Areas Under Restriction

Areas Under Restriction for Oil and Gas Leasing

I. Presidential Withdrawals

Under section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. §1341, the President of the United States may, from time to time, withdraw from disposition any of the unleased lands of the Outer Continental Shelf. 

II. Acts of Congress

Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA)

  • The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (P.L. 109-432) established restrictions on oil and gas leasing in a portion of the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and most of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. Those restrictions expired June 30, 2022.
  • The September 8, 2020, Presidential Memorandum again withdrew this area from leasing through June 30, 2032. 
  • The January 6, 2025, Presidential Memorandum permanently withdrew this area from leasing.

III.National Marine Sanctuaries

National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) may be designated by the Department of Commerce pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. For information and maps on specific NMSs, please see the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/.

Pursuant to the July 14, 2008, Presidential Memorandum issued in accordance with section 12(a) of the OCS Lands Act, any national marine sanctuary that was designated as of July 14, 2008, is withdrawn from oil and gas leasing for a time without specific expiration. Any NMS created or expanded after that date is not withdrawn from oil and gas leasing per se. Rules and regulations governing the designation and management of a specific national marine sanctuary may also restrict or prohibit certain activities within that sanctuary.

The following national marine sanctuaries are located on the OCS:

IV. Other Restrictions

  • Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
    The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), signed into law December 2, 1980, created the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge by combining the Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Range, Hazen Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Nunivak Island National Wildlife Refuge, and lands withdrawn under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act on February 11, 1980. A portion of the refuge extends into Federal waters. For additional information on the refuge, click here.
     
  • Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
    President William H. Taft established the Aleutian Islands Reservation in 1913 (Executive Order 1733) as a breeding ground for native birds, propagation of reindeer and furbearers, and encouragement and development of fisheries. The Aleutian Islands Reservation was later renamed the Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and then, in 1980 with passage of the ANILCA, the refuge became the Aleutian Islands Unit of the newly created Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The act outlined five major purposes for this new refuge, with a primary purpose of conserving fish and wildlife populations and habitats in their natural diversity. A portion of the refuge extends into Federal waters. For additional information on the refuge, click here.
     
  • Navassa Island National Wildlife Refuge
    The Island of Navassa became a U.S. insular area in October 1857, pursuant to the Guano Islands Act of 1856 (48 U.S.C. Ch. 8 §§ 1411-19). On September 2, 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the Navassa Island Wildlife Refuge. For additional information on the refuge, click here.
     
  • Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge on July 15, 1973, for the purpose of conserving and protecting fish and wildlife resources.  This 20-acre marine protected area is completely encompassed by the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.
     
  • Biscayne Bay National Park
    Biscayne Bay National Park was established as part of the National Park System under Public Law 96-287 (1980), and a portion of the park extends into the OCS. Pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. § 181), the park is withdrawn from leasing. For additional information on the park, click here.
     
  • Phillip Burton Wilderness Buffer Zone
    Leases for exploration, development, or production activities are not permitted within 15 miles of the boundaries of the Phillip Burton Wilderness Area pursuant to 2021 43 U.S.C. §1341(h). For additional information, click here.
     
  • Santa Barbara Channel Ecological Preserve and Buffer Zone
    The Santa Barbara Channel Ecological Preserve and a buffer of submerged lands adjacent to the preserve is withdrawn from leasing and is reserved for scientific, recreational, and other similar uses as an ecological preserve pursuant to Public Land Order 4587, dated March 21,1969; see 34 FR 5655.
     
  • Marine National Monuments
    There are five designated Marine National Monuments (MNMs), four in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic. MNMs can be designated through Congressional legislation or through Presidential Proclamation pursuant to the Antiquities Act, 54 U.S.C. § 320301. Management responsibilities are shared jointly between the Department of Commerce’s NOAA and the Department of the Interior. These five designated MNMs specifically prohibit oil and gas leasing and development activities:

  • Areas Under Restriction for Renewable Energy Leasing 

    I. Presidential Withdrawals

    Under section 12(a) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. § 1341(a), the President of the United States may, from time to time, withdraw from disposition any of the unleased lands of the OCS. Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum issued on January 20, 2025, the President temporarily withdrew all areas within the OCS, as defined in section 2 of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. § 1331, from disposition for wind energy leasing. The withdrawal became effective on January 21, 2025, and remains in effect until such time that this Presidential Memorandum is revoked.

    II. Protected Areas

    Pursuant to the OCS Lands Act at 43 U.S.C. § 1337(p)(10), and BOEM’s implementing regulations at 30 CFR 585.204, BOEM cannot offer renewable energy leases in any area within the exterior boundaries of any unit of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, or National Marine Sanctuary System, or any National Monument.