Developing Alaska's Energy Resources: Actions Needed To Stimulate Research and Improve Wetlands Permit Processing
EMD-82-44
Published: Jun 17, 1982. Publicly Released: Jun 17, 1982.
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Highlights
To determine if federal agencies are advancing environmentally sound approaches to energy exploration and development, GAO evaluated: (1) the results of oil- and gas-related experience on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, the only federal land in Alaska where significant production has occurred; (2) the measures used in Alaska to prohibit exploratory drilling during certain months of the year and to control drilling waste disposal; (3) the adequacy of research to lessen the impacts of energy development; and (4) wetlands permitting, which is of crucial importance to energy development on all Alaskan lands.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should provide for three critical elements: coordination, prioritization, and sources of funding for research to evaluate the impacts of energy development in the Arctic. |
Closed – Implemented
|
S.373 was approved by the President on July 31, 1984 (P.L. 98-373). |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should utilize existing research findings and site-specific data to the maximum extent possible and, after a source of further funding is worked out, direct and use additional site-specific research in the application of stipulations to future Alaskan energy projects. This should include using such data as a basis for determining whether the seasonal drilling restriction should be continued as a general stipulation for individual tracts. |
Closed – Implemented
Interior has provided documentation of several projects in which it is gathering information that will enable site-specific stipulations. Interior also cited interagency coordination mandated by P.L. 98-373 as an aid in collecting the data. Actual verification by GAO will require future audit work.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should only grant the State of Alaska extensions to the public comment period when they are adequately justified and use research findings and site-specific data to the maximum extent possible in determining the need for proposed stipulations in future permits. |
Closed – Implemented
The Corps of Engineers has revised its regulations reducing the length of extensions it will grant from 75 to 30 days, which should, to a large degree, implement this recommendation. Audit work from Alaska would be required to further substantiate this situation.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should require that federal agencies support the need for proposed permit stipulations to the maximum extent possible with site-specific data and relevant research findings. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should direct the Chief of Engineers to have the Corps' Alaska District management periodically summarize the time required to issue public notices and enforce the 15-day timeframe established by law. |
Closed – Not Implemented
A change in agency procedures effectively eliminates the public notice recommendation.
|
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Topics
Cost analysisEnergy researchEnergy developmentEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental policiesLicensesMineral bearing landsOil resourcesPolicy evaluationPublic landsWetlands