Oil/gas exploration jeopardizes a way of life

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’ve come to realize the proposed lease of 30,000 acres for oil and gas exploration locally is a clear example of intending to sacrifice “the many for the few.” For many who came to the North Fork Valley, they did so due to the healthy environment and clear appreciation that most exhibited in the way-of-life they pursued. Now that is clearly jeopardized by the intentions of a few who would benefit if successful in leasing, then drilling and producing natural gas. It is very clear the majority of the local population is both informed and fearful of all the negative impacts “fracking” for gas would bring us. They’re voicing their concerns with passion. Will this derail those who would despoil this magical valley? The possibility exists that it may NOT be enough! In our supposed representative government, we the people — the “common man” — have some say and sway in public policy. However, we’ve seen our democracy corrupted by big money, big oil, big pharma, big ag and the MIC. Our voice has devolved into “venting” to relieve pressure with little progress made to alleviate that which energized us to action. The 99 percents have been marginalized. We’re considered ill-informed and tools to be used, abused and even demonized by those “winning” at accumulation of material wealth. Our interests are now deemed unearned and therefore to be dismissed. I feel this gives some backdrop, some context to what is now unfortunately placed before us here in this magical place we’ve decided to make our home. Those that intend to “have their way” with us come from a very dark place. This darkness starts with an entity who requested these parcels be put up for an oil/lease sale with the said requester’s name NOT divulged. The BLM then used a 22-year-old Resource Management Plan to determine the appropriateness or compatibility of this possible land use. Seems to me this outdated plan cannot provide the updated induction vital to critical high-impact decision-making. Oddly, the BLM didn’t withhold these parcels awaiting the updated plan that would clearly show the non-compatibility and likely negative impacts to the way-of-life that has evolved here. Clearly, we the people were NOT protected by our government as the process began. And so now we have been allowed to comment about these proposed leases. Will these comments be just another way for our current form of democracy to play out — where we can vent with no ultimate protection from the “darkness” intended for us? The BLM is seeking written comments regarding this proposed lease. They suggest we focus our comments on “specific” parcels that may impact each of us. It’s as if we are to see in only two-dimensions on the map and reduce our comments to “me here, drilling there . . . me not happy.” They prefer we don’t rise above the map and see our community under assault. They prefer we NOT have any transcendant view that can foresee the damage in the aggregate and the overarching context of a government owned by the “few” at the sacrifice of the “many.” They prefer us to be ignorant and not connect the abundant dots on the map that show a clear assault on our healthy way-of-life. The narrative the natural gas industry has “spun” is that natural gas is a “clean” source of energy. They’ve clearly breathed too many VOCs! I won’t bore you with all the dastardly details that the life cycle of natural gas exploration actually entails. Let there be no doubt that in the coming decades the amount of damage wreaked on our fragile eco-system will be known and we will be spending untold resources to mitigate the ill-health effects to people and the planet. The buffet of ghastly chemicals used in the aggressive assault underground to free an uncooperative gas is extensive, frightening and inhumane. Time will surely pass and we will more clearly see the error’s in this form of resource extraction. The toxic chemicals used are dispersed within water — a solvent — that CANNOT be cordoned off from migrating into adjoining strata with untold consequences with both acute and chronic misery to most assuredly come.  Much of the suffering lies before those who have unfortunately be forced to co-habit with fracking nearby.
Sometimes life puts before you the chance to do “good.” A noble disposition is to consider the impacts long-term of short term behavior. How will this impact future generations? Fracking IS an aggressive assault of the earth that shakes it, poisons it, abuses it and then folds up the tent and leaves all the misery and suffering behind.  It is unconscionable and greedy and lacking any evolved perspective on the “greater good.” This fight to stop fracking locally is a “call to arms.” It is a higher calling that demands our attention and action. Let the BLM know you’re watching and demand they act according to the wishes of the majority. Let’s not be “collateral damage” to the greedy goals of the oil industry with the complicit behavior of our representatives! We CAN protect what we’ve come here to savor — a healthy environment and abundant unspoiled beauty to share with all that desire!

David Price
Crawford