TABLE 1.— STEPS OF LEASE PROGRAM 



Federal activities Industry Activities 



Develop and maintain tentative 

 lease-sale schedules (BLM, DOI) 



Issue geophysical exploration permits (USGS) Geophysical 



exploration 



Initiate baseline environmental studies (BLM) 



Issue calls for nominations (BLM, DOI) Nominate tracts 



Make tract selections (BLM, USGS) 



Prepare environmental analyses (BLM) 



Issue notice of sale (BLM, DOI) 



Make presale evaluation (USGS, BLM) Submit bids 



Conduct sale (BLM) 



Review sale (BLM, USGS) 



Issue leases, collect associated 

 revenues (BLM, DOI) 



Prepare and issue operating orders (USGS) Prepare and submit 



development plans 



Review and grant or deny development plans (USGS) Exploration, development, 



production 



Make inspections, monitor operations (USGS) 



Collect production revenues (USGS) 



OCS Environmental Studies 



A prerequisite to expanded offshore petroleum development is the 

 acquisition of knowledge on the environmental effects of develop- 

 ment. BLM has accelerated its environmental studies program to 

 assess the effect of the OCS leasing program on the environment. The 

 objectives of this program are: 



(1) To provide information that will enable the department to 

 make sound management decisions regarding the development of 

 offshore mineral and energy resources 



(2) To provide a basis for predicting the impact of oil and gas 

 development on the marine environment 



(3) To provide data that will result in the improvement of leasing 

 regulations, operating regulations, and operating orders 



The program consists of separate environmental studies in each 

 area being considered for possible oil and gas leasing. In April 1975, 

 such studies were in progress in existing and prospective lease areas 

 off the Florida-Alabama-Mississippi, southern Texas, southern and 



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