National Forest and Grasslands in Texas to hold public meeting to discuss oil and gas leasing availability

Decatur, Texas -- The USDA Forest Service, National Forest and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT), is beginning the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze and disclose the effects of identifying NFGT lands administratively available for oil and gas leasing. The proposed action will identify lands available for leasing, leasing stipulations, and necessary amendments to the 1996 NFGT Forest Plan.

Scoping is a process used to identity issues of importance to the public. Scoping begins with the publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the EIS in the Federal Register. The NOI, which was published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2019, has a public comment period of 45 days. Public comments are analyzed to develop alternatives addressing issues raised by the public.

"We will be holding an open house at our office on Tuesday September 24, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. followed by a public meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Decatur Conference Center," said Marc Pons, Acting District Ranger for the Caddo-LBJ Grasslands. "We are extending our invitation to all the public in the area to come visit our office and participate in the public meeting. The public’s input is very important to us, and we are excited to have the opportunity to meet with them."

The Caddo-LBJ Grasslands office is located at 1400 Hwy 287, Decatur TX 76234.