Jonah Infill Drilling EIS available
Public comment deadline April 11, 2005
February 15, 2005
The Pinedale Field office of the Bureau of Land Management has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Jonah Infill Drilling Project. The DEIS, Appendices and Technical Support Documents (TSD) are available for download and viewing online as printable PDF files (require free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view).
The reports are available as complete documents in single files or separated into individual sections, chapters and appendices. The report includes the DEIS and technical reports regarding modeling of air quality and socioeconomic impacts. There are also reports for development of procedures for plans for transportation, reclamation and hazard materials management. The DEIS is online at: http://www.wy.blm.gov/nepa/pfodocs/jonah/index.htm
Ten alternatives were analyzed in the DEIS. The Proposed Action proposes to develop the natural gas resource by drilling up to 3,100 new wells on up to 16,200 acres of new surface disturbance over the next 12 years. The development would include new roads, pipelines, water wells and other facilities to link the wells with existing transportation systems. The Draft EIS public comment period ends April 11, 2005. Following the publication of this DEIS, the BLM will host an open house in Pinedale
The DEIS was prepared to analyze the potential impacts of the drilling and production operations of natural gas wells and associated access roads, pipelines and production facilities proposed by several companies within the proposed project area located in Sublette County. This is not a decision document. Its purpose is to inform the public of the impacts associated with implementing the companies’ drilling proposal, to evaluate alternatives to the proposal, and to solicit public comments. Limited numbers of copies are available for review at the BLM Pinedale Field Office at 432 E Mill Street.
According to the BLM, "The Jonah Infill Drilling Project Area (JIDPA) includes 30,500 acres with surface ownership at approximately 94 percent Federal (28,580 acres), 2 percent private (640 acres), and 4 percent State of Wyoming (1,280 acres). Currently within the JIDPA, there are 501 producing and shut-in natural gas wells and an extensive infrastructure of roads and pipelines for natural gas production in place."
Anyone wishing to make comments must submit them by Monday, April 11, 2005. Comments should be as specific as possible, with suggested changes, sources or methodologies. Comments that contain only opinions, or preferences, will not receive a formal response, but will be considered and included as part of the BLM decision-making process. Public comments submitted for this DEIS, including the names and street addresses of respondents, will be made available for review after the comment period closes at the Pinedale Field Office during regular business hours. All submissions will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Public comments will be published as part of the Final EIS. Individual respondents may request confidentiality by stating so at the beginning of written comments.
Submit written comments to:
Jonah Infill Drilling Project Comments
Bureau of Land Management-Pinedale Field Office
PO Box 768
Pinedale, WY 82941
Comments may also be e-mailed to: WYMail_Jonah_Infill@blm.gov
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