Category: News (Older posts)

DIRECTOR

Department of Natural Resources

1313 Sherman Street, Room 718

Denver, Colorado 80203

Phone: (303) 866-3311

Fax: (303) 866-2115

dnr.state.co.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 2, 2012

CONTACT

Todd Hartman, 303-866-3311 x-8665, todd.hartman@state.co.us

MATTHEW LEPORE TO LEAD

COLORADO OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Denver lawyer and former Colorado Assistant Attorney General Matthew Lepore has been chosen as the new director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC).

Lepore recently served as lead counsel for the Commission and represented the agency on numerous matters including environmental protection, permitting and regulatory enforcement. Lepore has also worked extensively for private firms and specialized in natural resource and environmental law in a legal career spanning nearly 20 years.

œWe’re pleased to have Matt at the Commission’s helm as it balances responsible energy development and protecting the natural beauty of Colorado, said Governor John Hickenlooper. œMatt is a longtime Coloradan whose love and appreciation of the outdoors and experience with legal and natural resource issues make him an ideal leader for the Commission. We expect Matt and the Commission to maintain the high standards that protect the environment and help Colorado’s economy to continue moving forward.

œMatt provided exceptional representation to the Commission through his role as Assistant Attorney General, and we expect him to build on that work in his new role overseeing the Commission staff and working with Commission members and stakeholders – including local governments, neighbors, citizens groups and the regulated industry,” said Mike King, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

œI look forward to leading the Commission as we continue to bring together people of diverse views to ensure our energy resources are developed with the highest regard for the communities, landscapes and environments that we care for so deeply, Lepore said. œColorado is recognized as a national leader in working through the many challenges of energy development and we intend to continue serving as a model the country can follow.

Lepore served as lead counsel to the Commission during an especially challenging period beginning in late 2009, as the agency implemented a comprehensive overhaul of state regulations designed to create stronger protections for land, water, wildlife and public health in areas affected by oil and gas development. Lepore will oversee a staff of 70 and work closely with the nine-member Commission that provides policy direction to the agency.

On July 5, 2012 Park County Commission issued the following letter to the Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office. CWF applauds this message to the BLM.

 

The Park County Board of County Commissioners as representatives for the citizens of Park County formally asks that the Colorado office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to make the long-term protection of South Park, Park County, and a priority before major energy development changes the face of this special part of the West.

The headwaters of the South Platte River courses through South Park. Its streams and reservoirs are what make popular gold medal streams fishing destinations possible.

The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife annually stocks all of these waters with trout that provide fishing recreation for thousands of anglers each year. Anglers have access to dozens of lakes and streams thanks to the leases the state agency has acquired and manages.

In addition, the South Platte provides drinking water for approximately 75 percent of Colorado’s population, through Denver Water.

South Park also is prime unfragmented big game habitat with an excellent network of State Wildlife Areas. It offers some of the West’s best elk hunting along with pronghorn and mule deer. Much of South Park is also prime habitat for mountain plover, a species of concern by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife; South Park supplies 15-20 percent of the known breeding population.

This sparsely populated area that has long been known for ranching, hunting and fishing and other tourism is now being leased for energy development. The oil and gas that’s wedged into geologic formations thousands of feet below South Park has prompted interest by industry in leasing. These leases lie in key habitats for humans, deer, pronghorn, elk, trout and mountain plover.

South Park is one of the West’s last landscapes that retains much of its native habitat and hunting and fishing traditions, is at risk.

As Coloradans and Westerners, we understand that energy development should and will occur. We support responsible energy development that is balanced with the needs of native wildlife populations and the important habitats they require for healthy survival.

It is for this reason that we asking BLM , as you begin the process of revising the Resource Management Plan(RMP) or a oil and gas leasing plan amendment that this is an opportunity to incorporate BLM’s master leasing planning tools to provide an effective way to ensure that the cumulative impacts on water quality and quantity, air quality, noise, wildlife, plant species, recreation , hunting and fishing , socio-economic impacts and public health impacts are addressed and mitigated when applicable. BLM should engage in a careful process that assures that the energy exploration industry, local landowners, state and federal wildlife managers and land management agencies have the opportunity to participate in planning and make recommendations about energy exploration, drilling and production.

Sincerely,

__________________________________

Richard F. Hodges, Chairman BOCC

On July 5, 2012 Park County Commission issued the following letter to the Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office. CWF applauds this message to the BLM.

 

The Park County Board of County Commissioners as representatives for the citizens of Park County formally asks that the Colorado office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to make the long-term protection of South Park, Park County, and a priority before major energy development changes the face of this special part of the West.

The headwaters of the South Platte River courses through South Park. Its streams and reservoirs are what make popular gold medal streams fishing destinations possible.

The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife annually stocks all of these waters with trout that provide fishing recreation for thousands of anglers each year. Anglers have access to dozens of lakes and streams thanks to the leases the state agency has acquired and manages.

In addition, the South Platte provides drinking water for approximately 75 percent of Colorado’s population, through Denver Water.

South Park also is prime unfragmented big game habitat with an excellent network of State Wildlife Areas. It offers some of the West’s best elk hunting along with pronghorn and mule deer. Much of South Park is also prime habitat for mountain plover, a species of concern by the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife; South Park supplies 15-20 percent of the known breeding population.

This sparsely populated area that has long been known for ranching, hunting and fishing and other tourism is now being leased for energy development. The oil and gas that’s wedged into geologic formations thousands of feet below South Park has prompted interest by industry in leasing. These leases lie in key habitats for humans, deer, pronghorn, elk, trout and mountain plover.

South Park is one of the West’s last landscapes that retains much of its native habitat and hunting and fishing traditions, is at risk.

As Coloradans and Westerners, we understand that energy development should and will occur. We support responsible energy development that is balanced with the needs of native wildlife populations and the important habitats they require for healthy survival.

It is for this reason that we asking BLM , as you begin the process of revising the Resource Management Plan(RMP) or a oil and gas leasing plan amendment that this is an opportunity to incorporate BLM’s master leasing planning tools to provide an effective way to ensure that the cumulative impacts on water quality and quantity, air quality, noise, wildlife, plant species, recreation , hunting and fishing , socio-economic impacts and public health impacts are addressed and mitigated when applicable. BLM should engage in a careful process that assures that the energy exploration industry, local landowners, state and federal wildlife managers and land management agencies have the opportunity to participate in planning and make recommendations about energy exploration, drilling and production.

Sincerely,

__________________________________

Richard F. Hodges, Chairman BOCC

The Buena Vista Town Trustees voted unanimously on July 24, 2012 to support protection of Browns Canyon. CWF has supported permanent protection for several years and contacted several CWF members in advance of the vote to ask them to contact the trustees to urge support.

Senator Udall applauded the Trustees’ vote. Here is the Senator’s press release, issued on July 25:

Udall Welcomes Buena Vista Trustees’ Endorsement of Protecting Browns Canyon

http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2576
Posted: Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Mark Udall called the Buena Vista Town Trustees’ unanimous vote last night to
support his efforts to permanently protect Browns Canyon an encouraging development.
“Protecting Browns Canyon will ensure that this truly magnificent area – a river
recreationist’s dream – remains protected and an ongoing draw for tourists, guides
and outfitters,” Udall said. “There is broad support that we need to act to preserve
and protect Browns Canyon. Protecting this special area is one of the best
investments we can make to create jobs and support the local economy. The Buena
Vista trustees underlined just that last night with their unanimous endorsement of
protecting Browns Canyon.”
Earlier this year, Udall kicked off efforts to establish the Arkansas River Canyon
National Monument and Browns Canyon Wilderness Area. You can access maps associated
with Udall’s proposal and comment on the proposals by clicking
HERE<http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=form&id=51>.

The Buena Vista Town Trustees voted unanimously on July 24, 2012 to support protection of Browns Canyon. CWF has supported permanent protection for several years and contacted several CWF members in advance of the vote to ask them to contact the trustees to urge support.

Senator Udall applauded the Trustees’ vote. Here is the Senator’s press release, issued on July 25:

Udall Welcomes Buena Vista Trustees’ Endorsement of Protecting Browns Canyon

http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2576
Posted: Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Mark Udall called the Buena Vista Town Trustees’ unanimous vote last night to
support his efforts to permanently protect Browns Canyon an encouraging development.
“Protecting Browns Canyon will ensure that this truly magnificent area – a river
recreationist’s dream – remains protected and an ongoing draw for tourists, guides
and outfitters,” Udall said. “There is broad support that we need to act to preserve
and protect Browns Canyon. Protecting this special area is one of the best
investments we can make to create jobs and support the local economy. The Buena
Vista trustees underlined just that last night with their unanimous endorsement of
protecting Browns Canyon.”
Earlier this year, Udall kicked off efforts to establish the Arkansas River Canyon
National Monument and Browns Canyon Wilderness Area. You can access maps associated
with Udall’s proposal and comment on the proposals by clicking
HERE<http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=form&id=51>.

Governor Hickenlooper announced on July 9, 2012 his 11 appointments to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. In addition, the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Mike King, and the Commissioner of Agriculture, John Salazar, will continue to serve as ex officio members of the Commission.

Seven of the 11 appointees are reapppointments from the former Parks and Wildlife Commission. The composition of the Commission (representation as shown below) is specified in legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2012 and signed by the Governor on June 4.

Here is the Governor’s Office press release:

DENVER ­” Monday, July 9, 2012 ”* Gov. John Hickenlooper announced several Board and Commission appointments today. The appointments were to the Parksand Wildlife Commission; the Colorado Natural Areas Council; and the Advisory Committee on Licensing of Child Care Facilities. TheParks and Wildlife Commission is responsible for perpetuating the wildlife resources of the state, providing a quality state parks system and providing enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreations opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado natural resources. The appointment must be confirmed by the Colorado Senate. The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2013 are: Jeanne Horne of Meeker, as a representative of sports persons and outfitters and west of the Continental Divide. James C. Pribyl of Boulder, as a member at large.

The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2014 are: John Singletary of Pueblo, as a representative of sports persons. Kenneth œMark Smith of Center, as a member at large. Robert œDean Wingfield of Vernon, as a representative of agriculture.

The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2015 are: Christopher James Castilian of Denver, as a representative of outdoor recreation and utilizes parks resources. William G. Kane of Basalt, as a representative of outdoor recreation and utilizes parks resources. Gaspar Perricone of Denver, as a representative of sports persons.

The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2016 are: Robert William Bray of Redvale, as a representative of agriculture and west of the Continental Divide. Michelle Zimmerman of Breckenridge, as a representative of a non-profit organization that promotes conservation and recognizes non-consumptive wildlife use, and west of the Continental Divide. James Vigil of Trinidad, as a representative of agriculture.

Governor Hickenlooper announced on July 9, 2012 his 11 appointments to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. In addition, the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Mike King, and the Commissioner of Agriculture, John Salazar, will continue to serve as ex officio members of the Commission.

Seven of the 11 appointees are reapppointments from the former Parks and Wildlife Commission. The composition of the Commission (representation as shown below) is specified in legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2012 and signed by the Governor on June 4.

Here is the Governor’s Office press release:

DENVER ­” Monday, July 9, 2012 ”* Gov. John Hickenlooper announced several Board and Commission appointments today. The appointments were to the Parksand Wildlife Commission; the Colorado Natural Areas Council; and the Advisory Committee on Licensing of Child Care Facilities. TheParks and Wildlife Commission is responsible for perpetuating the wildlife resources of the state, providing a quality state parks system and providing enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreations opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado natural resources. The appointment must be confirmed by the Colorado Senate. The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2013 are: Jeanne Horne of Meeker, as a representative of sports persons and outfitters and west of the Continental Divide. James C. Pribyl of Boulder, as a member at large.

The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2014 are: John Singletary of Pueblo, as a representative of sports persons. Kenneth œMark Smith of Center, as a member at large. Robert œDean Wingfield of Vernon, as a representative of agriculture.

The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2015 are: Christopher James Castilian of Denver, as a representative of outdoor recreation and utilizes parks resources. William G. Kane of Basalt, as a representative of outdoor recreation and utilizes parks resources. Gaspar Perricone of Denver, as a representative of sports persons.

The members appointed for terms expiring July 1, 2016 are: Robert William Bray of Redvale, as a representative of agriculture and west of the Continental Divide. Michelle Zimmerman of Breckenridge, as a representative of a non-profit organization that promotes conservation and recognizes non-consumptive wildlife use, and west of the Continental Divide. James Vigil of Trinidad, as a representative of agriculture.

The Colorado Roadless Rule (CRR), resulting from a seven-year process, became effective on July 3, 2012. The CRR protects important wildlife habitat in 363 roadless areas consisting of approximately 4.2 million acres. Of that number, 1,219,200 acres are designated as Upper Tier; these acres receive special protections. CRR incorporates several trade-offs.

CWF, in conjunction with others, has worked hard and consistently during seven these years to help shape provisions that address Colorado. The CRR is not perfect, but in our view, it addresses the important issues in a reasonable manner.

409,500 acres were added pursuant to their importance for wildlife and qualification as roadless (following a study a few years ago by the former Division of Wildlife after one of the drafts of the rule was published- a GIS study CWF had urged after we performed an abbreviated analysis of the areas included in the draft and areas that were not included at that time). The CRR incorporates several trade-offs. 459,100 acres associated with the 2001 Rule “have been determined to be substantially altered” plus 8,300 acres for ski areas.

9000 acres of Currant Creek roadless area are protected, an area that is very important wildlife habitat. It is close to the North Fork coal development area, and, therefore, was in jeopardy of inclusion within the coal provisions (exclusions) of the CRR.

As to wildfire risk to “at risk communities,” 247,800 acres in Upper Tier roadless areas are within one-half mile of an at-risk community. Road construction and reconstruction will be allowed, as well as fuel treatments. Within Upper Tier areas, an estimated 6,100 acres ( 2 percent) are within one-half mile of an at-risk community. CWF actively commented during the last three years to help shape a feasible outcome on this aspect of the CRR.

The CRR says it does not affect the terms or validity of oil and gas leases that have been issued after January 12, 2001, the date that the 2001 rule was promulgated. The CRR includes 266,900 acres that are classifled as moderate to high oil and gas potential. 631,600 acres are classifled as high potential. Within the Upper Tier areas, the CRR requires a “no surface occupancy” stipulation on all future oil and gas leases. Continued temporary access across roadless areas is allowed to explore, develop and transport products from existing oil and gas leases that do not otherwise prohibit road construction or reconstruction.

Linear construction zones (LCZs) were allowed under the 2001 Rule. Under the CRR, LCZs are prohibited across the Upper Tier acres (except for reserved and outstanding rights; statute or treaty, or water conveyance structures operated under a pre-existing water court decree). The CRR encourages placement of LCZs outside of roadless areas when possible and co-location of powerlines, pipelines, etc. within roadless areas.

As to water, the CRR allows road construction except that in Upper Tier areas. But there is a linear construction zones exception for Upper Tier areas as to water rights with a pre-existing water court decree.

The Colorado Roadless Rule (CRR), resulting from a seven-year process, became effective on July 3, 2012. The CRR protects important wildlife habitat in 363 roadless areas consisting of approximately 4.2 million acres. Of that number, 1,219,200 acres are designated as Upper Tier; these acres receive special protections. CRR incorporates several trade-offs.

CWF, in conjunction with others, has worked hard and consistently during seven these years to help shape provisions that address Colorado. The CRR is not perfect, but in our view, it addresses the important issues in a reasonable manner.

409,500 acres were added pursuant to their importance for wildlife and qualification as roadless (following a study a few years ago by the former Division of Wildlife after one of the drafts of the rule was published- a GIS study CWF had urged after we performed an abbreviated analysis of the areas included in the draft and areas that were not included at that time). The CRR incorporates several trade-offs. 459,100 acres associated with the 2001 Rule “have been determined to be substantially altered” plus 8,300 acres for ski areas.

9000 acres of Currant Creek roadless area are protected, an area that is very important wildlife habitat. It is close to the North Fork coal development area, and, therefore, was in jeopardy of inclusion within the coal provisions (exclusions) of the CRR.

As to wildfire risk to “at risk communities,” 247,800 acres in Upper Tier roadless areas are within one-half mile of an at-risk community. Road construction and reconstruction will be allowed, as well as fuel treatments. Within Upper Tier areas, an estimated 6,100 acres ( 2 percent) are within one-half mile of an at-risk community. CWF actively commented during the last three years to help shape a feasible outcome on this aspect of the CRR.

The CRR says it does not affect the terms or validity of oil and gas leases that have been issued after January 12, 2001, the date that the 2001 rule was promulgated. The CRR includes 266,900 acres that are classifled as moderate to high oil and gas potential. 631,600 acres are classifled as high potential. Within the Upper Tier areas, the CRR requires a “no surface occupancy” stipulation on all future oil and gas leases. Continued temporary access across roadless areas is allowed to explore, develop and transport products from existing oil and gas leases that do not otherwise prohibit road construction or reconstruction.

Linear construction zones (LCZs) were allowed under the 2001 Rule. Under the CRR, LCZs are prohibited across the Upper Tier acres (except for reserved and outstanding rights; statute or treaty, or water conveyance structures operated under a pre-existing water court decree). The CRR encourages placement of LCZs outside of roadless areas when possible and co-location of powerlines, pipelines, etc. within roadless areas.

As to water, the CRR allows road construction except that in Upper Tier areas. But there is a linear construction zones exception for Upper Tier areas as to water rights with a pre-existing water court decree.

On June 22, 2012, US District Judge Marcia Krieger set aside the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) decision in its Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for the Roan Plateau. She found the BLM’s decision violated the Administrative Procedures Act because it did not sufficiently address the community alternative, cumulative air quality impacts and potential ozone impacts. Judge Krieger remanded the action to the BLM for further action.

The BLM had issued its final RMP/EIS in August of 2006 and adopted its plan in June 2007. Its plan would permit leasing of the entire federal public land area of the Roan Plateau for oil and gas drilling, through a phased drilling and reclamation process.

CWF had participated extensively before the BLM adopted its plan, urging phased leasing, protection of important deer and elk winter range, and attention to reasonably foreseeable cumulative impacts to wildlife of its plan when considered in conjunction with current and future development on adjacent private lands. CWF was not a party to the lawsuit.