Energy Development. Oil and Gas Consultation CDPHE obtained responsibility to consult with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) on public health, welfare, safety and environment during the 2008 rulemaking hearings. The consultation responsibilities are triggered by: 1) requests for variances to environmental rules for oil and gas development; 2) requests for an increase to well density; or 3) local government requests for consultation. In fulfilling this role, the Oil and Gas Liaison coordinates the environmental reviews conducted by CPDHE’s Water Quality Control, Air Pollution Control and Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Divisions for drilling permits meeting one of the three triggers listed above. CDPHE recommendations are submitted to the COGCC for consideration in the review of applications for drilling permits or well density requests. The Oil and Gas Liaison also coordinates CDPHE’s input on potential oil shale development in Colorado, coordinates CDPHE’s review of BLM oil and gas development plans and conducts oil and gas outreach meetings to inform the local officials and general public how oil and gas is regulated in Colorado.
Energy Development. The Ranch has the potential for oil, gas and mineral development on both the private land and the public land. Some exploratory oil, gas and coal-bed methane xxxxx were drilled as early as 1977. As of the date of the Agreement, none have gone into production. As shown in Figure 4 and Table 4, DLL is a minority, undivided interest owner of some of the oil, gas, and mineral rights, but does not have any of the executive or development rights. DLL owns the majority of the surface estate on the Ranch which, together with its ownership of a relatively small undivided portion of the mineral estate, will allow DLL to attempt to negotiate effective provisions to reduce/minimize adverse effects on the Covered Species, its habitat, and other surface resources from the negative effects of energy development. Such negotiations will address proposed actions to be taken by an energy developer at specific locations where surface disturbance could adversely affect soils and vegetation in such ways that adversely affect GSG leks, winter habitat, nesting, or brood-rearing habitat. Energy development on public land would be the responsibility of that agency and DLL would not ask for or be responsible for take resulting from such activity.
