Feds Seek Public Comment on Draft Statement on Arctic Oil and Gas Exploration

December 22, 2011|By Neil Torquiano | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The public has 45 days to submit a comment to the feds on a draft environmental impact statement on Arctic oil and gas exploration in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration released a draft of the statement on Thursday.

NOAA said the EIS describes how offshore oil and gas activities could affect marine mammals and the Alaska Native communities that depend on subsistence, and that the statement also examines measures to lessen the impact.

"We know how important marine mammals are to healthy Arctic ecosystems and the people who depend on them for food and cultural traditions," said Eric Schwaab, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service.

A number of measures are included in the draft, such as closing areas to exploration during whale migration and feeding and during traditional whale and seal hunts.

According to NOAA, the measure could reduce the impact on marine mammals, so that communities that rely on subsistence have enough stock.

NOAA also said its analysis looks at various measures to minimize any potential harmful effects from sound, discharge of pollutants and presence of vessels that can be part of these operations.

In January and February 2012, NOAA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will travel to eight North Slope communities to hold public hearings on the draft.

The feds will travel to Barrow, Kaktovik, Kivalina, Kotzebue, Nuiqsut, Point Hope, Point Lay and Wainwright. The exact times and locations will be announced in the Federal Register and through public notice.

NOAA will finalize the environmental impact statement after receiving comments from the public hearings and the during the 45-day comment period and BOEM will use the comments to shape decisions on permitting of oil and gas exploration.

To read the draft EIS, visit NOAA's site here.

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