (i.e., lease stipulations 

and best management practices) to be 

applied to leases and associated oil and 

gas activities to properly balance oil and 

gas development with existing uses and 

conservation of surface resources, and to 

limit the footprint of production and 

support facilities on Federal lands to no 

more than 2,000 surface acres. The area 

comprising the Coastal Plain includes 

approximately 1.6 million acres within 

the approximately 19.3 million-acre 

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 

The purpose of the public scoping 

process is to determine the scope of 

issues to be addressed and to identify 

the significant issues related to 

implementing an oil and gas leasing 

program within the Coastal Plain. 

Information received during scoping 

will influence the development of the 

proposed action and alternatives and 

guide the environmental analysis. 

The BLM will work collaboratively 

with interested parties to identify the 

management decisions best suited to 

local, regional, and national needs and 

concerns, as well as to develop a 

proposed action and alternatives 

consistent with the following criteria:

• The EIS will consider all Federal 

lands and waters within the area 

defined by Congress as the Coastal 

Plain; 

sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices 17563 

• The EIS will address oil and gas 

leasing and will use scoping to identify 

issues, impacts and potential 

alternatives to be addressed; 

• Under the Tax Act, not fewer than 

two lease sales, each to include not 

fewer than 400,000 acres area-wide of 

the areas with the highest potential of 

hydrocarbons, must occur by December 

2024; 

• The BLM will consider subsistence 

resources and users, as well as potential 

actions to minimize adverse impacts to 

subsistence in accordance with section 

810 of the Alaska National Interest 

Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA); and 

• The EIS will appropriately consider 

the surface management of the Coastal 

Plain. 

Future on-the-ground actions 

requiring subsequent BLM approval, 

including proposed seismic and 

exploration plans or development 

proposals, would require subsequent 

NEPA analysis based on specific and 

detailed information about where and 

what kind of activity is proposed. 

Additional site-specific terms and 

conditions may be required by the 

Authorized Officer prior to authorizing 

any oil and gas activity. 

Upon completion of a Record of 

Decision, the BLM intends to conduct 

lease sales in accordance with the Tax 

Act. 

Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7. 

Karen E. Mouritsen, 

Acting State Director, Alaska. 

[FR Doc. 2018–08302 Filed 4–19–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[18X LLWO600000.L18200000.XP0000] 

National Call for Nominations for 

Resource and Monument Advisory 

Councils 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 


Interior. 


ACTION: Notice of call for nominations. 


SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is 

to request public nominations for the 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

Resource Advisory Councils (RAC) that 

have members whose terms are 

scheduled to expire. RACs provide 

advice and recommendations to the 

BLM on land use planning and 

management of the National System of 

Public Lands within their geographic 

areas. 

DATES: All nominations must be 

received no later than June 4, 2018. 

ADDRESSES: Nominations and completed 

applications for RACs should be sent to 

the appropriate BLM offices listed in the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 

this notice. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Twinkle Thompson, BLM 

Communications, 1849 C Street NW, 

Room 5645, Washington, DC 20240, 

telephone: 202–208–7301; email: 

pseitts@blm.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act (FLPMA) directs the Secretary of the 

Interior to involve the public in 

planning and issues related to 

management of lands administered by 

the BLM. Section 309 of FLPMA (43 

U.S.C. 1739) directs the Secretary to 

establish 10- to 15-member citizenbased advisory councils that are 

consistent with the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act (FACA). As required by 

FACA, RAC membership must be 

balanced and representative of the 

various interests concerned with the 

management of the public lands. The 

rules governing RACs are found at 43 

CFR subpart 1784 and include the 

following three membership categories: 

Category One—Holders of Federal 

grazing permits and representatives of 

organizations associated with energy 

and mineral development, the timber 

industry, transportation or rights-ofway, developed outdoor recreation, offhighway vehicle use, and commercial 

recreation; 

Category Two—Representatives of 

nationally or regionally recognized 

environmental organizations, 

archaeological and historic 

organizations, dispersed recreation 

activities, and wild horse and burro 

organizations; and 

Category Three—Representatives of 

State, county, or local elected office, 

employees of a State agency responsible 

for management of natural resources, 

representatives of Indian tribes within 

or adjacent to the area for which the 

council is organized, Alaska Natives as 

appropriate to the state of Alaska, 

representatives of academia who are 

employed in natural sciences, and the 

public-at-large. Individuals may 

nominate themselves or others. 

Nominees must be residents of the State 

in which the RAC has jurisdiction. The 

BLM will evaluate nominees based on 

their education, training, experience, 

and knowledge of the geographic area of 

the RAC. Nominees should demonstrate 

a commitment to collaborative resource 

decision-making. The following must 

accompany all nominations: 

—Letters of reference from represented 

interests or organizations; 

—A completed Resource Advisory 

Council application; and 

—Any other information that addresses 

the nominee’s qualifications. 

Simultaneous with this notice, BLM 

State Offices will issue press releases 

providing additional information for 

submitting nominations, with specifics 

about the number and categories of 

member positions available for each 

RAC in the state. 

Before including any address, phone 

number, email address, or other 

personal identifying information in the 

application, nominees should be aware 

this information may be made publicly 

available at any time. While the 

nominee can ask to withhold the 

personal identifying information from 

public review, BLM cannot guarantee 

that it will be able to do so. 

Nominations and completed 

applications for RACs should be sent to 

the appropriate BLM offices listed 

below: 

Alaska 

Alaska RAC 

Lesli J. Ellis-Wouters, BLM Alaska 

State Office, 222 West 7th Street, 

Anchorage, AK 99513, 907–271–4418. 

Arizona 

Arizona RAC 

Amber Cargile, BLM Arizona State 

Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 

800, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602–417–9214. 

California 

California Desert District Advisory 

Council 

Steve Razo, BLM California Desert 

District, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los 

Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553, 951– 

697–5217. 

Carrizo Plain National Monument 

Advisory Committee 

Serena Baker, BLM Central California 

District Office, 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El 

Dorado Hills, CA 95762, 916–941–3146. 

Central California RAC 

Serena Baker, BLM Central California 

District Office, 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El 

Dorado Hills, CA 95762, 916–941–3146. 

Northern California RAC 

Jeff Fontana, BLM Northern California 

District Office, 2550 Riverside Drive 

Susanville, CA 96130, 530–252–5332. 

Colorado 

Rocky Mountain RAC 

Amber Iannella, BLM Rocky 

Mountain District Office, 3028 East 

Main Street, Can ̃ on City, CO 81212, 

719–269–8553. 
Appendix B

Outreach Materials

News Releases

News Release

BLM, Alaska State Office, Office of Communications News Release No. 18-08

222 W. 7th Avenue #13, Anchorage AK 99513-7504 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: April 19, 2018 

Contact: James Hart, 907-271-3130, jehart@blm.gov

 

BLM Alaska to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program

ANCHORAGE – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced a 60-day 

public scoping period to assist in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement 

(EIS) for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program. 

The publication tomorrow of a Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS in the Federal Register

begins the implementation of provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Tax Act) 

requiring the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the BLM, to establish and 

administer a competitive oil and gas program for the leasing, development, production, 

and transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain area within the Arctic 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

“Developing our resources on the Coastal Plain is an important facet for meeting our 

nation’s energy demands and achieving energy dominance,” said Assistant Secretary of 

the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Joe Balash. “This scoping process 

begins the first step in developing a responsible path forward. I look forward to 

personally visiting the communities most affected by this process and hearing their 

concerns.” 

The members of Alaska’s congressional delegation -- Senate Energy and Natural 

Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman 

Don Young -- issued a joint statement of support for the action. “We welcome this 

scoping announcement and the Department’s continued work to implement our 

legislation opening the Coastal Plain to responsible energy development,” the delegation 

said. “We appreciate the Department following the law, planning multiple public 

meetings with Alaskans, and moving forward on this important program to help ensure 

the energy and economic security of our nation.” 

The Coastal Plain was specifically identified by Congress, pursuant to Section 1002 of 

the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, for its potential for oil and 

natural gas resources. Oil and gas from the Coastal Plain is an important resource for 

meeting our nation’s energy demands and achieving energy dominance.
The first lease sale will be held after completion of an environmental analysis and will 

offer not fewer than 400,000 acres area-wide of high-potential lands for bid.

The purpose of the public scoping process is to assist BLM in identifying relevant issues 

that will influence the scope of the EIS and guide its development, including the 

formation of alternatives to the proposed action within the parameters outlined in the Tax 

Act. The BLM invites the public to provide comments on scoping issues. The BLM will 

hold public scoping meetings in: Anchorage, Arctic Village, Fairbanks, Kaktovik, and 

Utqiaġvik at times and locations to be announced in local media, newspapers, and on the 

BLM website. The BLM may hold additional public scoping meetings in other 

communities if there is strong community interest. 

Comments on scoping issues for the proposed Leasing EIS will be accepted through June 

19, 2018, and can be sent by any of the following methods:

• website: www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis

• email: blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov

• mail: Attn: Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS

222 West 7th Avenue, Stop #13

Anchorage, Alaska 99513

Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM Alaska State Office, 

BLM Alaska Public Information Center, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 

99513.

# # #

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. 

The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission 

is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and 

future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services 

throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016—more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior. 

These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs. 
~--- I 

U.S. Department of tile Interior !

!!t Bureau of Laml Management ] 

News Release 

BLM, Alaska State Office, Office of Communications News Release No. 18-16 

222 W. 7th Avenue #13, Anchorage AK 99513-7504 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 9, 2018 

Contact: Lesli Ellis-Wouters (907) 271-4418; lellis@blm.gov 

BLM announces public meeting schedule for 


Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS 


ANCHORAGE- The Bureau of Land Management is engaging communities across Alaska in 

person to gather relevant comments, concerns and/or issues pertaining to the development of the 

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The BLM 

will host meetings in communities in and near the program area and additional meetings in 

Anchorage, Fairbanks, Utqiagvik and Washington D.C. The meetings in Anchorage and 

Fairbanks will be livestreamed to reach a broader audience. 

At the meetings, the BLM seeks to identify relevant comments, concerns and/or issues that will 

influence the scope ofthe EIS and guide its development, including the formation of alternatives 

to the proposed action within the parameters outlined in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax 

Act). The complete meeting schedule is available at the project website at 

www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis. 

Those unable to attend one of the meetings are encouraged to participate via BLM' s project 

website, which includes a project area map and frequently asked questions. Comments can be 

submitted via the project website or email to blm ak coastalplain eis@blm.gov. BLM will 

accept comments through June 19, 2018. 

"We have already received a substantial amount of input on this project and look forward to 

these meetings and listening to the concerns people have," said Acting State Director Karen 

Mouritsen. "It's important that we take the time to gather all the relevant issues to guide our 

environmental analysis of the Coastal Plain. We realize the importance of this place to not only 

Alaskans, but the nation in its quest to responsibly develop our natural resources and achieve 

energy dominance." 

Meetings are scheduled in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Washington, D.C. from 4:30p.m. to 9 

p.m. The Fairbanks meeting will take place May 29 at the Carlson Center at 2010 2nd. Ave., in 

Fairbanks and the Anchorage meeting will take place May 30 at the Dena' ina Center located at 

600 W. 7th Ave. The Washington, D.C. meeting will take place June 15 at the National Housing 

Center located at 1201 15th St., NW. There will be scheduled speaking spots for representatives 
of interested organizations and/or governments. All meetings will afford the public an 


opportunity to provide input on the process and anyone wishing to provide public comments will 


need to sign up in person. Public meeting procedures will be available on the BLM Alaska 


website at www.blm.gov/alaska. The Fairbanks and Anchorage events can be viewed live at 


www.blm.gov/live. Computers will be available for the public to comment electronically. 


Meetings for Kaktovik, Arctic Village, Utqiagvik, and Venetie are as follows: 


May 22: Kaktovik- Community Hall-6:30p.m. 


May 24: Arctic Village- Community Hall-10 a.m. 


May 31: Utqiagvik- Ifiupiat Heritage Center- 5 p.m. 


June 12: Venetie- Village ofVenetie Tribal Hall- 10 a.m. 


The Leasing EIS will serve to inform the BLM' s implementation of the Tax Act, including the 


requirement to hold not fewer than two lease sales area-wide. It may also inform post-lease 


activities, including seismic and drilling exploration, development, and transportation of oil and 


gas in and from the Coastal Plain. Specifically, the Leasing EIS will consider and analyze the 


potential environmental impacts of various leasing alternatives, including the areas to offer for 


sale, and the terms and conditions (i.e., lease stipulations and best management practices) to be 


applied to leases and associated oil and gas activities to properly balance oil and gas 


development with existing uses and conservation of surface resources, and to limit the footprint 


of production and support facilities on Federal lands to no more than 2,000 surface acres. The 


area comprising the Coastal Plain includes approximately 1.6 million acres within the 


approximately 19.3 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 


### 

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western 

states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral 

estate throughout the nation. The agency' s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and 

productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future 

generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods 

and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 20 16-more than any other agency 

in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs. 
Postcard Mailing

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invites you to attend to a

public scoping meeting to identify issues for the Coastal Plain Oil and 

Gas Leasing Program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). At 

the meetings, the BLM seeks to identify relevant comments, concerns 

and/or issues that will influence the scope of the EIS and guide its 

development, including the formation of alternatives to the proposed 

action within the parameters outlined in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs 

Act (Tax Act). The complete meeting schedule is available at the 

project website at www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis. Those unable 

to attend a meeting are encouraged to participate via the project 

website, which includes a project map, a place to submit comments, 

and frequently asked questions. Comments and input may also be 

submitted by email to blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov through 

June 19, 2018. For more information or special needs requests, 

please contact Nicole Hayes at (907) 271-4354, email 

blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov, or visit the project website listed 

above. 

Kaktovik: Tuesday May 22

6:30pm, Community Hall

Arctic Village: Thursday, May 24 

10:00am, Community Hall

Fairbanks: Tuesday May 29

Carlson Center, 2010 2nd Ave.

3:00-4:30pm open house, followed 

a presentation at 4:30pm and 

comment period until 9:00pm. 

Anchorage: Wednesday May 30

Dena’ina Center, 600 W. 7th Ave. 

3:00-4:30pm open house, followed 

by a presentation and comment 

period until 9:00pm. 

Utqiaġvik: Thursday, May 31

5:00pm, Iñupiat Heritage Center

Venetie: Tuesday, June 12

10:00am, Community Hall

Washington, DC: Friday, June 15

National Housing Center, 1201 15th

St., NW. 3:00-4:30pm open house, 

followed by a presentation and 

comment period until 9:00pm. 

Notice for Public Scoping Meetings

 

Meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check the 

project website for updates.

Notice for Public Scoping Meetings Kaktovik: Tuesday May 22

6:30pm, Community Hall

Arctic Village: Thursday, May 24 

10:00am, Community Hall

Fairbanks: Tuesday May 29

Carlson Center, 2010 2nd Ave. 

3:00-4:30pm open house, followed 

a presentation at 4:30pm and 

comment period until 9:00pm.

Anchorage: Wednesday May 30

Dena’ina Center, 600 W. 7th Ave. 

3:00-4:30pm open house, followed 

by a presentation and comment 

period until 9:00pm.

Utqiaġvik: Thursday, May 31

5:00pm, Iñupiat Heritage Center

Venetie: Tuesday, June 12

10:00am, Community Hall

Washington, DC: Friday, June 15

National Housing Center, 1201 15th

St., NW. 3:00-4:30pm open house, 

followed by a presentation and 

comment period until 9:00pm.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invites you to attend to a 

public scoping meeting to identify issues for the Coastal Plain Oil and 

Gas Leasing Program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). At 

the meetings, the BLM seeks to identify relevant comments, concerns 

and/or issues that will influence the scope of the EIS and guide its 

development, including the formation of alternatives to the proposed 

action within the parameters outlined in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs 

Act (Tax Act). The complete meeting schedule is available at the 

project website at www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis. Those unable 

to attend a meeting are encouraged to participate via the project 

website, which includes a project map, a place to submit comments, 

and frequently asked questions. Comments and input may also be 

submitted by email to blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov through 

June 19, 2018. For more information or special needs requests, 

please contact Nicole Hayes at (907) 271-4354, email 

blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov, or visit the project website listed 

above. 

Meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check the 

project website for updates.
Bureau of Land Management

222 West 7th Avenue, Suite #13

Anchorage, AK 99513

P O Boxholder

Bureau of Land Management

222 West 7th Avenue, Suite #13

Anchorage, AK 99513

P O Boxholder
Email Blast

CoastaiPiain_EIS, BLM_AK <blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov> 

Notice for Scoping Meetings -Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program 

Environmental Impact Statement 

1 message 

Thu, May 10, 2018 at 3:19 CoastaiPiain_EIS, BLM_AK <blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov> PM 

To: BL S <bl 

Notice for Public Scoping Meetings 

Please forward this to anyone you think may be 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interested!

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invites you to attend a public scoping meeting to identify issues for 

the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). At the meetings, 

the BLM seeks to identify relevant comments, concerns and/or issues that will influence the scope of the EIS 

and guide its development, including the formation of alternatives to the proposed action within the parameters 

outlined in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act). 

The complete meeting schedule is available at the project website at www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis. 

Those unable to attend a meeting are encouraged to participate via the project website, which includes a 

project map, a place to submit comments, and frequently asked questions. Comments and input may also be 

submitted by email to blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov through June 19, 2018. For more information or 

special needs requests, please contact Nicole Hayes at (907) 271-4354, email blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@ 

blm.gov, or visit the project website listed above. 

Kaktovik: Tuesday May 22 

6:30 pm, Community Hall 

Arctic Village: Thursday, May 24 

10:00 am, Community Hall 

Fairbanks: Tuesday May 29 

Carlson Center, 2010 2nd Ave.
	

3:00-4:30pm open house, followed a presentation and comment period until 9:00pm.
	

Anchorage: Wednesday May 30 

Dena’ina Center, 600 W. 7th Ave.
	

3:00-4:30pm open house, followed by a presentation and comment period until 9:00pm.
	

Utqiaġvik: Thursday, May 31 

5:00 pm, Iñupiat Heritage Center 

Venetie: Tuesday, June 12 

10:00 am, Community Hall 

Washington, DC: Friday, June 15 

National Housing Center, 1201 15th St., NW
	

3:00-4:30pm open house, followed by a presentation and comment period until 9:00pm.
	

Meeting dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check the project website for updates. 
Newspaper Advertisements









Online Notification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Amy Lewis
	

From: whatsup@npogroups.org on behalf of Peg Tileston (via whatsup list) 

<whatsup+pegt=gci.net@npogroups.org> 

Sent: Monday, May 14, 2018 1:13 PM 

To: What's Up 

Subject: [whatsup] What's Up Addendum 

May 22,24,29,30, 31 & June 12 

Public scoping meetings will be held by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to identify issues for the ARCTIC 

REFUGE COASTAL PLAIN OIL and GAS LEASING PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) to be held in 

the following locations 

May 22 – KAKTOVIK at 6:30pm in the Community Hall 

May 24 – ARCTIC VILLAGE at 10am in the Community Hall 

May 29 – FAIRBANKS at the Carlson Center with an open house from 3 to 4:30pm followed by comment period until 

9pm 

May 30 – ANCHORAGE at the Dena’ina Center with an open house from 3 to 4:30pm followed by comment period 

until 9pm. 

May 31 – UTQIAGVIK at 5pm in the Inupiat Heritage Center 

June 12 – VENETIE at 10am in the Community Hall 

At the meetings, the BLM seeks to identify relevant comments, concerns and/or issues that will influence the scope of 

the EIS and guide its development, including the formation of alternatives to the proposed action within the parameters 

outlined in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act). The complete meeting schedule is available 

www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis. The Fairbanks and Anchorage meetings will be livestreamed 

at www.blm.gov/live. 

Those unable to attend a meeting are encouraged to participate via the project website, which includes a project map, a 

place to submit comments, and frequently asked questions. Comments and input may also be submitted to 

blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov through June 19. For more information or special needs requests, please contact 

Nicole Hayes at (907) 271-4354 or email blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov. 

May 16 

FAIRBANKS – Deadline for applications for an AIR QUALITY STAKEHOLDERS GROUP whose purpose is identify, evaluate, 

and recommend community based solutions to bring the area into compliance with federal air quality standards for fine 

particulates (PM2.5). In finding solutions to meet these standards, there are a variety of factors to be considered, such as 

health, economic, and personal property rights that must be addressed. The hope is that the Air Quality Stakeholders 

Group will represent a cross section of our community and will be professionally facilitated by a third party. Fairbanks 

was designated as a serious nonattainment area for fine particulates (PM2.5) by the EPA in 2017. This designation 

triggered additional regulations and requirements, which require progressively more stringent controls for our 

community. Many of these, such as the curtailment of wood burning, present a unique challenge for our community. 

The stakeholder process represents the public’s opportunity for input in a flexible plan to bring the area into attainment. 

Applications for nominations are available at fnsb.us, aqfairbanks.com, or investfairbanks.com and can be submitted 

airquality@investfairbanks.com. 

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whatsup-unsubscribe@npogroups.org 

To change your subscription options, view list 

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Example Flyer

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing 

Program Environmental Impact 

Statement

Arctic Village Public Meeting

Tuesday, May 24, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.

Community Hall

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invites you to attend a public scoping 

meeting to identify issues for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). At the meetings, the BLM seeks to 

identify relevant comments, concerns and/or issues that will influence the scope of 

the EIS and guide its development, including the formation of alternatives to the 

proposed action within the parameters outlined in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs 

Act.

The complete meeting schedule is available at the project website 

at www.blm.gov/alaska/coastal-plain-eis. Those unable to attend a meeting are 

encouraged to participate via the project website, which includes a project map, a 

place to submit comments, and frequently asked questions. Comments and input 

may also be submitted by email to blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov through 

June 19, 2018. For more information or special needs requests, please contact 

Nicole Hayes at (907) 271-4354, email blm_ak_coastalplain_eis@blm.gov, or visit 

the project website listed above. 

Appendix C

Meeting Materials

PowerPoint Presentation

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior
 

Bureau of Land Management
 

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program 

Environmental Impact Statement
 

Public Scoping
 
• Why we are here

• Requirements 

• Agency 

Responsibilities

• NEPA Process

• Subsistence and 

ANILCA Section 810

• How to participate

Agenda

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management
 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
 
 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Agency Responsibilities for Coastal 

Plain Leasing EIS 

•

•

Bureau of Land Management 

–

–

–

Lead Federal Agency for EIS 

Leasing program 

Lease sales 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

–

–

Administers surface of Arctic National Wildlife 

Refuge 

Cooperating Agency 
 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Current 

Effort 

BLM Oil and Gas Leasing and 

Development Process 

•

•

•

•

•

•

Leasing (EIS, Sales, Lease Issuance) 

Geophysical Exploration (pre and post lease) 

Applications for Permits to Drill –

–

Drilling Exploration 

Development 

Operations and Production 

Inspection and Enforcement 

Reclamation 

Note: Any on-the-ground activities will require separate 

NEPA analysis and would not be authorized as a result of 

this EIS 
 

 

 

–

 

–

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

National Environmental Policy Act
 

Project 

Requirement 

December 22, 

2017, Tax Act 

April 20, 2018 Notice 

of Intent 

Scoping April 20 

June 19, 2018 

Scoping Report 

what issues need 

analysis in EIS? 

BLM Writes Draft EIS Draft EIS Released for 

Public Comment 

Public Comments 

Received/Addressed Publish Final EIS 

Record of 

Decision and 

Lease Sales 

 

 

 

• Alternatives 

–Lease Sale Tracts to Offer for Sale 

–Lease Stipulations 

–Best Management Practices 

Decisions to be Made 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 
 

 

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

• State of Alaska 

• North Slope Borough 

• Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government 

• Venetie Village Council 

• Arctic Village Council 

Cooperating Agencies to date 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 
 

 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Tentative Schedule
 

Notice of Intent April 20, 2018 

Scoping Period April 20 - June 19, 2018 

Alternatives Development July 2018 

Evaluate Environmental 

Consequences 

Summer 2018 

Publish Draft EIS Fall 2018 

Public Review of Draft EIS Fall/Winter 2018 

Revise EIS Based on Public Feedback Winter 2018/19 

Publish Final EIS Spring 2019 

Sign Record of Decision Spring/Summer 2019 
 

 

Scoping Meetings 

• May 24: Arctic Village 

• May 29: Fairbanks 

• May 30: Anchorage 

• May 31: Utqiaġvik

• June 12: Venetie 

• June 12: Kaktovik 

• June 15: Washington, DC 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 
 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

How to Provide Comments
 

Webform	 https://goo.gl/HVo5Mj 

Email	 blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov 

Comment Email or mail to the address below 

Form 

Mail	 Attn: Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing 

Program EIS 

222 West 7th Avenue, #13 

Anchorage, Alaska 99513 

Comments accepted through June 19 
Thank you for attending 

 

 

Thank you 

Quyanaq 

Mahsi’ Choo 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Meeting Handout

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program 

EIS

THE PROJECT

The Bureau of Land Management is engaging communities across Alaska in person to gather relevant 

comments, concerns and/or issues pertaining to the development of the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing 

Program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will serve to inform the BLM’s implementation of the 

Tax Act, including the requirement to hold not fewer than two lease sales area-wide. It may also inform postlease activities, including seismic and drilling exploration, development, and transportation of oil and gas in and 

from the Coastal Plain. Specifically, the EIS will consider and analyze the potential environmental impacts of 

various leasing alternatives, including the areas to offer for sale, and the terms and conditions (i.e., lease 

stipulations and best management practices) to be applied to leases and associated oil and gas activities to 

properly balance oil and gas development with existing uses and conservation of surface resources, and to limit 

the footprint of production and support facilities on Federal lands to no more than 2,000 surface acres. The area 

comprising the Coastal Plain includes approximately 1.6 million acres within the approximately 19.3 millionacre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

SCOPING COMMENTS

The scoping period provides an opportunity for people who could be affected by the proposed action to express 

their views and concerns, and to offer suggestions. The most effective comments include specific details 

regarding issues or concerns and provide rationale for the concern or suggestion. Ideas for effective scoping 

comments include:

 What are your specific concerns about a resource – and why?

 Do you know of any geographic areas of concern for a specific resource – and why?

 Do you have any ideas for alternatives to analyze?

 Give us ideas for mitigation measures or new technologies to consider in an alternative.

 Let us know about important information available in your community.

HOW TO COMMENT

There are several ways to submit a comment on the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS:

 Speak your comment at today’s public meeting 

 Submit your comment via comment form at the public meeting or to the address below

 Submit your comment via webform: https://goo.gl/HVo5Mj 

 E-mail your comment to: blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov

 Mail your comment to: 

Attn: Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS

222 West 7th Avenue, #13

Anchorage, Alaska 99513
U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management
Scoping Meeting Boards

Welcome! 

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing 

Program Environmental Impact 

Statement 

Public Scoping Meeting 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 
 

 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Tax Act)
 

Requires competitive oil and gas leasing 

program within the Coastal Plain:
 

–

–

–

At least two lease sales within 7 years; 

•

•

First lease sale within 4 years of passage of Tax Act 

Second lease sale within 7 years of passage of Tax Act 

At least 400,000 acres of federal mineral estate 

offered for lease at each sale 

Up to 2,000 acres of disturbance from production 

and support facilities 
 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Coastal 

Plain Boundary
 
 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Current 

Effort 

BLM Oil and Gas Leasing Process 

and Development Process 

• Leasing (EIS, Sales, Lease Issuance) 

• Geophysical Exploration (pre and post lease) 

• Applications for Permits to Drill 

– Drilling Exploration 

– Development 

• Operations and Production 

• Inspection and Enforcement 

• Reclamation 

Note: Any on-the-ground activities will require separate 

NEPA analysis and would not be authorized as a result of 

this EIS 
 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Decisions to be Made
 

• Alternatives 

–

–

–

Lease Sale Tracts to Offer for Sale 

Lease Stipulations 

Best Management Practices 
 

 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Tentative Schedule
 Notice of Intent April 20, 2018 

Scoping Period April 20 - June 19, 2018 

Alternatives Development July 2018 

Evaluate Environmental 

Consequences 

Summer 2018 

Publish Draft EIS Fall 2018 

Public Review of Draft EIS Fall/Winter 2018 

Revise EIS Based on 

Public Feedback 

Winter 2018/19 

Publish Final EIS Spring 2019 

Sign Record of Decision Spring/Summer 2019 

Scoping Meeting Schedule 

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

May 24: Arctic Village 

May 29: Fairbanks 

May 30: Anchorage 

May 31: Utqiaġvik

June 12: Venetie 

June 12: Kaktovik 

June 15: Washington, DC 
 

 

 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

How to Provide Comments 

Webform	 https://goo.gl/HVo5Mj 

Email	 blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov 

Comment Email or mail to the address below 

Form 

Mail	 Attn: Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing 

Program EIS 

222 West 7th Avenue, #13 

Anchorage, Alaska 99513 

Comments accepted through June 19, 2018
 



Speaking Process and Guidelines

Speaking Guidelines

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS

Speaking Process

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Speakers cards are being distributed on a first-come, first-served basis 

Please fill out the speaker card and keep it with you during the meeting 

Speaker cards have a number in the upper right corner 

Speakers will be called to the microphones in groups of 10 based on the 

number on the speaker card (evens and odds will be divided) 

When your number is called, please proceed to the indicated microphone 

and hand your speaker card to the person attending the microphone 

Begin by stating your name and whether you a representing an 

organization or yourself, speaking clearly into the microphone 

You will have a maximum of 3 minutes to speak, as indicated by the 

digital countdown timer on the projection screen 

Please Note:

•

•

•

•

We will accommodate as many speakers as time allows; receipt of a 

speaker card does not guarantee that you will have the opportunity to 

speak 

Speaking time may not be pooled among participants 

You must be present to speak; no comments will be accepted via cell 

phone, Facetime, or Skype 

If you have written comments that you are speaking from, we encourage 

you to submit them in the comment boxes located at the commenting 

table 

Scoping Comment Form

Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS

Public Scoping Comment Form

PLEASE PRINT

Date: _________________________________________________________________ 

Name: ________________________________________________________________ 

Organization (if applicable): ________________________________________________ 

E-mail Address: _________________________________________________________

Street Address: ______________________________________________________ _____ ____

City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________________ 

Public Disclosure. Before including your address, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, please be advised that your 

entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you may request that we withhold 

your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Comments:

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

(Continue comments on the back if needed)

Please submit your comments by June 19, 2018 via 

one of the following methods:

E-mail:

blm_ak_coastalplain_EIS@blm.gov

Via webform on the project website:

https://goo.gl/HVo5Mj

Mail:

Attn: Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program 

EIS

222 West 7th Ave., Stop #13

Anchorage, AK 99513