The BLM’s Tres Rios Field Office has scheduled four public meetings to consider the need for a master leasing plan in an area of interest that encompasses portions of eastern Montezuma and western La Plata counties.

If initiated, an MLP could put additional regulations or restrictions on oil and gas development in sensitive areas, including for cultural and recreation sites. The community involvement process involves a committee with seven representatives from Montezuma County and seven representatives from La Plata County. The committee is part of a oil and gas subgroup of the Southwest Resource Advisory Council. The meetings are open to the public and are scheduled as follows.

Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to noon at the La Plata County Fairgrounds

Feb. 11, 6-8 p.m. at the Mancos School gym in Mancos

March 16, 10 a.m. to noon at the Montezuma County Annex in Cortez

March 16, 6-8 p.m. at the Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary, in Hesperus.

The agendas for the Feb. 11 meetings will be identical. Likewise, the agendas for the March 16 meetings will be the same.