The EIS broadly examines drillers' proposals for full-field development. Each individual well site would receive further environmental study before Bill Barrett Corp. of Denver or any other company drilled.
Potential impacts on cultural resources in Nine Mile Canyon are of particular concern to the BLM, which included in its draft EIS five alternatives, including one that focuses on the problems of heavy-rig traffic on the road for the next three to four decades.
The project would include development and construction of roads and pipelines, gas compression stations, and other mechanisms necessary for natural gas development and delivery.
Bill Barrett Corp. estimates a potential yield of 1 trillion cubic feet of gas, enough for 500,000 homes for 20 years or enough to meet the nation's current needs for 17 days.
The BLM will accept comments on the draft EIS through May 1. The agency seeks specific comments that pertain to the analyses. Comments which express only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response, but will be considered.
