For Immediate Release:  August 7, 2007      
Contact: Roxanne Falise 719-852-6247
Jaime Gardner 303-589-2795
Jim Sample 303-239-3861

BLM Defers Parcels in Conejos County for August Lease Sale

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has made a decision to defer nine parcels in Conejos County for its August 9, 2007 oil and gas lease sale, in order for further cooperation and public outreach with the County and the community.

Acting San Luis Valley Public Lands Center Manager Roxanne Falise said “we acknowledge that, with the lack of any Federal oil and gas leasing in Conejos County in recent years, the citizens and Board of County Commissioners would benefit from additional outreach and education on the
Federal oil and gas lease sale process. To facilitate this educational outreach, I have decided to defer the parcels from the August 2007 oil and gas lease sale.”

Falise cited the fact that the original decision to offer these proposed lease parcels in the August competitive oil and gas lease sale was not undertaken lightly.  Consistent with regular practice, BLM thoroughly analyzed the Resource Management Plan and documented that the planning decisions regarding oil and gas leasing are still valid in this area.

In the near future, BLM will work with Conejos County, as well as the local Congressional Delegation offices, to facilitate outreach meetings with the interested public.

The Bureau of Land Management manages 8.3 million acres in Colorado, as well as 27 million acres of federal sub-surface mineral estate.  Under the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The BLM accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, energy production and mineral development, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural and other resources on the public lands.

-BLM-