BAKERSFIELD, Calif., June 25 (Our California Times) — The Bureau of Land Management has approved oil and gas management updates that will allow new federal leasing to resume in California’s Central Coast region, the agency said, reopening a development path after a December 2022 settlement.
The decision followed a supplemental environmental impact statement, the BLM said. It applies to public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, plus portions of Fresno, Merced and San Joaquin counties.
The agency said the action is consistent with Interior Secretary’s Order 3418, which supports efforts to expand domestic energy opportunities.
In a separate BLM review process, the agency is also looking at changes tied to the Bakersfield Field Office, which includes eastern Fresno, western Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties. The public-comment period on that proposal runs through July 23, according to BLM notice materials.
The BLM did not say in its announcement when any lease sale would be scheduled or whether any wells have been approved on the newly opened lands.
