GARCO BOARD SAYS DON’T CANCEL LEASES IN WRNF
GLENWOOD SPRINGS (AP) – The Garfield County Board of Commissioners says the Bureau of Land Management shouldn’t cancel oil and gas leases in the White River National Forest. The commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to back the position, siding with the oil and gas industry on what they say is a property rights issue. The BLM is reviewing 65 oil and gas leases in the region because they were deemed inconsistent with a 1993 U.S. Forest Service plan. They include 25 Thompson Divide leases that it has proposed completely or partially canceling. commissioners oppose canceling any leases and would prefer that drilling opponents work with Thompson Divide lease holders to retire those leases and compensate them. Commission Chairman John Martin cast the dissenting vote. Friday is the deadline to comment on the proposal.
