DENVER—The House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources committee killed a bill Friday that would have eased restrictions protecting wildlife affected by oil and gas drilling.
The bill by Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, would have required landowners to consent to any wildlife protection rules issued by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Energy companies also wouldn’t need to consult with the Division of Wildlife on whether any restrictions are needed to protect wildlife.
Gardner said the fight over his bill (House Bill 1255) is the first skirmish in a bigger battle over rules proposed by the commission that will be completed in March. “The fight is on,” said Gardner, who says the proposed rules violate property rights.
In December, the commission approved about 100 new or amended rules that need legislative approval. State officials say the regulations strike a balance between industry and environmental interests. If approved, the rules would take effect April 1.
In 2008, Colorado issued a record 8,027 drilling permits, nearly double the 4,323 approved in 2005. Most permits were for natural gas.
The rules would allow wildlife officials to recommend drilling restrictions to protect wildlife including deer, elk and sage grouse.
Harold Shaeffer, a rancher from Rifle, told lawmakers that gas wells dot his property and the only thing that disturbs elk and deer there are gunshots. He said he didn’t want wildlife officials dictating how his property can be developed.
Opposing Gardner’s bill, the oil and gas commission’s acting director, Dave Neslin, said the commission can’t force private landowners to accept any restrictions. If landowners object to conditions meant to protect wildlife, Neslin said, operators can be asked to adopt restrictions elsewhere.
Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, said the proposed rules would force wildlife officers to set aside their primary mission of protecting wildlife and become regulatory policemen on private property, upsetting a trusting relationship property owners have developed with the Division of Wildlife.
Two other bills dealing with the rules have been killed in committee this session. One would have delayed implementation for a year. The other would have barred any new rules that would curtail production from existing wells.
