This week Steven Hall, Communications Director for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Colorado State Director Helen Hankins, lashed out at the Checks and Balances Project for questioning his boss’s land use decisions. Unfortunately, rather than offer a counterpoint, or even simply more information, Hall ducked the issue, preferring to play the victim.
According to Scott Streater's story in E&E, Hall says, Checks and Balances Project "have substituted personal attacks for public debate." Anyone who reads our recent post on this issue – or any of our posts on Colorado BLM – can see that we stick to policy and focus on facts. Facts being what Hall failed to reference in his emotional response to our latest post.
This isn’t the first time that Hall has used rhetoric to avoid substance when discussing critical drilling and leasing issues. When Hall was asked about proposed drilling parcels within yards of schools and straddling irrigation ditches that many organic farms rely upon, he flippantly commented that the leases were probably controversial because: “…if you walk out of the High Country News with your cup of herbal tea you can see some of these parcels.” Hall’s response dismissed valid concerns from residents, business owners, farmers and ranchers about fracking’s impacts on their water and lands.
Even after these sensitive leases were deferred last February, in response to public outcry, Hall said: “The deferral is not permanent.”
Under Dir. Helen Hankins’ watch, Colorado BLM has a disturbing record of offering drilling leases on sensitive land, at the behest of big oil and gas interests. In 2012, they proposed leases near Dinosaur National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park – against the wishes of the National Park Service (NPS), Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and La Plata County officials. Perhaps this is why, according to the Wilderness Society, Dir. Hankins’ policies have resulted in protests against 85 percent of Colorado leases in fiscal year 2012, compared to 33 percent throughout the rest of the Rocky Mountain region.
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Apparently a federal judge in California does not think that the BLM should be so dismissive of concerns around fracking on local communites.
Federal judge stops Monterey Shale fracking leases
Fracking foes in California win in court
Sure, why actually engage on the issues when you can just complain? That seems to be SOP for the Colorado BLM office.
Tiny Paonia's Unlikely Win in the War Against Fracking
Thanks for the link, CT. The story of the actions of the North Fork community are a template that should be studied by every community in the country.
Dividing communities has always been a strategy of the O&G industry. The energy, organization, and overwhelming commitment of the residents of the North Fork are inspirational and have helped the community to hold their own against a giant industry.
"Deny… deflect… dismiss" The tactics favored by industry lawyers and executives alike, will fail them when unceasingly challenged by a united populace. For those who have still not read the book, " Saboteurs…Weibo Ludwigs' War Against Big Oil", by Andrew Nikiforuk, it is as relevant today as it was when I read it years ago and speaks to the issue of a divided community and the tragic results when things get out of hand.
By the way…I believe the Parachute Creek Seep issue is starting to gain national attention.
I also believe there is already an ongoing coverup there of some really bad news for Williams and the COGCC. I suggest, SHUT DOWN the plant. ..now.