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The Scenic Bylaw Committee met on January 15, 2010 at the Paonia Library. On the agenda was a discussion of gas development in our area. Rob Peters, WSERC's executive director took the notes in the attached Word file. The notes may not be 100 percent accurate.

Click Here for WSERC's current Gas Committee work plan.

I know from the emails about Oak Mesa whizzing about the community that many of you are concerned about the possibility of large-scale gas development there. Luckily, the emails are based on incorrect information, and things aren’t nearly so dire.

WSERC got involved in the Oak Mesa issue in January this year, and we’ve got good information about what’s really happening.

· Protecting wildlife and agricultural lands. WSERC and Mountain Coal Company’s Conservation Assistance Program helped North Fork farmers and ranchers place another 1,000 acres in conservation easements, a total of 5,000 acres since 2005.  

  · Combating global warming. WSERC and Mountain Coal Company convinced the Bureau of Land Management to give the coal company ownership of the millions of cubic feet of methane gas released each day during mining. Ownership gives the mine the right to capture the gas, which would reduce its contribution to global warming. WSERC gave presentations on methane capture technology to the Governor’s Energy Office, U.S. Forest Service, and Gunnison County Commissioners.  

 · Ensuring responsible gas development.  WSERC researched possible harmful effects of a proposed project that would build ponds in Delta County to evaporate contaminated water from gas wells in Garfield County. WSERC co-organized a public meeting in Delta, and we sent action alerts, passed out fliers, and spoke on KVNF radio.

In 2008 WSERC sent 70 members to hearings before the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) in Grand Junction to advocate for stronger gas development regulations. When the next round of COGCC rule making starts in 2010, WSERC will organize more citizen input.

WSERC researched and informed members about Gunnison Energy Corporation’s request for unitization on Oak Mesa.

 · Ecological Research. WSERC members helped U.S. Forest Service scientists collect data on Sudden Aspen Decline near Terror Creek and Leroux Creek. We also helped the Forest Service monitor rare fen vegetation on Grand Mesa.

 · Advocating for wilderness.  In 2008, WSERC gained support for federal legislation that in 2009 created the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness and the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.

 · Black Canyon National Park. On December 31, 2008 a legal win by WSERC and four other groups resulted in permanent protection of water rights for the Gunnison River flowing through the national park.

 · Advocating for roadless areas.   In 2009, WSERC joined other groups in submitting formal comments arguing that the proposed Colorado Roadless Rule must be strengthened. We  are now pushing to prohibit coal mining in the North Fork’s Currant Creek roadless area. In November, 2008 WSERC sent two members to Washington, DC where they addressed the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee on behalf of WSERC and 21 other environmental groups.

 · Travel management. WSERC submitted formal comments on the Gunnison National Forest’s Travel Management Plan. Our members’ on-the-ground knowledge has been key in advising the Forest Service on which roads and trails should be closed to protect wildlife and the back-country experience.

 · Promoting sustainability.  In October, 2009 WSERC organized its second Alternative Energy Expo in Delta that drew 500 people over two days to hear speakers on solar heating, wind power, micro-hydro and other alternative technologies. For the first time we included an Exploratorium where 160 middle school students experienced hands-on learning. WSERC updated and distributed the Delta County Recycling Guide, and made 9 presentations on how to recycle in the North Fork Valley.

 · Providing environmental education. WSERC organized educational events throughout the year including nature hikes and lectures (see column to right).

2009 Events:

·  2nd Alternative Energy Expo and Energy Exploratorium   

· Energy Forum

· Public Lands Forum

· Hikes to Dominguez Canyon, Crag Crest, Beckwith, Camelback, and Crystal Reservoir

· Patagonia Wild & Scenic Film Festival

· Silent auction at Cherry Days

· Global Warming and Wildlife presentation.

 Other Outreach Activities:

· Updated Delta County Recycle Guide

· Newsletters

· Merchant-Herald  column “Uncommon Ground”

· Action alerts

· News stories

· Letters to the editor

· Delta County Recycling message phone: 399-2940

· Delta County recycling website: www.DeltaCountyRecycling.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING!

The afternoon of Sunday, March 7, 2010

Memorial Hall, 175 North 1st Street, Hotchkiss

• 2:00-3:30    Program - Josh Joswick, LaPlata County Commissioner from 1993 to 2005 and now San Juan Citizens Alliance Staff Organizer for Colorado Energy Issues will speak about the importance of strong local gas regulations.  LaPlata County is recognized for its strong gas regulations that have withstood legal tests. For more on Josh and his presentation see the continuation of this article.   
• 3:30-5:00    Annual Meeting - 2009 accomplishments, plans for 2010, election of one new board member, and election of officers
• 5:00-6:30    Traditional Chili Supper

The Jared Polis Foundation donated 5 speedy refurbished computers and 5 large flatscreen monitors. Super WSERC volunteers Margart and Bill Musgnung (see photo) picked the computers up for us in Denver the weekend of June 6th.  

In June, 2008, a WSERC call-a-thon turned out 70 people who drove or rode to Grand Junction to witness and testify for the environment at a hearing before the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. WSERC had by far the biggest turnout of any environmental group there.