National Historic Preservation Act and Leasing

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), leasing has been determined as both an action (NEPA; 40 C.F.R. 1508. 18a) and an undertaking (NHPA; 36 C.F.R. 800.16y). As such, and per 36 C.F.R. 800.8(a)(1): Federal Agencies are encouraged to coordinate compliance with section 106 and the procedures in this part with any steps taken to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Agencies should consider their section 106 responsibilities as early as possible in the NEPA process, and plan their public participation, analysis, and review in such a way that they can meet the purposes and requirements of both statutes in a timely and efficient manner.

If you have input regarding BLM’s responsibilities for managing historic properties, and would like to be a consulting party on the December 2020 Oil and Gas Leasing Cultural Resource Report, please mail your input with a statement by Sept. 24, 2020, regarding your demonstrated interest in the undertaking to:

Kent Hoffman
Deputy State Director, Lands and Minerals
Utah State Office, Bureau of Land Management
440 W. 200 S. Suite 500
Salt Lake City UT 84101-1345