MONTROSE, Colo.—The public is getting two more weeks to comment on North Fork Valley parcels that are set to be sold at a federal oil and natural gas lease auction in August.
The Bureau of Land Management has been accepting comments on its draft environmental assessment of a proposal to offer 22 parcels at auction. The new deadline to submit comments is April 20.
The draft environmental assessment included a preference to lease 21 of the 22 parcels, with measures to protect steep slopes, watersheds, water supplies, coal development, threatened and endangered species, air quality, and crucial deer and elk winter ranges while also addressing noise and impacts from vehicles.
The parcels are on about 30,000 acres near Paonia, Hotchkiss, Somerset and Crawford.
———
Online:
