Public access to popular big game hunting areas on the Roan Plateau north of Parachute may be extended through an agreement with a large energy development company.
After hearing sportsmen’s concerns about access, state representative Josh Penry opened a dialogue with EnCana, Canada’s largest energy company and a major landholder on the plateau, resulting in a memorandum of understanding to keep open an important road – at least for the near future.
At issue is Cow Creek Road, used by hunters for generations to access public and private lands in an area rich with gas and oil shale deposits. EnCana owns some 45,000 acres in the area, including approximately 17,000 encompassed in a particular claim that reverts totally to company ownership in August 2006.
EnCana then has the right to close a road that not only provides access to the private claim, but also in the sole convenient link to large blocks of public land as well.
“EnCana has agreed to keep the road open for next hunting season and to have a long-term dialogue about future access,” said Penry, a Republican from Grand Junction.
Penry, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the energy company had been deluged with calls from hunters since a November Denver Post article in which the potential for closure of the Cow Creek Road was detailed. Penry responded by contacting EnCana, an exchange that opened the possibility of compromise.
EnCana’s larger concern is liability – for property damage and potential danger to its workers who travel these same narrow, slippery roads. Penry said a more permanent access agreement might hinge on the ability of the state, through the wildlife agency, to assume responsibility.
