Public meeting regarding oil and gas development set for April 16

 

Boulder County, Colo. – The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public meeting on April 16 to further evaluate oil and gas development in unincorporated Boulder County.

 

What:              Public meeting on oil and gas development

When:             Monday, April 16 at 4 p.m.

Where:            Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder

 

The meeting will also be streamed live at www.bouldercounty.org/gov/meetings/pages/hearings.aspx.

 

NOTE: The public is welcome to attend, and additional staff information may be presented, but public testimony will not be taken at this meeting. Comments were received in-person at a public hearing on March 1 and in writing for weeks prior to the hearing.

 

Background

On Feb. 2 the commissioners approved a temporary moratorium on the processing of the required development plans for local oil and gas permits under the county Land Use Code (Resolution 2012-16) and released a statement detailing their concerns about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas drilling within the county.

 

At the conclusion of the four-hour public hearing on March 1, the commissioners directed staff to continue gathering information about the impacts of oil and gas drilling on air, water, land, roads and infrastructure.

 

Boulder County remains concerned about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas drilling within the county, and supports appropriate, tighter restrictions on drilling and increased local control to mitigate the impacts of these activities. While the county endeavors to ensure its Comprehensive Plan and Land Use regulations are as thorough and up-to-date as possible, the moratorium will remain in place and could be extended if necessary.

 

The meeting on April 16 will allow the commissioners to:

  • Discuss the information presented by staff and consider public comments made at the March hearing
  • Provide direction to staff for pursuing amendments to the county Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code or take other appropriate actions
  • Make any additional necessary decisions regarding the nature and duration of the temporary moratorium

 

Visit www.bouldercounty.org/dept/landuse/pages/oilgas.aspx for more information.