BILLINGS, Mont. -The BLM has opened a 15-day public scoping period for nominated oil and gas lease parcels located in North Dakota and Montana, according to a news release.

The scoping period began Wednesday, July 10, and runs through July 25, July 10-25. It is intended to solicit public input on nominated lease parcels for the December lease sale, including the preliminary recommendations and stipulations.

Parcels nominated for inclusion on the December sale are located in Burke, Divide and Williams counties in North Dakota and Powder River and Richland counties in Montana.

Updated information on the sale and information on how to submit electronic comments is available on the BLM ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xyTep. Comments can also be mailed to the Bureau of Land Management, Division of Oil and Gas, Attn: Tessa Wallace, 1220 38th Street North, Great Falls, MT 59405.