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
