Union Pacific communication site authorized; Womack oil wells approved in Uintah County
Right-of-way authorization converted for Union Pacific communication site
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Price Field Office has approved the Union Pacific Pre-FLPMA Conversion Categorical Exclusion (DOI-BLM-UT-G020-2026-0053-CE) and issued a decision authorizing the continued operation of an existing Union Pacific microwave communications site in Carbon County, Utah.
The project converts existing right-of-way authorization UTU-027140 to a new authorization under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, allowing continued use of the existing facility with no new construction or surface disturbance. BLM determined the action qualifies for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act because it involves the conversion of an existing authorization without changes to facilities or operations.
Per 43 CFR 46.210(a)), Actions that have no environmental effect (e.g., personnel actions (43 CFR 46.210(a)), routine financial transactions (43 CFR 46.210(c)), mineral lease transfers (DOI NEPA Handbook Appendix 2, 11.9 (B)(2)), or transfers of rights-of-way from one agency to another (DOI NEPA Handbook Appendix. While actions of this nature are generally not documented through a publicly posted NEPA review, the BLM prepared and posted this Categorical Exclusion to promote transparency and public awareness of the decision-making process.
For additional information, please contact the BLM Price Field Office or visit the project ePlanning webpage: https://eplanning.blm.gov/documents/?id=5838668F-FCB1-F111-AAAC-001DD80812D0&spid=808d5769-f7ce-f111-a05a-001dd80bc90e
Uinta Wax Operating LLC authorized to drill Womack oil wells
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Vernal Field Office has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Womack Oil Wells: DOI-BLM-UT-G010-2026-0183-EA. The Responsible Official signed a decision record approving eight Applications for Permit to Drill authorizing Uinta Wax Operating LLC (the applicant) to horizontally drill oil wells from the Womack Well Pad to produce from an existing Indian Trust mineral lease. The EA also analyzed non-surface effects of expanding the well pad on private surface. The project location is on split-estate lands approximately ten linear miles east of Roosevelt, Utah, in Section 9, Township 3 South, Range 1 East, U.S.M in Uintah County.
The decision record can be found at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=9425845F-439B-F111-8077-001DD804183B.
For more information, please contact the Vernal Field Office at 435-781-4400.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.