U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
| Contacts: | Zane Fulbright (406) 538-1900 |
BLM Authorizes Pipeline in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
Lewistown, Mont. – The Bureau of Land Management has released the final environmental assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact/Decision Record (FONSI/DR) analyzing a proposed natural gas pipeline within the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.
The 5.4 mile natural gas pipeline is within the road prism of the Ervin Ridge Road on the north side of the Missouri River in Blaine County.
Our decision to authorize the pipeline installation on right-of-way grant MTM-99446 and Lease MTM 13821A will allow for natural gas production and development of a federal lease in compliance with federal law and BLM regulations. The terms and conditions applied to this authorization and approval will ensure that surface resources are protected. Our decision is consistent with BLM policy to direct and control the use of rights-of-way on public lands in a manner that protects human safety and the natural resources on both public and adjacent lands.
Copies of the EA are available at the BLM offices in Great Falls and Lewistown and can also be found online at: http://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/umrbnm/grazingaltsandassessmts.html
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. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. 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.
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument 701 7th Street Fort Benton, MT 59442