Forest-Wide Analysis Needed
Warren, Pa. – The Allegheny National Forest (NF) recently announced the filing of a stipulation of dismissal with the US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania involving a pending lawsuit.
In November 2008, a suit was filed against the US Forest Service challenging the issuance of Notices to Proceed for development of reserved and outstanding oil and gas resources within the Allegheny NF without preparation of environmental analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
The settlement filed with the court includes the processing of 54 pending oil and gas proposals for a total of 588 wells, 2 pipelines and 1 seismic line following current procedures. All remaining pending proposals, as well as all future proposals, will be processed after the appropriate level of environmental analysis has been conducted under the NEPA.
The first step in allowing the Forest to move forward under the terms of the settlement will be the completion of a forest-wide environmental analysis. According to Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten, the Forest Service will be initiating a forest-wide site-specific environmental analysis for proposals not included in the settlement, as well as any other proposed activity anticipated between now and December 31, 2013. The intent is to publish a Notice of Intent (NOI) in June 2009 announcing the intent to prepare a forest-wide environmental analysis on these proposals.
If you own or lease subsurface mineral rights on the Allegheny NF and are interested in future development, the Allegheny NF is requesting that you submit to them, by May 8, 2009, information on any proposed activities you anticipate between now and December 31, 2013. Information in your proposal should include a map showing where you are proposing future development activities, and locations for proposed wells, access roads, tank batteries, pipelines and utility lines. Please be as specific as possible, and submit the information in digital format if available. Information should be submitted to:
In November 2008, a suit was filed against the US Forest Service challenging the issuance of Notices to Proceed for development of reserved and outstanding oil and gas resources within the Allegheny NF without preparation of environmental analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.
The settlement filed with the court includes the processing of 54 pending oil and gas proposals for a total of 588 wells, 2 pipelines and 1 seismic line following current procedures. All remaining pending proposals, as well as all future proposals, will be processed after the appropriate level of environmental analysis has been conducted under the NEPA.
The first step in allowing the Forest to move forward under the terms of the settlement will be the completion of a forest-wide environmental analysis. According to Forest Supervisor Leanne Marten, the Forest Service will be initiating a forest-wide site-specific environmental analysis for proposals not included in the settlement, as well as any other proposed activity anticipated between now and December 31, 2013. The intent is to publish a Notice of Intent (NOI) in June 2009 announcing the intent to prepare a forest-wide environmental analysis on these proposals.
If you own or lease subsurface mineral rights on the Allegheny NF and are interested in future development, the Allegheny NF is requesting that you submit to them, by May 8, 2009, information on any proposed activities you anticipate between now and December 31, 2013. Information in your proposal should include a map showing where you are proposing future development activities, and locations for proposed wells, access roads, tank batteries, pipelines and utility lines. Please be as specific as possible, and submit the information in digital format if available. Information should be submitted to:
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