Tag: Public Lands

Feds Taking Public Comment On Oil, Gas Leasing Rules Through Sept. 22

The Bureau of Land Management proposes to adjust fees and bonding requirements to keep up with inflation.

The federal Bureau of Land Management is taking public comment on new rules for oil and gas leasing on public lands.

The agency has not updated its oil and gas leasing rules in several decades. In the meantime, the cost of remediating and capping abandoned wells has increased.

The agency proposes to adjust fees and bonding requirements to keep up with inflation.

It also wants to take steps to eliminate non-competitive bid leasing and make oil and gas companies responsible for cleanup rather than taxpayers. The agency is spending $250 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reclaim abandoned wells nationwide.

According to the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, the rules would apply to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and the Monongahela National Forest.

The public can comment on the proposed rules through Sept. 22.

U.S. Senators Introduce Bill to Permanently Fund Conservation Program

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, led in part by West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, have introduced a bill that would permanently fund a popular land conservation program that has provided money for conservation and recreation access in 54 of West Virginia’s 55 counties.

If passed, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act would permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF, at $900 million annually.

The program uses revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling for conservation at federal, state, and local parks, forests and wilderness areas and to increase recreation access. More than $240 million from the LWCF have been invested in West Virginia over the course of the program’s 50-year history.

Places such as Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the Gauley River National Recreation Area and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge have benefited from LWCF funding.

Earlier this year, the president signed a bill that permanently authorizes the program, but Congress still needs to appropriate money to the fund.

Manchin introduced the bill along with and Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican from Colorado. If passed, the bill would bypass Congress’ budget process and automatically place $900 million into the fund each year.

In a press release, Manchin said funding for the LWCF is crucial to “continue to preserve, protect and invest in our public lands.”

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