DENVER - The Bureau of Land Management Colorado is extending the protest period for its May 2016 oil and gas lease sale by 15 days to March 29, 2016, to allow the public additional time to review the parcels.
“The protest period is one important way for us to work with local stakeholders and get their feedback on parcels we may lease for oil and gas development," says Lonny Bagley, BLM Colorado Deputy State Director for Energy, Lands and Minerals. “We want to make sure we hear everyone’s voice before moving forward."
At the lease sale, the BLM will offer four parcels totaling 6,147 acres within Archuleta and La Plata counties in the Tres Rios Field Office and two parcels totaling 813 acres within Moffat and Routt counties in the Little Snake Field Office. The lease sale is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 12, 2016, at the Holiday Inn Denver in Lakewood, 7390 W. Hampden Ave., Lakewood, CO 80227.
The four parcels in the Tres Rios Field Office are located in the San Juan National Forest. The parcels in Moffat and Routt counties are federal minerals under private surface.
The deadline for submitting protests is now 4 p.m., March 29, 2016. Protests must be submitted to the BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215. A map of all the parcels and associated environmental analysis for those areas are posted online: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/oilandgas/oil_and_gas_lease/20160/march_2016.html.
The State of Colorado receives 49 percent of the proceeds of each lease sale. In Fiscal Year 2015, Colorado received approximately $247 million from royalties, rentals and bonus bid payments for all federal minerals, including oil and gas. Statewide, more than 22,900 jobs are tied to mineral and energy development on public lands.
For additional information on lease sales, visit: www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/oilandgas/oil_and_gas_lease.html.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
