U.S.
Senator Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Friday, December 21, 2007 |
CONTACT:Stephanie Valencia – 202-228-3630 |
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Sen. Salazar to Push for Protections on Any Development on Roan Plateau DENVER, CO - Today, United States Senator Ken Salazar commented on the proposed development on the Roan Plateau and responded to the State of Colorado and the Bureau of Land Management joint statement announcing further negotiations over a plan to lease for natural gas development the Roan Plateau, 67,000 acres of public lands in northwestern Colorado. “I appreciate the Governor for setting forth achievable goals with respect to development on and around the Roan Plateau and for his determination to seek a Colorado solution on the Roan. I am glad that the 120 day review period offered the State an opportunity to review the BLM’s proposal and offer substantive recommendations and concerns. It is an important step for the BLM and the State of Colorado to have a cooperative relationship on how to proceed with the future of the Roan. “There are key critical concerns that were raised by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources in their letter to the BLM and those need to be addressed. For example, in the letter from Executive Director Harris Sherman, he says:
“I will push through executive and legislative action that these concerns be addressed. There must be no surface occupancy stipulations in these areas to protect these ecological values. I hope Secretary Kempthorne and the BLM honor their commitment to work cooperatively with the State to craft such a solution. To that end, I intend to work with Secretary Kempthorne, the Department of Interior urging the BLM’s cooperation in those efforts. I also will pursue putting these protections into law. “Additionally, I am working on legislation to ensure that Colorado receives its fair share of money in the Anvil Points Restoration Trust Fund. It is my hope that these funds can be used to address the conservation of wildlife habitat in western Colorado and the impacts from the major energy boom that is underway.” ###
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