GARFIELD COUNTY WON’T SUPPORT DRILLING BAN IN THOMPSON DIVIDE

GLENWOOD SPRINGS - Garfield County officials declined early this week to support a move to introduce national legislation designed to prevent natural gas drilling in the Thompson Divide area.

However, after rejecting the bid for support from the grassroots environmental group, Thompson Divide Coalition, the Board of County Commissioners decided to invite U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., to appear at a future commissioners meeting to discuss the matter.

The TDC has been working for more than a year to preserve the Thompson Divide area, located west of Carbondale, from oil and gas drilling. Among the group’s arguments is that the Thompson Divide area is of only “marginal” value as a gas resource, while it is of “critical” value as a relatively undisturbed region of canyons and high mesas.

It is seeking the support and help of Salazar, who the group believes is key to winning congressional approval for any legislation concerning drilling in the Thompson Divide area. The TDC recently drew up a draft bill that would withdraw federally owned lands within the 221,500-acre Thompson Divide area from new mineral leasing.

RESIDENTS CONCERNED MORE DRILLING WILL FURTHER FOUL THE AIR

BATTLEMENT MESA –  This area overlooking I-70 between Rifle and Grand Junction on the West Slope has been a haven for retirees and bedroom community for those commuting up or down the Interstate. But in recent years, the idyllic neighborhood with sweeping vistas has been hit by odors from nearby natural gas operations. Complaints to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission have become commonplace.

Lately concerns are being heightened because of more than 200 new wells proposed for the area.

Residents gathered Wednesday in the town to air complaints about nausea, dizziness, coughing and burning eyes they say are caused by the current operations of Antero Resources. State regulators say they have issued a notice of an alleged violation against the company, and Jon Black of Antero says they are working with the COGCC to minimize the odors.

That isn’t enough to calm folks, who point out that current operations are already fouling the air, making the plan for new wells even more suspect to  residents.

ENERGY GIANT AGREES TO PAY RECORD FINE

Williams has agreed to pay a record $423,300 fine to resolve a state investigation into a spring-contamination case in which a De Beque man drank benzene-tainted water.

However, the company continues to dispute the contention of Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission staff that a leak from its well pad contaminated water that Ned Prather drank at his cabin northwest of Parachute on May 30, 2008.

The commission is scheduled to consider the settlement agreement between Williams and commission staff during its Aug. 12 meeting.

The fine would be the highest ever imposed by the commission for a single incident. The current record is a $390,000 fine handed down by the commission in April against Oxy USA for another case of spring contamination, also northwest of Parachute.

PITKIN COUNTY SEEKS DRILLING BAN IN WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST

Pitkin County, neighbor to the much more heavily drilled Garfield County, has asked the U.S. Forest Service to shut down drilling in the massive White River National Forest as oil and gas leases expire. According to the Aspen Times, Pitkin County – a home-rule county with five commissioners as opposed to the standard three-member board – unanimously signed and fired off a letter to the federal administrators of the 2.3-million-acre forest asking for greater emphasis on tourism and outdoor recreation.

“Given the significant amount of oil and gas that has been produced on the Western Slope over the last 15 years, we request that consideration be given to analysis of the socio-economic and resource benefits of administratively closing lands to future leasing,” the letter read.

“The undeveloped public lands on the White River National Forest provide visitors and residents with extraordinary opportunities for experiencing the natural environment, and are central to our economy.”

The Thompson Creek Divide area of the county near Carbondale has significant natural gas resources, but grassroots environmental groups have been organizing with the goal of trying to prevent  drilling in that area, which is a major outdoor recreation destination for state and local residents. (see related story on Thompson Creek Divide issue above)

The Pitkin County commissioners are set to take up a new set of oil and gas drilling regulations next week.

ENCANA RECLAMATION EFFORTS RECOGNIZED

Encana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc., has been recognized by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for well-pad reclamation.

One award addressed the company’s efforts to reduce the visual impacts of its pads in areas such as along western Colorado’s Interstate 70 corridor. The other acknowledgement was for Encana’s proactive natural resource management program on drilling pads. Steps taken include re-vegetation that improves not only the topsoil but also enhances stormwater management.  

“The awards are a recognition of the innovative work Bryan Whiteley, a surface management coordinator for Encana, has done to help us address surface impacts more comprehensively and cost effectively,” company spokesman Doug Hock said.

EnCana’s new techniques in reclamation are taking root outside the company, too. David Boyd, a spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management, said the agency made the topsoil-management program one of its national best-management practices for oil and gas development, and it’s a condition of approval where practical for drilling overseen by the bureau’s Colorado River Valley Field Office.