Public Comments Requested on Coal Bed Natural Gas Projects Applications for Permit to Drill and Plans of DevelopmentThe BLM is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). This document will supplement the Final EIS completed in 2003 by analyzing phased development of coal bed natural gas in the Montana portion of the Powder River Basin. The SEIS will also include information and subsequent analysis that was not available during preparation of the 2003 EIS. During preparation of the SEIS, companies can submit APDs and Plans of Development (PODs) for coal bed natural gas projects. BLM will review these APDs and PODs, initiate the environmental analysis, or complete the analysis and make a decision on the APDs or PODs in accordance with applicable Court Orders and existing NEPA documents. BLM will initiate the environmental analysis for APDs and PODs that can not be approved until after the Record of Decision is signed for the SEIS. The Miles City Field Office has received two PODs that have been reviewed and is in the process of preparing an environmental document in accordance with the guidelines under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) prior to making a decision on these proposed actions. We invite the public to provide comments on the following proposed projects. Any comments received will be considered in the preparation of NEPA document. Please feel free to contact the individual identified next to the proposed action or to submit written comments to the Bureau of Land Management, Miles City Field Office, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT 59301-0940. Fidelity Exploration and Production Company Pond Creek Project (Development) Contact: Shane Findlay e-mail or (406) 233-3644 Fidelity Exploration and Production Company submitted a project proposal to the BLM on February 2, 2005. The proposal includes the drilling and producing of an additional 78 CBNG wells and the constructing and installing of the associated infrastructure in the Pond Creek area of the CX Field. The Pond Creek area is adjacent to the producing Dry Creek area of the CX Field. The proposal includes drilling and producing 55 new federal wells and 23 new private wells at 40 well sites along with placing two previously drilled federal and 11 private wells on production. For specific locations on these wells, refer to the pending APD oil and gas website. To access the NEPA log click here. Fidelity Exploration and Production Company Deer Creek North Project (Development) Contact: Shane Findlay e-mail or (406) 233-3644 Fidelity Exploration and Production Company submitted a project proposal to the BLM on January 31, 2005. The proposal includes the drilling and producing of an additional 170 CBNG wells and the constructing and installing of the associated infrastructure in the Deer Creek area of the CX Field. The Deer Creek North area is adjacent to the Coal Creek area of the CX Field. The proposal includes drilling and producing 71 new federal wells and 99 new private wells at 50 well sites along with placing four previously drilled private wells on production. For specific locations on these wells, refer to the pending APD oil and gas website. To access the NEPA log click here. The environmental assessment is available for public comment. Comments are due by August 27, 2008. |