This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Rising oil prices and concerns over declining petroleum production worldwide revived U.S. interest in oil shale after a two-decade hiatus. In addition to technological challenges left unsolved from previous development efforts, environmental issues remained and new issues have emerged. Challenges to development also include competition with conventional petroleum production in the mid-continent region, and increasing petroleum imports from Canada. Contents of this report: Background; Oil Shale Resource Potential; Challenges to Development; Commercial Leasing Program; R&D Program; Programmatic Environ. Impact Statement; Mineral Leasing Act Amendments; Commercial Lease Sale and Royalty Rates. Illus.

Oil shale deposits in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming are estimated to contain up to 3 trillion barrels of oil -- or an amount equal to the world's proven oil reserves. About 72% of this oil shale is located beneath federal lands. Extracting this oil is expected to require substantial amounts of water and could impact groundwater and surface water. This report examined: (1) what is known about the potential impacts of oil shale development (OSD) on surface water and groundwater; (2) what is known about the amount of water that may be needed for OSD; (3) the extent to which water will likely be available for OSD and its source; and (4) federal research efforts to address impacts to water resources from OSD. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.