FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2003

CO2 Wells Approved for Canyon of the Ancients National Monument

Environmental Assessment | Decision Record

The San Juan Public Lands Center has approved construction of two new carbon dioxide wells on BLM lands in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument west of Cortez.

One well will be drilled in the Hovenweep area, and the other in the Yellow Jacket area to a depth of more than 8,200 feet deep, targeting the Leadville Formation. Each pad will be about six acres in size, with another acre of associated access roads and pipelines. Pipelines will be constructed within the road easements and would tie into existing gathering pipelines adjacent to each well site. If the wells are unproductive, they will be abandoned and reclaimed, according to BLM specifications.

An Environment Assessment and Decision Record address potential impacts of construction, operation, reclamation and abandonment of the wells to natural and cultural resources. Applications for Permit to Drill were approved after the Decision Record was signed.

About 85% of CANM is leased for oil and gas resources. About 272 billion cubic feet of CO2 was produced in CANM in 2000, resulting in $8.6 million in royalties to the Federal Government and $4.3 million to the State of Colorado. Development on existing leases is allowed, subject to valid and existing rights, when those activities do not create new impacts that would interfere with proper care and management of the objects protected by the Monument Proclamation.

The Environmental Assessment and Decision Record may be viewed on the Web at:
http://www.co.blm.gov/canm
http://www.co.blm.gov/sjra

Hard copies are available at the Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323, and San Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301.

For more information, please contact Loren Wickstrom, 970 385-1373.

-BLM-