Oil, gas hearings set for Uinta Forest areas

PROVO — The Forest Service has scheduled two open houses for the public to comment on an environmental analysis to identify areas in the Uinta National Forest that are suitable for oil and gas leasing. The analysis will cover all National Forest System lands with federal mineral rights within the Uinta National Forest, excluding wilderness areas.

The open houses will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Provo at the Uinta National Forest office, 88 W. 100 North, and Wednesday at the Wasatch County Senior Center in Heber City, 465 E. 1200 South. Forest Service staff will be present to provide information and answer questions.

The Uinta National Forest, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, state of Utah and Wasatch County, is undertaking an Oil and Gas Leasing Environmental Impact Statement. The analysis is required in order to comply with the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Reform Act and to be responsive to requests for oil and gas leases. Currently only a portion of the forest is available for leasing and most of that area has already been leased.

For additional information visit www.fs.fed.us/r4/uinta. For information regarding the open houses, call 801-342-5100.