Historic Citizen Complaint "Dying Trees from O&G Activities" - Images from 1993 -2006 - Coincidence?

On August 2nd 1996, Mr. Arnold Coggins filed a formal complaint report form with the COGCC and Diamond Back Oil Corp., and the State Forestry.  Mr. Coggin's handwritten concern is typed, (incomplete) below and in its original form copied below.

"Dying cottonwood trees in lowland next to Box Elder Creek. Alleged/question potential for historic O&G releases to have impacted shallow ground water as cause of death/stress." - Mr. Coggins  


"D. Baldwin Collected water samples from---- and background sample from housewell - no sign of impact - good quality water, no further action required."


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We are concerned with the water test results that were conducted at the time of this alleged incident.

It appears that TDS, sodium, sulfates, nitrate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and other general elements were the only chemical concentrations tested. Although these elements can be harmful in high concentrations it is beyond us why they appear to have NOT tested for BTEX, or TEPH. 

Below is a copy of the original 'Analytical Services Requested' from  COGCC regarding Mr. Coggin's water and it shows quite clearly that BTEX and TPEH were not among the toxic contaminants tested. Why were these chemicals not requested for testing? (highlighted in red)

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API Number: 05-039-06546 Name:COGGINS #10-16
Location: SESE 10 6S 64W Lat: 39.53698 Long: -104.53468
Operator #: 88348 Operator Name:
Inspection Date: 8/8/1996 Inspector: DEBBIE BALDWIN
Inspection was: No Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Indicator
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Insp. Type: Insp. Stat: Reclamation (Pass, Interim or Fail): P&A (Pass/Fail):
Brhd. Pressure: Inj. Pressure: T-C Ann. Pressure: UIC Violation Type:
Violation: NOAV Sent: Date Corrective Action Due: Date Remedied: 10/4/1996
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Field Inspection Comments and Observations
Insp. Comment Inspection/Violation Comments

HISTORICAL A COGGIN, LANDOWNER, COMPLAINED THAT IMPACTS TO SHALLOW GROUND WATER FROM HISTORIC O&G ACTIVITIES WERE CAUSING TREES ALON BOX ELDER CREEK TO DIE. BALDWIN COLLECTED WATER SAMPLE FROM SEEP IN AREA & HOUSE WELL=BACKGROUND SAMPLE, RESULTS SHOW NO IMPACT FROM O&G = VERY GOOD WATER QUALITY, NO FURTHER ACTION NECESSARY

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Now let's take a look at historic aerial photographs from 1993-2006 where you can be the judge on the landowner's once claim. Coincidence?

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