Decision issued on South Shale Ridge EA

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office announced yesterday its decision to resume oil and gas leasing activity in the South Shale Ridge area near De Beque. An Environmental Assessment was recently completed in which the majority of public comment received by the BLM supported leasing. The Decision Record will be available for public review at the BLM Grand Junction Field Office.

“Resuming oil and gas leasing and the continued development of oil and gas resources is an appropriate use of these lands. This area currently has oil and gas development and BLM will continue leasing in the area,” BLM Grand Junction Field Manager Catherine Robertson said. “BLM recognizes the remote nature and special qualities of South Shale Ridge and has identified a number of mitigation measures to protect these values, such as visual mitigations to preserve scenic landscapes, prohibiting occupancy on steep slopes, and protecting key biological resources.”

The Piceance Basin, in which South Shale Ridge is located, is estimated to hold trillions of cubic feet of untapped natural gas. The area already has some existing oil and gas development, which includes 13 producing wells. The leasing decision made by the BLM is consistent with the Resource Management Plan for this area, which has been amended 12 times and updated over 40 times since its signing.

Under regulation 43 CFR 3120.1-3, the public may protest the inclusion of any parcel listed in the November 11, 2005 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale Notice. The BLM Colorado State Office must receive the protest by 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2005. For further details, please visit http://www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/state_info/og_lease_sales.htm

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