June 10, 2008 05:23 PM UTC

Bush Administration to Colorado: Buzz Off

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• by: ClubTwitty

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

Ignoring the position of most affected local governments, the State of Colorado, Senator Salazar, Reps. Udall and Salazar, and the nearly unanimous sentiment of citizens who participated in the BLM’s planning process for Colorado’s iconic Roan Plateau, the Bush Administration-on its much anticipated exit-has decided to open all the remaining unleased public lands for oil and gas drilling on and around the Roan this August.

For the Bush Administration, apparently, ignoring everything it has heard during the planning process is an example that it “worked for the past seven years with local officials, private citizens, state agencies, industry and environmental groups,” according to an op-ed by C. Stephen Allard of the Department of Interior (who replaced convicted Bush Administration felon J. Stephen Griles).  

More after the fold-

“What we keep hearing, more or less, is to keep the plateau as it is” Glenwood BLM official

So said the BLM in 2002, but when that sentiment kept growing stronger and stronger-when Coloradans rallied to see this jewel protected-the Bush Administration decided instead to “work with” the majority of interests that want the Roan protected by… disregarding nearly everything they said.

In the second decision issued on the Roan Plateau plan (for the area’s most sensitive lands, including its critical habitat for the endemic Colorado River Cutthroat Trout and other wildlife) the Bush Administration decided to ignore that too.  

Of the total comments received by the BLM during its most recent comment period on the Roan’s ‘Areas of Critical Environmental Concern’ (or ‘ACECs’) over 99% urged that these lands not be opened to drilling and energy development. Response from Colorado also strongly favored protection (over 95%).

Instead, the BLM plan would allow development inside even these lands–in direct opposition to what it’s own field staff recommended.  Waivers to all the stipulations meant to protect even these most special portions of the Roan can be granted by the BLM, according to the lease sale notice posted yesterday.

Of the latest dis delivered by the Bush Administration to the local inhabitants of its Picance Energy Colony, Carbondale Mayor Micheal Hassig commented (from the GJ Sentinel):

“It’s clear that the Bush administration has only one agenda – to get these lands leased before they leave office,”

Garfield County Commissioner Tresi Houpt noted (from a Colorado Mountain Club release) that:

“We are developing energy in the Rocky Mountain region at a record-setting pace. We need to be careful about how we are doing this, and recognize when a remarkable area like the Roan Plateau, needs to be given special consideration. Unfortunately, the many, many Coloradans who have tried to communicate this to the BLM have been met with a stone wall.”

Senator Salazar-also in a release-called the decision “unacceptable” and went on to note (from the Denver Post) that:

“I am deeply disappointed that the administration is proceeding with its plan to auction off the entire top of the Roan Plateau for oil and gas development, despite objections by the state of Colorado.”

The Post goes on to note that the battle to save the Roan is far from over:

If the legislative route fails to slow drilling on the Roan, conservationists probably will sue, said Elise Jones, the executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition.

“This is one more example of the Bush administration ignoring the wishes of the state of Colorado,” Jones said.

The August lease sale also includes over 13,000 acres of leases in Colorado’s national forest roadless areas-in spite of the Bush Administration’s promise to Governor Ritter that it would not authorize any activities that could harm these area’s roadless qualities while the US Forest Service works on a rule-making for Colorado’s forests.