BLM APPROVES OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT UPDATES IN CENTRAL COAST REGION

MARINA, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management released its decision based on the supplemental environmental impact statement for oil and gas leasing and development on public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Fresno, Merced and San Joaquin counties.

The decision fulfills the BLM's commitment to a December 2022 settlement agreement and will allow the BLM to resume oil and gas leasing within the Central Coast Field Office. The effort is consistent with Secretary's Order 3418, which supports federal direction to expand domestic energy opportunities. The order emphasizes the responsible development of oil, natural gas, coal, strategic minerals, and alternative energy resources on public lands in a manner that is efficient, affordable, and reliable.

The Record of Decision and other documents are available at the BLM's National NEPA Register.

The BLM Central Coast Field Office manages approximately 284,000 acres of public land and another 509,000 acres of federal mineral estate in central California. The agency collects a 12.5 percent royalty on existing oil and gas leases for all production from federal minerals, generating about $65-90 million each year. Roughly half of this revenue is returned to the State of California, with the remainder deposited in the U.S. Treasury.