Office of Leasing and Environment

• Coordinates identification of areas on the OCS suitable for lease consideration.
• Manages non-competitive and competitive lease proposals for renewable energy and marine mineral resources on the Pacific OCS. Coordinates the regional development, review and analysis of these proposals. For competitive lease proposals, ensures timely accomplishment of scheduled activities including preparation/coordination of solicitations of interest, decision documents, proposed and final Notices of Lease Offerings, lease offerings, and pre- and post-offering evaluations.
• Carries out leasing review/analysis aspects of applicable laws and implementing regulations including the OCS Lands Act and the Energy Policy Act.
• Manages the Region’s $1 billion FARM Program to ensure companies have adequate financial strength or bonding to carry out their lease obligations. Determines lessee bonding requirements, resolves lessee financial responsibility issues, and monitors lessee compliance.
• Qualifies companies, corporations, and their officials to hold interest in and to sign all documents relating to OCS leases, and processes all official record title actions (including assignments, relinquishments, and terminations). Adjudicates other legal documents related to OCS leases including processing Fisherman's Contingency Fund claims.  Manages lease-related legal documents, information, and databases.
• Reviews proposed legislation, regulations, and other proposals to evaluate the effect of these proposals on the leasing and environment functions.  Prepares Notices to Lessees (NTL’s) and other notices to provide lessees, operators, and applicants with clarifications and interpretations of regulations as appropriate.
• Manages the technical documents, information, and databases resulting from programs covered by OLE.  Participates in preparing responses to Freedom of Information Act requests and public and other information requests relating to subjects covered by OLE.
• Coordinates and assists with appeals and legal challenges brought before the Interior Board of Land Appeals or the courts related to subjects covered by OLE.
• Assists with other regional programs such as the OCS Civil/Criminal Penalties Program and the Internal Program Review.

• Researches, develops, and assesses information on potential cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental consequences of proposed Pacific OCS oil, gas, renewable energy, and marine minerals activities in order to conduct environmental reviews and analyses pursuant to the OCS Lands Act, as amended, NEPA, and other environmental laws.
• Identifies suitable leasing areas for wave, current, or wind resource exploitation on the Pacific OCS.   Evaluates potential consequences of proposed activities on wave and wind resources, and environmental consequences to shorelines from extraction of wind/wave resources.
• Reviews industry proposals and plans for completeness and compliance with environmental laws and with environmental requirements.
• Reviews proposed projects and activities to determine if they may be categorically excluded from further environmental review under NEPA.
• Coordinates/develops/writes/produces environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and technical environmental reports analyzing the potential environmental effects of proposed activities.
• Develops lease stipulations and environmental mitigation measures for proposed activities, as necessary.
• Conducts environmental consultations for proposed activities in compliance with the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Develops Consistency Determinations under the Coastal Zone Management Act for Bureau-proposed activities.
• In conjunction with other offices in the Region, monitors and evaluates industry compliance with environmental conditions of approval, including tracking of environmental measures, conducting field inspections, evaluating mitigation effectiveness, and, as appropriate, initiating waivers or amendments to environmental stipulations and conditions of approval. Participates in reviews of industry plans and performance (annual Plans of Operations and Annual Performance Reviews) to address protection of environmental resources.
• Assists with accident/event investigations, evaluates the harm or potential harm to the environment, and provides data and information in support of the OCS Civil/Criminal Penalties Program and the Internal Program Review.
• Coordinates environmental issues and resolves controversies with industry, local, State, and Federal agencies, and other interest groups.  Consults with appropriate agencies and Native Americans to identify and resolve cultural and Tribal concerns.
• Coordinates with and assists EPA in carrying out its responsibilities under the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, including air quality permit and NPDES requirements.
• Coordinates biological and archaeological surveys and other environmental surveys/studies related to proposed activities.
• Reviews the adequacy of oil spill response plans, including marine wildlife contingency plans and dispersant use plans, to protect environmentally sensitive habitats and species.  Participates in response drills and evaluation of industry preparedness to minimize potential environmental impacts of oil spills.
• Identifies information needs and develops study proposals in coordination with other offices and agencies, as needed, for inclusion in the regional environmental studies planning process.
• Performs Contracting Officer Representative (COR) responsibilities for regional environmental studies.
• Reviews non-Bureau environmental documents associated with other uses of the OCS
• Reviews proposed legislation, regulations, and other proposals to evaluate the effect of these proposals on the environmental assessment functions.  Prepares NTL’s and other notices to provide lessees/operators with clarifications and interpretations of regulations as appropriate.
• Manages the technical documents, information, and databases resulting from programs covered by EAS.  Participates in preparing responses to Freedom of Information Act requests and public and other information requests relating to subjects covered by EAS.
• Assists with appeals and legal challenges brought before the Interior Board of Land Appeals or the courts related to subjects covered by EAS.

• Plans and manages the Region’s multi-million dollar Environmental Studies Program. Identifies and procures environmental studies to address regional needs in consultation and coordination with other regional offices, Headquarters, DOI OCS Scientific Committee, government agencies, industry, academic and research institutions, special interest groups, and the public.
• Participates with the Chief, OEMM Environmental Sciences Branch in formulating national Environmental Studies Program policies and procedures.
• Develops annual studies plans, prepares procurement packages, selects contractors, manages and administers studies contracts, and inspects and reviews products for scientific quality and responsiveness to contracts.
• Coordinates with other agencies and organizations to plan and carry out joint environmental studies that meet Bureau needs including participation in cooperative and in-house studies.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts environmental monitoring studies in the vicinity of proposed and ongoing operations.
• Reviews and evaluates unsolicited research proposals and other technical documents, recommends projects for funding.
• Coordinates the Pacific OCS Region’s $25 million CIAP Program, working closely with the State and coastal political subdivisions to provide guidance in the development and implementation of the State plan.
• Reviews and approves CIAP grant applications.
• Monitors CIAP grant implementation and grantee performance to ensure appropriate use of funds.
• Participates in CIAP Team, coordinated in HQ, in the development of policies and practices for implementation of CIAP.
• Develops, reviews and tracks proposed budget information, annual operating plans, and multi-year projections for the procurement and continuation of the Environmental Studies and CIAP Programs.