BOEM and NMFS Request Comment on Supplemental DEIS for Arctic Oil and Gas
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service have announced the release of their Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean. This Supplemental DEIS analyzes how potential offshore oil and gas activities in the Arctic could affect marine mammals, other resources, and Alaska Native communities.

NOAA and BOEM's Supplemental DEIS follows comments received from stakeholders after release of the initial draft EIS issued in December 2011. The original draft analyzed up to two exploratory drilling programs per year in both the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. The supplemental draft EIS analyzes the effects of up to four drilling programs per year in each area--providing an opportunity to assess potential individual and cumulative impacts.

The 60-day public comment period on the Supplemental DEIS officially begins on Friday, March 29, 2013, will close on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.