PARACHUTE, Colo.—A natural gas company has won approval for up to 31 temporary camps to house nearly 750 employees, the largest number of so-called “man camps” allowed in the area since new county rules were passed.
Doug Hock, spokesman for EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) said the company hopes the camps help ease the housing shortage, which is caused in part by northwest Colorado’s energy boom.
Hock said the camps, set up at remote sites near the gas fields, will mean less pressure on accommodations in town.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission usually approves the temporary housing. Garfield County adopted its own regulations in November after learning it has the authority to permit them.
David Pesnichak, a senior planner with the county, said EnCana’s application is by far the largest the county has seen since the rules took effect.
“We recognize the magnitude of our proposal and also the possible precedent that we might be setting,” EnCana permitting and right of way coordinator Brenda Linster-Herndon said.
Pesnichak said other companies, such as Chevron, also are pursuing permits.
EnCana’s units will be on 27,000 acres of its private property about 10 miles north of Parachute. The company has nine existing temporary housing facilities on the property, where it expects to have up to 15 drill rigs operating this summer.
Each camp can accommodate up to 24 employees and contractors. None would be operated more than one year under the county permits.
The county commissioners, who unanimously approved EnCana’s permits this week, asked the company about water and sewer services. Commissioner John Martin also asked EnCana about law and traffic enforcement concerns, fire protection, and possible drug abuse by workers.
EnCana officials said they have a good working relationship with Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario. They added that they donate money to the fire departments in Rifle and Parachute, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward substance abuse.
EnCana officials workers aren’t prohibited from going to town, but work 12-hour days and are provided with good meals, Internet access and other incentives to encourage them to stay at the camps.
