BLM seeks public comment on oil and gas development proposal west of Rifle
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SILT, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seeks public comment on an oil and gas development plan about nine miles west of Rifle.
Under its Balzac Gulch Master Development Plan, Terra Rocky Mountain LLC proposes to drill up to 66 new oil and gas wells directionally from three existing pads over the next two years. Terra estimates the project would allow for production of up to 120 billion cubic feet of natural gas over 40 years.
Before the Colorado River Valley Field Office begins developing an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposal, it wants to hear any issues or concerns the public wants to see addressed in the EA.
“The BLM takes a broad, multi-year look at potential oil and gas development through Master Development Plans to better understand and mitigate potential impacts as well as streamline drilling permit approval,” said Acting Colorado River Valley Field Manager Gloria Tibbetts. “Oil and gas development on public lands and minerals in the Colorado River Valley Field Office supports a working landscape that creates jobs and helps Western Slope communities grow.”
Oil and gas development on BLM-managed lands and minerals in Colorado contributed $3.5 billion to the economy and supported 13,401 jobs in fiscal year 2015.
The Master Development Plan and associated maps are available at http://bit.ly/2qZZGDC.
Comments need to be received by July 10, 2017. Written comments and questions should be directed to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Balzac MDP, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652 or via email to blm_co_si_mail@blm.gov.
Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, 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 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.