[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34349-34356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14039]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[MAA104000]


Request for Information and Comments on the Preparation of the 
2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Request for Information and Comments.

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SUMMARY: Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) requires the 
Department of the Interior (DOI) to invite and solicit information from 
interested and affected parties during the preparation of a Five Year 
OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program (Five Year Program). The current Five 
Year Program became effective on August 27, 2012, and will expire on 
August 26, 2017 (2012-2017 Program). BOEM intends to prepare a new Five 
Year Program to succeed the current one and cover the period from July 
2017 to June 2022 (2017-2022 Program).
    Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires the completion of a multi-
step process of public consultation and analysis before the Secretary 
of the Interior (Secretary) may approve a new Five Year Program. The 
process required by section 18 of the OCS Lands Act includes the 
following steps: (1) Issuance of a Request for Information and Comments 
(RFI); (2) development of a Draft Proposed Program (DPP), a Proposed 
Program (PP), and a Proposed Final Program (PFP); and (3) Secretarial 
approval of a Final Program. During the development of the new Five 
Year Program, BOEM will prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement (PEIS), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), 43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., in order to inform program decisions. 
The public will have opportunities to comment on the DPP, the Draft 
PEIS, and the PP.

DATES: BOEM must receive all comments and information by July 31, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Five Year Program 
Manager, at (703) 787-1613.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM requests information and comments from 
States, local and tribal governments, Native American and Native 
Alaskan organizations, Federal agencies, environmental and fish and 
wildlife organizations, the oil and gas industry, non-energy 
industries, other interested organizations and entities, and the 
general public, for use in the preparation of the 2017-2022 Program. 
BOEM is seeking a wide array of information including, but not limited 
to, information associated with the economic, social, and environmental 
values of all OCS resources, as well as the potential impact of oil and 
gas exploration and development on other resource values of the OCS and 
the marine, coastal and human environments.
    The Five Year Program sets forth the proposed schedule of lease 
sales for the subsequent five-year period, and enables the Federal 
Government, States, industry, and other interested parties to begin 
planning for the later steps in the leasing process. The Secretary 
decides whether to proceed with a specific lease sale on the schedule 
included in an approved Five Year Program only after meeting all the 
requirements of the OCS Lands Act, NEPA, and other applicable statutes.
    The preparation and subsequent approval of a new Five Year Program 
is a key aspect for the implementation of President Barack Obama's all-
of-the-above energy strategy. The strategy includes expanding the safe 
and responsible production of U.S. domestic oil and gas supplies, both 
offshore and onshore, and seeking out regulatory and oversight 
efficiencies, so as to create a more efficient and predictable oil and 
gas leasing environment for government, industry and other 
stakeholders.
    The OCS is a significant contributor of oil and gas to the Nation's 
energy supply. As of May 2014, BOEM administered over 6,200 active oil 
and gas leases covering nearly 34 million OCS acres. Production from 
these leases generates billions of dollars in revenue for the Federal 
Treasury and State governments while supporting hundreds of thousands 
of jobs. In 2013, oil and gas leases on the OCS accounted for 
approximately 18 percent of domestic oil production and 5 percent of 
domestic natural gas production. The offshore areas of the United 
States also are estimated to contain significant quantities of 
resources in yet-to-be-discovered fields. BOEM estimates that the 
undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the 
United States' OCS consist of 89.93 billion barrels of oil and 404.52 
trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
    BOEM currently is implementing the 2012-2017 Program, which makes 
available for oil and gas leasing, subject to environmental safeguards, 
OCS areas with the greatest resource potential. Together, these areas 
contain more than 75 percent of the undiscovered, technically 
recoverable oil and gas resources estimated to exist in the United 
States OCS.

Gulf of Mexico (GOM)

    BOEM has held five lease sales in the GOM since the approval of the 
2012-2017 Program, including annual sales in the Central and Western 
GOM and a single sale in the portion of the Eastern GOM not subject to 
the Congressional moratorium and made available for leasing by Gulf of 
Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). These sales have generated over 
$2.295 billion in high bids.
    Lease Sale 229 in the Western GOM was held on November 28, 2012. In 
this sale, 13 companies submitted 131 bids totaling over $133 million 
in high bids. Lease Sale 227 in the Central GOM was held on March 20, 
2013. The sale generated over $1.2 billion in high bids for 320 blocks 
by 52 companies. Lease Sale 233 in the Western GOM was held on August 
28, 2013. The sale generated over $102 million in high bids for 53 
blocks by 12 companies. Lease Sales 225 in the Eastern GOM and Sale 231 
in the Central GOM were held on March 19, 2014. No bids were received 
for Sale 225. Lease Sale 231 garnered over $870 million in high bids on 
326 lease blocks by 42 companies.
    BOEM is also moving forward in the prelease sale process for the 
remaining sales scheduled in the current Program, which includes annual 
lease sales in the Central and Western GOM and an

[[Page 34350]]

additional lease sale in the Eastern GOM in 2016. For more information 
on lease sales, visit: http://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/Five-Year-Program/Lease-Sale-Schedule/2012-2017-Lease-Sale-Schedule.aspx.
    The Gulf of Mexico continues to experience successes in oil and gas 
exploration and development. Since June 2012, operators have announced 
nine new discoveries, all located in the Central Planning Area, in 
lease blocks belonging to the Mississippi Canyon, Green Canyon, Garden 
Banks, Walker Ridge, and Sigsbee Escarpment protraction areas. More 
information on new activities can be found at: http://www.boem.gov/Five-Year-Program-Annual-Progress-Report-2013/.

Alaska

    DOI also is moving forward with overseeing safe and responsible 
offshore oil and gas exploration in frontier areas, including certain 
areas in the Arctic. The Arctic holds substantial oil and gas 
potential, but also presents unique environmental and operational 
challenges. Offshore exploration in the Arctic must occur in a way that 
is safe, responsible, and respectful of the Alaska Native communities 
that depend on the ocean for subsistence.
    To address these concerns, the current Program laid out a 
regionally-tailored, targeted leasing strategy in the Arctic that 
differs from the area-wide leasing model that is appropriate for the 
GOM, and is designed to result in a more focused leasing configuration 
that offers areas with the most promising oil and gas resource 
potential while also protecting areas with environmentally sensitive 
habitats and important social and cultural uses, including subsistence 
hunting and fishing activity.
    Guided by this strategy, BOEM has begun the presale process by 
issuing the Call for Information (Call) for Chukchi Lease Sale 237 and 
Cook Inlet Lease Sale 244, both scheduled for 2016. The Call is an 
early step in the offshore oil and gas planning process and does not 
indicate a final decision about any areas that may be offered for oil 
and gas leasing in the future. BOEM will make decisions about potential 
areas for leasing after evaluating industry interest in the resource 
potential of specific areas, continuing its development and analysis of 
scientific information and traditional knowledge regarding 
environmental issues and potential conflicts with uses such as 
subsistence hunting and fishing, and conducting thorough environmental 
reviews and consultations under the National Environmental Policy Act 
and other laws. BOEM also will coordinate closely with other relevant 
Federal agencies, the State of Alaska and local governments, Alaska 
Native tribes and organizations, and stakeholders throughout this 
process.
    Additionally, DOI has continued its coordination efforts through 
the Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy 
Development and Planning in Alaska, which was established in July 2011 
through Executive Order 13580 and chaired by DOI. The Working Group has 
taken the lead on coordinating and finding efficiencies in the 
permitting process of energy projects across relevant Federal agencies.
    Ongoing scientific studies and potential exploration in the coming 
years will inform leasing decisions for potential Arctic lease sales 
scheduled for the remainder of the 2012-2017 Program and future Five 
Year Programs.

Atlantic

    While the three Atlantic planning areas are not included in the 
2012-2017 Program, DOI is pursuing a specific strategy to evaluate 
potential future offshore oil and gas leasing in these areas. On 
February 27, 2014, BOEM completed a Programmatic EIS (PEIS) that 
evaluates the potential environmental impacts of proposed geological 
and geophysical (G&G) activities in the Mid- and South Atlantic 
(hereinafter, the PEIS). The preparation of the PEIS is part of a 
region-specific strategy to responsibly develop new information about 
the significance and location of oil and gas resources in the area. The 
PEIS provides critical information to support renewable energy and 
marine mineral G&G surveying. BOEM also has been working to identify 
and evaluate potential conflicts with other uses of these areas, 
particularly military activities. Any new data resulting from G&G 
activities performed in the Atlantic, as well as input received from 
stakeholders, including the general public, will provide BOEM with 
additional information to inform decisions concerning, potential 
leasing activities in the Atlantic.

Pacific Region

    The four planning areas off the Pacific coast were not included for 
potential leasing in the 2012-2017 Program. This determination was 
consistent with the requirements of section 18 of the Act, which gives 
priority leasing consideration to areas where the combination of 
previous experience; local, state, and national laws and policies; and 
expressions of industry interest indicate that potential leasing and 
development activities could be expected to proceed in an orderly 
manner. The exclusion of the Pacific coast in the 2012-2017 Program is 
consistent with the long-standing interests of west coast states, as 
framed in an agreement that the governors of California, Washington, 
and Oregon signed in 2006. This agreement expressed the governors' 
opposition to oil and gas development off their coasts.
    Eleven OCS oil and gas lease sales have been in the Pacific Region 
between 1963 and 1984. As a result of congressional moratoria and, 
later, presidential action, the Pacific OCS has not been included in 
any Five Year Program since the 1987-1992 Program. A total of 470 
leases were issued in these 11 sales, and today, there are 43 producing 
leases and 23 oil and gas platforms (with six operators), all offshore 
southern California.

National Energy Needs

    Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires that the Secretary 
consider national energy needs in formulating the Five Year Program. In 
developing the Five Year Program, BOEM will present an analysis of the 
Nation's anticipated energy needs. The analysis will include 
discussions of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) projections of 
national energy needs in the Annual Energy Outlook (AEO), the potential 
contribution of OCS oil and natural gas production in meeting those 
needs, alternatives to OCS production, and considerations relating to 
regional energy needs. BOEM invites comments from anyone who would like 
to submit information related to the Nation's future energy needs for 
consideration in determining the appropriate size, timing, and location 
of OCS oil and gas leasing for the new Five-Year Program.

OCS Planning Areas To Be Considered and Analyzed

    Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires that the Five Year Program 
be based upon a consideration of a comparative analysis of the oil- and 
gas-bearing regions of the OCS. BOEM has divided the OCS into 26 
Planning Areas, which are depicted in Figures 1 and 2. The depicted 
maritime boundaries and limits, as well as divisions between planning 
areas, where shown, are for planning and administrative purposes only. 
Note that precise maritime boundaries between the United States and 
nearby or adjacent nations have not been determined in all cases. These 
depictions do not affect or prejudice in any manner the position of the 
United States, or its individual States, with respect to the nature or 
extent of

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internal waters or of sovereign rights or jurisdiction.
    Through the enactment of GOMESA, Congress, through June 30, 2022, 
placed off-limits to OCS oil and gas leasing, activities the Eastern 
Gulf of Mexico within 125 miles of Florida; all of the Eastern Gulf of 
Mexico east of 86 degrees, 41 minutes West longitude; and a portion of 
the Central Gulf of Mexico within 100 miles of Florida (see Figure 2).
    The North Aleutian Basin, which includes the rich and vital fishing 
resources of Bristol Bay, was withdrawn from leasing consideration by 
the President in a statement on March 31, 2010, pursuant to section 
12(a) of the OCS lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1341(a). The withdrawal expires 
on July 1, 2017. Barring any further action, the North Aleutian Basin 
will be available for consideration in the 2017-2022 Program.
    This notice requests information on all 26 planning areas, 
including areas currently under moratorium or otherwise withdrawn. As 
set forth in more detail later in this notice, the information 
requested is wide-ranging, including information on other uses of the 
sea, marine productivity, and environmental sensitivity. Accordingly, 
this notice invites and provides an opportunity for Governors of 
affected States, local government, industry, Federal agencies, and the 
general public, to provide suggestions and any other information they 
consider BOEM should evaluate for purposes of the 2017-2022 Program. 
The information solicited in this RFI will be considered in light of 
the factors specified by section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, which are 
discussed later in this notice. Based upon consideration of the 
analysis of those factors, the Secretary will prepare the DPP and 
decide which areas to include therein. Pursuant to section 18 of the 
OCS Lands Act, areas included in the DPP will be subject to further 
analysis as required under applicable law including, but not limited 
to, the environmental review process required under NEPA.

Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act

    As previously noted, the Five Year Program preparation process will 
follow all the procedural and substantive requirements of section 18 of 
the OCS Lands Act. This notice solicits information and comments early 
in the preparation process pursuant to section 18(c)(1) of the OCSLA. 
BOEM will prepare a DPP based upon consideration of the information and 
comments received and analysis of the principles and factors specified 
in section 18 of the OCSLA. The DPP will present for review and comment 
a preliminary schedule of proposed lease sales and potential decision 
options.
    Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act provides that, for purposes of 
preparing a Five Year Program, the Secretary should take into 
consideration the economic, social, and environmental values of all OCS 
resources, as well as the potential impact of oil and gas exploration 
and development on other resource values of the OCS and the marine, 
coastal and human environments. The eight factors that must be 
considered in determining the timing and location of leasing under the 
Five Year Program are set forth in section 18(a)(2) of the OCS Lands 
act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(2). They include: (1) The existing information 
on the geographical, geological, and ecological characteristics of OCS 
regions; (2) equitable sharing of developmental benefits and 
environmental risks among the various regions; (3) the location of such 
regions with respect to, and the relative needs of regional and 
national energy markets; (4) the location of such regions with respect 
to other uses of the sea and seabed, including fisheries, navigation, 
existing or proposed sea lanes, potential sites of deepwater ports, and 
other anticipated uses of the resources and space of the OCS; (5) 
expressed industry interest in the development of oil and gas 
resources; (6) laws, goals, and policies of affected States 
specifically identified by governors; (7) the relative environmental 
sensitivity and marine productivity of different areas of the OCS; and 
(8) environmental and predictive information for different areas of the 
OCS.
    The OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary to obtain a proper balance 
among the potential for environmental damage, the potential for 
discovery of oil and gas, and the potential for adverse impact on the 
coastal zone, for which the DOI will provide a cost-benefit analysis as 
appropriate to supplement qualitative consideration of these factors. 
The OCS Lands Act also requires that leasing activities assure the 
receipt of fair market value for the lands leased and rights conveyed 
by the Federal Government in the OCS.

Types of Information Requested

    BOEM invites comments from anyone who would like to submit 
information and/or suggestions for consideration in determining, among 
others, the appropriate size, timing, and location of potential OCS oil 
and lease sales under the 2017-2022 Program. The type of information 
being requested by BOEM in this RFI is described below using general 
and specific headings. Regardless of these headings, please note that 
BOEM invites all private and public stakeholders, as well as the 
general public, to comment or provide any information that should be 
taken into consideration by BOEM during the preparation of the 2017-
2022 Program.

General Information Requested

    BOEM would like to receive comments and suggestions of national or 
regional application that would be useful in formulating the Five Year 
Program. The types of information that would be most useful in 
conducting the analysis, pursuant to section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, 
relate to the following factors:
    (1) National energy needs for the period relevant to the new Five 
Year Program (i.e., July, 2017 to June, 2022), in particular, the role 
of OCS oil and gas leasing activities in achieving national energy 
policy goals; the economic, social, and environmental values of the 
renewable and nonrenewable resources contained in the OCS; and the 
potential impact of oil and gas exploration and development on other 
OCS resource values and the marine, coastal, and human environments;
    (2) existing information concerning geographical, geological, and 
ecological characteristics of the OCS planning areas and near shore and 
coastal environments;
    (3) equitable sharing of developmental benefits and environmental 
risks among the various planning areas;
    (4) location of planning areas with respect to, and the relative 
needs of, regional and national energy markets;
    (5) other uses of the sea and seabed, including fisheries; 
navigation; military activities; existing or proposed sea lanes; 
potential sites of deepwater ports (including liquefied natural gas 
facilities); potential offshore wind, wave, current, or other 
alternative energy sites; and other anticipated uses of OCS resources 
and locations;
    (6) relative environmental sensitivity and marine productivity of 
the different planning areas and/or a specific section(s) of a given 
OCS planning area;
    (7) environmental and predictive information pertaining to offshore 
and coastal areas potentially affected by OCS oil and gas development 
including, but not limited to, socio-cultural and archaeological 
information; and
    (8) methods and procedures for assuring the receipt of fair market 
value for lands leased.

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Fair Market Value Information Requested

    In developing the methods and procedures for assuring the receipt 
of fair market value for lands leased under section 18(a)(4) of the OCS 
Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(4), BOEM sets lease fiscal and temporal 
terms, and other features relevant to bidding. Given BOEM's 
responsibility to ensure a fair market value return to the U.S. 
Government, BOEM is seeking information in response to the following 
questions:
    (1) If DOI continues leasing in the Gulf of Mexico planning areas, 
are there changes to lease terms that will better meet the objectives 
of the OCS Lands Act? Lease terms subject to change include:

a. Minimum bids
b. Rental rates
c. Royalty rates, royalty structures (e.g., flat or sliding scale)
d. Initial period (also known as primary term) of the lease term and 
extended initial period (such as 7 years plus 3 years more if drilling 
commences)

    (2) If DOI offers acreage for lease in planning areas outside the 
Gulf of Mexico, what fiscal terms for each planning area will best meet 
the objectives and limitations of the OCS Lands Act regarding the lease 
terms listed in items 1a. to 1d. above?
    a. Is there an alternative design, e.g., auction-type design that 
may be better suited to achieve fair market value, either by changing 
the bidding variable or some other aspect of the competitive lease 
sale?
    b. Should the upcoming program consider use of alternative and/or 
non-traditional fiscal terms, primary lease terms, auction formats, or 
tract offering sizes? Please state which of these features of the 
leasing process merit consideration for future use, where and under 
what conditions those changes might be useful, and explain why such a 
change is necessary or beneficial, e.g., demonstrate that exploration 
would not occur in selected frontier areas without larger than 
traditionally-sized tracts in lease sales.
    Please note that BOEM is requesting information on these topics, as 
well as on the above fiscal topics, to inform its continuing evaluation 
of market conditions, available resources, bidding patterns (if 
applicable), and competitiveness of OCS lease terms with respect to 
each proposed sale. BOEM is asking for public input regarding lease 
terms or potential changes to lease terms concerning acreage offered 
during the 2017-2022 Program. BOEM also invites commenters to respond 
to the following questions:
    (1) What do you think is the proper role of OCS oil and gas leasing 
as part of a comprehensive national energy policy? How should the Five 
Year Program be structured to fulfill this role?
    (2) Should areas not included in the 2012-2017 Five Year Program be 
included in the new Five Year Program? If so, what areas should be 
included and what should be the proposed timeframe for lease sales in 
these areas?
    (3) Although OCS oil and gas leasing typically is conducted through 
an extensive, long-established process, are there alternative ways to 
ensure appropriate consultation and to streamline the leasing 
procedures? How might BOEM best meet the purpose of the OCS Lands Act 
``to insure that the extent of oil and gas resources of the outer 
Continental Shelf is assessed at the earliest practicable time?''
    (4) If new areas are leased for exploration and potential 
development, what short-term and long-term impacts can be foreseen for 
the economies of coastal communities?
    (5) If new areas are considered for oil and gas leasing, how should 
ecological considerations be weighed against national and local 
economic benefits?
    (6) If new areas are not leased for exploration and potential 
development, what environmental impacts do you foresee from other 
sources of energy?
    (7) While increased domestic onshore production is not expected to 
fully replace imports of crude oil over the life of the new Five Year 
Program, new production, market factors, and other forces have allowed 
U.S. refineries to export more petroleum products than the Nation 
imported in each of the last few years. Should this affect decisions as 
to size, timing, and location (especially for frontier areas) of future 
OCS oil and gas leasing?
    (8) Increased onshore production also could potentially lead to 
exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the near future. Should the 
potential for LNG or other exports affect decisions as to size, timing, 
and location (especially for frontier areas) of future oil and gas 
leasing?

Specific Information Requested

From States
    For coastal States, pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands 
Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(f)(5)) and implementing regulations at 30 CFR 
556.20, BOEM requests information concerning the relationship between 
OCS oil and gas activity and the States' coastal zone management 
programs that are being developed, or are administered, under section 
305 or 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, (16 
U.S.C. 1454, 1455). BOEM also requests that non-coastal and coastal 
States submit information concerning environmental risk and potential 
for damage to coastal and marine resources associated with OCS 
development, information related to other uses of the sea, and any 
information that is relevant to equitable sharing of developmental 
benefits and environmental risks associated with OCS oil and gas 
activity (or the likely energy substitutes in the absence of new OCS 
leasing). In addition, for non-coastal and coastal States, information 
is requested on the impacts of rising hydrocarbon product prices and 
potential shortages on the State and national economies and citizens.
From Oil and Gas Industry
    Pursuant to section 18(a)(2)(E) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
1344(a)(2)(E)), the interest of oil and gas producers in the 
development of oil and gas resources, as indicated by exploration or 
nomination, should be taken into account during the preparation of the 
Five Year Program. Industry respondents should base this information 
upon their expectations as of 2014. For each planning area in which 
industry respondents are interested, they should submit information 
concerning unleased hydrocarbon potential, future oil and gas price 
expectations, and other relevant information that the industry 
respondent uses in making OCS oil and gas leasing decisions. BOEM 
requests that industry respondents provide additional information, as 
specified below:
    (1) Indicate the OCS Planning Area(s) where the industry respondent 
would be interested in acquiring oil and gas leases, regardless of 
whether the area currently is unavailable. If more than one Planning 
Area is of interest, rank all areas of interest (including those now 
being offered, if appropriate) in order of preference.
    (2) Indicate the number and timing of lease sales in the period 
2017-2022 that would be appropriate for each Planning Area. If only one 
lease sale in a Planning Area is appropriate, indicate whether that 
area should be considered for leasing early or late in the five-year 
schedule. If more than one lease sale in a planning area is suggested, 
indicate the preferred interval between lease sales.
    (3) Indicate the lead time to production in areas that are not part 
of

[[Page 34353]]

the 2012-2017 Program or currently do not have infrastructure or 
production, relative to lead-times to new production in previously 
leased areas like the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico.
    Section 18(g) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(g)) authorizes 
confidential treatment of privileged or proprietary information. In 
order to protect the confidentiality of privileged or proprietary 
information, industry respondents should include such information as an 
attachment to other comments submitted, and should clearly note that 
the attachment contains privileged or proprietary information, so that 
there is no ambiguity about what portions of the comments are 
confidential or proprietary. Upon request, BOEM will treat the 
privileged or proprietary information that is attached to a response as 
confidential from the time of its receipt until five years after 
approval of the 2017-2022 Program, in a manner consistent with the 
Freedom of Information Act. However, BOEM will not treat as 
confidential any aggregate summaries of privileged or proprietary 
information, the names of industry respondents, or comments not 
containing this information. If submitting comments or information in 
hard copy, industry respondents should affix the label ``Contains 
Confidential Information'' on any envelope containing privileged or 
proprietary information.
From the U.S. Department of Commerce
    Pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
1344(f)(5)) and implementing regulations at 30 CFR 556.20, BOEM 
requests information concerning relationships between affected States' 
coastal zone management programs and OCS oil and gas activities. In 
coordination with this notice, BOEM will also send a letter to the 
Secretary of Commerce soliciting such information.
From the U.S. Department of Energy
    Pursuant to implementing regulations at 30 CFR 556.16, BOEM 
requests information concerning regional and national energy markets, 
OCS production goals, and on transportation networks. In coordination 
with this notice, BOEM will also send a letter to the Secretary of 
Energy soliciting such information.

Public Comment Procedure

    BOEM will accept comments in one of two formats: Internet 
commenting system or regular mail. BOEM's preference is to receive 
comments via the Internet commenting system. Comments should be 
submitted using only one of these formats, and include full names and 
addresses of the individual submitting the comment(s). Comments 
submitted by other means may not be considered. BOEM will not consider 
anonymous comments. BOEM will make available for public inspection in 
their entirety, all comments submitted by organizations and businesses, 
or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of 
organizations or businesses.
    BOEM's practice is to make comments, including the names and 
addresses of individuals, available for public review. An individual 
commenter may ask that BOEM withhold from the public record his or her 
name, home address, or both, and BOEM will honor such a request to the 
extent allowable by law. If individuals submit comments and desire 
withholding of such information, they must so state prominently at the 
beginning of their submission.

Commenting via Internet

    Internet comments should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. BOEM requests that commenters 
follow these instructions to submit their comments via this Web site:
    (1) In the search tab on the main page, search for BOEM-2014-0059.
    (2) Locate the document, then click the ``Submit a Comment'' link 
either on the Search Results page or the Document Details page. This 
will display the Web comment form.
    (3) Enter the submitter information and type the comment on the Web 
form. Attach any additional files (up to 10MB). (Please do not forget 
to separately attach, and note, any privileged or proprietary 
information.)
    (4) After typing the comment, click the ``Preview Comment'' link to 
review. Once satisfied with the comment, click the ``Submit'' button to 
send the comment.
    Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after 
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User 
Tips'' link.

Commenting via Regular Mail

    Mail comments and information on the 2017-2022 Program to Ms. Kelly 
Hammerle, Five Year Program Manager, BOEM (HM-3120), 381 Elden Street, 
Herndon, Virginia 20170. Environmental comments relevant to oil and gas 
development on the OCS should be sent to Mr. James F. Bennett, Chief, 
Division of Environmental Assessment, BOEM (HM-3017), 381 Elden Street, 
Herndon, Virginia 20170. If commenters submit any privileged or 
proprietary information to be treated as confidential, they should mark 
the envelope ``Contains Confidential Information.'' BOEM will post all 
comments, subject to the limitations described above in this section.

     Dated: May 22, 2014.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
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[FR Doc. 2014-14039 Filed 6-13-14; 8:45 am]
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