BLM and Forest Service Seek Public Comments on the Fourth Edition of the Gold Book

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS) have released a draft updated version of the Gold Book for public review and comments. The official title of the updated fourth edition is Surface Operating Standards for Oil and Gas Development. The revised edition introduces best business practices (BBPs) to help further improve the processing of Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) and environmental best management practices (BMPs) designed to reduce the environmental impacts of energy exploration and production. The public will have (30 days) until July 10, 2005, to comment on the draft. The Gold Book outlines procedures for conducting oil and gas operations on BLM- and USFS-managed lands and split-estate lands. The most recent update of the book was more than 15 years ago. The revised version will include updated drawings, photographs, tables, references, policy, orders and regulations. Copies of the draft Gold Book and instructions for providing comments can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/bmp/ Following the public review and comment period, an interagency team will review submissions and incorporate appropriate changes in the final Fourth Edition. The final version will be available on the Internet prior to being printed....

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