Drilling likely to end by July

AMERICAN FORK — Natural gas drilling at the Alpine School District's outdoor camp will likely be finished by July, according to a statement from the school district.

Late Thursday afternoon, the district released a statement about a meeting that occurred two days earlier with representatives of the district, Marion Energy Inc., the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration and the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining.

The meeting was called to address concerns about the drilling at the district's Clear Creek camp in the Manti Mountains, two miles south of Scofield, Carbon County.

In October, Marion Energy began drilling two holes for natural gas on property a couple hundred yards from the sleeping quarters of Clear Creek camp, visited by some 5,000 students yearly. Camp coordinators complained of traffic, noise and trash from the drilling operation.

The school district owns 600 acres of land in the area. Marion Energy is leasing mineral rights from the Trust Lands Administration, which owns part of the subsurface area, and other groups.

At Tuesday's meeting, Marion Energy officials announced an anticipated date of completing drilling "if all goes well," the district's statement said.

The Salt Lake attorney who represents the Australian-based energy company did not return a phone call to the Deseret Morning News seeking comment on the meeting.

Marion also agreed to explore building a potential road to the drilling site. Currently, trucks delivering supplies to and from the site have to use a part of Clear Creek Camp's driveway. A truck rollover once blocked the route to and from the camp.

Marion Energy officials also will continue working on educational materials for students. The district's goal at Clear Creek is to teach students about ecosystems and wildlife, as well as natural resources. The educational materials about natural gas are expected to fit into the district's curriculum.

Marion also agreed to keep the site clean, ensuring it is projecting a good image for students, according to the statement.

After spring runoff subsides and the land dries, Marion Energy will clear acreage for the district to expand the camp, the statement said.

The school district promised to warn students, staff and chaperones to stay away from drilling operations.

"It was a very constructive and congenial meeting," said Michael Hebertson, a compliance manger with the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. "There was a consensus on better communication that we all were part of."

Clear Creek Principal Boyd McAffee said his confidence in the drilling operation has increased since a vice president of Marion Energy gave him his personal phone numbers and told him to call when there's a problem.

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E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com