BLM Plan Projects 1,600 Wells Drilled On/Around Roan Plateau, CO

[hatrack]

PARACHUTE, Colo. — "Much of Colorado's mineral-rich Roan Plateau would be opened to energy development under the favored recommendation released Friday by federal land managers. But drilling in the sensitive wildlife habitat, about 150 miles west of Denver, could be delayed by up to 16 years.

The Bureau of Land Management's draft plan offers five alternatives with a maximum of nearly 1,600 natural gas wells, including 200 on top of the plateau, which rises more than half a mile above the Colorado River Valley. The favored recommendation calls for more than 1,300 wells over 20 years, including 51 on top of the plateau. The plateau-top wells would be allowed only after 80% of the wells below the plateau's rim were fully developed.

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David Cesark, an environmental specialist for the Williams Cos., an oil and gas company, said the draft was well thought out and that his company always expected restrictions. "We have never wanted the extreme plan for natural gas in the area," he said.

Ed. - Yeah, right, David.

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Watson said the BLM's recommended alternative would allow energy development while protecting wildlife winter habitat and native trout. New drilling and other construction work would be forbidden for five winter months. She said less than 10% of drilling would occur on the plateau's top under the plan. One of the alternatives in the BLM draft would maintain the status quo, meaning no new oil and gas leases on federal land."

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http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-na-drill20nov20,1,2630935.story?coll=la-news-environment