BLM spokeswoman Heather Feeney said the environmental study, considered a first step, focuses on land allocation for potential future projects. The document does not address issuing leases for any specific project. Rather, it identifies BLM lands where there could be leases in the future.
The study looks at 1.9 million acres of public lands in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming for potential commercial oil shale development and about 430,000 acres in Utah for tar sands.
Between 305,000 and 1.5 million acres of BLM-managed lands would be excluded from leasing under the alternatives presented in the draft document.
Upcoming open houses
The BLM already has held four open houses in Wyoming and Colorado. Here is the rest of the schedule:
* TODAY: Salt Lake area, 2-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.
BLM Salt Lake Field Office
2370 S. 2300 West
* TUESDAY: Price, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn
838 Westwood Blvd.
* WEDNESDAY: Vernal, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Western Park Convention Center
302 E. 200 South
* THURSDAY: Rock Springs, Wyo., 6:30-8:30 p.m.
BLM Rock Springs Field Office
280 Highway 191 North
