MMS to hear input on lease sale

The Minerals Management Service will meet in Larose Oct. 9 to hear input on a proposed sale for oil and gas leasing of approximately 5.8 million acres across the southern Gulf Coast region.

The proposed lease sale area includes the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coast in the Central Planning Area.

Earlier this month, MMS issued a call for information and nominations or notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement.

The statement will focus on the potential environmental effects of oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, development and production in the “181 South Area,” as well as any new information regarding the remainder of the proposed sale areas.

The local meeting will be held at the Larose Civic Center, beginning at 7 p.m.

The supplemental environmental impact statement draft will be published in April 2008. Following public hearings, a final draft is expected be completed in October 2008.