NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT Surface Use Plan of Operations Approvals Associated with North Fork Mancos Master Development Plan for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development USDA Forest Service Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Paonia Ranger District Delta and Gunnison Counties, Colorado Levi Broyles, Paonia District Ranger, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, has released his draft Decision Notice Surface Use Plan of Operations Approvals Associated with North Fork Mancos Master Development Plan for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development based upon the 2019 North Fork Mancos Master Development Plan for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) (DOI-BLM-CO-N040-2017-0050-EA) and the 2023 Supplemental Environmental Assessment Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Quality Impacts (SEA) (DOI-BLM-CO-G020-2023-0003-EA). Based on the analysis presented in the FEA and SEA, Ranger Broyles’ decision proposes to approve Surface Use Plans of Operations (SUPOs) for National Forest System (NFS) lands well pads on existing leases consistent with the analysis in the FEA and SEA for the following locations: Federal 1090 #30, T10S, R90W, Section 30, SWSE, 6th PM (expansion of existing pad was completed and approximately 0.08 miles of gas gathering line and 0.17 miles of road reroute associated with the Federal 1090 #30 was constructed prior to Court remand in 2022; however additional wells with associated SUPOs/APDs may be drilled on this location); Federal 1190 #20, T11S, R90W, Section 20, NESE, 6th PM (new well pad); Federal 1190 #29, T11S, R90W, Section 29, NWSE, 6th PM (new well pad). The draft decision also approves the necessary access and pipeline infrastructure to support well development at these locations. The project meets the overall goals and objectives of the Forest Plan, Mineral Leasing Act, regulations and policy. Bureau of Land Management manages the mineral estate and will make a decision subsequent to the Forest Service's final decision to approve any development of the mineral resources on NFS lands. Additional details of the project can be found in the Forest Service's draft decision, FEA and SEA. These documents are available for review online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/gmug/?project=63937 How to Object and Timeframe The opportunity to object ends 45 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in the Delta County Independent. The publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. This decision is subject to a pre-decisional objection period in accordance with the provisions of 36 CFR 218 subparts A and B. Objections must be filed with the reviewing officer in writing. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted and timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity and attributed to the objector, unless the issue is based on new information that arose after the opportunities for comment on the SEA in 2023. At a minimum, an objection must include the following: (1) Objector's name and address as defined in 36 CFR 218.2, with a telephone number, if available; (2) Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection); (3) When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector as defined in 36 CFR 218.2. Verification of the identity of the lead objector must be provided upon request or the reviewing officer will designate a lead objector as provided in 36 CFR 218.5(d); (4) The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name(s) of the national forest(s) and/or ranger district(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented; (5) A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project; if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and (6) A statement that demonstrates the connection between Objector’s prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunities for comment (i.e., after May 1, 2023). Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided for at 36 CFR 218.8(b). Written objections, including attachments, must be filed with: Tony Edwards, GMUG Deputy Forest Supervisor, ATTN: North Fork Mancos MDP Objections 2250 South Main St, Delta, Colorado 81416 Or submitted online below. Electronic objections must be filed online; attachments may be included in a variety of formats (such as pdf, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or MSWord (.docx)) In cases where no identifiable name is attached to an electronic message, a verification of identity will be required. A scanned signature is one way to provide verification. If you have any questions or need assistance accessing documents, please contact Niccole Mortenson, NEPA Specialist at niccole.mortenson@usda.gov or 970-874-6693.
Niccole Mortenson
