The North Fork Valley is a vibrant, growing and economically viable community. Leasing the surrounding land for oil and gas development is ill advised in the extreme. We demand a moratorium on any oil and gas leases in and around the North Fork Valley at least until the Uncompahgre RMP is completed.
Why is this important?
Colorado has seen a 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 North Fork Valley is famous for its agriculture, viticulture, cheese production and ranching, much of an organic nature. 30,000 acres are slated to be leased all around this beautiful valley, including in its vital watersheds and directly above many viable agricultural areas. We demand that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recognize the unique characteristics of this valley and place a moratorium on leasing in and around it at least until the BLM completes the full Resource Management Plan for the region.
