U.S. Senator Ken Salazar

Member: Agriculture, Energy, Veterans' Affairs, Ethics and Aging Committees

 

2300 15th Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO 80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

 

 

For Immediate Release

September 7, 2006

CONTACT:    Cody Wertz – Comm. Director

                        303-455-7600

Andrew Nannis  – Press Secretary

                        202-224-5852


  Sen. Salazar Disappointed in BLM Decision to Not Seek Public Comment Before Roan Plateau Lands Leased/Will Remain Watchful of Next Steps

Denver, CO – United States Senator Ken Salazar released the following statement in response to the BLM releasing its final Environmental Impact Statement for drilling on top of the Roan Plateau on the Western Slope of Colorado.

“The top of the Roan Plateau is one of Colorado’s special places, and I continue to believe that this area should not be opened to drilling for oil and gas at this time. I recognize that the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management have offered creative, but as yet unproven ideas to offer some degree of protection to the lands and the wildlife of the Plateau. Nevertheless, I am very disappointed that the BLM declined my request to present these new ideas for public comment before the lands are leased for oil and gas development.

“I will continue to monitor future actions on this issue. The gas resources under the Plateau will remain in place for future development. New drilling techniques may allow us in the future to tap into these resources from the sides or base of the Plateau. There is no need to rush to lease these precious lands for immediate development.”


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