Dear Editor:

If the nominated 30,000 acres are leased and developed for gas and oil in the North Fork Valley the impact on all Delta County's residents will be tremendous. The leasing of this land would represent a dramatic shift from a rural agricultural community to an industrial zone.

With this shift would come all the issues associated with a polluting industry. Things we take for granted will disappear. I for one believe that we need to do our best to protect those things that sustain us, such as air quality, and prevent leasing of the North Fork BLM lands.

The development of gas and oil in the North Fork would significantly degrade Delta County's air quality. Our whole valley would see a dramatic increase in heavy truck traffic on our few highways. (Imagine what will happen to the roads!) It requires at least 1,000 heavy truck trips and over 500 light truck trips for the initial phase (through drilling and fracking) of a single well, and during peak production over 1,000 combined heavy and light truck trips are needed. Diesel fuel used in trucks significantly pollutes air quality with its production of fine particulate matter that can settle deep in the lungs as well as nitrous oxides that form ground ozone. At the well pad itself, there is a significant release of toxic air pollutants including toxic volatile compounds (VOCs) and fugitive natural gas (methane), that can escape and mix with nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the exhaust of diesel-fueled equipment, to produce ground-level ozone.

An article in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel dated March 11, 2011 titled, "Big city ozone goes rural" discusses the problems Rangley, a major natural gas production area, is now facing with ground-level ozone readings going above EPA standards, something before only seen during summer months in large cities. A greater understanding of the role natural gas industry pollutants play in ozone production during winter months where there is a snow cover and cold inversions is just emerging. What is well known are the severe health effects ozone has on the human respiratory system, small children being particularly susceptible. Ground-level ozone's negative effects are not limited to humans though; plants are also affected and a decline in crop production may be an unforeseen result. And, the bluish haze will further obscure our beautiful landmark mountain ranges. Air pollution will not be the only issue we will face if this development occurs. Water contamination, noise and light pollution will further torment us.

Please write to the BLM before the Feb. 9 deadline; voice your concerns, let the BLM know what is at stake and stand up for your rights to clean air and water.

Danielle Carre'

Hotchkiss