MMS Notices Intent to Perform EIS for Sale 214 in the North Aleutian Basin
On April 8, 2008, the U.S. Minerals Management Service notified the public that the Service intends to perform an Environmental Impact Statement for proposed OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 214 in the North Aleutian Basin Planning Area offshore the State of Alaska. This Lease Sale may occur in 2011.

The EIS analysis will focus on the potential environmental effects of oil and gas exploration, development, and production in the proposed sale area and its vicinity. MMS's notice also announces the initiation of the scoping process for this EIS. MMS will consider comments received in response to its notice in determining the proposed sale area and the scope of the EIS. The Department of the Interior also invites other Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS.

MMS requests public comment by July 7, 2008. MMS' Notice explains that the Service seeks comments

"from all interested parties about particular geological (including natural hazard areas), environmental, biological, archaeological, and socioeconomic conditions or potential conflicts, or other information that might bear upon the potential leasing, exploration, and development of the program area and vicinity."