Environmental News
Environmental News from Boulder, Colorado
Occupy Denver to occupy Suncor pollution site Sunday
May 26th
| When: | Sunday, May 27th |
| Where: | 11:30am at Lincoln Park for bike ride + trash cleanup on way to action 2:00pm at 64th Avenue and York Street |
On Sunday, May 27th, Occupy Denver will be teaming up again with groups such as Deep Green Resistance, 350.org, and families from local communities that are directly affected by the Commerce City Suncor refinery for a demonstration against Suncor and the oil seep contaminating the Sand Creek and South Platte River. You can visit us on Facebook for information about the benzene spill here. We are asking everyone concerned about our water, air, land and future to stand with us.
Over the last year, many people and various organizations have united to oppose the Alberta tar sands and the Keystone XL Pipeline, correctly recognizing these industrial projects as ecocidal insanity. Here in Colorado, oil from the tar sands is refined by Suncor Energy. By participating in the process of facilitating genocide against the aboriginal people of Alberta, Suncor Energy has toxified our air, land and water without end. By bringing together active members of the Colorado community in coalition, we will align to force Suncor to stop destroying and poisoning our world, both here in Colorado and in Canada.
On Sunday, May 27th, we will occupy the ‘hot zone’ on the shore of Sand Creek, where carcinogenic benzene from Suncor’s refinery has been seeping into the water. By occupying the hot zone, we hope to bring public attention to the fact that Suncor is killing Colorado communities, water and wildlife, and to force this industrial polluter to confront the effects of its actions. It is also our hope to form strong alliances with one another and begin to work in partnership so we can effectively move forward against Suncor’s unethical and irresponsible practices.
For this action, members of Occupy Denver will be hosting a bike ride and trash cleanup along the Platte River bike path to the Suncor Refinery (weather permitting). Anyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to take part in this. We will meet between 11:30 AM and noon at Lincoln Park, in front of the State Capitol, to leave from there. Those who do not wish to take part in the bike ride can carpool to 64th Avenue and York Street, where we will all meet up at about 2:00 PM to eat and walk to the site of the action at the confluence of Sand Creek and South Platte River. Food will be provided by Denver Food Rescue (?), and representatives from various groups will be speaking. Be aware that fumes from the oil and the refinery can sometimes make the area uncomfortable for people with compromised respiratory systems. We encourage everyone to bring their theatrical ideas to dramatize this event (haz-mat suits, EPA inspector costumes, gas masks, “fracking fluid,” etc. would be quite appropriate here).
It is our hope to see as many of you as possible at this demonstration. Suncor is actively destroying our planet, and should be stopped. Suncor’s role in the tar sands is contributing to a devastated climate and is harming indigenous communities in Canada as well as people living in local communities in Colorado. Please join us on May 27th to stand against these injustices and degradation of our Earth.
Boulder County to regulate gas and oil?
May 24th
Open house to give residents details on comp plan’s oil and gas policies
Boulder County, Colo. – Staff from Boulder County Land Use and other departments will host an open house on May 31 to give interested residents more information about the process and steps the county intends to follow for considering changes to the oil and gas policies in the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, which will be followed by revisions to the Land Use Code regulations.
What: Boulder County Comprehensive Plan oil and gas policies open house
When: Thursday, May 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Boulder County Recycling Center, 1901 63rd St., Boulder
The event will include a short staff presentation at 7 p.m.
Staff will be located at stations throughout the open house to answer questions and provide information about the county’s plans for responding to oil and gas development issues. Stations will include information about the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan, open space, public health and transportation.
Background & Timeline
- Feb. 2 – The Board of County Commissioners approve 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 release a statement detailing their concerns about the potential for significantly expanded oil and gas drilling within the county.
- March 1 – Public hearing for commissioners to hear staff presentations and public testimony. After the four-hour hearing, commissioners direct staff to continue gathering information about the impacts of oil and gas drilling on air, water, land, roads and infrastructure.
- April 16 – Commissioners vote unanimously to extend temporary moratorium on processing of applications for oil and gas development in unincorporated parts of the county until Feb. 4 (Resolution 2012-46).
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 moratorium is in place, the county is endeavoring to ensure its Comprehensive Plan and Land Use regulations are as thorough and up-to-date as possible.
For more information about the county’s role in oil and gas development, upcoming meetings and public involvement opportunities, visit the county’s Oil and Gas Development webpage or contact Jim Webster at 720-564-2600 or jbwebster@bouldercounty.org.
Sale and use of fireworks prohibited in Boulder County
May 22nd
oday, the Boulder County Commissioners approved Sheriff Pelle’s recommendation to amend the current fire ban, which has been in effect since April 2, to prohibit the sale and use of all fireworks within all of unincorporated Boulder County. The new amendments to the fire ban were effective as of noon today.
All other aspects of the current ban remain in place, including the prohibition of open burning in the unincorporated mountains and foothills, including all areas west of the North Foothills Highway and Rabbit Mountain Open Space; areas north of the City of Boulder; west of Broadway Avenue through the City of Boulder; and west of the South Foothills Highway.
The decision to amend the ban was due in part to the predicted weather forecasts indicating higher than normal temperatures with lower than normal precipitation. The Fire Danger Rating continuously remains in the high to very high categories, with fire fuels continuing to dry out. As the Fourth of July holiday draws near, individuals begin to sell and use fireworks, which increase the potential for an ignition source and a large fire similar to the Hewlett Fire currently burning in Larimer County, or the Lower North Fork Fire in Jefferson County earlier this year.
Taking into consideration that firework vendors begin hiring temporary employees and purchasing fireworks for their stands, Sheriff Pelle wanted to address these concerns sooner than later. At this time, Boulder County had only received one application from a fireworks vendor to sell fireworks this year.
The fire ban will remain in effect until the hazardous fire conditions subside.
Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be convicted of a class 2 petty offense and may be subject to a $500 fine. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.
