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    Final Memo ZION To BLM Re Preliminary O&G EA 3-7-17

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    Casie Forbes
    Zion to BLM memo

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    Final Memo ZION To BLM Re Preliminary O&G EA 3-7-17

    Uploaded by

    Casie Forbes
    22 views6 pages
    Zion to BLM memo

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    Final Memo ZION to BLM Re Preliminary O&G EA 3-7-17

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    Zion to BLM memo

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    Download as pdf
    22 views6 pages

    Final Memo ZION To BLM Re Preliminary O&G EA 3-7-17

    Uploaded by

    Casie Forbes
    Zion to BLM memo

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    Download as pdf
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    fre United States Department of the Interi ee a NATIONAL PARK SERVICE i ‘Zion National Park a spre L7619(1590) VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL AND HARD COPY TO FOLLOW March 72017 Memorandum To: ‘Brian Tritle, Manager, St. George Feld Office, Bureau of Land Management From: Superintendent, Zion National Park Subject: Comments hy Zon National Park an Environmental Assessment for June 2017 Oi and Gas Lease Sale (DOL-BLM-UT-C030.2017-0010-EA) Zion National Park has reviewed the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the June 2017 lease sale for three tracts totaling 4,730.14 eres on lands managed bythe St. George Feld Office in Washington County, Utah. Too ofthe parcels, UT-0517-042 and UT-0517-083, spa the Kulub Terme Rua hice is the primary means of acces othe central portions ofthe park. These parcels are 15 miles distant from the park boundary a ther closest approach and 5 mils distant at thir wes boundary. ion National Pack was established over 100 years ago. Then, 35 now, it provides vistors withthe ‘opportunity to experience nture by viewing magnificent scenery, seeking slide, viewing wildlife, and by partaking in emarkable recreational atvities. Resources within Zion National Park ae protected under the NPS Organic Act of 1916. The Organic Act established the fundamental purpose of units ofthe ‘ational Pak System, which is “..to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic object and the wild ife therein and to provide forthe enjoyment of the same n such manner ad by such mes as will leave them unimpaired forthe enjoyment of fature generations." (34 USC § 100101(a) We appreciate the opportunity to provide input otis process, We commented on these tracts during the scoping period in September 2016 wien they were included onthe BLM Utah preliminary ol and gas lease sale list. We concur with the planning assumptions in the EA thatthe potential for il and gas development on these parcels is relatively low, However we continue to have concerns regarding the Teasing andthe potential for subsequent exploration and development of ol or gas operations n these parcels in regard to protection of park resoures and visitor experience rir to leasing in these areas, we would ike to evaluate and discuss with BLM whether the 1999 Resource Management Plan (RMP) decisions (eg areas open o leasing) and associated mitgations are still adequate in 2017. Our objective isto collaboratively ensure thatthe oil and gas decisions inthe 1999 RMP are sf relevant and adequate to protect park resources and values should development occu, and iftnot, ow any shortcomings may'be remedied pio to decisions whether leasing is appropiate in areas near the park. We comment further on these RMP concerns and multi-agency collaboration atthe conclusion ofthis memorandum, Mitigatons that willbe included as stipulations to th proposed leases (EA, Appendix A), were identi’ inthe 1999 RMP. We understand that addtional mitigatons may also be implemented pos-easng as ‘Best Management Practices, Design Feature or Conditions of Approval (COAS) through this leasing EA, ‘orany subsequent application fra permit to dill (APD), However our experience i that additonal mitigation canbe difficult apply once a lease is issued, Potential impacts to NPS resources ad values ‘of most concem includ: ‘Impacts to scenery and scenic resources to nearby areas ofthe park along the Kolob Terrace ond; ‘+ Impacts to Aie Quality and Air Quality Related Values (AQRVS) in Zion National Park, a

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