Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease and Sales: 2014-2016, Western Planning Area Lease Sales 238, 246, and 248, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

摘要

This Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) addresses three proposed Federal actions: proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas Lease Sales 238, 246, and 248 in the Western Planning Area (WPA) of the Gulf of Mexico, as scheduled in the Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017 (Five-Year Program) (USDOI, BOEM, 2012a). This Supplemental EIS updates the baseline conditions and potential environmental effects of oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, development, and production in the WPA since publication of Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2012-2017; Western Planning Area Lease Sales 229, 233, 238, 246, and 248; Central Planning Area Lease Sales 227, 231, 235, 241, and 247, Final Environmental Impact Statement (2012-2017 WPA/CPA Multisale EIS) (USDOI, BOEM, 2012b) and Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales: 2013-2014; Western Planning Area Lease Sale 233; Central Planning Area Lease Sale 231, Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (WPA 233/CPA 231 Supplemental EIS) (USDOI, BOEM, 2013a). This Supplemental EIS analyzes the potential impacts of a WPA proposed action on sensitive coastal environments, offshore marine resources, and socioeconomic resources both onshore and offshore.