DeFazio, Dingell, and McCollum Letter Seeking Extention of Public Comment Period for BLM's Greater Mooses Tooth Draft SEIS

Mr. Neil Kornze
Principal Deputy Director
Bureau of Land Management
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240

Dear Mr. Kornze,

We are writing to respectfully request that the public comment period for the Bureau of Land Management’s Greater Mooses Tooth 1 (GMT-1) Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Draft SEIS) be extended by thirty days. The significance of the proposed project, which would be the first commercial oil development on federal land within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) and a potential model for development throughout the region, warrants providing additional time to ensure that public input is maximized and the cumulative impacts of this proposed development are fully understood.

We believe it is essential for the diverse array of stakeholders that depend upon or care about the fragile ecosystem of the North Slope to be given adequate time to fully understand and analyze the potential effects of the GMT-1 project. The proposed development is located in the wildlife rich northeastern corner of the NPR-A, in close proximity to both the Teshekpuk Lake and Colville Rivers Special Areas–areas set aside for their outstanding ecological and subsistence values. The GMT project area also overlaps with habitat critical for migratory birds, numerous aquatic species, and the Teshekpuk Lake Caribou herd, among others. In addition, the method in which GMT-1 is developed will have a significant impact on how future projects in the NPR-A are developed, making it even more important to ensure that this project is fully analyzed with a specific focus on downstream impacts.

Given the importance of this project, we believe that a ninety-day comment period is warranted. We appreciate your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

John Dingell Peter DeFazio Betty McCollum

Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress

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