BLM To Auction Leases In Garfield, Moffat Counties
SILT, Colo. (AP) - The U.S. Bureau of Land Management plans to auction gas and oil drilling leases in Garfield and Moffat counties this August.
The Glenwood Springs Post-Independent reports the leases include two tracts totaling 381 acres on U.S. Forest Service lands in the West Mamm Creek/Beaver Creek region of Garfield County. Three more parcels totaling 2,125 acres in Moffat County will be auctioned in Denver on Aug. 8.
The agency said it's seeking public input before the auction.
The State of Colorado will receive 49 percent of sale proceeds with the rest going to the U.S. government.
BLM spokesman Frank Boyd issued a statement suggesting the Garfield County leases might involve horizontal drilling to get to gas reserves.
Another lease sale - this one for Feb. 13, 2014 - could include nine parcels totaling 7,435 acres in Moffat County north of Craig. An environmental assessment for that sale will be available for comment on Aug. 2.
BLM's Colorado office oversees about 4.2 million acres of public mineral estate leased for oil and natural gas development.
LINK: Maps Of Proposed Lease Sales
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