Environmental Documents

BOEM’s Office of Environmental Programs prepares National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) analysis, and provides oversight, policy guidance, and direction for NEPA throughout the Bureau.

Environmental Studies

BOEM provides information on ongoing and completed environmental studies on the Environmental Studies Information page.

Evaluating Connections: BOEM Environmental Studies and Assessments

BOEM conducted an evaluation to understand how ESP-funded research contributed to BOEM’s assessments (e.g. NEPA documents, Essential Fish Habitat Assessments, National Historic Preservation Act documents) and vice versa. Through this evaluation, BOEM gained an understanding of the extent to which study results are getting incorporated into assessments, information needs are being identified through the assessment process, and studies and assessments are informing policy decisions. In response to the Evaluation Recommendations, BOEM developed some Next Steps to build upon its strengths and to improve the feedback loop process.

• Evaluating Connections: Strengths, Recommendations, and BOEM’s Next Steps

Oil and Gas Leasing

NEPA Documents

BOEM produces NEPA documents at several different stages throughout the oil and gas development process. During the formation of the National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, BOEM’s Office of Environmental Programs prepares a NEPA document. Regional offices prepare NEPA documents in preparation for lease sales held within the Five-Year National OCS Program as well as any NEPA reviews or documents required for exploration, development, and production. You can find these NEPA documents using the links below:

• Five-Year National Oil and Gas Program
• Alaska Region
• Gulf of Mexico Region
• Pacific Region

OCLSA Analysis

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) requires examination of environmental sensitivity and marine productivity in potential lease areas for the National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program. These are two of the prime issues that the Secretary of the Interior must consider when making a decision about size, timing, and location of future lease sales. This analysis is included in the program documents.

• National Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Other Programs

Below are links to where to find environmental documents for other programs in BOEM.

• Marine Minerals
• Renewable Energy