For Immediate Release: December 5, 2007
Contact: Mel Lloyd BLM 970-244-3097
 

BLM issues decision on development near Vega Lake State Park

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—After two months of considering public comment and conducting additional review, the Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on an Environmental Assessment (EA) conducted for a gas well development proposed by Delta Petroleum Corporation of Denver, Colorado.  The Vega Unit, which contains private and federal leases dating back to 1967, is located about 13 miles east of Collbran, Colorado, and one mile east/southeast of Vega Reservoir. 

“This process is a great example that shows how the quality of comments is far more important than the quantity. We received very few comments from the public,” Field Manager Catherine Robertson said.  “But the few we did receive provided us with solid input that helped staff strengthen the EA and ultimately lessen resource impacts.”  

The project will impact a total of 26 acres; eight of those on public lands managed by the BLM and 18 acres on private lands.  Overall, surface disturbance on public lands has been reduced from the initial proposal to disturb 11.7 acres to a permitted disturbance area of about 6.5 acres, a reduction in resource impacts of nearly 50 percent.  To aid in reducing resource impacts, Delta will utilize closed-loop directional drilling to drill 27 wells from only three new well pads. 

Major stipulations, improvements, and protective measures added to the final EA are:
· Energy development on public lands will be regulated through an unprecedented number of comprehensive and restrictive Conditions of Approval (COAs). 
· A 5-acre, or 15 percent, reduction of the impact footprint.
· Use of a closed-loop drilling system; allowing for the reduction in pad disturbance, minimization of the surface footprint, elimination of a reserve pit, decreased use of fresh water, and reduction of heavy truck traffic to transport water and drilling fluids.
· Elimination of nearly a mile of access roadway, lessening wildlife habitat fragmentation, and cutting dust and the loss of vegetation.
· Pipelines will follow roadways on public lands managed by the BLM.

Delta Petroleum Corporation began drilling wells on private land in the Vega Unit two years ago.  Most of the proposed new wells are on private lands with private minerals that are not under the jurisdiction of BLM.  Impacts of these private wells were also analyzed in BLM’s EA so that cumulative impacts could be addressed.  The EA is available for review on the GJFO web site at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo.html, or at the GJFO located at 2815 H Road in Grand Junction. 

For more information, contact David Lehmann at (970) 244-3021, or Julia Christiansen at (970) 244-3093.

-BLM-