2.1.3 Regulatory Factors 



Onshore projects and facilities for offshore oil and gas development 

 must meet location, design, and operating conditions imposed under a 

 broad array of state, local, and Federal laws and regulations. The Fish 

 and Wildlife Service participates in two distinct Federal program areas 

 with implications for OCS-related onshore facilities: (1) general, 

 under a variety of Federal laws applying to onshore and nearshore develop- 

 ment; and, (2) specific, under the Outer Continental Shelf Land Act and 

 the lease tract selection, evaluation, and management process authorized. 

 (Table 7) 



First, through the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Service 

 is advisory to other Federal agencies in direct regulation or management 

 of certain development activities onshore and in the nearshore area.* 

 In this first subject area, the Federal regulatory role as it affects 

 privately owned land is concurrent with state and local programs, often 

 in the same subject areas. 



Second, in the Outer Continental Shelf leasing program the Service 

 contributes in suggesting or reviewing stipulations for lease sales 

 which include conditions for offshore development. Because leasing 

 involves the sale of Federal interests to private parties in an area of 

 exclusive Federal jurisdiction, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

 prepares final decisions on leasing and the Geological Survey (USGS) 

 takes similar actions for exploration, development, and production 

 management. 



Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661-667e; 48 Stat. 

 401, as amended; and the related provisions of the National 

 Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347. 



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