Colorado: Conservation groups say BLM gas-drilling plan for Piceance Basin threatens wildlife

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Draft version may include outdated science

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One of the maps included in the BLM draft resource management plan shows the oil and gas potential in the Mesa Verde play area.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — The next big battle over fossil fuel development in Colorado is shaping up in the Piceance Basin, where a new draft BLM land-use plan would permit up to 15,000 new oil and gas wells in what’s been called the state’s mule deer factory.

Conservation groups say the BLM plan uses obsolete data and isn’t supported by the best available science.

John Ellenberger, the state’s former big game manager, said the BLM plan is full of holes and doesn’t address some basic issues, including how baseline data on wildlife will be gathered. He called the management approach that could result in high levels of disturbance in key wildlife habitat “unprecedented.’’

“If something like this goes through as planned, the deer are going to exist at much lower densities than in the past,’’ Ellenberger said. “The other thing is how do hunters react to it? Hunters don’t want to hunt in an industrial zone, with pump jacks, derricks, roads and other fixtures. They’re not going to drive from Pennsylvania, California or Missouri to hunt mule deer in the West and have that kind of experience.’’ (more…)

Filed under: BLM, Colorado, energy, Environment, public lands, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Feds to take another hard look at oil shale plans

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Commercial development still years away; water a huge issue

An experimental Shell Oil in situ oil shale processing facility in northwest Colorado’s Piceance Basin. PHOTO COURTESY THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Facing a couple of lawsuits and a slew of questions from communities in oil-shale country, the Department of Interior this week announced that it will take a new, hard look at commercial oil shale plans and regulations issued under the Bush administration.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said commercial oil shale technologies are still years away, and said the government will develop plans that ensure a fair return to American taxpayers.

If needed, the rules will be updated based on new research and technology — and to account for the massive amounts of water required to develop oil shale on a commercial scale. The Government Accountability Office recently issued a report calling for more detailed studies of water issues related to oil shale development. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, energy, Environment, federal government | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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