The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a proposal by Encana Oil & Gas (USA) to drill 95 wells during a two- to three-year period in an area two miles east of DeBeque.The exploration is expected to begin in the spring and will happen in the Orchard II development area, which encompasses about 12,067 acres of federal land and minerals within the Little Alkali Creek, Alkali Creek, Smith Gulch, Horsethief Creek and Little Horsethief Creek watersheds, according to the BLM.Encana proposes that the wells would be drilled from 25 new well pads and one existing pad. The proposal also calls for the improvement of 8.8 miles of roads. A gathering system for the proposed wells would also require installation of 15.5 miles of buried pipelines, according to the BLM.The BLM said directional drilling technology would be used to drill the majority of the wells. With directional drilling, an energy company can drill several wells from a single well pad. The agency is seeking to hear concerns and comments the public has on the proposal before Jan. 18. Written comments and questions should be directed to the BLM Glenwood Springs Energy Office at 2425 S. Grand Ave., Suite 101, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. To review the Orchard II Master Development Plan, residents can go to the same address or obtain a digital copy of the plan at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gsfo/GSFO_MasterPlansOfDevelopment.htm.To submit electronic comments about the proposal, residents can send an e-mail to gsfomail@co.blm.gov.

CARBONDALE – The Aspen-Sopris Ranger District is seeking public comments before reissuing several outfitter and guide permits.The following outfitter and guide permits are nearing termination: Chair Mountain Stables, Old Time Outfitting, Fryingpan Anglers, D&G Horses, Colorado Rocky Mountain School, Colorado Mountain College, Avalanche Outfitters, Hawk Creek Outfitters, JT Horses, Taylor Creek Fly Shop, Sunlight Snowmobile Tours, Crystal River Tours and Outwest Guides.The permits, which expire in 2008, will be reissued for a 10-year period. “These permits aren’t introducing any new uses on the forest,” said Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Irene Davidson. “They will allow these businesses to provide the same services on national forest system land that they have historically provided.”Any questions on the permits may be directed to Brent Allred at 963-2266. Written comments may also be submitted to District Ranger, Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, P.O. Box 309, Carbondale, CO 81623. Comments will be taken through Jan. 31.Staff Reports