Press Release- June 08, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2007
Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER CRITICIZES BLM ACTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR ROAN PLATEAU
Gov. Bill Ritter today denounced the Bureau of Land Management's refusal to provide additional time to review a Roan Plateau land-management. He also criticized the BLM for moving forward with plans for increased energy development of the Roan.
On Thursday, the BLM denied the Governor's request for an additional 120 days to evaluate the draft Roan Plateau Resource Management Plan. Today, the Bureau issued the first of two Records of Decision for managing increased demand for energy development on the Roan. http://www.blm.gov/rmp/co/roanplateau/documents/News_Release.pdf
"My request for an additional 120 days to review the draft plan prior to the Record of Decision was intended to give my administration an opportunity to ensure that the values shared by Colorado's citizens were reflected in the Roan Management Plan," Gov. Ritter said. "Unfortunately, the BLM's rush to lease this special area could inhibit my ability to weigh in on this extremely important decision."
Gov. Ritter also questioned the immediate push to lease the Roan when the BLM already has plans for approximately 40,000 additional wells on federal land in northwest Colorado over the next 15 years. The drilling activity on federal land will be in addition to the private land gas development occurring in the region.
Gov. Ritter had asked Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne on May 14 for 120 days to review the draft Roan Resource Management Plan before any decisions were made. The request cited the unique nature of the Roan Plateau and its importance to the people of Colorado and visitors to the state.
"The management of federal lands in Colorado was a central topic of debate during the gubernatorial campaign," Ritter said. "I advocated for the reasonable, responsible development of energy and wanted to ensure that this perspective was reflected in the development plan."
Gov. Ritter said he will continue to evaluate all options for deferring the leasing of the Roan.