2016-22211. Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 247; MMAA104000

AGENCY:

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Central Planning Area Lease Sale 247.

SUMMARY:

BOEM announces the availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale (NOS) for the proposed Central Planning Area (CPA) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 247 (CPA Sale 247). This Notice is published pursuant to 30 CFR 556.304(c) as a matter of information to the public. With regard to oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the Interior, pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356a), provides affected states with the opportunity to review the Proposed NOS. The Proposed NOS sets forth the proposed terms and conditions of the sale, including minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates.

DATES:

Affected states may comment on the size, timing, and location of proposed CPA Sale 247 within 60 days following receipt of the Proposed NOS. The Final NOS will be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior to the date of the bid opening. Bid opening is currently scheduled for March 22, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Diamond, Chief, Leasing Division, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Proposed NOS for CPA 247 and Proposed NOS package containing information essential to potential bidders may be obtained from the Public Information Unit, Gulf of Mexico Region, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Telephone: [phone]. The Proposed NOS and Proposed NOS package are also available on BOEM's Web site at http://www.boem.gov/​Sale-247/​.

Dated: September 8, 2016.

Abigail Ross Hopper,

Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.