BLM Adopts Forest Service Oil and Gas Leasing Analysis for Fishlake National Forest
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah has decided to adopt the final environmental impact statement (EIS) and record of decision prepared by the U. S. Forest Service (Forest Service) for oil and gas leasing on lands administered by the Fishlake National Forest.The BLM and Forest Service have shared responsibilities with respect to the issuance and administration of oil and gas leases on National Forest System lands. The BLM is responsible for selling and issuing oil and gas leases on National Forest System lands but only exercises this authority with the consent of the Forest Service. The BLM cannot offer lands under the administration of the Fishlake National Forest for oil and gas leasing without the Forest Service first providing its consent to lease.Adopting the Forest Service leasing analysis and decision is not an authorization for the BLM to issue oil and gas leases on the Fishlake National Forest. By adopting the Forest Service final EIS and record of decision, the BLM can now use the Forest Service's analysis and determinations when making future decisions about lands proposed for oil and gas leasing on the Fishlake National Forest. The appeal period for the BLM-Utah record of decision is open until March 25, 2015. Instructions on filing an appeal are provided in the BLM record of decision, which can be accessed online at: http://www.blm.gov/ut. Hard copies of the BLM-Utah record of decision may also be obtained in person at the BLM-Utah State Office Public Room, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. The public room is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be reached at (801)539-4237.The USFS final EIS and record of decision for oil and gas leasing on lands administered by the Fishlake National Forest can be accessed online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/fishlake/landmanagement/projects Hard copies of the Forest Service final EIS and record of decision may be obtained at the Fishlake National Forest Supervisor's Office, 115 East 900 North, Richfield, Utah 84701. The Forest Supervisor's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at (435)896-9233.For additional information on BLM-administered oil and gas leasing in Utah, please contact Justin Abernathy at (801)539-4067. For additional information about oil and gas leasing on the Fishlake National Forest, contact John Zapell at (435)896-9233. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 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.