OCR Text |
Show News Conoco The BLM announcement marks the culmination of a comprehensive that was greatly aided by active public involvement. BLM released an initial environmental assessment (EA) that detailed potential impacts of the project for 30 days of public comment in May. A revised EA was subsequently sent out for 15 more days of review in August. During the initial month-lon- g period of public comment, over 770 calls and letters were received resulting in several modifications to the EA and new stipulations being added to the final drilling permit. New information and perspectives from the public helped us reanalyze potential air and wa- ter quality impacts and safety concerns. In response, the BLM added information to clarify previous mineral activity, visitor-us- e patterns, cumulative impacts, and numerous other subjects. Public input also helped improve permit requirements. New reserve requirements end a new requirement to restrict truck traffic during holidays and weekends duringpeak-lis- e periods were &ddfed as the result of public input. Some comments however, including the suggestion that an Environmental Impact State- pit-lini- ss n f! BLM will do an EIS. With the approval of the Conoco Reese Canyon well, the suspension of operations and production granted to allow for additional time to consider their application is terminated. grab media attention forNovem- IVl O U iTI ber elections. Kane County resi- dents just scratched their heads Continued from Page 1 and wondered how they were she one distraught resident as going to be affected, The BLM promptly set up an watched the Presidents speech over 300 miles away in the interim team to create a menu county seat of 10-ye- ar ar assion y, tot nJL-Uxa",asiness- es ally-televis- address field development is This is an extremely imporpremature at this juncture. tant and controversial issue for Since the BLM lacks any infor- the BLM and for the public. For mation on the actual presence of this reason, we will be taking a producible hydrocarbons, or any d plan or proposal for development, the potential impacts of field development cannot be ttieanihgfiilly evaluated. In the event that commercial quantities of oil are discovered, and Conoco comes in with a proposal for additional wells, the full-fiel- p very conservative, will enable the approach that BLM to ensure the continued protection of the Grand National Monument, while meetingour responsibilities to those who hold valid existing rights established prior to its creation. step-by-ste- Stair-case-Escalan- te There's got to be a morning after The BLM and others got busy. A tirade of angry rhetoric followed Clintons designation of the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument. Local billboard signs chastized the president for his actions. For weeks afterward, politicos threatened litigation against the President for the enormous land grab. Candidates used the issue to Professional Brake Sendee Brake Lathe for Resurfacing Drums & Rotors Trained Brake Specialists FREE Brake Inspection Auto & Light Truck Huge Selection! Great Prices! III il Conoco ha3 approximately four Kanab. They months left on their lease term. However, ifthe com- wont be happy pany is drilling on the date of until theyve lease expiration, an automatic taken everytwo-yeextension is given. thing and we all Concurrent with the decision have to move. on the Reese Canyon well, the Angry, impe d BLM has written a letter to Conoco informingthem that pro- speeches, tears cessing of their application for and black balfour additional exploratory wells loons were rein the Smoky Mountain area of leased at the the monument will be deferred Kanab High until the results of the Reese School, where well at this previously-disturbe- d Canyon well are known. It is the Kane County site. National BLM policy, sup- BLM position that information residents had ported by both Interior Board of acquired from the drilling of the Land Appeals and court deci- - wells in the Reese Canyon area watch the speech. State and sions, substantiate the position will be pivotal in determining media interof field of level environmental national news that analysis what developexviewed EA versus EIS is ment is not required during frustrated officials and analysis ploration. appropriate for wells proposed citizens at the Loss of Rights More importantly, an EIS to in the Smoky Mountain area. rally. full-fiel- ng Thrca 20 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17.18OT ment (EIS) was necessary to analyze the potential impacts from Conocos proposal, were carefully considered, but ulti- mately rejected at this time. Many people contacted BLM to urge that an EIS be undertaken to analyze impacts of d development of oil and gas within the monument. Full-fiel- d development is under consideration at this point. Our authorization is for a single, exploratory oil well period. No additional wells, no oil or gas pipeno resurline, no rights-of-waaccess of have been roads facing authorized or are proposed by this permit. Our position is that an EA is the appropriate level of study for a single wildcat exploratory Continued from Page 2 decision-makingpro-ce- SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS the Presidents three year deadline. The team, headed by Cedar City BLM manager Jerry your new So. Utah Tire Center $30 on BRIDGESTONE DUELER TIRES! save iMUt iUits tfr azard Protection HajjtniiTirB 265 East 300 South Kanab 644-255- 7 -- Meredith, is comprised ofdiverse individuals from a variety of professional and lay backgrounds. Five are paid by the State of Utah. BLM community support group manager David Williams, Washington, D.C., said he feels Clinton chose the BLM because he was serious about multiple use. He added that the BLM has already been managing the federal land in question, so much of the needed resource inventory has already been done. The Department of Interior offered a cool $100,000 to each of two local counties Kane and Garfield affected by the national monument designation. Representative Bill Orton, who many felt had been blindsided by fellow Democrat President Clinton, said the money would help make a bad situation better. Urging the Kane County Commission to take the money CORE President Roger Carter said, If people are saying this is blood money, it was our blood and we should take it. The County voted to take the money, and continue - HIwmmmi FREE notation ment management plan under - to offer input on how the new monument should be run. Adaptation One year after the designation, state politicians and Kane County residents have come to accept the Grand Staircase-Escalant- e Monument. Residents are trying to find ways to live in physical and economic harmony with the new national jewel. Stay tuned, next week Back to the Future! -- Old Bam Playhouse -- No MM du en qutftytog &eatanTinadMaMbyCMNationMAxation.Nof)aynwnt4or90daytanquaMyingpurchaM( APR), vanabto raw (19 55 APR as c January 1. 1996) pad in MwMhn 90 dap fixed rale pi purchases 507c Discount Coupon Good for Entire Party! Itcated behind Parry Lodge ' |