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The EIS Process
Scoping
Scoping is the process used to determine the appropriate contents of an EIS.
Scoping begins before any analysis of impacts is done, and it continues until the EIS is
finished. Public participation is an integral part of scoping. The first
scoping step is to announce to the public, by a Federal Register notice and
press releases, that an EIS will be prepared and to ask for comments about what should be
included. We may also hold one or more public meetings in communities that might be
affected if leasing, exploration, or development occur. The purpose of soliciting
input is to properly identify as many relevant issues, alternatives, mitigation measures,
and analytical tools as possible so they can be incorporated into the EIS.
Getting input from as many affected and interested parties as possible is an important
part of preparing an EIS. This usually includes:
 | Citizens who live, work, or play in the area where OCS-related activity may occur. |
| Public interest groups and native communities that have concerns about possible impacts
to environmental, social, or economic resources. |
| Federal, state, and local government agencies that have responsibilities for managing
public resources or services. |
| Oil industry and oil industry support businesses that might conduct oil and gas
development activities. |
| Scientists and other technical experts with knowledge of the area's natural resources
and the possible impacts of oil and gas development. |
An important objective of scoping is to identify specific elements of the environment
that might be affected if the proposal is carried out. If we determine that there
might be significant impacts associated with a concern that is raised during scoping, it
is analyzed in detail in the EIS. For OCS activities, environmental concerns that
commonly arise include:
| Ecological concerns such as the possible impacts of oil and gas development on marine
mammals, birds, fish and shellfish, and the natural habitats that support these resources. |
| Sociological concerns such as development-related changes in population or demands for
public transportation, education, or health care services. Other social factors
involved may include possible changes in the cultural, religious, or recreational
traditions of affected communities. |
| Economic concerns often center about marine-related employment like commercial fishing
and tourism. |
Based on the information received during the initial scoping effort and other
information, such as the location of sensitive natural resources, estimates of oil and gas
resources, or projected oil and gas activity, we identify alternatives to the proposal
that might reduce possible impacts. In addition, any reasonable measures suggested
to mitigate possible impacts are considered for analysis in the EIS.
Analytical Scenarios
After the alternatives to the proposal are determined, we develop scenarios for the
proposal and each alternative. Those are the basis for the analyses of possible
impacts. The scenarios for the 5-year program and lease sales are largely
hypothetical because it is not known at the time what operations will actually take place.
The scenarios for these EISs include information about:
| Numbers of wells that might be drilled and the discharges that might result from
drilling the wells. |
| Numbers of production platforms that might be installed and the types and amounts of
activity needed to support platform operations. |
| Methods that might be used to transport the oil and gas that are produced.
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| Oil spills that might result. |
The EIS scenarios for proposed development projects are more site-specific than for
proposed lease sales and are based on the actual plan submitted by a company for a
particular development project.
Impact Analysis
The EIS analyzes the particular environmental concerns that were identified through
scoping. A separate analysis is prepared for the proposal and each alternative.
The objective of the analysis is to estimate the nature, severity, and duration of
impacts that might occur and to compare the impacts of the proposal and alternatives.
Numerous technical aids are used in making the assessment, including ecological and
socioeconomic studies sponsored by MMS and others, and computer models that simulate the
movements of accidental oil spills or air emissions from operations.
Draft EIS and Public Review
The impact analysis is first documented in a draft EIS. When the Associate
Director for Offshore Minerals Managment or higher authority approves an EIS, MMS
headquarters staff review a pre-publication version of the draft. If approval
authority for the EIS is above the MMS Director, the Department’s Office of
Environmental Policy and Compliance and the Solicitor’s Office also review the
draft. The purpose of the review is to ensure the technical accuracy of all aspects
of the document.
The draft EIS is made available to the public for 60-to-90 days for review and comment.
The availability of the draft EIS is announced in a Federal Register
notice and in press releases. Copies of the document are made available to the
public through individual mailings and through repositories such as public libraries.
The public may either comment to us in writing or by making oral comments at one of
the public hearings that we hold in areas most likely to be affected.
Final EIS
The principal concern in developing the final EIS is to address public comments on the
draft EIS in a responsive and responsible fashion. The final EIS includes a summary
of all comments and our responses. The office preparing the EIS is responsible for
drafting responses. For appropriate EISs, the Department and MMS headquarters review
them for technical accuracy and adherence to policy.
After the comments on the draft EIS are reviewed, we revise the document to correct
technical errors and add any relevant new information that became available since the
draft EIS was published. On occasion, a new alternative or mitigation measure will
be added and evaluated. A summary of the comments received on the draft EIS and our
response to those comments is also put into the document. Normally, a final EIS is
made available to the public within 6 months after the comment period on the draft EIS
ends. Once again, the availability of the final EIS is announced in a Federal
Register notice and press releases.
For more information, contact James F. Bennett.
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