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Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean

Supplemental Draft EIS

On March 21, 2013, NOAA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the release of the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean, which analyzes how a broad range of potential offshore oil and gas activities in the Arctic could affect marine mammals, other resources, and Alaska Native communities.

NOAA and BOEM's new analysis 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.

To aid in review of the supplemental draft EIS, NOAA has prepared a summary indicating sections of the document that contain substantive changes [pdf] from the December 2011 draft EIS.

Comment on the Supplemental Draft EIS

The public comment period has been extended through June 27, 2013. Comments can be submitted by any of the following methods:

NMFS accepted written and oral comments in April 2013 at the following Public Hearing locations:

Supporting Document on the Supplemental Draft EIS

Draft EIS (December 2011)

NOAA Fisheries released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze the impacts of oil and gas offshore exploration activities (such as seismic surveys and exploratory drilling) in Federal and state waters of the U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) [pdf] [41.3 MB]

Comments

The comment period closed on February 28, 2012.

Draft EIS Public Meetings Schedule

Public meetings were held in January and February 2012.

Scoping Meetings

NOAA Fisheries conducted public scoping meetings in the following cities and communities during February and March 2010. The individual meeting transcripts are linked below:

  1. Anchorage [pdf]
  2. Barrow [pdf]
  3. Kaktovik [pdf]
  4. Kotzebue [pdf]
  5. Nuiqsut [pdf]
  6. Point Hope [pdf]
  7. Point Lay [pdf]
  8. Wainwright [pdf]

NOAA Fisheries invited comments and input from the public, organizations and interest groups, local governments, and Federal and state agencies on issues surrounding the proposal, including input on the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that should be considered in the EIS. NOAA Fisheries received handwritten comments at public scoping meetings and comments that were submitted via mail, e-mail, and fax.

Supporting Documents on the Draft EIS

Updated: April 15, 2013