The Bureau of Land Management unveiled an updated environmental impact statement Tuesday for the plateau, a step toward implementing a landmark compromise between conservationists and the Bill Barrett Corp., an energy company.
Under last year's compromise, Barrett Corp. agreed to give up most of its leases to drill for natural gas on federal land atop the plateau.
The compromise settled a lawsuit filed by environmentalists who want to preserve the plateau's forests, meadows, streams and wildlife.
Attorney Mike Freeman, who represented the environmentalists, said he was still reviewing the BLM's plan but said it was encouraging.
Barrett Corp. didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
