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June 6, 2008 GMI Project documents Contact:    Pam Olson, 307-332-8400   Chris Krassin, 307-332-8452 BLM to Prepare GMI Natural Gas Development Project EIS The BLM Lander Field Office today issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential impacts of a proposed natural gas development project, known as the Gun Barrel, Madden Deep, and Iron Horse Natural Gas Development Project (GMI Project). A 45-day scoping period will be conducted to gather input from the public and interested parties to assist in addressing issues associated with the various action alternatives for development. Comments will be accepted through July 21, 2008. In February 2008, industry operators, Encana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc., Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Company LP, and Noble Energy, Inc., proposed to develop 1,470 natural gas wells within a 10-12 year period on their oil and gas leases in the GMI project area. The project area, near Lysite, Wyo., contains 146,000 acres, with the majority being BLM-administered lands. The anticipated life of the proposed project would last approximately 40 years. The operators also proposed funding a cutting-edge three-year sage grouse monitoring study to begin in March, and preliminary findings and data would be utilized in the EIS. Potential resource issues have been identified concerning the Proposed Action, including possible effects on biological resources including sage-grouse, raptors, and other species of concern; livestock forage; air quality; socioeconomic factors; transportation; as well as cultural and land resources. The BLM will analyze these potential natural resource impacts, as well as examine public comments and concerns to ensure the best decision is made when determining the action alternatives for the proposed project. Public scoping meetings are scheduled from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on June 17, 2008, at the Riverton Public Library Community Room, 1330 W. Park Ave., in Riverton, and June 18, 2008 at the Ramada Plaza Spruce Room, 300 W. F St., in Casper, Wyo. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the meeting and submit comments or concerns to be considered in the EIS process. Please submit written comments to the BLM Lander Field Office, Attn: Chris Krassin, 1335 Main, Lander, Wyo. 82520-0587. Comments or questions may also be sent electronically to: LFO_GMI_WYMail@blm.gov. If you wish to withhold your name, e-mail address, or street address from public review, please state this plainly at the beginning of your written comment.  For more information, please contact Pam Olson or Chris Krassin at (307) 332-8400. - BLM -