2.2.2 Call for Nominations 



The first tier "Call for Nominations" in 1974 formally opened this 

 leasing process to the public [51]. Federal agencies, state, industry 

 and the public were invited to submit general comments on OCS areas that 

 might be offered. A second tier "Call" is issued for specific tract 

 selection. Comments at this time may suggest that a tract be offered, 

 or they may be "negative" and suggest tract exclusions. 



The "Call" is used to gauge the level of interest in the potential 

 sale areas. All points of view are important to the "Call". Because 

 bid prices and financial evaluations will be affected, industry may mask 

 its interests with over-inclusive nominations. For the Fish and Wildlife 

 Service, the "Call" is primarily an opportunity to transmit new information 

 to BLM and again signal concern for sensitive biological areas and 

 resources. FWS may also recommend deletion of tracts within a sale area 

 if environmental indications support the suggestions [52]. 



The FWS responds to the "Call" through the FWS OCS Coordinator. 

 Recommendations that are forwarded to the Bureau of Land Management must 

 be documented from the resource report and any subsequent environmental 

 risk analysis [53]. This response originates in the Regional Office 

 based on the resource report file including data generated after the 

 resource report was written. The Director of FWS formally submits the 

 documents to the Bureau of Land Management [54]. 



2.2.3 Tract Selection 



Tract selection is initiated with two meetings between BLM, US6S, 

 NPS, and FWS in the region adjoining the tracts being considered for 

 leasing. At the end of these "field" meetings, BLM and USGS formulate a 

 reconmendation. The FWS Regional Director, or his representative, must 

 attach a memorandum to the field recommendations, either agreeing or 

 disagreeing with them. A copy of the memorandum is forwarded to the OCS 

 Coordinator in Washington, D.C. [55]. 



Next, a final meeting to select specific sale tracts is held among 

 these four agencies in Washington, D.C. In some cases, FWS is represented 

 by members of the OCS Coordination staff, and when appropriate, by the 

 OCS Regional Activity Leader who had participated in earlier field meetings 

 with BLM. The level of representation at the second meeting depends 

 in large part on the potential for resource conflict in the proposed 

 tract offering. After BLM completes its decision, the FWS surnames the 

 list of selected tracts which then goes to the Secretary of the Interior. 

 (Surnaming does not necessarily indicate complete FWS concurrence in the 

 selection.) If approved by the Secretary, the list becomes the "Notice of 

 Tract Selection" and is published in the Federal Register [56]. 



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