GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—The Colorado Wildlife Commission says some of the proposed new regulations on the oil and gas industry aren’t tough enough.
The energy industry has criticized the same proposals as too stringent.
The Wildlife Commission passed a resolution Thursday saying the proposed rules establish the minimum levels of protection for wildlife amid Colorado’s natural gas boom. Members said stronger safeguards are needed in some cases.
The panel said timing restrictions to protect wildlife during mating and birthing seasons might not be long enough. Commission members also raised concerns about reclamation standards for wildlife habitat and restrictions on the density of facilities.
The resolution will be sent to the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission, which is considering a number of changes to state regulations. The proposals, first made public in January, would implement two laws passed last year to give more weight to public health, wildlife and the environment when making decisions about oil and gas development.
Five public hearings on preliminary proposals were held across the state and dozens of sessions on specific measures were organized for industry representatives, environmentalists, local elected officials and others in February and March.
The draft rules released March 31 were partly shaped by feedback from those sessions. One result was a 90-day cap per year on timing restrictions for drilling on wildlife winter range and during some animals’ mating and birthing seasons.
Hearings are scheduled for June on the proposed new rules. The goal is to adopt the rules by mid-July.
Colorado issued a record 6,368 drilling permits last year, six times the total in 1999. About a third more permits were approved in the first quarter of this year than a year ago and state officials say about 8,000 permits might be issued this year if the pace continues.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
