Forest Service, BLM seek comments on pipeline proposal south of Rifle
RIFLE, Colo. (Dec. 4, 2024) – The White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office seek public comments on the West Mamm Creek Pipeline Project Draft Environmental Assessment, which analyzes a proposal for approximately seven miles of new natural gas and produced water pipelines south of Rifle.
TEP Rocky Mountain LLC and Grand River Gathering LLC proposed West Mamm Creek Pipeline Project would deliver produced water into an existing water management system, and collect and deliver natural gas into a pipeline system for delivery to national markets. The proposed pipelines would significantly reduce current and anticipated truck traffic in the area.
The pipelines would cross 2.9 miles of National Forest System lands, 2.1 miles of BLM-administered lands, and 2.1 miles of private lands. The pipelines require rights-of-ways from the BLM and a special use permit from the Forest Service for the sections crossing NFS lands.
While no new oil and gas development is included in this proposal, the pipeline system could facilitate new development, which is broadly analyzed in the draft environmental assessment. Any future oil and gas development proposals on federal land or minerals would be analyzed through a separate process that would include public comment.
More information, including maps and how to comment, is available at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025023/510. Comments need to be received by Jan. 3, 2025.
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.