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Vernal, Utah—In keeping with the Administration’s goals of American’s Energy independence and strengthening local communities, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Vernal and Price Field Offices continue to support energy exploration efforts here in Utah.  The BLM is seeking public comments on two separate environmental assessments (EAs) analyzing BLM proposals to offer parcels in northeastern Utah for competitive oil and gas leasing.  The final analyses, including your comments, will be used to develop a list of parcels to be leased at auction, and identify resource protection measures for the parcels. 

BLM welcomes and values diverse views.  Maps, photos, and additional information about the two projects and proposed parcels are included in the EAs, which are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website.

The two projects are as follows:

1. Vernal December 2017 Oil and Gas Lease Sale (https://go.usa.gov/xN9Gu):

The EA analyzes 64 parcels comprising 66,626 acres within Duchesne and Uintah counties, including approximately 2,080 acres of split-estate land.  Air quality, cultural resources, lands with wilderness character, special status plants and animals, wildlife (including Greater Sage Grouse), and visuals are some of the key resources analyzed in detail.  Comments may be submitted online, emailed, faxed, or mailed using the addresses below and referencing “December 2017 Oil and Gas Lease Sale” in your subject line.

• Online through the BLM ePlanning project page 
• E-mail: UT_Vernal_Comments@blm.gov
• Mail: 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078
• Fax: (435) 781-4410

2. Price December 2017 Oil and Gas Lease Sale (https://go.usa.gov/xNwVK)

The EA analyzes 15 parcels comprising 32,013 acres within Emery County, Utah, primarily southeast of town of Ferron, Utah.  Air quality, cultural resources, lands with wilderness character, special status species plants and animals, wildlife, recreation, and visuals are some of the key resources analyzed in detail.  Comments may be submitted online, emailed, or mailed using the addresses below and referencing “December 2017 Oil and Gas Lease Sale” in your subject line.

• Online through the BLM ePlanning project page
• E-mail: BLM_UT_PR_MAIL@blm.gov
• Mail: 125 South 600 West, Price, Utah 84501

The public review and comment periods for both projects close at 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2017.  Comments are most useful when they identify issues relevant to the proposed action or contain new technical or scientific information.  Comments that contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response, but may be considered in the BLM decision-making process. 

Commenters should be aware that their entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time.  Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. 

BLM anticipates issuing the Notice of Competitive Lease Sale, which lists parcels available for leasing, on August 31, 2017.  The competitive online auction is tentatively scheduled for December 11, 2017.

To learn more about BLM’s oil and gas program, visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/oil-and-gas.  For more information about BLM-Utah oil and gas lease sales, visit:  http://go.usa.gov/xXk8ch.

For further oil and gas lease information, contact Sheri Wysong at (801) 539-4067.  Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for Wysong.  The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The BLM will reply during normal business hours.