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NEW CASTLE, Colorado — The Colorado Division of Wildlife will hold a meeting next month for area residents to learn about ongoing drilling occurring in the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area.
Randy Hampton, a spokesman for the DOW, said the meeting is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Coal Ridge High School near Silt.
The state wildlife agency is in the process of inviting representatives from sportsmen groups, the Bureau of Land Management, companies looking to develop in the area and area residents, Hampton said.
“We have had so much interest from sportsmen and from residents in that area about what was happening to the state wildlife area that we just felt it was appropriate to keep people updated,” Hampton said. “While we have very little control over how things occur, we certainly as a state agency want to make sure the public understands how we are making decisions and why.”
The 13,234-acre habitat is facing possible increased oil and gas development. While Orion Energy Partners recently completed drilling in the state wildlife area in mid-October, the company has proposed placing three additional well pads in the area.
Dejour Energy USA is also looking to possibly develop a lease it holds in the habitat. However, that lease has become the focus of attention between the DOW and the BLM because it does not contain a no-surface occupancy stipulation, which requires companies to drill from other areas to minimize surface disturbances.
Contact Phillip Yates: 384-9117
pyates@postindependent.com
Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO
Randy Hampton, a spokesman for the DOW, said the meeting is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Coal Ridge High School near Silt.
The state wildlife agency is in the process of inviting representatives from sportsmen groups, the Bureau of Land Management, companies looking to develop in the area and area residents, Hampton said.
“We have had so much interest from sportsmen and from residents in that area about what was happening to the state wildlife area that we just felt it was appropriate to keep people updated,” Hampton said. “While we have very little control over how things occur, we certainly as a state agency want to make sure the public understands how we are making decisions and why.”
The 13,234-acre habitat is facing possible increased oil and gas development. While Orion Energy Partners recently completed drilling in the state wildlife area in mid-October, the company has proposed placing three additional well pads in the area.
Dejour Energy USA is also looking to possibly develop a lease it holds in the habitat. However, that lease has become the focus of attention between the DOW and the BLM because it does not contain a no-surface occupancy stipulation, which requires companies to drill from other areas to minimize surface disturbances.
Contact Phillip Yates: 384-9117
pyates@postindependent.com
Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO
