BLM’s Policy
It is the policy of the BLM to make mineral resources available for development to meet national, regional, and local needs. This is mandated by various laws, including the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 United States Code [USC] 181 et seq.), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
The oil and gas leasing program managed by the BLM encourages the sustainable development of domestic oil and gas reserves which reduces the dependence of the United States on foreign sources of energy as part of its multiple-use and sustainable yield mandate. In addition, the Code of Federal Regulations (43 CFR 3120) states that the BLM must make land available for lease at Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sales.
Background
The BLM Expression of Interest (EOI) process allows anyone to nominate federal minerals for leasing. The BLM verifies, on a parcel-by-parcel basis, federal mineral ownership as leasing nominations are received. BLM uses best management practices, mitigations, stipulations and notices to ensure that it supports the development of oil and natural gas, while minimizing adverse effects to the environment. Parcels that are approved for leasing will be identified, along with any attached stipulations and notices, through a Notice of Competitive Lease Sale that will be posted at least 45 days prior to a lease sale (43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 3120.4-2).
June 27, 2019 Eastern States Oil and Gas Lease Sale
BLM conducted an Oil and Gas Lease Sale on June 27, 2019 and the parcels that were offered included Federal fluid mineral estates located in the Eastern States, Southeastern States District. The sale was conducted utilizing the EnergyNet internet-based auction system. Additional information about the sale was available at https://www.energynet.com/govt_listing.pl.
Consistent with Instruction Memorandum 2018-034, BLM must receive a lease sale protest within 10 calendar days of the posting date of this Notice. If the BLM office is not open on the 10th day after the posting, a protest received on the next day our office is open to the public will be considered timely filed. Protests recieved after this time will be dissmissed.
Please click on the Documents tab to the left for the NEPA documents, the Notice of Competitive Internet-Based Oil and Gas Lease Sale, Decision Records, Protest Letters and Protest Resolution Letters. A hard copy of the Sale Notice was posted in the BLM Public Room located in Suite 950, 20 M Street, Washington, D.C.
Points of Contact
For the Mississippi & Lousiana Parcels:
Southeastern States District Office
273 Market St. Flowood, MS 39232
ATTN: Jason Ross (Planning & Environmental Specialist)
(601) 919-4687
Media Contact:
Eastern States Office, Bureau of Land Management
20 M Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
ATT: Francis Piccoli (Deputy State Director for External Affairs)
(202) 912-7717
