BLM’s Bad Faith: Roan Plateau decision ignores Colorado’s interests

Release Date: February 13, 2008
Grand Junction

Contact: Joe Neuhof Colorado Environmental Coaltion 970-243-0002

Contact: Clare Bastable COLORADO MOUNTAIN CLUB 970-618-1341

The announcement today by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management that it will plow ahead with its plans to drill the last scenic lands of the Roan Plateau, demonstrates bad faith in working with the region's elected officials, and stands contrary to public sentiment, the Save Roan Plateau Campaign said in a statement today.  The coalition of conservationists, sportsmen and local elected officials called on Colorado's governor and Congressional delegation to introduce legislation to protect the Roan's important wildlife habitat and watersheds before the government moves to lease these lands this summer. 

"Once again Colorado's interests are being ignored by the BLM.  The majority of the public don't want to see any more of the Roan's public lands sacrificed to energy development," said Michael Hassig, Mayor of Carbondale. "The Governor's proposal was modest and the BLMs decision not to honor those recommendations is disappointing. As recent news of major oil and gas waste pit spills on the Roan show, there are no 100% safe drilling projects. That's why it's critical that Colorado leaders continue to demand more protections for the Roan Plateau."

Today, BLM officials announced that they have rejected Governor Ritter's request to reopen their Roan decision to expand protected areas for wildlife and watersheds.  The campaign called on the governor and Senator Salazar to quickly pursue legislation for full and lasting protection for Roan Plateau. 

With industry sitting on a massive stockpile of drilling opportunities across western Colorado and new permits on pace to set a record for a seventh straight year, there is simply no reason to rush gas leasing on the Roan Plateau, the coalition said. This rush to lease is being driven by a false crisis atmosphere created by industry extremists who believe their interests are more important than the needs of Colorado.
 
Meanwhile, directional drilling technology is continually improving. Technology will already allow industry to access almost all the gas under the Roan without damaging the plateau's sensitive ridges and risking rare cutthroat trout populations with chemical spills.

Despite its small size, the Roan Plateau is extremely species-rich. Only three areas of similar size in Colorado contain such a wealth of rare species, with the Roan as the only one of the four that does not enjoy protective status. Local government officials and tens of thousands of citizens, and hunting, fishing, and conservation groups across the state have long urged that the Roan Plateau be protected, and have overwhelmingly supported its management for other public uses besides energy development.

The Campaign emphasized the balanced solution lies in keeping these lands as they are today—for the wildlife that thrive there, for the clean waters the lands protect, and for future generations that will hopefully still find western Colorado among the greatest places on earth, even after the drill rigs and crews are long gone. 

"New Mexico protected the Valle Vidal, Montana protected the Rocky Mountain Front and Wyoming is fighting hard to protect the Wyoming Range," said Bill Dvorak with the Colorado Rivers Outfitters Association.   "Colorado expects the same type of leadership from our elected officials. Other states have defeated irresponsible drilling plans, and now it's time for Colorado to do the same."