§ 556.26 - General.

(a) The Director, in consultation with appropriate Federal Agencies, shall recommend to the Secretary areas identified for environmental analysis and consideration for leasing. The Director, on his/her own motion, may include in the recommendation areas in which interest has not been indicated in response to a call. In making a recommendation, the Director shall consider all available environmental information, multiple-use conflicts, resource potential, industry interest and other relevant information. Comments received from States and local governments and interested parties in response to calls for information and nominations shall be considered in making recommendations. For supplemental sales provided for by §556.12 of this part, the Director's recommendation shall be replaced by a statement describing the results of the Director's consideration of the factors specified above in this section.

(b) The Director shall evaluate fully the potential effect of leasing on the human, marine and coastal environments, and develop measures to mitigate adverse impacts, including lease stipulations. The views and recommendations of Federal agencies, State agencies, local governments, organizations, industries and the general public shall be used as appropriate. The Director may hold public hearings on the environmental analysis after appropriate notice.

(c) In general, the Director shall seek to inform the public as soon as possible of additions or deletions that occur after the identification of areas.