(2018-0400-F) United States Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Natural Gas Leasing

The materials in FOIA 2018-0400-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. The Outer Continental Shelf [OSC] Lands Act was signed into law in 1953. Congress assigned the Secretary of the Interior to administer mineral exploration and development of the entire OCS. The Secretary is responsible for developing and executing a leasing plan for the OSC, “National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program”. The plan provides a schedule of oil and gas leases over a period of five years. The Act was amended in 1978 and it directed the Secretary of the Interior to develop oil and gas in a timely manner to help meet the energy needs of the nation. Through statutory moratorium, executive and legislative actions oil and gas leasing has been prohibited on most of the OCS since 1982. In 1990, President Bush issued a 10 year directive that protected all federal waters from offshore oil and natural gas activities until 2000. The five year OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program from the Department of the Interior protected the federal waters from 1997-2002. In 1998, President Clinton signed a memorandum that would protect the federal waters until 2012. The records responsive to this request consist of memoranda, emails, and drafts, regarding “Oil and Natural Gas Leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)” and “Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition.” The materials contain background information that was given to the President on the OCS and options for his approval.