Courtesy of Citizens for a Healthy Community

by Emily Hornback, WCC Organizer

On January 16, the Bureau of Land Manaagement (BLM) published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed Bull Mountain Master Development Plan (MDP) submitted by SG Interests, Ltd. This marks the beginning of a public comment period through March 2.

The Bull Mountain Unit includes nearly 20,000 acres between Paonia Reservoir and McClure Pass, with more than 13,000 acres of federal mineral leases. The proposal calls for:

• 146 new gas wells and four waste water disposal wells on 36 pads;
• 53 miles of upgrades to existing roads, 16 miles of new road construction, 8 miles of new “cross country” pipeline construction, and 4 new compressor stations; and
• 27 wells drilled each year for the next six years, using 744 acre-feet of fresh water, and total recycled and produced water use of 1,736 acre-feet.

To help digest the 760-page document and explain the proposed action, Citizens for a Healthy Community is holding an open house on Friday, February 6 at The Hive in Paonia (130 Grand Ave) from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.

The BLM is also hosting a public meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at the Paonia High School from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

For more information on the proposal, visit the BLM’s website: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Information/nepa/ufo/Bull_Mountain_EIS.html or call Project Manager Gina Jones at 970-240-5300.

Submit comments to bullmtneis@blm.gov before the March 2 deadline!