Washington – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has begun reviewing its policies on drilling for federally owned gas on private land in the West and has established a website where people can submit comments.
The West’s gas-drilling boom has generated friction among ranchers and the gas industry. Under the policy review, ordered by Congress last summer, BLM will consult with property owners, drillers and others.
At issue is “split estate” land, where ranchers or other private owners hold surface rights but underground oil and gas deposits are owned by the government. Often, split-estate landowners have no say in how or when energy development takes place on their land.
The website for comments is www.blm.gov/bmp.
BLM also plans to schedule several “listening sessions” in late winter and early spring to gather additional comments and recommendations as it prepares a final report to Congress.
