BAKERSFIELD, Calif., June 25 (Our California Times) — The Bureau of Land Management has approved oil and gas management updates for California’s Central Coast region, clearing the way for new federal leasing on public lands across 10 counties after a supplemental environmental impact statement and a December 2022 settlement agreement.
The agency said the decision covers public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, plus portions of Fresno, Merced and San Joaquin counties. BLM said the action allows it to resume leasing in the Central Coast Field Office.
The agency said the decision is consistent with Interior Secretary’s Order 3418, which supports expanding domestic energy opportunities. The announcement did not say when new lease sales would begin or how much production could result.
San Luis Obispo County is also part of a separate BLM leasing review in central California, according to agency planning materials described in public notices.
