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, mitigation, 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).
September 24, 2020 Eastern States Oil and Gas Lease Sale
BLM is scheduled to have its Oil and Gas Lease Sale on September 24, 2020. The proposed parcels include Federal fluid mineral estate located in the Eastern States, Southeastern States District and Northeastern States District. The sale would be conducted through the EnergyNet internet-based auction system. Additional information about the sale will be available at https://www.energynet.com/govt_listing.pl.
Please click on the Documents tab to the left for links to the NEPA documents for the proposed parcels and the Notice of Competitive Internet-Based Oil and Gas Lease Sale, as available. A hard copy of the Sale Notice will be posted in the BLM Eastern States Public Room the day the Sale Notice gets published online .
Please note, BLM has issued an errata to change the lease sale date from September 17, 2020 to September 24, 2020.
Maps
Maps showing the specific sale parcels and the list of lands will be available on EnergyNet, as soon as possible.
General Questions About Sale Notice:
Eastern States, State Office
20 M Street SE, Suite 950
Washington, DC 20003
ATT: Kristina Tryon (Land Law Examiner)
(202) 919-7778
Points of Contact For NEPA Documents
Northeastern States District Office Parcels:
Northeastern States District Office
626 E. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 200 Milwaukee, WI 53202
ATT: Kurt Wadzinski (Planning and Environmental Coordinator)
(414) 297-4408
Southeastern States District Office Parcels:
Southeastern States District Office
273 Market St. Flowood, MS 39232
ATTN: Heather Stewart (Planning & Environmental Coordinator)
(601) 919-4705
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
