§1345 Coordination and Consultation with Affected State and Local Governments

Summary

State governors and leaders of local governments can send the Secretary suggestions about the size, timing, or location of a proposed lease sale, or about a proposed development and production plan. Local government leaders must first send their suggestions to the governor. Suggestions must be sent within 60 days after a notice of the proposed lease sale or after getting a development and production plan. The Secretary must accept a governor’s recommendations and may accept local leaders’ recommendations if, after consultation, the Secretary finds they reasonably balance the national interest (getting oil and gas supplies in a balanced way and following this subchapter’s goals) and the well‑being of the state’s people. The Secretary must explain in writing to the governor why he accepted or rejected recommendations or chose another option. That decision is final and cannot alone cancel a lease sale or plan in court under section 1349, unless the decision is found to be arbitrary or capricious. The Secretary may also make cooperative agreements with affected states to share information (see section 1352), use expertise together, help with permits, plan and review jointly, and set up joint monitoring for onshore and offshore Outer Continental Shelf operations.