Bill > S2408

This bill, titled the "No Surface Occupancy Western Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act," authorizes the exploration, leasing, development, and production of oil and gas in the western portion of Alaska's Coastal Plain, with a key provision that prohibits surface occupancy during these activities. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with establishing a competitive oil and gas leasing program that aims to be environmentally sound and prevent significant adverse effects on wildlife, habitat, and subsistence resources, while requiring the use of the best available technology to ensure fair market value for the resources. The bill defines "Coastal Plain" and "Western Coastal Plain" and specifies that the environmental impact statement from 1987 will satisfy certain requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for preleasing activities, though a new environmental impact statement will be required for other actions, with limitations on analyzing non-leasing alternatives. Lease sales will be conducted through sealed bids, with specific acreage minimums and timing requirements, and leases will include terms for royalty payments, potential seasonal closures for wildlife protection, lessee responsibility for land reclamation, and efforts to provide employment and contracting for Alaska Natives. Revenue from these leases will be split 50/50 between the State of Alaska and the U.S. Treasury. Additionally, the bill addresses land conveyances related to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation to clarify land ownership.