In reference to a story headlined, “Committee mostly against MLP on energy development in western La Plata County” (Herald, June 11):
It is not accurate that, “committee members agreed additional protections and planning are needed to protect private landowners and the environment from drilling impacts.” While I am sure some members of the working group and some members of the Resource Advisory Council do hold this sentiment, it is not accurate to insinuate that all members take this position. This broad statement is not an accurate reflection of the discussion that took place at the Southwest Colorado Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Committee meeting June 10 in Mancos.
The current process to consider whether or not a Master Leasing Plan is necessary in the Tres Rios Field Office was undertaken by the Resource Advisory Council at the request of the BLM state director, who made this request only after La Plata County commissioners and several groups opposed to gas and oil development demanded an MLP.
In the story, La Plata County Commissioner Gwen Lachelt is quoted as stating, “I urge them to reconsider this. I feel like the BLM has bungled this process from day one.” I find it ironic that even though Lachelt demanded the Master Leasing Plan and appointed herself to represent La Plata County on the working group considering it, she, in fact, was absent on day one. Commissioner Lachelt was absent at half the meetings held by the Resource Advisory Council to consider the need for a Master Leasing Plan. Commissioner Lachelt wants to criticize a process she did not fully participate in, while other citizens committed their time to this process and attended these same meetings.
Like most who are opposed to gas and oil development, Commissioner Lachelt complains of the process when the outcome does not satisfy her personal and political biases. If a politician demands action, that politician should fully participate in the process established to consider the issue.
Eric Sanford
Durango
Editor’s note: The story referred to in reader Sanford’s letter was published in the Herald on June 12 under the headline “Master Leasing Plan meets resistance.” The headline and date Sanford uses reflects the online version posted on the evening of June 11.
