For Immediate Release June 16, 2004
Contact: Lynn Lewis 970-240-5305

Seismic testing proposed in Montrose County’s west end

Veritas DGC, a geophysical company, has submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Conduct Geophysical operations to the Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office. The Hamilton Creek 3D Project is located in Montrose and San Miguel counties in portions of T.44N., R.14 and 15 W. and T.45N, R.14 and 15W.

The proposed project is approximately two miles south of Redvale and east of Highway 141, encompassing about 24 square miles of private, federal and state lands. Those portions of the project occurring on private and state lands are not subject to BLM authorization and would be permitted separately by Veritas.

The proposed project would be single shot holes drilled at each source point utilizing truck, buggy mounted or heliportable drills, with approximately 48 shot points per square mile. Shot hole plugging will conform to Colorado regulations. The project is scheduled to take place in 2004 and would last for approximately one month.

BLM is in the process of preparing an environmental analysis. For further information or if you are interested in participating in the process and have concerns, issues or alternatives you would like addressed, please respond with your written comments by June 30, 2003. Send comments to Lynn Lewis, Uncompahgre Field Office, 2505 South Townsend, Montrose, CO 81401. If you have questions, please contact Lewis at 970-240-5305.

- BLM -