BAKERSFIELD, Calif., June 25 (Our California Times) — The Bureau of Land Management said it has approved oil and gas management updates for California’s Central Coast region, clearing the agency to resume leasing on public lands after a supplemental environmental review and a December 2022 settlement agreement.
The decision covers public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, along with portions of Fresno, Merced and San Joaquin counties, the agency said. BLM said the action is consistent with Secretary’s Order 3418, which supports expanding domestic energy opportunities.
The announcement did not say when new leases would be offered or identify which parcels would come up first.
Separately, BLM planning documents for the Bakersfield Field Office have included San Luis Obispo County in a larger review area spanning eastern Fresno, western Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties, according to a BLM public notice described in agency-related reporting.
