Dixie-Fishlake NF Weblog
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Dixie National Forest to Consider Oil and Gas Leasing

Over the next year or so, the Dixie National Forest will prepare a forest-wide environmental impact statement (EIS) to decide which Forest lands, excluding designated wilderness areas, to make available for oil and gas leasing. This decision will also specify conditions or constraints should be attached to the oil and gas leases, for environmental protection. More information can be found on the Dixie National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie/.

The Forest Service is seeking public comments for this project. Open Houses to provide information, answer questions, and receive written comments will be held:

• January 16: St. George, Utah, Best Western Abbey Inn, (5:00-7:00 pm)

• January 17: Cannonville, Utah, Cannonville Visitor Center, 10 Center Street, (11:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:00 - 7:00 pm)

• January 18: Cedar City, Utah, Heritage Center, 105 North 100 East, (5:00 - 7:00 pm).

Susan Baughman, Oil and Gas Leasing Project Manager, Dixie National Forest, commented, “We hope that people will come to the open houses to provide their input about oil and gas leasing. Public comment received will help us to identify key issues for further analysis. These issues will help us create a set of alternatives for the EIS.”

For those who cannot attend an open house but still wish to comment may do so by mail or e-mail. Scoping comments should be sent by January 29, 2007 to be most helpful. Written comments may be sent to: Susan Baughman, Oil and Gas Leasing Project Manager, Dixie National Forest, 1789 N. Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, Utah 84720; phone: (435) 865-3703; fax: (435) 865-3791; e-mail: dixie_oil_gas_eis_comments@fs.fed.us. E-mailed comments must be submitted in MS Word (*.doc) or rich text format (*.rtf). If someone would like to receive a copy of the Draft EIS, they should indicate in their letter or e-mail whether they would like to receive an electronic or hard copy of the Draft EIS.