A massive natural gas development contemplated for a plateau near eastern Utah's Nine Mile Canyon will be discussed publicly and go through extensive environmental analysis, say federal officials — once the plan is formally announced.

That announcement might be weeks away. But already the project is drawing controversy to the area, which in the past has been the focus of fierce battles pitting developers against advocates for preserving the ancient Indian rock art and the natural setting.

Bill Barrett Corp., based in Denver, has proposed developing up to 750 gas wells on West Tavaputs Plateau, part of which overlooks Nine Mile Canyon from the south, according to the BLM. The world-famous canyon is home to some 700 panels of rock art. It also hosts pipelines, ranching and tourism.

Patrick Gubbins, BLM Price field manager, said Barrett has a "proposal for a full-field development on the West Tavaputs" Plateau. That's in addition to wells already in the region.

The project could involve drilling at 500 locations on BLM, private and state land. The area is about 25 miles east of Price and 60 miles southwest of Vernal, in Carbon and Duchesne counties.

Duane Zavadil, vice president of the Barrett Corp. for government and regulatory affairs, said in a telephone interview that actually, far fewer than 750 gas wells may be drilled. "Realistically, we think the maximum number is probably on the order of 350 or 400," he said.

The company had to identify more than that number of potential wells because it might need to shift sites once the project begins. It's easier to identify more places and analyze them all at once than stop and analyze new sites if it's necessary to change some locations, he said.

Detailed talk about the project is premature, said Fred O'Ferrall, associate field manager for lands and minerals in the BLM Price Field Office. "We haven't gotten to the roll-out stage," he added.

The Barrett Corp. submitted a proposal to the BLM on the gas field development, which would take place on its 138,000 acres of lease holdings. BLM officials would use the document when it considers an environmental impact statement. "The official start of the EIS process is to get a Federal Register publication completed," he said.

A notice concerning the West Tavaputs Natural Gas Development Project has been in the mill for several months, undergoing review by the BLM Washington office, said O'Ferrall. After the notice of intent is published, the agency would hold a scoping session, meeting with the public and interested entities to discuss the scope of studies.

Trucks working on existing developments drive through Nine Mile Canyon, and some fans of the canyon's rock art sites are concerned about damage to the ancient panels.