For Immediate Release June 28, 2004
Contact: Steven Hall 970-244-3052
Steve Bennett: 970-947-2800

BLM initiates Environmental Assessment for EnCana’s Grass Mesa Geographic Area Proposal

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Glenwood Springs Field Office is initiating an environmental assessment (EA) for oil and gas leases in the Grass Mesa Geographic Area Proposal (GAP) submitted by EnCana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc.

The GAP is a development proposal that BLM requires operators to provide for federal oil and gas lease operations. The GAP will be used in planning the development of federal leases within the area, accounting for well locations, roads, and pipelines, as well as identifying cumulative environmental effects and appropriate mitigation.

The proposal is to drill 114 wells (80 federal and 34 private wells) in a 2-year period beginning in 2004. The wells will be drilled from two existing surface locations with 18 new proposed surface locations. Directional drilling will be used to bore the majority of the wells; pads will support from two to 10 wells.

The area proposed for development includes approximately 4065 acres of public lands and mineral estate administered by the BLM. The planning area is located on or around Grass Mesa, south of Rifle, Colorado and lies predominantly west of Garfield County Road 319. The following sections of federal surface and mineral estate are included in the planning area: Township 6 South, Range 93 West, Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35; Township 7 South, Range 93 West, Sections 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, Sixth Principal Meridian.

The BLM is requesting public input on the development proposal prior to completing the EA. To best facilitate BLM’s review, comments need to be received by July 26, 2004. Comments and questions should be directed to Jim Byers in the Glenwood Springs Field Office at jim_byers@blm.gov, telephone (970) 947-2804 or in writing to Field Manager, BLM Glenwood Springs Field Office, P.O. Box 1009, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602. Copies of the GAP further detailing the proposed oil and gas development are available for review at the BLM Glenwood Springs Field Office, 50629 Highway 6 & 24, Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

- BLM -