Securing Coastal Wetlands for Generations to Come

Print PDFState of Louisiana
December 2006

In a landmark case with implications for all future U.S. offshore minerals leases, Van Ness Feldman negotiated a settlement between the State of Louisiana and the U.S. Department of the Interior regarding environmental assessments necessary before such leases can proceed.

The lease sale at issue in the settlement encompasses about 20.4 million acres in the western Gulf of Mexico that could result in the production of 136 million to 262 million barrels of oil and 0.81 trillion to 1.44 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.  

Van Ness Feldman partner Sam Kalen led the team that counseled the State Governor’s office.