There are only TWO DAYS left to send in comments on this Alert.
The Green River through the Uinta Basin and Desolation Canyons and the river experience associated with this area is in jeopardy of being significantly altered by increased gas well production.
The Vernal BLM recently issued a Notice of Intent to prepare the Gasco Natural Gas Field Development EIS. This gas field development would authorize 1,538 gas wells to be drilled in an area just west of Upper Desolation Canyon and north of Nine Mile Canyon. Several hundred wells would be located in either proposed wilderness areas or proposed and existing areas of critical environmental concern.
In addition, there are proposed wells all along the Sand Wash Road and the Wrinkles Road, the two main access points for running the Desolation and Upper Desolation Canyon stretches of the Green River.
This link: http://www.blm.gov/utah/vernal/gasco/index.htm is to the BLM project page with information about the project.
Your quick e-mail or written comments on this would really help. Besides your own thoughts on what this area means to you, here are some points your comments might also contain:
-This area still reflects the remote nature of these stretches of river and their abundance of wildlife, natural quiet, dark skies and wild qualities.
-The Desolation and Uinta basin section of the Green river will become just another stretch of river sandwiched between an industrial area if this project goes forward.
-The area and its visitors will suffer from the round-the-clock hum of human industry if this plan is approved.
-Wells should not be located within the proposed Wild and Scenic River boundary.
-Wells should not be located just outside the boundary, and should not be located close to the Green River.
Your voice counts! Besides, it’s quick and easy to comment.
Be sure to mention your comments are in regards to the Gasco Production Company's Uintah Basin Natural Gas Development Project.
By Email:
Stephanie_Howard@blm.gov
By Mail:
Stephanie Howard
Environmental Coordinator
Bureau of Land Management
170 South 500 East
Vernal, Utah 84078
Your comments need to be postmarked by March 13, 2006. River Runners For Wilderness would like to thank Herm Hoops for alerting us to this situation.