DENVER (AP) -- The federal government has released a draft for guiding oil and gas development in northwestern Colorado's Piceance Basin over the next 20 years.

The Bureau of Land Management says the public can comment on the draft White River Resource Management Plan Oil and Gas Amendment through Dec. 14.

The draft analyzes four alternatives for potential energy development on 1.7 million acres of federal leasable minerals in parts of Rio Blanco, Moffat and Garfield counties. The BLM lists as its preferred alternative an option that could result in 15,042 new wells and 1,800 new well pads. Other alternatives suggest fewer or more wells. All include proposals for minimizing impacts to sensitive resources, including wildlife.

The BLM expects a final decision on a plan in April 2014.

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