How Your Comments Are Used

Public comments on the Draft Programmatic EIS (PEIS) were considered in preparation of the Final PEIS. Public scoping comments and information were used to help determine the scope of the PEIS and to identify issues of concern.

Public comments submitted on the Oil Shale and Tar Sands Draft PEIS were assessed and considered by BLM in preparation of the Final PEIS. BLM responded to comments by one or more of the means listed below, stating their response in the Final PEIS. Possible responses to comments included:

• Modification of alternatives, including the proposed action;
• Development and evaluation of alternatives not previously considered by the Agency;
• Supplementation, improvement, or modification of analyses in the PEIS;
• Making factual corrections to the PEIS.

The Draft PEIS was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2007 for a 90-day public review and comment period. The BLM received approximately 105,000 comments on the Draft, resulting in the addition of clarifying text to the Final PEIS, but no significant changes to the land use plan decisions proposed in the Draft.

How Public Scoping Comments Were Used

The public scoping comment period was the first (but not last) major public involvement opportunity for the Oil Shale and Tar Sands PEIS. Public scoping comments were taken into consideration to determine relevant issues that would influence the scope of the environmental analysis and the alternatives. These issues also guide the planning process.

Comment Consideration

Written and oral comments will be given equal weight, and the Agencies will consider all comments received or postmarked by January 31, 2006, in defining the scope of this PEIS. Comments received or postmarked after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.