Alaska index (December 1980 - November 1981)

In an effort to develop the oil and gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), the United States currently conducts a leasing program for these resources. The Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI) has been designated by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 (43 U.S.C. 1331-1343), as amended by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1801-1866), to manage and regulate many of the activities that relate to the leasing, exploration, development, and production of the OCS mineral resources. Many of the Secretary's responsibilities have been delegated to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Minerals Management Service (MMS). Responsibilities of the Minerals Management Service were formerly delegated to the Conservation Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).