To: San Luis Valley County Commissioners Association
Ban oil and gas drilling in the San Luis Valley
The San Luis Valley in Colorado is a culturally rich, agriculturally based community that supplies much of the state and nation with potatoes, wheat, barley and mushrooms. Water is the Valley's most valuable natural resource. The Valley is also a destination for tourists, hunters and film makers. Oil and gas development is a direct threat to the Valley's water, air, quality of life and livelihood. We insist on a permanent ban on any oil and gas drilling in and around the San Luis Valley.
Why is this important?
Colorado has seen an unprecedented boom in gas drilling, much of this using potentially risky production techniques such as fracking. Living communities all across the state have been significantly impacted and many heavily damaged by these activities. The San Luis Valley is well known for its agriculture, ranching, and tourism activities such as hunting, fishing, and outdoor sports. Its vital watersheds are critical for life in the San Luis Valley and south through New Mexico and Texas. The high water demands that accompany drilling and production are counter to the need to conserve our limited water resources especially in this protracted drought. We demand that the Commissioners of the six counties of the San Luis Valley recognize the unique characteristics of this valley and place a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in and around the San Luis Valley.