BLM seeks public comment on oil and gas development proposal west of Rifle
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SILT, Colo. – As part of the Administration’s priority to make America safe through energy independence, the Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on an oil and gas development plan about nine miles west of Rifle.
Under its Balzac Gulch Phase 2 Master Development Plan, Terra Rocky Mountain LLC proposes to drill up to 63 new oil and gas wells directionally from four new well pads over the next two years. Terra estimates the project would allow for production of nearly 120 billion cubic feet of natural gas over 40 years.
Before the Colorado River Valley Field Office begins developing an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposal, it wants to hear any issues or concerns the public wants to see addressed in the EA.
“The BLM supports working landscapes that create jobs and help Western Slope communities grow. We manage public lands for the benefit of current and future generations, and we welcome diverse views,” said Acting BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Gloria Tibbetts.
Oil and gas development on BLM-managed lands and minerals in Colorado contributed $2.9 billion to the economy and supported 13,620 jobs in fiscal year 2016.
The Master Development Plan and associated maps are available at https://go.usa.gov/xnp44.
“Master Development Plans allow us to take a broad, multi-year look at proposed oil and gas development to better understand and mitigate potential impacts as well as streamline drilling permit approval,” Tibbetts said.
Comments need to be received by Feb. 8, 2018. Written comments and questions should be directed to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Balzac MDP Phase 2, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652 or via email to blm_co_si_mail@blm.gov.
The phase 2 project area is contained within the same boundaries as the Balzac Gulch Phase 1 MDP, which was approved in September 2017 and includes 66 federal wells to be drilled from three existing well pads.
Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
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.