BLM and Forest Service provide additional opportunity for comments on revised oil and gas development proposal northeast of Paonia, Colorado
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MONTROSE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Uncompahgre Field Office and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are seeking public comments on a revised oil and gas proposal about 12 miles northeast of Paonia.
Gunnison Energy has revised its North Fork Mancos Master Development Plan, which proposes drilling up to 35 oil and gas wells from five pads, to use a more common and effective hydraulic fracturing method.
The proposed wells would be on national forest system lands managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest Paonia Ranger District, and private land. Wells could produce up to 700 billion cubic feet of natural gas over the 30-year life of the project. The proposal estimates that approximately 122 workers would be employed during development of the wells, which would occur over four years.
“Gunnison Energy changed its proposal to use the slickwater method of hydraulic fracturing instead of the previously proposed nitrogen foam method. It is important for the public to have the opportunity to review the modified proposal and provide comments specific to the new aspects of this proposal,” said BLM Uncompahgre Field Manager Greg Larson. “If approved, this project has the potential to make additional energy reserves available for the American public while bringing additional jobs to our local communities.”
The State of Colorado receives 49 percent of revenues from leases issued on public lands in Colorado, which could result in up to $27 million in payments over the life of the project.
The proposal and preliminary environmental assessment can be viewed online at https://go.usa.gov/xQBaq. For comments to be considered, submissions must be received by April 1, 2019, via mail to the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652, via email to comments-rocky-mountain-gmug@
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should 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.
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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.