Drill Baby Drill—Under Wildlife Refuge, No Surface Mess?
Published Date: 9/3/2026
Notice
Summary
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Director intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider opening the federal minerals beneath the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing, subject to a no surface occupancy stipulation, and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues and is providing the planning criteria for public review.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Possible Oil & Gas Leasing Under Refuge
The BLM intends to consider opening the federal minerals beneath the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge in Uintah County, Utah (covering less than 5,200 acres of federal minerals) to oil and gas leasing, subject to a no surface occupancy (NSO) stipulation. If adopted, lease development would have to be done by directional or horizontal drilling from well pads located outside the Refuge boundary; the BLM is accepting scoping comments through October 5, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18051, Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Survey on Use of Funds Under Title II, Part A
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).
Next: 2026-18056, Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Silver Rock Transmission Line Project in Millard, Beaver, and Iron Counties, UT and Lincoln and Clark Counties, NV
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