May 02, 2012 10:08 PM UTC

UPDATED w/ Poll: Frackin' HELL YEAH!-When the North Fork Roared

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• by: taterheaptom

UPDATED AND ALL THAT…THURS, MAY 3

Colorado’s North Fork Valley–with the highest concentration of organic farms in the state and one of only two American Viticultural Areas in Colorado–did it.  It forced the BLM to back off and back down.  The agency is not giving up the details of what the final thing was that made it fold like a poorly installed pit liner.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Shannon Borders, 970-240-5399

BLM defers all North Fork Valley oil and gas parcels in August 2012 lease sale

MONTROSE, Colo. – Today, the Bureau of Land Management announced the deferral all parcels associated with the August 2012 oil and gas lease sale in the North Fork Valley.  

The environmental assessment evaluated 22 proposed oil and gas parcels near Paonia, Hotchkiss and Somerset, Colo. for the Aug. 9, 2012, quarterly oil and gas lease sale.  BLM has opted to conduct additional analysis of the proposed lease parcels based on public input.

But the lesson is clear…and I can attest at times loud: Yeah.  That’s right.  Don’t mess with the North Fork.  

 

A Revolution Brewing?

Could it be this little agricultural valley has suddenly changed the game?  Perhaps no longer interested in being pushed around by our very own reclusive billionaire in his pretend western ‘village’, occasionally to be seen helicoptering by the townfolk below?  

News has spread quickly…from the Summit County Citizens Voice:

Persistence has paid of for residents of Colorado North Fork Valley. After citizens organized and marshaled their facts on a errant proposal to lease lands for oil and gas development, the Bureau of Land Management decided to defer the leases at least until the agency updates an overall management plan for the area.

The proposal drew howls of outrage from the rural area, where many residents say booming tourism and agriculture are the key to economic sustainability. Opposition to the plan was widespread in Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford.

In addition to formal objections from local governments and area businesses, farmers, ranchers, and food producers raised concerns about threats to the area’s rich agricultural heritage. Residents said the outcome shows that when communities stand and work together, citizens have an impact.

“The BLM made a good decision,” said Paonia Mayor Neal Schwieterman. “I am proud of my community and I am grateful that the BLM listened to what we had to say.”

And all over the land–via the Associated Press.  you can look it up, I’m sure. In any case, clearly people came together here like never before.  The little valley that ROARED!

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