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🌊Jurisdictional Changes in Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas

This notice informs the public that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has made modifications to its Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) planning areas, which are geographic subdivisions of the OCS that BOEM uses for planning and administrative purposes for oil and gas activities. The OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) is the primary authority that provides BOEM with jurisdiction covering the entire OCS. As described below, changes to the boundaries of this jurisdiction have occurred since BOEM last established these subdivisions, and BOEM has modified its planning areas to account for these changes. As a result, the total number of OCS planning areas has increased from 26 to 27. The total acreage for the OCS planning areas has decreased, from approximately 1.72 billion acres to 1.68 billion acres, which does not include the OCS offshore the U.S. Territories and Hawaii. The U.S. Territories and Hawaii OCS areas, accounting for approximately 1.48 billion acres, are not considered for oil and gas leasing, so have not been designated as "planning areas." Additional information can be found at https:// www.boem.gov/oil-gas-energy/leasing/outer-continental-shelf.

🌊Request for Information on the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act requires the Department of the Interior (DOI) to invite and solicit information from interested and affected parties during the preparation of a National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program). The 10th National OCS Program, for 2024 to 2029, was approved on December 14, 2023, and went into effect on July 1, 2024. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is soliciting information on the preparation of a new, 11th National OCS Program to, upon completion, replace the 10th National OCS Program.

🌊Notice on Information Requirements for Renewable Energy Projects

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) proposes this information collection request (ICR) to renew Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1010-0176 with revisions.

🐚Removal of Marine Archaeology Protection Rule

Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress passed, and the President signed, a joint resolution disapproving the final "Protection of Marine Archaeology Resources" rule published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on September 3, 2024. That rule required lessees and operators to submit an archaeological report with any oil and gas exploration or development plan they submit to BOEM for approval of proposed activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under the joint resolution and by operation of the Congressional Review Act, the "Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources" rule has no force or effect.

🌊Withdrawal of Key U.S. Offshore Areas from Oil Leasing Regulations