The Fortification Creek Area is in the northeastern part of Wyoming, between Gillette and Buffalo and south of Arvada. It is in the center of the Powder River Basin and is a mix of federal, state and private land. It’s also home to the cleanest burning fossil fuel – natural gas.
The BLM published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Fortification Creek Planning Area and Environmental Assessment (RMP/EA) in the federal register (fort creek - fed reg (207)) September 18, that will decide how much (if any) coalbed natural gas development takes place in the area. Copies of the draft amendment will also be available at the Johnson County Library and the BLM Buffalo Field Office.
The Comment period ends November 16, 2010. CBNGA will be involved in many activities during the comment period to engage stakeholders in commenting – if you want to participate please contact CBNGA at info@cbnga.com. Comments can be sent to the BLM via fax, e-mail or direct mail at:
ATTN: Buffalo RMP Amendment
Fortification Creek EA
BLM Buffalo Field Office
1425 Fort Street
Buffalo, Wyoming 82834.
E-mail: Fort_Crk_WYMail@blm.gov
Fax: (307) 684–1122
Without YOUR support cbng development might not be allowed in the area – meaning a host of economic benefits (in tax year 2009, Johnson, Campbell and Sheridan Counties generated $511, 202, 001 in tax revenue (ad valorem, severance and royalties) from the production of CBNG) are lost to the surrounding communities and the nation loses another source of clean-burning, domestic energy.
BLM is considering three alternatives under the Draft RMP/EA: a no action alternative (Alternative 1) and two action alternatives (Alternatives 2 and 3). To review each alternative and compare and contrast between them, please refer to the Comparison of Alternatives for the Fort Creek RMPA/EA (222). CBNGA agrees with Alternative 1, no change. For example talking points please go here: talking points, Fort Creek (192)
Right now, it is vitally important citizens get involved. Citizens must insist that drilling should occur in 2011. The BLM is in a time-crunch to get this done and do the environmental analysis.
Please contact us at info@cbnga.com for more information and help with writing comments.
Links and information
- Land Letter: http://www.eenews.net/public/Landletter/2011/08/11/1
- BLM website: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/bfodocs/fortification_creek.html
- Billings Gazette: press release, Sept. 18, 2010
- Buffalo Bulletin: Buffalo Bulletin Fort Creek Press Release (184), Sept. 23, 2010
- Northern Broadcast Network: press release, Sept 29, 2010
- Casper Star Tribune: press release, Oct. 11, 2010