For Immediate Release: May 13, 2003

BLM Seeking Public Input on Two Carbon Dioxide Wells
Proposed in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

The Bureau of Land Management is asking for public comments on a proposal by Kinder Morgan Company to drill two new carbon dioxide gas wells on BLM lands in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument west of Cortez.

One well would be drilled in the Hovenweep area and the other in the Yellow Jacket area. The wells would be drilled to more than 8,200 feet deep, targeting the Leadville Formation. As proposed, each well pad would be about six acres in size, with another acre of associated access roads and pipelines. The pipelines would be constructed within the road easements and would tie into existing gathering pipelines adjacent to each well site. Total surface disturbance would be about seven acres. If the wells were unproductive, they would be abandoned and reclaimed according to BLM specifications.

The EA addresses potential impacts of all activities associated with the proposal on natural and cultural resources within the Monument, including construction, operation, reclamation and abandonment of the wells. Applications for Permit to Drill are not approved until after the Decision Record is filed with the EA.

About 85% of CANM is leased for oil and gas resources. About 272 billion cubic feet of CO2 was produced in CANM in 2000, resulting in $8.6 million in royalties to the Federal Government and $4.3 million to the State of Colorado. Development on existing leases is allowed, subject to valid and existing rights, when those activities do not create new impacts that would interfere with proper care and management of the objects protected by the Monument Proclamation.

Hard copies of the EA are available at the Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323, and the San Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301.

The EA is also available on the Web at http://www.co.blm.gov/sjra/index.html and http://www.co.blm.gov/canm/CO-SJPLC-03-042.pdf

The BLM will be accepting public comment until Thursday, June 12, 2003. Written comments should be sent to Manager, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, c/o Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323.