[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 63 (Monday, April 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22444-22445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06784]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2024-0015]


Notice of Availability of the Area Identification for the 
Proposed Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2024-2029

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Availability of area identification.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the 
availability of the Area Identification (Area ID) for the proposed Gulf 
of Mexico (GOM) oil and gas Lease Sales 262, 263, and 264.

ADDRESSES: The Area ID is available for viewing and downloading on 
BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/oil-gas-energy/national-program/2024-2029-gom-area-identification. It also may be obtained from the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, New

[[Page 22445]]

Orleans Office, 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70123; 
telephone (800) 200-4853.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernadette Thomas, Supervisor of 
Leasing and Plans, GOM Regional Office, (504) 736-2596, 
[email protected] or Ben Burnett, Chief, Leasing Policy and 
Management Division, (703) 787-1782, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 14, 2023, the Secretary of the 
Interior approved the 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil 
and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program). The first proposed sale 
under that program, Lease Sale 262, is tentatively scheduled for 2025. 
Details of the 2024-2029 National OCS Program can be found at https://www.boem.gov/oil-gas-energy/national-program/national-ocs-oil-and-gas-leasing-program.
    In accordance with 30 CFR 556.301, BOEM published a Call for 
Information and Nominations (Call) \1\ on the area identified in the 
2024-2029 National OCS Program for the proposed lease sales. The Call 
solicited industry nominations for areas of leasing interest and sought 
comments and information from the public on the areas being considered. 
BOEM considered the comments received in response to the Call and 
identified the areas that warranted further consideration and analyses 
of the potential effects of leasing on the human, marine, and coastal 
environments. The result is this Area ID.
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    \1\ 88 FR 67801 (October 2, 2023).
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    This Area ID is not a decision to lease and is not a prejudgment by 
the Department of the Interior on how or whether to proceed with 
proposed Lease Sales 262, 263, and 264. A decision to lease must be 
preceded by several preleasing steps, including, but not limited to, 
completion of environmental analyses pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act; consultation under environmental and other 
statutes; opportunities for federally recognized Tribes, Governors of 
affected States, local government leaders, and other interested parties 
to provide comment; and the issuance of Proposed and Final Notices of 
Sale.
    Authority: Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 
1331-1356), and 30 CFR 556.302.

Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-06784 Filed 3-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P