BLM to hold public oil meetings

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) White River Field Office (WRFO) will host two public open houses for the second round of Oil Shale Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) leases.
Two companies with successful nominations warranting further consideration are ExxonMobil Exploration Company and Natural Soda Holdings Inc., for parcels located on public lands in Rio Blanco County, approximately 35 miles southwest of Meeker.
Meetings will be in Meeker and Rifle with representatives from both companies and the BLM available to answer questions about the proposed RD&D oil shale leases.
The first meeting will be in Rifle on April 27 from 4-7 p.m., at the Garfield County Fairgrounds Event Hall, 1001 Railroad Ave. The second meeting in Meeker will be on April 28 from 4-7 p.m., at Mountain Valley Bank, 400 Main St.
ExxonMobil Exploration Comp-any and Natural Soda Holdings, Inc., have submitted plans of operations. Additional information on plans, map of area under consideration and other related details can be viewed on the WRFO website by going to:
http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/wrfo/Oil_Shale_-_Round_2.html.
The two proposals encompass adjacent areas and will be analyzed in one Environmental Assessment (EA). In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the BLM will accept public comments on these proposals for a period beginning on April 18 and end at the close of business on Tuesday, May 17.
Written comments can be mailed to Paul Daggett, BLM WRFO, 220 E. Market St., Meeker, CO 81641, or sent via email to [email protected]. Please note RD&D Leases in the subject line for all emails.
For more information, please contact Paul Daggett at (970)878-3819. Before including address, phone number, email address or any other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request BLM withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
The BLM will hold separate oil shale public scoping sessions in Rifle on May 3 from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at Colorado Mountain College and in Golden on May 4 from 1-4 p.m. and from 6-9 p.m. at the Denver West Marriott Hotel. These sessions are different and are being held to take public comments and input on an Oil Shale and Tar Sands Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). None of the energy companies will be involved in these latter presentations. Comments on the PEIS can also be submitted in writing to Sherri Thompson, BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215.