BLM Colorado to offer parcels in March oil and gas lease sale
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LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management today announced it will offer 26 parcels totaling approximately 30,548 acres in the March 26, 2020, quarterly oil and gas lease sale. The BLM will hold the lease sale online via www.energynet.com. Bidding will begin at 9 a.m. MST.
The BLM will offer parcels managed by the Kremmling Field Office in Jackson County and the Royal Gorge Field Office in Las Animas County. The environmental documents, parcel lists, maps, lease stipulations and other relevant information are available online at https://go.usa.gov/xdqHr.
“Oil and gas production from public lands is an important economic driver for communities across Colorado and the West,” said BLM Colorado State Director Jamie Connell. “Consistent with our mandate to promote sustainable multiple-use activities on BLM-managed lands, we’re proud to offer these parcels for lease at our upcoming March lease sale.”
In Fiscal Year 2018, oil and gas development on public lands managed by the BLM in Colorado contributed an estimated $6.9 billion to the economy. BLM Colorado leased 103 parcels totaling 67,980 acres for a total of $5,750,756 including rentals and fees. Statewide, approximately 30,600 jobs are tied to oil and gas development on BLM-managed public lands. The State of Colorado receives 48% of the proceeds from each lease sale, with the remainder going to the U.S. Government.
The BLM continues to work with the State of Colorado to ensure responsible energy development through thoughtful consideration of parcels nominated for leasing and potential resource impacts of decisions to lease in identified big game habitat. The March 2020 lease sale and future sales with parcels in Greater Sage-Grouse habitat will be offered consistent with the requirements under the 2015 GRSG Resource Management Plan amendment.
Lease sales support the agency’s multiple-use mission to manage public lands through environmentally responsible development. Online oil and gas lease sales streamline the bidding process and allow the BLM to serve the public better and faster. These lease sales strengthen domestic energy production and contribute to the country’s energy security.
Background
By statue, the BLM is required to offer quarterly oil and gas lease sales of available federal lands. BLM state offices conduct lease sales each quarter when parcels are available for lease. These lease sales represent parcels that cleared environmental review and public comment. The BLM issues both competitive and non-competitive leases for a ten-year period. The leases are a contract to explore and develop any potential oil and gas. The lease may be extended if the production is established on the lease, otherwise the lease will expire after the primary ten-year term.
The BLM generated a record $1.1 billion from 28 oil and gas lease sales in FY 2018. Revenues from onshore oil and gas production on federal lands directly fund the U.S. Treasury, state budgets and support public education, infrastructure improvements and other state-determined priorities.
Public comments
This sale notice initiates a 30-day public protest period, which ends Feb. 24, 2020. Protests must be submitted to the BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215. The Environmental Assessments, Determinations of NEPA Adequacy, parcel lists, maps, attached stipulations and instructions on how to file a protest are available online at https://go.usa.gov/xdqHr.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact these individuals during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to leave a message or question with these individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.
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.