DENVER—Attorney General John Suthers on Tuesday accused four companies of failing to prevent sediment at a pipeline construction site from spilling into Parachute Creek in western Colorado and potentially endangering wildlife.
Suthers is seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction that would halt work related to construction of an oil and gas pipeline on the Roan Plateau until steps are taken to control the runoff.
His complaint named Berry Petroleum Co., Marathon Oil Co. and two of its contractors, Enterprise Products Co. and Enterprise Transportation Co.
In a statement, Enterprise said it was comitted to conducting its operations in a responsible manner and will continue to monitor its activities and work with the appropriate authorities to ensure compliance with regulations.
Telephone messages seeking comment from representatives of the three other companies were not returned.
Marathon, through its contractors, is constructing a pipeline near the Roan Plateau, and Berry Petroleum built and maintains an access road in the area, Suthers said.
“Large areas of loose soil and banks of unconsolidated soil at the construction site lack the necessary control structures to minimize sediment runoff caused by rainfall and snowmelt,” Suthers said in a statement.
The sediment is carried into Parachute Creek which is a habitat for trout and other species, he said.
Suthers’ complaint, filed in Garfield County District Court, seeks a judge’s order requiring the companies to restrict access on the road and cease pipeline construction until controls are built in to prevent further sediment runoff.
