BAKERSFIELD, Calif., June 25 (Our California Times) — The Bureau of Land Management said it will resume oil and gas leasing on public lands in California’s Central Coast Field Office after completing a supplemental environmental impact statement and a December 2022 settlement agreement.
The agency said the decision covers public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, along with portions of Fresno, Merced and San Joaquin counties. The BLM said the update is consistent with Secretary’s Order 3418, which it said “supports federal direction to expand domestic energy opportunities.”
In a separate Bakersfield Field Office review, the BLM said it is taking public comment through July 23 on a supplemental environmental impact statement and possible resource-management-plan amendment that includes San Luis Obispo County, along with eastern Fresno, western Kern, Kings, Madera, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties.
The agency has not said in the announcement how many acres would ultimately be available for leasing.
