The Wyoming Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on whether it is appropriate to keep the Heart Mountain War Relocation Center area northwest of Cody open to oil and gas leasing.

Leasing federal minerals conveys the right to develop those minerals, though not all leases are developed.

The BLM Cody Field Office issued a public "scoping" statement last week announcing its intention to conduct an environmental assessment regarding the issue. The action opened a public comment period that ends Jan. 13.

The Heart Mountain War Relocation Center area is currently under nomination for national historic landmark designation. For several years, federal oil and gas leases have been allowed to expire in the area, but three leases remain totaling 1,287 acres. Those are set to expire in the next three years, according to the Cody Field Office.

So far, there are no proposals to develop the remaining leases. The leases are held by Windsor Wyoming LLC, Discovery Exploration and Casper-based Kirkwood Oil & Gas, among others.

Federal land managers must consider the implications that oil and gas development might have on cultural and historic resources, air, water, soil, agricultural activities and other existing uses.

Comments should be sent to the BLM Cody Field Office, Att: David Seward, P.O. Box 518, Cody, 82414, or e-mail comments to cody_wymail@blm.gov.