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Drilling starts to worry wildlife official

Oak

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Slowly, almost imperceptibly, officials are waking up, rubbing the sleep from their eyes and taking a look around them.

Drilling starts to worry wildlife official

Plans for 40 more wells near Silt will hurt deer and elk, wildlife manager says

Dennis Webb
Glenwood Springs Correspondent
Vail Daily
November 17, 2007


GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — Plans for 40 natural gas wells south of Silt could harm deer and elk, a state wildlife official says.

Dean Riggs, area wildlife manager in Grand Junction for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, says the species will suffer large-scale, widespread impacts as a result of energy development that is taking place “at a level that no one could have dreamed of a few years ago.”

“As the state agency that is tasked with protecting, preserving, enhancing and managing wildlife within the state we continue to be more disturbed by each (drilling) permit and lease sale that happens,” Riggs wrote in a letter.

His letter came in response to a letter by Lisa Bracken, a resident near where EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) is proceeding with a 40-well drilling plan in the West Divide Creek area.

Bracken is chiefly concerned about the safety of the drilling, which is occurring where gas from an EnCana well contaminated surface water in 2004. But she also worries that drilling activities will damage winter range and calving grounds for elk.

Riggs agreed with Bracken’s contention that it would be better for deer and elk to if drilling was kept out of some areas and concentrated in others.

The animals need “some areas of relative seclusion,” Riggs said.

The agency’s recommended clustering drilling on the nearby Roan Plateau, in Rifle, and not letting companies move on to other drilling areas there until land is repaired. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management agreed to that approach in its decision to allow drilling on the Roan, located near Rifle.

EnCana spokesman Doug Hock said the company always welcomes feedback from the Division of Wildlife, and could address any specific concerns Riggs might have. But he said Riggs wants all the drilling companies on the Western Slope to be involved is discussions about protecting animals.

“I think from our standpoint we’re not sure that that’s really a practical way to do it or could practically be done,” Hock said.

A new state law requires the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to consider wildlife impacts in its regulation of the industry, Hock said.

“Our thought is let’s let that process work its way through, and we’ll see what we come up with,” Hock said.

Meanwhile, a consultant for EnCana has tested gas that Bracken had noticed bubbling up in a new beaver pond in the middle of West Divide Creek since drilling resumed near the 2004 seep area. That initial testing found no traces of cancer-causing benzene or three other volatile organic compounds associated with drilling.

Hock said that while the tests results are not final, the initial findings indicate the gas is coming from sources such as decaying plant materials in the water.

However, Bracken said she is convinced the source of the gas isn’t biological. She said the bubbles aren’t emanating in a stagnant area where decaying materials can build up. She said that by Tuesday, the bubbling had become almost constant, which adds to her belief that they are from natural gas venting.
 
This may be a problem, but as the over all environmental movement is going, they have been crying wolf on so many issues for so many years when the big ones actually materialize, the fickle sheeple don't care as much

Or when they find out some of the reasons our fuel prices are where they are now is because of to many of our natural resources being locked up

Especially when they look around and don't see the fixes which are taking place are doing much if any thing

If the environmental movement doesn’t look at the handwriting on the wall, there will be nothing put up to be saved

The answer is how can we become more energy independent with out pulling more $$$ out of every ones pockets

Every one has been $$$ to death with saving the world and not seeing the payoffs that were promised to the extent they were promised
 
You can yuck iit up all you want. BUT...........I have been around this fall and let me tell you. You will not see see drilling rigs anywhere like you will see on I-70 between New Castle and Grand Junction. Oak is not crying wolf here.
 
Didn't say he (Oak) was crying wolf, but if you can explain in common terms, using English what was trying to be said in 2nd post I'd be glad to read it.
 
I "think" he is saying we are wrong to be concern about winter range and it is a good thing all this gas exploration/drilling is taking place as he doesn't want to pay high prices for energy??????????????????

While we are crying wolf??????
 
Hell guys, why not restrict petrocarbon utilization to those who can pass a sanctimonious essay contest....and you 'ologists' can be the judges.

Nah, it's easier to castigate Elkch'sr. Holler if you need another dictionary pointer.
 
One of the unintended consequences of locking up places like ANWR and continueing to use more and more "petrocarbon". CHSR can figure that much out Pointer. Certainly you can too? At least this pertocarbon is closer to the point of consumption.......doesn't need to be loaded on a tanker and piloted south by a drunk captain. CHSR's point is we need serious solutions to the energy problems we face. Enviromental roadblocks are not a solution. It will only lead to more unintended consequences.
 
Well said...

I hear people every day whine about the amount they spend on fuel costs because our energy is tied up litigation suits and held hostage to the unstable environment of the Middle East...

It doesn't matter if there are real concerns now, since the 70's there has been a lot of over zealous 'environmentalists' beating the drum on every little cause no matter how silly

Oaks point may be very valid

The people are starting to close their ears to "ANY" claims coming along no matter how legitimate

Pointer...

I would advise you to take some business classes, maybe then you would have a better understanding of many of my posts...

Until then, you probably won't get most of them... Sorry bud...

(Or you’re just trying to get in Buzz’s good favor by parroting that line of no comprehension) :)
 
Oaks point may be very valid. (Chaser)

Oaks points are very valid. His threads are always informed, articulate, and most of all, impassioned by genuine habitat concern. IMHO, he's not broad brush anti-extraction but definitely (and rightfully so) pro-reclamation. To what extent practicable, hopefully the prudently objective 'escialists' and 'ologists' weigh in....but hopefully not the looney tune eco'terrists'.
 
Yes, but it's the general populous which has to be won over

When they are paying going into quadruple fuel prices in so many years, plus every thing else going up

Pay not increasing to meet cost demand (at the moment)

Saving the environment isn't at the top of their priorities...

Maybe after expendable income increases...

Most people don't live near or see any of the damages perpetrated, only their own lost spending power

The big picture isn't about Oak or the region he lives in, it's about the American economy and their propensity to go along with most any thing as long as it's not in their back yard

Problem is, when mob rule was in the ‘ologist’s favor, it was a great thing, now it’s not so great

That’s the problem playing with double edged swards, when thought isn’t given to the outcome of haphazardly swinging it about; over time, it cuts into things that weren’t intended...

And that’s what happened during the 70’s – 90’s when every little environmental issue was played up as if it were the end of the world...

Truly important issues are whitewashed with the sins from 30 years of abuse...

Blame the lawyer’s first, eco terrorists second and 'ologists third for buying into the extremism of the day...
 
BHR- I'm not in favor of roadblocks. However, I am in favor of incentives or mitigation that allows for extraction with as little impact as practical. What is now occuring in many places is far from that. That I know...

elkchsr- I really don't need a business class; I'm not a business person. Maybe if you'd take a REAL resource management class you could follow my posts better...
 
LOL...

I've had both (unless you consider only the classes you took as "REAL" :rolleyes: ...

However, since you’re in the business of utilizing money for your needs to keep working, you need to understand why they (legislators) don't just dole out $millions, or $billions into every project for the environment that comes along...

Who paid for the come back of most of the large game species in North America and why?

Why didn't the legislators (those who fund projects) pony up the money to keep such species from going extinct?

Every thing you do in your line of work (whether you believe it or not) has to do with business and marketing...

Besides, I'm not in the market to change or save the world, you are...

A well rounded education (not one sided as it is now) will give you a better understanding of the bigger picture when you’re finally able to make bigger decisions...

It all comes down to business and marketing decisions (which resource management classes don’t have a tendency to teach) By the way, this last sentence should answer both the questions asked above if you in fact can comprehend it... ;)

You can also believe it or not, but the environmental classes you took and completed were only the first baby step in learning what you will need to know before you finally retire...

It certainly wasn't the finishing touch in understanding you need of the world you live in to function properly... :)
 
Elkcheese,

If pointers classes were the baby steps...you havent even left the crib...thats a fact.

You make it sound like you're the "wise" one...with no degree...no decent job...but you do or did own a flophouse in Anaconda.

Glad to see you're putting all the collage business classes you took to good use. So far, they've landed you some good labor intensive $7/hour jobs.

Nice work oh wise one.
 
:D:D:D Buzz, your just being silly, you know nothing about me, now you on the other hand are simple read :D:D:D
 
Pointer states he has a Resource Management background and education and 'chsr states he has both a Resource Management education and business education.

Pointer is just a pup, so certainly lacks experience. 'chsr on the other hand appears to be older and more experienced.

Just curious if you guys wouldn't mind throwing out your resumes with education and experience so I can compare and make an informed decision on who I feel is more knowledgeble on this subject.

thanks much...:)
 
Thanks and your welcome...

Probably not...

Even knowing your a stand up guy and all, there’s just a certain amount of personal info I'm not willing to put up on this site or send off to people I don’t know, not unlike any one of the individuals who’ve posted on this thread so far... ;)

Besides Craig, what does either of our personal info have to do with drilling and worrying wildlife officials???

You guys always want to take big picture issues and turn them into personal agendas... :rolleyes:

Pointer is young enough and new enough that he really can make a difference, not being as entrenched in his ideals as a few of the rest of you guys...

Ol’ Buzz is afraid to the point of paranoia to see any younger people moving up to have a mind of their own and make their own decisions which may differ from his own (I’ve been around enough government types to see the brow beating of subordinates for what it is and I’m not buying into the stupidity of it)

This topic isn't about me; it's not about pointer, or Buzz's silly attempts at personal degradation of others...

It's bigger than Oak and you for that matter...

It has every thing to do with what you guys all want and what you’re not going to get out of the general populace at the moment for reasons mentioned in earlier posts

It doesn't even matter if I agree or disagree with all the drilling going on

It has every thing to do with where we as a populace get our energy and where the drive is going to be in acquiring more...

Attack me all you want, it won't change the outcome...

The outcome being more drilling before less...

More habitats utilized for energy consumption...

Like it or don't; hide your heads in the sand, if you please, I don't really care... :)

I'm telling you all that you're in positions to subtly change things to benefit wildlife if you think in a business minded sense and get your ideas sold as such...

Keep pounding on the small minded circle jerk agendas (if that’s all you have) and those of you who can help, will see larger failings of what you want as time passes...

P.S. Buzz’s next comment will have some thing to do about not understanding this post, me needing a clue, and will start with cheese or some thing close.... :)

:D Just a humble opinion among so many greats... :D
 
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