Public Comment Period: Trump Administration’s Offshore Drilling Proposal

On January 4, 2018, the Trump Administration announced its plan to open all federal U.S. waters, including 90 percent of the nation's Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), for potential oil and gas exploration and development. The Draft Proposed Program (DPP) recommends two oil drill lease opportunities off of the central coast of California.

The comment period for the proposed 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program will be open to the public through March 9, 2018.

Comments can be made through the regulations.gov web portal. Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and under the Search tab, in the space provided, type in Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0074 to submit comments and to view other comments already submitted. Information on using www.regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the links under the box entitled "Are you new to this site?"

Comments can also be made by mail, in an envelope labeled "Comments for the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed National Oil and Gas Leasing Program" and mailed (or hand delivered) to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Chief, National Oil and Gas Leasing Program Development and Coordination Branch, Leasing Division, Office of Strategic Resources, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (VAM-LD), 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216, telephone (703) 787-1613. Written comments may also be hand delivered at a public meeting to the BOEM official in charge.

Tips for submitting effective comments: https://www.regulations.gov/docs/Tips_For_Submitting_Effective_Comments.pdf