The Department of the Interior has announced that the lead federal agency responsible for overseeing decommissioning activities within the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will be the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).
The responsibility was transferred from the Department of Commerce to the Interior, underscoring the critical role BSEE plays in managing safe and environmentally sound offshore transitions.
The transfer followed extensive coordination between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, BSEE and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, ensuring a unified approach to decommissioning in the Sanctuary.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Adam Suess, said, “This is a strong example of interagency collaboration to streamline permitting and promote responsible energy development while honouring our commitment to environmental protection. By leveraging BSEE’s regulatory expertise, we can ensure that offshore decommissioning activities within the Sanctuary are conducted safely and efficiently.”
BSEE Principal Deputy Director, Kenneth Stevens, commented, “The announcement exemplifies our commitment to streamlining processes, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, and promoting energy production in alignment with strong environmental protections. Early coordination between NOAA and BSEE will ensure clarity and efficiency, establishing agreed-upon mitigation measures and providing a streamlined regulatory pathway for permittees.”
