BLM evaluating oil and gas leasing proposals
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LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public scoping comments on offering 23 parcels totaling approximately 13,792 acres of federal oil and gas leases on public lands managed by the Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, Kremmling, Little Snake, Royal Gorge and White River field offices in the upcoming March 2019 competitive oil and gas lease sale.
Before beginning an environmental analysis, the BLM wants to hear from the public about issues that should be considered. The public scoping period starts today, Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 16.
“Hearing from the public is critical in helping us evaluate the parcels and the most effective comments will address issues specific to the parcels being considered,” said BLM Colorado State Director Greg Shoop.
The parcels under consideration include 40 acres in the Colorado River Valley Field Office; 1,277 acres in the Grand Junction Field Office; 1,020 acres in the Kremmling Field Office; 2,555 acres in the Little Snake Field Office; 602 acres in the Royal Gorge Field Office; and 8,298 acres in the White River Field Office.
Maps, parcel lists, lease stipulations, instructions for submitting comments and local contact information are available at https://go.usa.gov/xPB8s.
Comments must be submitted through BLM’s e-planning website, https://go.usa.gov/xPB8s, and need to be received by October 16, 2018.
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.
The State of Colorado receives 49 percent of proceeds from each lease sale, with the remainder going to the U.S. government. In Fiscal Year 2016, Colorado received about $144 million from royalties, rentals and bonus bid payments for oil and gas development on public lands. Statewide, more than 22,900 jobs are tied to mineral and energy development on public lands.
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.