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USFS to approve categorical exclusions for oil and gas permits |
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The Forest Service is expected to finalize a rule this week that would let managers streamline environmental studies of small oil and gas drilling projects on national forests and grasslands.
In the works since late 2005, the rule would allow the Forest Service to issue categorical exclusions from National Environmental Policy Act analyses for drilling in areas where officials do not anticipate negative environmental effects. The rule only applies to applications for drilling permits in areas already under federal leases.
Using categorical exclusions can potentially cut the analysis time for an oil and gas drilling permit from a minimum of six months down to 60 days. The plan would apply to projects requiring construction of less than a mile of road, three miles of pipeline and no more than four drill sites at an individual location.
Areas with threatened and endangered species or designated critical habitat, wilderness areas, inventories roadless areas, wetlands or historic sites would be exempt from the new rule.
The rule is meant to comply with a 2000 executive order from President Bush that directs federal agencies to streamline applications for energy-related permits, according to the Forest Service.
"For energy-related projects, agencies shall expedite their review of permits or take other actions as necessary to accelerate the completion of such projects, while maintaining safety, public health, and environmental protections," Executive Order 13212 reads. "The agencies shall take such actions to the extent permitted by law and regulation, and where appropriate."
The Bureau of Land Management handles the oil and gas lease program on national forests, including lease sales, collecting bonus bids and issuing leases.
Robert Vandermark of the National Environmental Trust criticized the Forest Service's expansion of categorical exclusions. "The administration's constant use and abuse of categorical exclusions demonstrates its blatant disregard for the nation's environmental laws," he said. "The domestic drilling plan of this administration continues to disregard Congress, the public interest and the ecological value of our public lands."
The final rule will be published in the Federal Register on Feb. 15.
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