Energy: BLM eyes new rules for fracking on public lands

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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BLM wants to update 30-year-old fracking regs.

Common sense steps address some environmental and health concerns

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — An updated set of draft rules for fracking on public and Indian lands includes several common-sense safeguards that will help protect the human health and safety, as well as the environment. For starters, the rule requires disclosure of the chemicals used for fracking, a key measure that ensures transparency and gives the public some assurance.

The proposed rule beefs up standards meant to insure well bore-integrity, which will help verify that fluids used during fracturing operations are not contaminating groundwater. Operators must also have a plan in place for handling fluids that flow back to the surface.

About 90 percent of wells drilled on Federal and Indian lands use hydraulic fracturing, but the Bureau of Land Management’s current regulations governing hydraulic fracturing operations on public lands are more than 30 years old and were not written to address modern hydraulic fracturing activities. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, energy, Environment, gas drilling, oil drilling, public lands | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Energy: Does fracking threaten national parks?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Conservation report outlines steps to mitigate potential impacts

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Oil and gas drilling near national parks could affect air and water quality in pristine, protected areas. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — After years of watching federal agencies haphazardly issuing leases for oil and gas drilling on public lands near national parks, conservation advocates say it’s time for a more systematic approach.

With the Bureau of Land Management currently updating national guidelines, the National Parks Conservation Association has outlined potential threats to parks in a new report.

“Our national parks are America’s most treasured places, and we need to treat them carefully as we develop the nation’s natural gas and oil,” said NPCA Vice President for the Center for Park Research Jim Nations. “Our research revealed that some national parks are already in peril. Unless we take quick action, air, water, and wildlife will experience permanent harm in other national parks as well.” (more…)

Filed under: air quality, energy, Environment, fracking, gas drilling, oil drilling | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Study: Greater sage-grouse need wide-open spaces

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Greater sage-grouse. Photo courtesy USFWS.

Biologists take close look at sage-grouse habitat requirements

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A new U.S. Geological Survey-led study illustrates some of the challenges associated with conserving greater sage-grouse in western landscapes that are increasingly fragmented by human activities, including exurban sprawl and energy development.

Within their sagebrush habitat, the scientists documented very specific environmental conditions showing that the birds prefer to breed in drier-than-average regions within a small temperature and precipitation range. The findings suggest that predicted changes in climate may cause lek locations to change depending on where there are optimal arid conditions.

After taking a close look at most of the data available for more than 3,000 active breeding areas, the biologists concluded that the large birds do best in “landscapes with extremely minimal levels of human land use.” (more…)

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Canadian bank funds Colorado River restoration project

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

$10,000 donation will help restore native vegetation

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McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Photo courtesy BLM.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A $10,000 donation from the Royal Bank of Canada will help fund a week-long restoration project along the Colorado River near Grand Junction, in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps will partner with the Bureau of Land Management to remove invasive tamarisk and Russian olive trees from the banks of the Colorado River. The introduced trees suck up water needed by native flora and fauna.

The funding is the result of a partnership between the Royal Bank of Canada and the Conservation Lands Foundation. The bank is is one of Canada’s largest corporate donors. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, Colorado, Environment, public lands, rivers | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: BLM releases North Fork oil and gas leasing info

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Should the BLM be required to release names of companies nominating parcels for oil and gas leasing?

Community groups say more transparency is needed early in leasing procedure

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Community groups in Colorado this week hailed the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to release the names of the entities who nominated the public lands in Western Colorado’s North Fork Valley for oil and gas drilling and fracking.

The agency’s decision is a win for the public and government transparency, said Jim Ramey, director of the Delta County community group Citizens for a Healthy Community.

“The BLM’s mission is to best manage public resources, not to promote an energy speculation and commodities trading industry. If drilling companies want to develop publicly-owned minerals they should say so publicly, allowing concerned citizens and affected communities to evaluate their health, safety, and environmental record,”  Ramey said. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, Colorado, energy, Environment, gas drilling, oil drilling, public lands | Tagged: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Colorado: Sen. Udall hosts session on Browns Canyon plan

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Cherished stretch of river lands up for better protection

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If you have questions about the Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness proposal, head over the Nathrop Saturday, April 13, when Sen. Mark Udall will host a listening session to get community feedback that will help fine-tune the plan.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Residents of central Colorado will get a chance to offer some input on a proposed new wilderness area along the Arkansas River this weekend (Saturday, April 13), when Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) holds a listening session in Nathrop. The session is set for 10 a.m. at Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Company, 23910 U.S. Highway 285 in Nathrop.

Udall’s draft proposal for the Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Area is based on more than a year’s worth of community input. It would cover 22,000 acres between Salida and Buena Vista on the Arkansas River, including 10,500 acres of new wilderness. (more…)

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Audit shows gaps in USFS oil and gas leasing programs

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Draft oil and gas leasing map on the White River National Forest.

Report questions agency’s readiness for potential spills

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — The U.S. Forest Service needs to tighten up its oil and gas leasing program, including procedures for reporting spills and monitoring cleanups, according to a new report from the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General.

Along with illustrating weaknesses in the Forest Service’s oversight of oil and gas drilling on national forest lands, the report also noted that the agency needs to work more closely with the Bureau of Land Management to streamline the permitting process on national forest lands. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, energy, Environment, gas drilling, oil drilling, public lands, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Sen. Udall floats Browns Canyon National Monument bill

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Existing uses would continue in popular boating and fishing area

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By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — After a year-long grassroots process, Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) says the proposed 22,000-acre Browns Canyon National Monument is ready for prime time.

Udall, who chairs the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, this week introduced a draft bill that would also create 10,500 acres of wilderness within the monument and protect the most-used rafting destination in the country.

“I am proposing a new national monument for Browns Canyon so that future generations of Coloradans can enjoy the unique mix of exciting whitewater and wilderness so close to Colorado’s Front Range,” Udall said in a statement. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, Colorado, Environment, national parks, public lands, rivers | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

BLM plans new Colorado River boat launch at Radium

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Comments wanted on recreation improvements

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — The boat launch at Radium, along the Upper Colorado River, is no longer adequate to handle the traffic in the popular river recreation area, so the BLM is proposing to build a new facility in time for the busy summer season. About 60,000 people use the area each year, according to the agency.

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on its proposal to construct a new boat launch at the popular Radium Recreation Site on the upper Colorado River.The new launch would be in addition to the single existing boat launch currently at Radium. More details are online at this website. (more…)

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Colorado: BLM seeks comments on outfitter permits

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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The Blm’s Kremmling field office manages public lands in Grand, Summit and Eagle counties.

Outfitter operations to be evaluated in permitting process

By Summit Voice

The Bureau of Land Management’s Kremmling Field Office is seeking public comment on 29 commercial special recreation permit applications for outfitters offering rafting, fishing, jeep tours and other activities on public lands.

Each year, the BLM issues permits to provide recreation businesses the opportunity to operate on BLM lands and provide specific services to the public while  ensuring a fair return to the public for commercial use of public lands.

To help with its evaluation of these permit applications, the BLM is seeking public comment regarding each applicant’s safety history, conflicts that have been associated with the applicants or their employees while operating on public lands, or any other information that would be useful to the agency as it considers the applications. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, Colorado, public lands | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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