The predevelopment program for Naval Oil Shale Reserve Number 1 (NOSR 1), located in Colorado, was initiated in 1945 when the Bureau of Mines began assessment of the shale resource with a fourteen core hole drilling program. Planning and field work were continued intermittently and at a slow pace until 1977, when the current predevelopment plan as proposed by the acting Secretary of the Navy was approved by the Armed Services Committees. At that time, a five year, major effort was initiated with a contractor team to complete all resource assessment, planning, engineering, and regulatory compliance work required to proceed with detailed design and construction of a commercial shale oil production facility.