Posted: 02/04/2012
LONGMONT -- So far as it can tell, Longmont can't stop fracking. But it may be able to set some limits -- with the community's help.
On Monday afternoon, city officials will hold an open house to discuss options for regulating the oil and gas industry, including the controversial practice of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing, a drilling method which reaches deep deposits by creating minute fractures in the rock. After the open house, Longmont's water board, parks board and Board of Environmental Affairs will meet jointly to give their advice.
But there's one tricky area. The regulations all those groups are advising on still don't completely exist. A first draft of the new regulations won't be done until at least Feb. 10, as Longmont's staff feels its way past Colorado Supreme Court decisions, possible legislative action, and the limits set by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state's regulating authority.
"Typically, the city has the land use authority to develop the regulations that they'd like to see, to meet the community's vision," said senior planner Brien Schumacher. "This has been a lot more challenging, trying to balance what the community's goals and vision are with some of the limitations that you have."
So in areas where Longmont wants to regulate -- or even in areas where it already has, back in 2000 -- the city has sometimes run into a state roadblock saying "Thou shalt not." For instance:
Longmont already requires a 350-foot separation between wells and occupied buildings; many people want that widened. Not so fast, the Colorado Supreme Court said in a 2002 case involving Frederick; state "setback" limits reign supreme and a city can't trump them.
If you go
What: Open house to discuss updates to city oil/gas regulations.
When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Where: Lobby of City Council chambers, 350 Kimbark St.
What's Next?: Joint city board meeting on same topic, 7 p.m. Monday, at council chambers. The council has asked for new regulations to be drafted and approved before an oil/gas permit moratorium ends April 17.
More Information: Call Brien Schumacher at 303-651-8764. or go online to ci.longmont.co.us/pwwu/oil_gas/.
Continue reading...
On Monday afternoon, city officials will hold an open house to discuss options for regulating the oil and gas industry, including the controversial practice of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing, a drilling method which reaches deep deposits by creating minute fractures in the rock. After the open house, Longmont's water board, parks board and Board of Environmental Affairs will meet jointly to give their advice.
But there's one tricky area. The regulations all those groups are advising on still don't completely exist. A first draft of the new regulations won't be done until at least Feb. 10, as Longmont's staff feels its way past Colorado Supreme Court decisions, possible legislative action, and the limits set by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state's regulating authority.
"Typically, the city has the land use authority to develop the regulations that they'd like to see, to meet the community's vision," said senior planner Brien Schumacher. "This has been a lot more challenging, trying to balance what the community's goals and vision are with some of the limitations that you have."
So in areas where Longmont wants to regulate -- or even in areas where it already has, back in 2000 -- the city has sometimes run into a state roadblock saying "Thou shalt not." For instance:
Longmont already requires a 350-foot separation between wells and occupied buildings; many people want that widened. Not so fast, the Colorado Supreme Court said in a 2002 case involving Frederick; state "setback" limits reign supreme and a city can't trump them.
If you go
What: Open house to discuss updates to city oil/gas regulations.
When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Where: Lobby of City Council chambers, 350 Kimbark St.
What's Next?: Joint city board meeting on same topic, 7 p.m. Monday, at council chambers. The council has asked for new regulations to be drafted and approved before an oil/gas permit moratorium ends April 17.
More Information: Call Brien Schumacher at 303-651-8764. or go online to ci.longmont.co.us/pwwu/oil_gas/.
Continue reading...
