For Immediate Release:  December 27, 2002
Contacts: Helen Mary Johnson BLM 970-385-1359

Comment period for proposed exploratory gas wells in North Fork Valley

DENVER–The Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests and the Bureau of Land Management-Uncompahgre Field Office in Montrose (BLM) are opening a comment period to gather public input on a proposal from Gunnison Energy Corporation (GEC) to drill eight exploration gas wells in the North Fork Valley. The drilling is proposed on existing federal oil and gas leases.

GEC submitted Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) to the federal agencies for two wells northeast of Cedaredge, four wells northeast of Paonia, and two wells northeast of Somerset. Six of the proposed wells are on National Forest land, and the two proposed wells near Somerset are on BLM lands. The exploratory drilling program is intended to gather information about the extent and distribution of natural gas resources on the federal leases, and to perform tests on each well to assess the economic viability of future production. The proposed drilling would target potential gas producing zones in the sandstones and coals present in the Mesa Verde Formation.

The agencies will prepare an environmental analysis on the proposed drilling, and invite the public to comment on the project. Written comments may be submitted to the Paonia Ranger District, ATTN: GEC Drilling Proposal, P.O. Box 1030, Paonia, CO 81428. Written comments must be received by January 31, 2003. Additional information about the project may be obtained by contacting Liane Mattson, Project Manager (970-527-4131); Lynn Lewis, BLM Uncompahgre Field Office (970-240-5305); or Helen Mary Johnson, BLM San Juan Public Lands Center (970-385-1359).

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages more land-262 million surface acres-than any other Federal agency. Most of the country's BLM-managed public land is located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, which has a budget of $1.8 billion and a workforce of 10,000 employees, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the Nation. The BLM's "multiple use" mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The BLM accomplishes this by managing for such resources as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, and energy and mineral development that helps meet the nation's energy needs, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.

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