OCR Text |
Show Oil and gas drilling operations have been successfully conducted in GSL without concomitant environmental degradation. There are special regulatory provisions already in place to cover future oil and gas operations in GSL. This notwithstanding, any future oil and gas operations proposed for GSL will be afforded an opportunity for comment through the RDCC process prior to approval of an application for permit to drill. When lease proposals are submitted to RDCC for review, DFFSL trusts that interested persons will comment regarding any assessments that need to be made and stipulations that should be included in lease offerings. The assertion that unemployment is low and the economy on the Wasatch Front is strong does not tie to the world oil glut. In addition the oil from GSL fields is very unusual. Among other things, it is chemically similar to ichtyol, a rare substance used for medical purposes. Several companies are looking at the oils for various products. The statement that ( because) there is oil and gas development in the Uinta Basin and in the Price area, none should be considered for the GSL, ignores the inevitable realities of depletion of established resources in those areas through time. This comment does not consider that favorable geologic environment for oil and gas development shares a similarity to wildlife habitat, neither are randomly created and both accrue as a result of certain unique circumstances. Accordingly, at some time in the future it may be desirable to explore for oil and gas in GSL. At that time, the special environmental protection provisions already in place in the DOGM's regulations, plus others that may be developed by then, will ensure minimization of environmental risk from drilling and producing operations. There is no mineral leasing moratorium. The MLP guides mineral activity while the CMP is being prepared. The request for a moratorium on oil and gas leasing for the duration of this planning period is not supported and does not consider that we are currently experiencing a worldwide oil glut. Under this circumstance a de facto moratorium has been imposed by the law of supply and demand, and no further action is needed. 7.2 Review MLP policies The public supported alternative B which is nearly the same as the current situation and suggested using the 1996 MLP policies in conjunction with cleaning up Rozel Point and suggested including additional wildlife and recreation protection stipulations in leases. Refer to Utah code 23- 21- 5. Using the optimal biological productivity of the lake would determine this management consideration. Mineral leasing policies should include an in- depth evaluation and public process and the following issues should be addressed: 1) mineral development impacts on the lake, individually and cumulative ( disturbance, requirements for access, infrastructure, etc.); 2) impacts regarding lake spills and/ or abandonment of mineral development facilities; 3) stipulations and requirements of technology that would guarantee no spills or leakage and would provide for immediate containment and cleanup in case of accidents or emergencies; and 4) appropriate bonding or other means to ensure that developers 313 |