Home > GJsentinel.com breaking news > Archives > 2008 > March > 13 > Entry
BLM rejects most of Ritter proposal for developing the Roan Plateau
The Bureau of Land Management today rejected most of Gov. Bill Ritter’s proposal to restrict energy development atop the Roan Plateau.
In a letter to the governor, Interior Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Stephen Allred said he appreciates the state’s input, but will not abide by its request to set aside 36,000 acres as sensitive wildlife areas.
The BLM proposed only setting aside roughly 21,000 acres of sensitive areas in its original development plan for the Roan Plateau, which is north of Interstate 70 between Parachute and Rifle.
“It is important to BLM and the Department of the Interior that we continue to have the state’s involvement in this on-going process,” Allred wrote in his letter. “The BLM will continue to work closely with the State of Colorado on implementing the plan. Also, we continue our offer to fund state employees to be co-located with our employees to provide implementation oversight in these processes.”
Ritter said he was glad to hear the BLM wants to continue conversations about developing the Roan but is discouraged to hear they have rejected most of his plan.
“I strongly disagree with and am disappointed in the department’s decision not to pursue phased leasing and not to expand areas that would be off-limits to energy development on the Roan Plateau,” Ritter said in a statement. “We proposed a uniquely Colorado solution that struck a good balance and would benefit our economy, communities and energy industry while minimizing the impact to our environment. It allowed for phased leasing, staged development, extensive environmental protections, local economic prosperity and maximum financial benefits to the state.”
Democratic Colorado Congressmen John Salazar and Mark Udall also said they were discouraged to hear of the BLM’s letter to Ritter.
“The governor had made a reasonable effort to resolve the leasing issue in a way that accommodated the concerns and interests of the local communities with those of the oil and gas industry,” Salazar said in a statement. “The administration claims that it has met the governor’s objections, but it is clear that it has not.”
Ritter submitted his plan for the Roan, which included provisions for phased leasing of the gas-rich land atop the Roan, in late December.
The plan, at the time, was widely praised by Republican and Democratic officials, including Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction.
Permalink | |
