CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR: BLM SHOULD PLACE PRIORITY ON COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Salazar Submits Comments on Draft EIS for Roan Plateau
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) today submitted comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Roan Plateau Planning Area. Emphasizing that the ultimate priority should be placed on the community’s concerns, Salazar submitted five recommendations to the Bureau of Land Management:
1 – not approve any drilling on top of the Roan Plateau;
2 – analyze and incorporate the measures of the “Community Alternative” whereappropriate;
3 – provide adequate spacing between gas wells and other mitigation plans;
4 – analyze implications on livestock grazing levels; and
5 – provide for full water quality monitoring.
The full text of Salazar’s letter follows:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Roan Plateau Planning Area. The Draft EIS is an important issue to me, my constituents and, indeed, the entire nation because it will shape how and where natural gas drilling will be allowed within the Roan Plateau Planning Area.
The Bureau of Land Management has a difficult task ahead of it with regard to natural gas development on and around the Roan Plateau. Balancing the needs of local communities, business interests and public demand for cheap, reliable energy is a difficult task at best. Balancing land management decisions between a diverse set of uses including ranching, hunting and fishing, watershed protection and the health of wildlife populations only adds to the pressures the BLM faces.
The input of local governments, community organizations, residents and businesses should be a priority in this process. I commend the BLM for their willingness to extend the comment period on the draft EIS so these voices may be heard. I urge the BLM to not ignore the input it has received thus far and to incorporate the needs of the local communities into the final Environmental Impact Statement.
Early on in the EIS drafting process, the BLM considered many alternatives ranging from zero to full capacity drilling on the top of the Plateau. I am disappointed the BLM failed to include alternatives that garnered much community support in the initial scoping period for the EIS. Specifically, I am referring to “Alternative F” which would have permitted oil and gas development around the perimeter of the Roan while leaving the Plateau’s top in its current state, free of major drilling activities.
Research and sound science are essential components to the decision making process as well. A number of key statistics stick out in my mind that I would like to highlight in my comments to the Bureau of Land Management.
• The draft EIS suggests the vast majority of drilling and thus the vast majority of gas recovered under this plan will come from lands around the base of the Plateau (DEIS page 4-214). Given this information, it appears there is no need to drill on top of the Plateau in order to recover the vast majority of gas in the planning area.
• The BLM’s preferred alternative states there could be a 36% decrease in winter habitat for local mule deer populations (DEIS page 4-86). This decrease in habitat has the potential to diminish herd sizes by 33% in the planning area (DEIS page 4-87). In light of the fact that the Division of Wildlife has announced the region’s mule deer population is already well below its target, I find this information particularly troubling. Key winter range areas and wildlife migration corridors such as Magpie Gulch should be protected from surface disturbance under the final plan. Winter range for the Porcupine Creek elk herd should be protected from excessive disturbance as well.
As I mentioned, local input and the needs of the community hold important weight in the decision making process. Many surrounding towns such as Newcastle, Silt, Carbondale, Parachute, Glenwood Springs, and Rifle have already passed resolutions in support of the “Community Alternative” and some have also submitted comments to the BLM. In addition, groups such as the Colorado Mule Deer Association, Western Colorado Congress, Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Outfitters Association have also weighed in on the matter. The comments submitted by these local governments, community groups, and individual residents should be given full and fair consideration in this process.
“I urge BLM to include the following recommendations in the Final Environmental Impact Statement:
1. At this time, I believe the BLM should not approve any drilling on top of the Roan Plateau. The life of this Environmental Impact Statement is twenty years. According to the BLM’s preferred alternative, fossil fuel extraction can be delayed for 16 years. I hope to see it excluded from the final EIS and if the energy needs of this country warrant development in twenty years, the BLM, in consultation with local communities, can revisit that option.
2. Fully analyze the impact of the “Community Alternative” and incorporate its recommendations where appropriate. This alternative has been endorsed by the towns of Silt, Newcastle, Carbondale and numerous other groups such as the Colorado Mule Deer Association and the Colorado Outfitters Association. The BLM should work to provide the community with accurate research on the amount of natural gas that can be extracted by utilizing only drilling at the base of the Plateau.
3. Provide adequate spacing between gas wells and other mitigation plans so the mule deer population at the base of the Plateau is not negatively impacted due to decreased wintering habitats and migration corridors. In addition, I ask the BLM to provide a full analysis of the impact this project would have on hunting in the area, including any economic loss that might result due to a reduction in hunting activities.
4. Fully analyze the implications the Draft EIS would have on livestock grazing levels on allotments in this area (DEIS page 4-210). The Final EIS should explain how each allotment might have to be reduced under each alternative. Measures to reduce the impact to allotment holders, such as smaller well pads, should be taken.
5. Provide for full water quality monitoring to ensure area water quality is not diminished. This is particularly important in the creeks which contain populations of genetically pure Colorado River cutthroat trout.
Our nation’s national security depends on the development of domestic energy resources. By investing in renewable energy technologies and the exploration of fossil fuel resources here at home, we will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our homeland security.
Again, I would like to thank the Bureau of Land Management for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Roan Plateau Planning Area.
Sincerely,
John T. Salazar
Member of Congress
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