| Contacts: | David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 876-9008 |
BLM hosts White River Oil and Gas Amendment meetings this week (09-24-12)
MEEKER, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is hosting a series of public open house meetings throughout the region this week to provide information, answer questions, and take written public comment on a plan that will help guide the future management of oil and natural gas development in northwestern Colorado’s Piceance Basin, a place rich in both energy and wildlife resources.
The BLM’s White River Field Office in Meeker recently released for public review and comment a draft plan outlining multiple alternatives for managing the expected increase in oil and natural gas development on the 1.7 million acres of leasable federal mineral resources it manages in Rio Blanco County, southern Moffat County, and a very small part of northern Garfield County.
“Public comment on these alternatives will play a large role in what we ultimately decide, so I encourage people to attend one of these meeting and take a look at the plan,” said BLM White River Field Manager Kent Walter.
The BLM will host four public open houses to answer questions and provide an opportunity to submit written comments on this Draft RMP Amendment. The public can stop by anytime between 4-7 p.m. at the following locations (a brief presentation will be given at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.):
• Sept. 24, Meeker, Colorado: Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds, 779 Sulphur Creek Road
• Sept 25, Rangely, Colorado: Colorado Northwestern Community College, Rangely Campus, Weiss Building, 500 Kennedy Drive
• Sept. 26, Silt, Colorado: BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road
• Sept. 27, Grand Junction, Colorado: Clarion Inn, 755 Horizon Drive
The majority of acreage within the White River Field Office is already leased for oil and gas development. This plan proposes a number of possible mitigation measures, including an incentive-based approach that recognizes the valid existing rights of leaseholders while minimizing impacts to wildlife and other sensitive resources.
“Specific comments are the most effective,” Walter said. “Tell us what you like and don’t like in each alternative, and why. Is there important information we have not considered? Let us know.”
The Draft Plan projects as much as 878 million cubic feet of natural gas could be produced annually, resulting in as many as 8,000 new jobs being created in the region.
BLM will accept public comments on the draft through Dec. 14, 2012. Copies of the draft and information about how to comment are available at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/wrfo.html
Before including address, phone number, e-mail address, or any other personal identifying information in your comments, be advised that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.
220 E. Market Meeker, CO 81641