Rep. Salazar Urges BLM to Delay Leasing San Luis Hills

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. John Salazar asked the Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to delay leasing the area known as the San Luis Hills. Conejos and Costilla County officials have filed protests with BLM.

“Responsible management of our natural resources is vital for the United States,” said Rep. Salazar. “The inadequate notice given to residents of Conejos and Costilla County is not acceptable and I’m asking BLM to delay action until the next quarterly auction. BLM must work with citizens and local elected officials to make sure their concerns are heard and addressed.”

The text of Rep. Salazar’s letter is below.

Sally Wisely

State Director

Bureau of Land Management

Colorado State Office

2850 Youngfield St.

Lakewood, CO 80215

Dear Ms. Wisely:

I write to request that the Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) delay the leasing of 9 parcels of lands within Conejos County in the State of Colorado for oil and gas development until the next quarterly auction. The parcels are on both BLM and private lands, specifically COC71335, COC71336, COC71337, COC71338, COC71339, COC71340, COC71341, COC71342, and COC71343. I understand BLM has received 18 protests to the lease of these parcels, most notably Conejos and Costilla Counties.

I request this delay for a number of reasons. First, I am concerned with the inadequate notice regarding this sale for residents within Conejos County, as well as neighboring Costilla County. While the lease sale is scheduled for August 9, 2007, many residents, including surface landowners whose subsurface rights are included in the sale, as well as grazing permit holders who graze cattle on the parcels, did not become aware of the lease sale until a community meeting on July 23rd, 2007. Second, I am also concerned about the potential negative impacts of leasing these parcels on water and air quality; grazing rights; hunting and fishing; and the economic development opportunities associated with Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway which bisects these lands, and is included in the proposed Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, which I have introduced in the 110th Congress.

Local governments and affected surface landowners deserve clear, direct and timely notification on large scale leases such as these, so they may be better informed to provide meaningful input to the public comment process. Delaying the lease sale of these parcels until the next quarterly auction will better serve the communities impacted, and will allow for better cooperation between the BLM and the residents of these affected counties as they contemplate potential oil and gas development in the San Luis Hills.

Thank you for your consideration of this request,

Sincerely,

John T. Salazar

Member of Congress

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	For immediate release: August 6, 2007
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director Rick Palacio, Deputy Communications Director
	Rep. Salazar Urges BLM to Delay Leasing San Luis Hills
	WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. John Salazar asked the Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to delay leasing the area known as the San Luis Hills. Conejos and Costilla County officials have filed protests with BLM. “Responsible management of our natural resources is vital for the United States,” said Rep. Salazar. “The inadequate notice given to residents of Conejos and Costilla County is not acceptable and I’m asking BLM to delay action until the next quarterly auction. BLM must work with citizens and local elected officials to make sure their concerns are heard and addressed.” The text of Rep. Salazar’s letter is below. Sally Wisely State Director Bureau of Land Management Colorado State Office 2850 Youngfield St. Lakewood, CO 80215 Dear Ms. Wisely: I write to request that the Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) delay the leasing of 9 parcels of lands within Conejos County in the State of Colorado for oil and gas development until the next quarterly auction. The parcels are on both BLM and private lands, specifically COC71335, COC71336, COC71337, COC71338, COC71339, COC71340, COC71341, COC71342, and COC71343. I understand BLM has received 18 protests to the lease of these parcels, most notably Conejos and Costilla Counties. I request this delay for a number of reasons. First, I am concerned with the inadequate notice regarding this sale for residents within Conejos County, as well as neighboring Costilla County. While the lease sale is scheduled for August 9, 2007, many residents, including surface landowners whose subsurface rights are included in the sale, as well as grazing permit holders who graze cattle on the parcels, did not become aware of the lease sale until a community meeting on July 23rd, 2007. Second, I am also concerned about the potential negative impacts of leasing these parcels on water and air quality; grazing rights; hunting and fishing; and the economic development opportunities associated with Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway which bisects these lands, and is included in the proposed Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, which I have introduced in the 110th Congress. Local governments and affected surface landowners deserve clear, direct and timely notification on large scale leases such as these, so they may be better informed to provide meaningful input to the public comment process. Delaying the lease sale of these parcels until the next quarterly auction will better serve the communities impacted, and will allow for better cooperation between the BLM and the residents of these affected counties as they contemplate potential oil and gas development in the San Luis Hills. Thank you for your consideration of this request, Sincerely, John T. Salazar Member of Congress
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