PARACHUTE (AP) – He faces his own health problems, but that’s not Parachute resident Dutch Wierenga’s primary concern about the proposed Lacy Park well pad location. Although Wierenga’s front door is about 500 feet from the Battlement Mesa pad, his No. 1 concern is the kids. Grand Valley High School sits several hundred feet above his home.
Western Colorado Congress and Grand Valley Citizens Alliance invited media to visit the Wierengas’ home and note the school’s proximity to the proposed natural gas well pad. The organizations seek support both statewide and locally for House Bill 1256, touted as clarifying the minimum distance certain oil and gas facilities must be located from any school.
“Republicans control the Senate, but I think that this really is a nonpartisan issue,” said Emily Hornback, community organizer with Western Colorado Congress. “Most of the folks we talk to in Battlement Mesa are registered Republicans.”
The bill, proposed by Longmont Republican Mike Foote, would ensure that the required 1,000-foot setback is measured from the school’s property line, not the school building.
The Democrat-led House Health, Insurance and Environment Committee approved the bill 6-5 on a party line vote Thursday after testimony from dozens of witnesses concerned about potential health impacts of drilling. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
This change may seem minor, but Hornback said it’s an important detail. It would give outdoor areas like playgrounds and modular classrooms the same protections as the school building.
“The reason why we are concerned is that when kids are outside playing, they are breathing in more from running around and thus their exposure increases,” she said.
Ursa Resources Vice President Don Simpson said that because Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rules would already require state review, he sees no reason to amend current regulations. The current setbacks have already been agreed to by COGCC experts.
Those regulations require oil and gas operations to be at least 500 feet from residences. The tour illustrated that distance for media and gave nearby residents the chance to share their views on nearby oil and gas activity.
“I wasn’t really against the pad if they stayed outside of 500 feet,” Wierenga said. “Now it’s 450 feet to the corner of my house.”
Wierenga worries his pulmonary and cardio problems may be exacerbated by nearby natural gas activity. But he said he’s more concerned about the schoolkids.
“Those kids are just starting out,” he said. “I would really want to see this get setback.”
