The Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) is planning to conduct an environmental impact survey (EIS) on the ocean areas 55 miles off the coast of northeast North Carolina. This survey is one of the first steps in preparation for selling leases in 2011 for future drilling. According to the MMS press release:

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has taken the first step in the multi-year leasing process to hold a sale for acreage offshore Virginia. The Call for Information and Interest/Nominations and Notice of Intent (Call/NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be published in the November 13^th Federal Register, beginning a 45-day public comment period…

“The EIS will evaluate environmental resources and potential impacts in this part of the mid-Atlantic, an area that has not held a lease sale since 1983,” said [MMS Director Randall] Luthi. “Throughout the scoping process for the EIS, Federal, state, and local governmental agencies, along with all other interested parties, have the opportunity to aid MMS in determining the significant issues and alternatives for analysis in the EIS we are preparing under NEPA.”

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