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<br />Summary xv <br /> <br />In Support of Commercialization. Once clear indications are in hand that major <br />firms are ready ro invest in scaling up and demonstrating oil shale technologies, gov- <br />ernment attention should be directed at gathering long lead time information <br />required ro support future decisionmaking with regard to permitting and leasing. <br />Early action is appropriate for the following: <br /> <br />· Development and implementation of a research plan directed at establishing <br />options for mitigating damage to plants and wildlife and reducing uncertainties <br />associated with ecological restoration. <br />· Research directed at mathematical modeling of the subsurface environment, <br />combined with a multiyear hydrological, geochemical, and geophysical moni- <br />toring program. (This in the event that major industrial investments are <br />directed at in-situ retorting.) <br />· Research directed at establishing and analyzing options for long-term spent <br />shale disposal. (This in the event that major industrial investments are being <br />directed at mining and surface retorting.) <br />· Regional air quality modeling directed at determining preferred locations for <br />federal leasing and informing decisions on air quality permits for initial com- <br />mercial plants. <br />· Development of a federal oil shale leasing strategy' for the Green River Forma- <br />tion, along with appropriate analytic and ptocedural approaches for timing and <br />selecting sites for lease offerings, establishing lease provisions, and avoiding <br />measures that will constrain future development. <br /> <br />Development at a Measured Pace. Many uncertainties regarding technology <br />performance and environmental and socioeconomic impacts remain unresolved. <br />While the above "early action" recommendations will serve to narrow uncertainties <br />and reduce the risks of making poor decisions, resolution of the most critical issues <br />associated with strategically significant levels of production will not occur until the <br />initial round of large-scale commercial facilities are (onstructed and operated- <br />a point that is at least 12 years down the road. A particularly pressing issue is the <br />viability of in-situ retorting because this approach may offer a more profitable and far <br />more environmentally benign alternative ro mining and surface retorting. The pre- <br />vailing information shortfalls suggest that oil shale development should proceed at a <br />measured pace. <br />Public Participation. Because oil shale development could profoundly affect local <br />residents and other stakeholders, their inputs into federal decisionmaking need ro be <br />sought and valued early in the process. The same holds 1:rue of the affected state gov- <br />ernments, tribal governments, and the wider citizenry, including nongovernmental <br />organizations representing citizens supportive of environmental protection, wildlife <br />conservation, and alternative land uses. An opportune time to broaden public <br />