The Superior Oil Company, the Sohio Shale Oil Company, and the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company propose to construct and operate a shale oil production facility in Garfield County, Colorado. This venture is termed the ''Phase I Pacific Project'', and would have an initial production capacity of approximately 18,000 barrels per day (BPD) of raw shale oil. In addition to the oil shale retorting module, the project would include an associated room-and-pillar mine and necessary support facilities. This draft description of proposed action is contingent upon the selection of one of three alternate plant locations: either Deer Park Gulch, Scott Gulch, or the top of the mesa would be the location of choice. The top of the mesa has been the primary example used throughout this description because of assured access and property ownership. The final plant site selection will be determined by a thorough review of the economic, environmental, and design tradeoffs which are beyond the scope of this draft and are not a part of the Phase I activities. Contents of this report include: description of the proposed action; project summaries; capital costs; operating costs; abandonment costs; economic evaluation and sensitivity analysis; site availability; and appendices. 23 figs., 13 tabs.