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SALT LAKE CITY — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer 23 parcels, totaling approximately 27,387.86 acres, at the oil and gas lease sale during the week of September 28. The parcels are located in Juab, Sanpete, Sevier, Emery, Duchesne and Uintah counties on lands managed by the BLM’s Richfield, Vernal, Price and Fillmore Field Offices. At this time, the BLM will not offer parcels for sale located within Grand or San Juan counties managed by the Moab Field Office.

“Understanding the nature of the proposed parcels, as well as gathering input from local communities, partners and the public are a priority for me as the new State Director for BLM Utah,” said State Director Greg Sheehan. “The BLM supports the recreation and tourism industry as an important source of revenue in Utah, while also responsibly leasing and supporting our nation’s energy independence.”

The BLM contributes to state and local jobs and revenues by providing opportunities for oil and gas leasing and recreation and plays an important role in supporting a vital economy in Utah. The remaining parcels, if sold, will support well-paying energy industry jobs which contribute to revenues for Utah’s schools and infrastructure projects. In fiscal year 2019, the State of Utah received $47,191,791 from oil and gas revenues on federal lands.

The BLM will hold the lease sale online at www.energynet.com. Parcels may be viewed online at the EnergyNet website approximately 10 business days after the posting of the Notice of Competitive Lease Sale on the BLM website.

Background

The BLM’s lease sales represent parcels that cleared environmental review and public comment. The BLM issues both competitive and non-competitive leases for a 10-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 term of 10 years.

The BLM generated a record $1.1 billion from 28 oil and gas lease sales in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. The oil and gas industry on public lands in Utah contributed $2.5 billion in total economic output and jobs for 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.

Responsible energy development includes thoughtful consideration of parcels nominated for leasing as well as potential resource impacts of decisions to lease. An additional environmental review will take place at the Application for Permit to Drill stage, where site specific Conditions of Approval will be placed on the permit in addition to the lease stipulations.

This sale notice initiates a 10-day public protest period that ends on August 21, 2020. Protests must be submitted via mail to the BLM Utah State Office, Attn: Fluid Minerals Branch Chief, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101. The BLM must receive the mailed protests by August 21, 2020. Protests may also be submitted via email to blm_ut_lease_sales@blm.gov with the subject line: September 2020 Protest. Electronic protests must be received by 4:30 p.m. on August 21, 2020. The Utah State Office is temporarily closed due to earthquake damage and the BLM will not be able to accept protests by hand delivery or fax.

Links to the environmental assessments, lists, and maps of the parcels and the attached stipulations, and information on how to file a protest are online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2000028/510. 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 with the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.