The federal government plans to hold public hearings in Alaska communities after releasing its latest report on oil and gas development in a portion of the Chukchi Sea, which includes a look at the impact of a big oil spill beneath ice.
The public can comment in person on the revised draft supplemental environmental impact statement for drilling in Lease Sale 193, a huge area outside Northwest Alaska that extends off the coasts between Point Hope and Barrow.
People can also submit comments in writing or electronically until July 11.
The revised draft was completed recently. The update followed a July 2010 order from the federal district court in Alaska that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management add more information to its original review, including on the impact of natural gas development.
Continue reading this report, which includes a link to the revised draft EIS, instructions on how to register a comment, and the schedule of public hearings planned in Alaska, at The Arctic Sounder.