| Contacts: | Erin Curtis, Public Information Officer, (970) 244-3097 |
Federal Agencies to Consider Geothermal Leases Near Gunnison
Gunnison, Colo. -- The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and the BLM Gunnison Field Office will hold a workshop and open house next week to provide information and gather public input on proposals to lease lands near Waunita Hot Springs for geothermal energy development.
Two blocks of land were nominated for lease by renewable energy companies. They include nearly 9,000 acres of mostly public land (BLM and NFS) in southeastern Gunnison County near Tomichi Dome and the Waunita Hot Springs.
The workshop and open house on March 11 at Western State College, 909 E. Escalante Dr., Gunnison, Colo. 81230, will provide information about geothermal energy development and the potential for geothermal leasing in the area. It will start at 5 p.m. with an information session about geothermal resources and renewable energy production. An open house will follow allowing members of the public to ask questions of agency officials and share information about potential impacts that can inform environmental analyses of the lease proposals.
Both the BLM and the FS will analyze the environmental effects of leasing the land for geothermal development (and surface occupancy) to determine if such leases can or should go forward under existing land use plans. All of the nominated lands are within occupied Gunnison sage-grouse habitat, and conservation measures may be required to adequately conserve the habitat, including leks in and near the nominated areas. The Gunnison sage-grouse is currently being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. About 200 acres of the nominated lands are also seasonal habitat for the Canada lynx.
“This is a unique opportunity to explore the opportunities presented by geothermal renewable energy while ensuring the protection of important natural resources,” said Brian St. George, manager of the BLM Gunnison Field Office. “Given the unique situation with Gunnison sage-grouse and other wildlife species, it’s especially important that we hear from the public as we consider these lease proposals and whether or not geothermal leasing is appropriate in this area.”
Nominated land includes about 4,586 acres of public lands and 400 acres of private land with federal minerals underneath. The second block includes about 3,765 acres of U.S. Forest Service lands.
This is the first time lands have been nominated for geothermal lease in the Gunnison Basin in 35 years. The last geothermal leases were applied for in 1974 and were for National Forest System lands near the Waunita Hot Springs. Mobil Oil Corporation was the applicant, and the company withdrew its applications in 1991. Currently, no public lands in Colorado are leased for geothermal energy development.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. 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 Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
216 North Colorado Gunnison, CO 81230