OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

For Immediate Release Peter Hamm 202-208-6416

February 12, 1997

PROCESS FOR NPR-A PLANNING IS LAUNCHED:SECRETARY BABBITT PLANS FIRSTHAND LOOK THIS SUMMER

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt announced today the publication of details of a planning process for a 4.6 million-acre portion of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). He also announced plans to visit the area this summer.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for cooperation that can bring long-term benefits for everyone.” Secretary Babbitt said. “Using high quality science, state of the art technology, and an open dialogue with the public, I am hopeful this process will lead to a plan that will protect the rich wildlife and cultural resources, while allowing appropriate oil and gas development. And I plan to come up to Alaska this summer, disappear into the NPR-A, and spend some time familiarizing myself with the issues within the planning area.”

The Bureau of Land Management will publish tomorrow in the Federal Register a “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement” for management of the northeastern portion of the NPR-A. The notice invites suggestions and the submittal of information related to wildlife protection, mineral resource development including oil and gas leasing, subsistence resources and activities and possible impacts on subsistence from various management alternatives, access, recreation and visual resources, threatened and endangered species, and historic, cultural, soil, water and vegetation resources.

Potential management actions and activities which may have environmental and subsistence impacts for the area include mineral extraction, leasable mineral exploration and development, recreation, commercial development, modification of existing Special Areas and identification of new areas for additional resource protection.

“We want to hear from everyone--the State, the North Slope Borough, Alaska Natives, local residents, industry and conservationists,” Secretary Babbitt said. “Consultation is the key to success on this issue, and we intend to work closely with Governor Knowles and all stakeholders to build a large consensus for moving forward.”

Relevant information related to possible oil and gas leasing is requested for the plan area. Oil and gas companies are specifically requested to nominate areas within the plan area that they would like to have considered for oil and gas leasing.

The notice to be published tomorrow contains a tentative schedule for the planning process and provides for scoping meetings, the publication of a draft EIS, public meetings and hearings, a final EIS and a Record of Decision, which is scheduled for August 15, 1998. A 45-day comment period begins immediately.

The NPR-A lies between the crest of the Brooks Range on the East and the Arctic Ocean on the West. It lies far to the west of the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The planning process will focus on the Northeast portion of the NPR-A.

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