Group hopes drilling facts may calm North Fork fears

On February 2, 2012 — No comments

A local organization of top level officials from government and industry, along with private citizens, is planning a public forum event aimed at correcting bad information and unfounded fears surrounding the BLM’s planned August gas lease sale in the North Fork Valley.

The organization, known as the Natural Gas Collaborative Group, is comprised of Delta and Gunnison County elected officials, county administrators, representatives from federal and state public lands agencies, top management from exploration and production companies operating in this area, and environmentalists.

At the group’s quarterly meeting on Jan. 25 in Montrose, a steering committee was formed and planning began for a forum intended to provide factual information for the public about natural gas drilling.

“A good, informative, educational public forum would be mind-relieving for people in the North Fork,” said Barb Sharrow, manager of the BLM’S Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO).

The Natural Gas Collaborative Group has tentatively set March 3 at Hotchkiss High School as the date and place for its forum. Other details will be worked out in time for advance notice to be given.

The Natural Gas Collaborative Group is willing to facilitate the forum; but, in the words of one member the event will be “regulator driven.” In other words, it won’t be an industry show. Presentations or information from government agencies responsible for regulating gas exploration and production, including the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), would be the event’s intended focus.

For the rest of the story visit, Group hopes drilling facts may calm North Fork fears