Canyons of the Ancients National Monument - Colorado
BLM and Environmental Conservation Groups Reach Settlement
on Seismic Exploration
For Immediate Release: Monday September 23, 2002
Contacts: BLM: Bill Rice 303.239.3766
San Juan Citizens Alliance: Mark Pearson 970-259-3583
Wilderness Society: Suzanne Jones 303-650-5818
US Attorneys Office: Jeff Dorschner 303-454-0243
Red Willow Production, LLC: Barbara Wickman 970-247-1755
Lakewood,CO: A settlement has been reached in a Denver United States District Court over the seismic exploration of oil and gas resources proposed for over 9,600 acres of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM).
The settlement agreement signed Friday, September 20, avoids protracted litigation and meets the desire of all parties involved to reach a resolution which allows the development of existing oil and gas leases to proceed while protecting the cultural and natural resources within the Monument.
At issue was BLM’s decision on August 9 approving WesternGECO to conduct a 3D seismic survey of the North Mail Trail Mesa area of the Monument for the oil and gas leaseholders. Four environmental organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the decision on
August 19 in Federal District Court in Denver. Chief Judge Lewis Babcock enjoined the project pending further review by the Court. The settlement agreement lifts this injunction and allows the project to proceed.
The San Juan Citizens Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Colorado Environmental Coalition, and Oil and Gas Accountability Project along with Red Willow Production, LLC; Robert L. Bayless Producer LLC, Legacy Energy Corporation, Western GECO and the Bureau of Land Management have worked out this settlement in good faith.
“BLM is committed to ensuring that we fully adhere to the Monument Proclamation,” said Doug Koza, Acting Colorado State Director. “Our decision to approve this exploration operation meets that commitment.”
“Further, the Proclamation and internal guidance already provide the steps to reach future leasing decisions and the settlement agreement conforms to that process,” said Koza.
“This settlement agreement supports our plans to incorporate decisions pertaining to future oil and gas leasing into the ongoing planning process for the Monument. Since that effort is already underway, considering future leasing in the plan is the most expeditious and cost-effective way to reach those decisions. Everyone will have extensive opportunities to participate in that process,” said Koza.
The settlement provides for additional archeological and biological monitors to be on site during operations in some of the more sensitive areas and for closing a historic oil and gas exploration route upon completion of the current seismic study.
“The agreement reduces the impacts of this project on the resources the monument was created to protect,” said Mark Pearson, Executive Director of the San Juan Citizens Alliance in Durango. “It moves some of the points where the 60,000 pound vibroseis buggies vibrate the ground out of sensitive wildlife habitat, archeological sites, and undisturbed biological soil crusts to help address our concerns. We will continue to stay involved with monitoring implementation of the project.”
“The oil companies believe that the settlement is a very positive development,” said Barbara Wickman, the president of Red Willow Production (which is owned by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe). “Red Willow is pleased that it was able to work cooperatively with San Juan Citizens Alliance and the other plaintiffs to reach a settlement which will allow this seismic work to move forward.”
“Red Willow is committed to operations that are safe for the natural environment and that protect cultural resources, including archaeological sites. We have worked diligently with our partners to design a seismic program that would meet those commitments and we hope that the settlement discussions have helped the plaintiffs to understand the numerous and detailed protections which we built into this project to protect wildlife and archaeological sites,” said Wickman.
“We are committed to conducting this survey in a manner that insures that cultural resources are protected and impacts to wildlife, sensitive plants and soils are minimized,” said Claudia Rebne of Legacy Energy. “Legacy welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate that 3D seismic exploration is an environmentally responsible way to explore in the Canyons of the Ancients Monument.”
Oil and gas exploration is allowed within CANM under certain circumstances. To date, about 85% of the 164,000-acre Monument in southwestern Colorado is under lease for oil and gas resources. Production within the Monument is approximately 260 billion cubic feet of carbon dioxide, 200,000 barrels of oil and 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year.
The settlement agreement, however, further emphasizes that decisions pertaining to future oil and gas leasing within the Monument shall be incorporated by the BLM in the Monument Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement and is specifically allowed to protect against drainage or for promoting conservation of oil and gas resources common to reservoirs now being produced under existing leases.
“The agreement specifies how BLM will analyze future oil and gas leasing proposals for undeveloped areas of the Monument,” said Suzanne Jones, Associate Director of the Wilderness Society’s Four Corners office in Denver. “ With only 15% of the special landscape not leased for oil and gas drilling, future proposals in this area deserve the highest level of scrutiny.”
The 3D seismic survey will allow the oil and gas leaseholders to obtain detailed reservoir data, which allows them to better characterize the reservoirs underlying their leases. Having this data is important information for all involved. The information obtained from this survey will allow them to better plan the development of their resources resulting in fewer dry wells to be drilled, which will result in less surface disturbance.
The Monument contains the highest known density of archaeological sites in the Nation and holds evidence of cultures and traditions spanning thousands of years. This area, with its intertwined natural and cultural resources, is a rugged landscape, a quality that greatly contributes to the protection of its scientific and historic objects. The monument offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe, study, and experience how cultures lived and adapted over time in the American Southwest.
The Monument is also home to a wide variety of wildlife species, including unique herpetological resources. Crucial habitat for the Mesa Verde nightsnake, long-nosed leopard lizard, and twin-spotted spiny lizard can be found within the monument in the area north of Yellow Jacket Canyon. Peregrine falcons have been observed in the area, as have golden eagles, American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, and northern harriers. Game birds like Gamble's quail and mourning dove are found throughout the monument both in dry, upland habitats, and in lush riparian habitat along the canyon bottoms.
For specific information about the settlement and/or copy of the settlement agreement contact the Office of the Solicitor, Rocky Mountain Region, DOI at 303-231-5353 ext 0, or the parties involved in the settlement agreement.
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