GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Two companies with oil and gas leases mired in lawsuits over the Roan Plateau are endorsing a tentative settlement of the case, and several Garfield County commissioners are considering whether to lend their support to resolve a dispute over development of the environmentally sensitive area west of Rifle.

The proposed settlement would free up some leases to be developed, but would allow others to be canceled. It involves federal mineral leases on the top of the Roan, most of which would be relinquished in exchange for allowing development of leases held by several energy companies at the base of the Roan.