Pinedale Anticline Public Hearing Next Wednesday

by Rob Shaul

The BLM will host a formal public hearing on the Pinedale Anticline Natural Gas Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) next Wednesday, January 12 at 7 p.m. in the Pinedale High School Auditorium.

The DEIS is over 600 pages long and is a phone book-sized 1 1/2-inches thick. In the document, the BLM analyzed the environmental and economic impacts from up to 900 new natural gas wells that could be drilled on the Mesa and other BLM lands south of Pinedale over the next 10-15 years.

The Pinedale Anticline Project Area encompasses approximately 197,345 acres between Pinedale and the Jonah Natural Gas Field (30 miles south). The project area is bordered on the east by Highway 191 and on the west by the Green River. The oil and gas operators involved in the project include Alpine Gas Company, Anschutz Exploration Corporation, B-P Amoco Production Company, HS Resources, Inc., McMurry Oil Company, Questar Exploration & Production, Ultra Resources, Inc., Yates Petroleum Corporation, Western Gas Resources, Inc., and Jonah Gas Gathering Company

From the oil and gas industry's perspective, the most contentious issue raised in the DEIS is the BLM's proposal to limit the pace of development by limiting the number of drilling rigs which can be operated at one time.

Environmentally, the project's impact to sage grouse and mule deer crucial winter rage are considered the most critical issues.

In December, the BLM extended the comment period for the DEIS 10 days through February 4, 2000. Several environmental groups had requested the extension.

The Statements presented at next Wednesday's public hearing will become part of the formal public record.

To comment on the Draft EIS or for more information about the public hearing, contact Bill McMahan (Project Coordinator), at 307-352-0224. As of this week, Mr. McMahan said he has not received any comments.

A copy of the DEIS is available at the BLM's office in Pinedale.