Anti-drilling campaign based on fear, not science

Editor’s note: This letter was either edited for length in the print edition, or was not printed due to space restrictions.

Dear Editor:
I would like to speak in favor of letting the BLM’s oil and gas lease process go forward. There is another side of this picture that is not being considered. Instead of waging a campaign comprised of fear tactics and lack of science or fact, the Citizens for a Healthy Community (CHC) could be informative and constructive and lead a respectful, thoughtful and intelligent discussion so individuals can decide for themselves. CHC has done the opposite. They hire a full-time staffer to fight the BLM, with the support of two attorneys ready to file suit.  Couldn’t the CHC’s monetary resources and volunteer time be put to better use? There are many needs in Delta County — families need food and basic essentials, mentoring groups need resources to help children in disadvantaged situations, there are few activities for kids in Crawford, the list is long.

The leasing prospect has become synonymous with “poisoned water supply” and earthquakes and fracking. None of these events are likely, at least in the Crawford area. For instance the Crawford Town Council is concerned that the town’s spring and water supply will be contaminated. However, according to several reputable petroleum geologists, there is almost a zero chance that any wells would ever be drilled on the flanks of Landsend Mountain. In addition the stratigraphic section that would be penetrated by any wells in the Crawford area does not lend itself to any unconventional resource which might need fracking in order to produce oil and/or gas.

I live in this county, have two grandchildren that live in this county and care about its natural resources and its future. My background includes managing a substantial pollution prevention program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for eight years and working in the oil and gas industry for 10 years. Following is the letter I submitted to the Bureau of Land Management.

“As a resident of Crawford, I would like to voice my strong support for the oil and gas leasing process in Delta County. I believe the BLM process should go forward and the nomination of leases should not be withdrawn.

I have faith that if any of the leases are purchased and developed that the oil and gas industry will act in a responsible manner and comply with the multitude of regulations that protect our environment.

I am disgusted with the way Citizens for a Healthy Community (CHC) and WSERC have misled the public with false information, lack of any scientific basis and use of scare tactics. Obviously, they have adopted this one-sided approach to satisfy their own existence.

Most of the land under consideration is geologically highly unlikely to contain oil and gas. In the unlikely event that any of these leases are actually developed, the type of geology present would NOT require fracking. Almost every comment against this leasing refers to potential water contamination from fracking. CHC and WSERC do not present scientific information, nor do they invite industry representatives to their “hearings.” Instead, they rely on fear and emotion only. Please do not rely on letters based on confusion and misrepresentation of the facts. It is a travesty of our governmental process.”

Sharon Riegel
Crawford