Federal public comment period opens on oil drilling in California coastal waters. “On April 30, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, announced a public-comment period open now through June 16 to receive input ‘in preparation of a National (Outer Continental Shelf — OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program’ that would govern oil and gas leasing in federal waters off the American coastline, including off the California coast, starting in 2029. A current oil and gas leasing program for U.S. federal waters is in effect until 2029. Two areas off the Ventura County coastline — the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary — would each typically be exempt from this type of program. However, the public-comment announcement for the new leasing program states that all areas will be studied in preparation for the new program. This effectively leaves open the possibility these National Marine Sanctuaries will be subject to lease sales for new oil and gas exploration and drilling.”
How to Submit a Comment
Go to the Federal Comment Portal
Click on the green button at the top: “Submit a Public Comment”.
Fill out your name and other info (optional)
Enter your comment asking the agency to protect all U.S. waters from new leases.
Click “submit” to enter your comment in the official record
Even short comments are impactful!
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/30/2025-07479/request-for-information-and-comments-on-the-preparation-of-the-11th-national-outer-continental-shelf
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