967 



81 



the OCS, should participate in decision making. Under current proce- 

 dures, we believe that such States and localities are adequately apprised 

 of the activities and hazards which might be involved in OCS develop- 

 ment and are provided with ample opportunity for participation on 

 OCS decisions. This participation in plannmg and control now 

 includiBS : 



(a) Environmental Study Program. Representaitves from the 

 coastal States serve on the OOS Research Management Advisory 

 Board which oversees the Bureau of Land Management's environ- 

 mental study program. 



(b) Development of OCS Orders. The Geological Survey consults 

 with the States in the development of OCS Orders. These Orders 

 provide industry with the rules and regulations to be followed in 

 exploration and production activities on the OCS. The regulations 

 that are in effect have been strengthened considerably since the Santa 

 Barbara spill. Proposed orders have been published for the Gulf of 

 Alaska and are soon to be published for the mid-Atlantic. 



(c) Call for Nominations. Approximately 12 months prior to a 

 sale date, the Department publishes a request for nominations in the 

 Federal Register. All interested members of the public including the 

 adjacent States are urged to nominate specific tracts which they would 

 want to see studied further for possible inclusion in a sale. They are 

 also asked to designate specific tracts which should be excluded from 

 the leasing process because of environmental conflicts. 



(d) Tract Selection. Subsequent to receipt of the nominations, the 

 Department makes a tentative selection of tracts. States are consulted 

 on the issues involved in the selection process. States are again con- 

 sulted before any final decision is made on tracts to be offered in a sale. 



(e) Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The DEIS contains a 

 detailed environmental assessment on a tract by tract basis in addi- 

 tion to an analysis of the general environmental conditions in the 

 area. The States are asked to designate representatives to participate 

 in the actual preparation of this document. This request has been made 

 to Atlantic coast Governors and to the Governor of the State of 

 Alaska. 



(f ) Public Hearing and Comments. After publication of the DEIS, 

 a public hearing is held and States are invited to comment either 

 orally or in writing. These comments are used in preparation of the 

 Final Environmental Impact Statement. 



(g) Decision by the Secretary. After completion of the Final EIS 

 and a Program Decision Option Document, a decision is made by the 

 Secretary whether to proceed with the sale and if so the composition 

 of the sale. The Governors of affected coastal States are consulted 

 before a final decision is made on what tracts are to be included in 

 a sale. 



(h) Supervision of Leases. Geolocrical Survev monitors adherence 

 to the OCS Orders through review of anplirations and proposed plans. 

 Consideration is bein.of jriven to havinj? State personnel participate 

 with the Geological Survey in this endeavor. 



(i) Rpview of Develonmont Plan. T"^ndpr the Coastal Zone Manaa^e- 

 ment Act, anv State with a coastal zone management plan will have 

 to review actions which may affect land and water uses in the coastal 

 zone. 



65-319 O - 76 - 62 



