Did you know? The Bureau of Land Management is planning to auction a 40 acre lot in the Shenandoah community west of Lake Nighthorse for oil and gas development in March. The land in question is just southwest of the junction of D & Rg Road and Dreamcatcher Lane.
The BLM has put some stipulations on the sale, such as not being able to build within 50 feet of ephemeral streambanks, and says no further environmental analysis is necessary. But people live on the borders of this land and there is no mention of human health effects or quality of life.
If a well were built here, what would change for these homes? Rex Tillerson, former Exxon CEO, sued to prevent a water tower near his Texas ranch in 2014. It was allegedly a “monstrosity” and he didn’t want the associated noise and traffic in his backyard from hauling water for nearby fracking operations. If Rex lived in Shenandoah, would this parcel be for sale?
Oil and gas wells are not without health risks. Garfield County already has endocrine disruptors in the water linked to nearby fracking wells, and there are increased childhood cancer rates in drilling dense areas of rural Colorado.
There are more than 6,000 wells already in La Plata and Montezuma counties.
The BLM should not lease this parcel (#7387). The decision is made at the state level. Contact blm_co_leasesale@blm.gov, or call (303) 239-3990. The comment period ends Oct. 10, but the BLM will accept all timely comments.
Elizabeth Long
Durango
