California Central Coast Conservation Act

To establish a moratorium on oil and gas leasing on public land on the Central Coast of California. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the California Central Coast Conservation Act 2. Moratorium on oil and gas leasing on public land on the Central Coast of California Section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 226(a) (q) Moratorium on oil and gas leasing on public land on the Central Coast of California (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or any other law and except as provided in paragraph (2), beginning on the date of enactment of this subsection, the Record of Decision for the Central Coast Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment for Oil and Gas Leasing and Development published on October 7, 2019 (84 Fed. Reg. 53470), shall have no force or effect until the Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office completes and circulates for public comment a supplemental environmental impact statement under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332 chapter 5 Alternative F (A) air quality; (B) greenhouse gas emissions and the climate; (C) groundwater quality and availability; (D) surface water quality and availability; (E) seismicity; (F) wildlife and plant species, including threatened species and endangered species; and (G) low-income communities, communities of color, and indigenous communities, including federally- and State-recognized Indian Tribes. (2) New review If the supplemental environmental impact statement under paragraph (1) finds any significant detrimental effects on any matter described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of such paragraph, the Record of Decision referred to in paragraph (1) shall have no force or effect and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall conduct a new review of Federal oil and gas leasing on the Central Coast of California under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332 (3) Environmental Protection Agency review (A) After the date of the publication, pursuant to paragraph (2), of a supplemental environmental impact statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (i) identification of any significant environmental impacts of oil and gas leasing on the Central Coast of California that should be avoided to adequately protect the region’s natural resources; or (ii) a determination that the supplemental environmental impact statement does not contain sufficient information to assess such impacts. (B) If the Administrator identifies significant impacts under subparagraph (A)(i) or makes a determination described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall consult with the Administrator before taking any action to proceed with Federal oil and gas leasing on the Central Coast of California. (4) Effect Nothing in this subsection affects any rights under leases issued under this Act before the date of enactment of this subsection. .

Summary: California Central Coast Conservation Act This bill prohibits the Bureau of Land Management from administering an oil and gas leasing and development program on the Central Coast of California (e.g., Fresno, Monterey, and San Benito Counties) until it completes and publishes a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) assessing the environmental effects of such leasing and development, including the effects on air quality, seismicity, and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the bill establishes requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency's review of the EIS.