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A parcel of land adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one step closer to being included in a federal oil and gas lease sale next year.

The Bureau of Land Management recommends including a 120-acre parcel in McKenzie County bordering the North Unit of the park in a lease sale scheduled for March 2018.

The federal agency has published an environmental assessment of leasing the federal minerals and is accepting public comments through Oct. 30.

During an earlier “scoping period,” conservationists raised concerns about the impact of more oil development outside the park's boundaries diminishing visitors’ experience.

The BLM said in a news release its recommendation of including the parcel in the lease sale is consistent with the "administration’s goals of promoting America’s energy independence" and also follows approved resources management plans.

In the environmental assessment, the BLM said including the parcel in the lease sale doesn’t necessarily mean the minerals would be developed. The BLM would do additional analysis if the agency received an application for permit to drill.