Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Portions of the United States Arctic Outer Continental Shelf From Mineral Leasing
Issued 2016-12-20 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama directed the Secretary of the Interior to permanently block new oil and gas leasing in large portions of the Arctic Ocean off Alaska's coast. Specifically, the withdrawal covers areas of the Chukchi Sea and most of the Beaufort Sea that were not already protected, preventing these ocean areas from being leased out for oil exploration, development, or production. The action was taken under authority granted by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
The memorandum cites several reasons for the withdrawal: the importance of these waters for marine mammals, other wildlife, and Alaska Native subsistence use; the vulnerability of these Arctic ecosystems to oil spills; and the unique challenges and risks of oil extraction and spill response in Arctic waters. The decision was based in part on a report from an Arctic task force chaired by the U.S. Coast Guard. The withdrawal has no specific end date, though it does not affect any existing oil and gas leases that companies already hold in these areas.
This action affects oil and gas companies that might otherwise seek to lease these federal offshore areas for drilling, as well as Alaska Native communities that depend on these waters for subsistence. Environmental groups and coastal communities concerned about oil spill risks are also impacted. The withdrawal represents a decision to prioritize conservation and the protection of Arctic ecosystems over potential oil and gas development in these challenging and ecologically sensitive waters.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This presidential memorandum ("Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Portions of the United States Arctic Outer Continental Shelf From Mineral Leasing") provides direction to executive branch agencies. The stated purpose: "The withdrawal directed by this memorandum prevents consideration of withdrawn areas for any mineral leasing for purposes of exploration, development, or production." Presidential memoranda function similarly to executive orders but are typically more narrow in scope, addressing specific agencies or implementation details. The President's authority to direct executive branch operations is grounded in Article II of the Constitution.
Memoranda are a routine administrative tool. They guide agencies on priorities, interpretation of statutes, and implementation procedures. As long as they operate within the bounds of existing law and respect congressional mandates, they are a standard exercise of presidential power that every modern administration has used.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Portions of the United States Arctic Outer Continental Shelf From Mineral Leasing December 20, 2016 Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior Subject: Withdrawal of Certain Portions of the United States Arctic Outer Continental Shelf from Mineral Leasing Consistent with principles of responsible public stewardship entrusted to this office, with due consideration of (1) the important, irreplaceable values of the Chukchi Sea and portions of the Beaufort Sea for marine mammals, other wildlife, wildlife habitat, scientific research, and Alaska Native subsistence use; (2) the vulnerability of these ecosystems to an oil spill; and (3) the unique logistical, operational, safety, and scientific challenges and risks of oil extraction and spill response in these Arctic waters, as described in the report of the Arctic Executive Steering Committee Task Force on oil spill response, chaired by the U.S. Coast Guard, I hereby direct as follows: Under the authority granted to me in section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1341(a), I hereby withdraw from disposition by leasing for a time period without specific expiration the following areas of the Outer Continental Shelf: (1) th