January 23, 2008--Environmentalists sue to prevent drilling in San Juan Mountains (Denver Post)
Environmentalists are suing the federal government to prevent drilling on what they say is the last untouched area of the San Juan Basin in southwest Colorado. The lawsuit filed in federal court Wednesday alleges new gas drilling in the foothills of the steep and rugged San Juan Mountains would cause landslides, water and air pollution and drive away wildlife in the area known as the HD Mountains. Mark Pearson, executive director of the San Juan Citizens Alliance, said there are about 25,000 gas-producing wells between Farmington, N.M., and Durango, and another 12,000 pending. "So that's part of our concern," Pearson said. "It's not unreasonable that one tiny sliver could be left undrilled when the other 99 percent is already intensely developed." The project challenged by the lawsuit calls for 140 new wells, 39 of which would be in the HD Mountains. Pearson said the steep mountains will make it challenging to drill and cause landslides that can pollute the water supply used by farmers and ranchers in the area.
To view the full article, visit the Denver Post. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.