The Bureau of Land Management’s Vernal Field Office has approved nine Applications for Permit to Drill at the Lestrange 24-1-722 Well Pad in Uintah County, Utah. The decision authorizes Middle Fork Energy Uinta, LLC, to drill gas wells at a site approximately 20 miles southeast of Vernal.
BLM Issues Nine Drilling Permits in Uintah County
The BLM Vernal Field Office signed a formal decision record authorizing the nine permits. Middle Fork Energy Uinta, LLC submitted the Applications for Permit to Drill, and the agency approved all nine for gas well development.
The project site sits in the SESW of Section 1, Township 7 South, Range 22 East, S.L.B.&M.—placing it roughly 20 miles southeast of Vernal. All drilling operations under this approval will be conducted from the Lestrange 24-1-722 Well Pad as the central location.
Environmental Assessment Underpins the Approval
Before issuing the decision, BLM completed Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-UT-G010-2026-0090-EA. That review examined the full scope of proposed surface disturbance and supporting infrastructure at the site.
The EA evaluated construction of a well pad along with access roads, pipelines, and a power line—the infrastructure required to bring the gas wells into production. One additional future well was also factored into the assessment. If that well moves forward, the total at the Lestrange 24-1-722 Well Pad could reach ten. The Responsible Official reviewed the EA findings before signing the decision record.
Public Engagement and Regulatory Compliance
This approval follows a mandatory public comment period, allowing community stakeholders and environmental groups to voice concerns regarding local wildlife habitats and air quality. The BLM incorporated this feedback into its final decision, ensuring the project aligns with both the National Environmental Policy Act and regional resource management plans before greenlighting any physical ground disturbance.
Permit Scope and Land Administration Responsibilities
The BLM approval does not cover every parcel of land involved in the project—it applies specifically to BLM-administered lands within the project area.
Part of the proposed pipeline corridor crosses lands administered by a separate authority, the Trust Lands Administration (TLA). Middle Fork Energy Uinta, LLC, must obtain the necessary authorization for that segment independently. The two approval processes are distinct, and the company must address both before proceeding with the full pipeline route. The complete decision record is publicly available through BLM’s ePlanning portal at eplanning.blm.gov, allowing interested parties to review the agency’s findings and the basis for its approval.
BLM’s Role in Managing Western Public Lands
The BLM oversees an extensive portfolio of public land across the United States, managing approximately 245 million acres located primarily across 12 western states, including Alaska.
Sub-surface responsibilities extend considerably further. BLM administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate nationwide—a footprint that dwarfs the surface acreage alone and reflects the agency’s broad role in federal mineral management. Its stated mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for present and future generations. Permitting decisions like this one in Uintah County fall within that mandate, balancing energy development against broader stewardship obligations.
For questions about this specific project, contact the Vernal Field Office directly at 435-781-4400.
Environmental Assessment is Complete
The BLM Vernal Field Office has approved nine APDs authorizing Middle Fork Energy Uinta, LLC, to drill gas wells at the Lestrange 24-1-722 Well Pad in Uintah County, Utah, roughly 20 miles southeast of Vernal. The approval followed completion of Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-UT-G010-2026-0090-EA, which analyzed the well pad, access roads, pipelines, a power line, and the potential for one additional future well.
The decision covers BLM-administered lands only. Middle Fork Energy Uinta must separately secure authorization for the pipeline corridor segment crossing TLA-administered lands. The full decision record is accessible through BLM’s ePlanning portal for public review, and the Vernal Field Office can be reached at 435-781-4400 for additional information.
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