BLM considers four alternatives:

Alt. A is the no-action alternative which considers the Coastal Plain in its current state;

Alt. B would offer the entire Coastal Plain for lease, under various lease provisions like no-surface occupancy or timing limitations;

Alt. C would also offer the entire Coastal Plain for leasing, but under a different configuration of lease terms and provisions than Alt. B; and Alt. D, which would offer more than 1 million acres for lease with two sub alternatives of lease restrictions that are presented as a way to address caribou use during the summer.

BLM states in the EIS that it will not select the no-action alternative due to the requirements of the Tax Act to hold two lease sales on the Coastal Plain. To see the documents, including maps, go to https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=dispatchToPatternPage&currentPageId=152110