20 Feb What’s Coming Down the Pike in the Delta County Region?

Feb. 20, 2014 –

Save the dates! It’s going to be a busy year for oil and gas proposals on your public lands. Here’s just a few of the things we know about that are coming down the pike in the next few months.

BLM Draft Resource Management Plan – It’s been a long time coming, but the draft Resource Management Plan is scheduled to be released for a minimum of 90-days of public comment in June 2014. As you might already know, the North Fork Alternative Plan will be listed as one possible option in the draft RMP. We’ll need all hands on deck to get comments in supporting the Alternative Plan to make sure it’s included in the final version of the RMP.

Bull Mountain Master Development Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement – SG Interests has proposed 146 new gas wells and 4 wastewater disposal wells in the Bull Mountain Unit, which stretches roughly from Paonia Reservoir to McClure Pass. After publishing a draft Environmental Assessment in March 2012 and receiving numerous comments from the community, including comments from CHC, the BLM admitted that approving the project might result in significant impacts and decided to prepare a more thorough EIS. The draft EIS is scheduled to be released in June 2014.

Whitewater Master Development Plan – Drilling company Fram has proposed 108 new oil wells for the Whitewater area, bounded by Delta on the South, Palisade on the North, U.S. 50 on the West and the National Forest boundary on the east. Previously, Fram proposed 492 new gas wells for the unit, and Fram has said they intend to drill for gas in the area when prices increase. A decision from the BLM Grand Junction Field Office is expected this spring.

Somerset Master Development Plan – The spectacular Pilot Knob roadless area could become an industrial zone if the Forest Service approves 50 new wells in the Gunnison National Forest, northwest of the Paonia Reservoir. Important wildlife habitat, great hiking trails, and excellent hunters camps could be ruined. This proposal is scheduled to come out for a public scoping comment period as soon as this spring or summer. http://www.citizensforahealthycommunity.org/news/usfs-green-lights-review-of-roadless-area-drilling

As you can see, it’s going to be a busy year. Just from those few projects mentioned above, we’re imminently facing 304 new wells in the area. Stay tuned to learn more about these proposals and how you can get involved.