Aron Ralston

protecting wild places and wildlife, for their sake – and ours June 2012

TWO BUCKS AN ACRE

ave you got $2 in your pocket? imum bid for a minerals lease on federal HIf so, you could drop it on a lands. If a lease sells for that amount, it candy bar or a cup of coffee – or means there were no other competing on a one-acre natural-gas lease on bids; nobody else was interested. federal land. We always thought $2 an acre Well, maybe that’s not your thing, sounded low. We really started won- but the bargain wasn’t lost on the oil dering when, in 2008, leases on the and gas companies who leased up the nearby Roan Plateau sold for an average

In this issue Rock-bottom lease bids raise further questions about plans to develop the Thompson Divide. Roadless Rule endgame 2

Avalanche mine victory 3 Thompson Divide, southwest of Carbon- of $2,084 per acre – a thousand times Rigged bids and drill rigs 4 dale. more. And you can imagine our surprise when, in response to talk about a pos- $2.5 million to save the In 2003, Houston-based SG Inter- sible lease buyout last year, company Thompson Divide 5 ests bought natural-gas leases totaling about 15,000 acres for the paltry price representatives suggested that SG’s Writing their own rules 7 of a candy bar per acre. To be clear, Thompson Divide leases might be worth Central Mountains time 8 the company didn’t buy the land itself $1 billion! Oil shale: not ready 10 – it only bought the right to apply for Well, now comes news that SG In- permission to drill on it, and it must pay terests and another company, Gunnison The Roan’s day in court 11 annual rent to maintain that right. Energy, engaged in illegal bid-rigging on All-new upcoming events 12 But still, two bucks an acre? Really? CONTINUED ON next page Donor hall of fame 13 It happens that $2 per acre is the min-

Get ready for Naturalist Nights - see schedule, page 7 Wilderness Workshop Hike Series 9 Considering that about half these FROM PAGE 1 TWO BUCKS leases were let in violation of the Roadless Rule (see below), the fact at least four leases in the North Fork The Department of Justice says that TDC has made an offer for the Valley in 2005. (The whistleblower the companies were prepared to pay leases (page 5), and the generally in the case alleges that the compa- up to $300 per acre for at least one poor handling of lease procedures nies obtained a total of 22 leases in of the parcels, but by agreeing not by the BLM (page 7) – it all makes this way, including six in the Thomp- to bid against each other they got it you wonder, what’s the rush to son Divide area – see page 4.) for…that’s right, $2 an acre. develop? ROADLESS RULE ENDGAME We’re making a last-ditch effort to close a gas-lease loophole.

n early May, the US Forest The May 2 release was followed For the record, here’s a summary I Service released the all-but-final by a 30-day final review – what of the shortcomings we see in the version of the Roadless WW staff attorney Peter Hart calls Colorado Roadless Rule: Rule – an inferior form of protection a “look-before-you-leap period” “Gap” leases. From 2001 to for the state’s roadless areas that we that allows for only very specific, 2006, when the original (federal) and our partners have been trying to demonstrably needed revisions. Roadless Rule was tied up in the improve for the past six years. Along with partner groups Earth- courts, the Forest Service allowed Administration officials promised justice and The Wilderness Society, the BLM to issue oil and gas leases that this state-specific rule would we focused our efforts on just one in roadless areas, including some in be at least as strong as the federal issue: clarifying the wording in a the Thompson Divide. These leases 2001 Roadless Area Conservation couple of passages to ensure that so- should have carried stipulations Rule that it’s supposed to replace in called “gap” leases will be treated prohibiting the construction of roads Colorado. We’ve continually held it the same in the Colorado Rule as within the roadless areas, but many to that standard, and with your loud they are in the 2001 Rule. Fixing didn’t. The ’01 Rule has since been and clear support, we’ve managed this wording is a major deal for us, upheld in the courts, but the status to get a Colorado since half the leases in the Thomp- of leases from this “gap” period Rule that’s a whole son Divide fall under this category. remains unresolved. lot better than what It could also protect the federal gov- Throughout the process we’ve we started with. But ernment from potential legal confu- asked the Forest Service to address it still falls short in sion and challenges down the road. this issue. Instead, the almost-final several important As of press time, we were awaiting rule punts on it – kicking the can ways. publication of the final Rule. down the road and forcing us to challenge projects on a case-by-case basis through a process that is struc- WW’s Peter Hart finds that a sheaf of rolled-up maps works turally biased in favor of the agency well for training lawmakers to do the right thing. He and and industry. Thompson Divide Coalition board member Jock Jacober “Upper tier” protections. traveled to Washington in April to discuss the implications Earlier in the process, the Forest of the new Colorado Roadless Rule for natural gas develop- Service, realizing that the public

Jock Jacober ment in our area. was concerned that the Colorado

2 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 Rule was shaping up to be weaker than watersheds and “to maintain or restore” the federal one, introduced upper and ecosystems. THANKS lower tiers of protection. The idea was This exception was justified on the TO YOU... that, given the myriad exceptions in the grounds that the bark beetle infestation rule, to make it “on balance” as strong as may require emergency removal of trees. ere’s a short list of what we’ve been the 2001 Rule, some areas would have to But there’s now broad consensus among H able to accomplish in the past year, be given higher protections. local and agency officials that the limited with your support: Problem is, upper-tier protection resources available for tree removal applies to only about a quarter of the should be focused on areas adjacent to 4.2 million acres covered by the rule – homes, communities and critical infra- Energy that means three-quarters of Colorado’s structure. None of these exist 1.5 miles Kept the Thompson Divide free from roadless areas will now be managed to inside a roadless area. further gas leasing and drilling, while a weaker standard than under the 2001 Exceptions for coal mining. The supporting efforts for permanent Rule. Add in the fact that some upper-tier semi-final rule specifically allows “tem- protection. areas are already protected through other porary” roads for coal mining on 19,000 designations, and this Colorado Rule currently roadless acres in the North Fork Challenged oil shale and drilling on simply doesn’t balance with the 2001 Valley. Though the coal is mined under- the Roan Plateau. Rule. ground, roads are needed on the surface Sued to get better analysis of the Exceptions for logging. The semi- above to construct methane vents. That’s air-quality impacts of drilling in the final Rule allows logging up to 1.5 miles 19,000 acres of roadless land that’s being Colorado River Valley. inside any roadless area to reduce fuels, sacrificed for production of the dirtiest and for an unlimited distance to protect energy source. Wilderness

Secured a wilderness proposal from AVALANCHE MINE VICTORY Sen. Udall spanning three counties and 235,000 acres. ollowing our recommendation, mit, extendable to 20 years if the mining F the White River National Forest in company can demonstrate that its opera- March decided to restrict operations at tions won’t harm the sheep. Forests & wildlife an alabaster mine in the Avalanche Creek The company has ap- Obtained a more wildlife- and valley to protect a struggling bighorn pealed, claiming that watershed-friendly travel management sheep herd. plan for the White River National Operators of the White The Forest Forest. Banks Mine had request- Service comes ed a 20-year permit to Helped steer wildfire/beetle projects operate year-round down on the side and funding to communities and away and around the clock. of the bighorns. from the backcountry. Noting that its deci- sion was “in response the restrictions make its business Recreation to the key issue raised about potential uneconomic. impacts to bighorn sheep during critical Protecting the environment doesn’t Launched a collaborative effort with winter periods,” Aspen-Sopris District necessarily mean just saying no. If busi- recreation groups to protect the Sloan Ranger Scott Snelson prohibited mining nesses are simply required to bear the Peak area, north of Woody Creek. between Dec. 1 and April 30, as well as environmental costs of their activities, Worked to ensure that recreational outside of daylight hours. Additionally, the market will fairly decide the out- hotspots like the Crown and Hay Park he granted only an initial five-year per- come. aren’t loved to death.

JUNE 2012 | Wild Works 3 RIGGED BIDS AND DRILL RIGS

ast year, the U.S. Department Interests and Gunnison Energy – that the Thompson Divide. They’re L of Justice brought a criminal it found had illegally colluded to among the leases that the Thomp- prosecution against Tim DeChristo- drive down bid prices at two federal son Divide Coalition has recently pher, a young activist who disrupted lease sales in our area. Their pen- offered to reimburse leaseholders a federal gas lease sale in Utah alty? Um, well, they have to pay the for, and that we’ve been trying to get by falsely bidding on leases and government what it calculates they invalidated on the grounds that they thereby driving up prices. DeChris- should have paid in the first place. may have been let in violation of the topher is currently serving a two- No jail time. No damages. No Roadless Area Conservation Rule. year prison sentence. admission of wrongdoing. And they We don’t know why the Depart- In February, the same Department even get to keep the leases! ment of Justice hasn’t taken action of Justice proposed a civil settlement “This ‘fine’ is nothing more than a on the additional 18 leases. We with two companies – SG wrist slap, and will only provide an don’t know how many other leases Legend Thompson Divide area Leasing units Why we’re calling for further scrutiny Drilling applications GARFIELD CO. Fined illegally bid leases of collusion by gas companies. 117 Other alleged illegal bids Reimbursement offer leases Wilderness areas 82 incentive for companies to in our region might be tainted by BLM lands do more of the same in the the same illegal bidding. But we Forest Service lands Carbondale future,” WW staff attorney think the proposed settlement stinks, Ski LAKE Sunlight RIDGE 108 Peter Hart said of the pro- and we and four other Western

330 LAVA UNIT Spring posed settlement. “It calls Slope conservation groups have told BOULDER Gulch PROPOSAL PITKIN CO. into question just how seri- the DOJ so in a formal protest letter. 79 133 ous DOJ is about clamp- In the letter, we urge the DOJ to West WILLOW CREEK Divide ing down on bid rigging impose meaningful fines that will MESA CO. UNIT River Creek – which we believe may be actually deter (rather than encour-

Crystal a systemic problem.” age) further bid-rigging, to launch a What’s more, Peter full investigation into the additional notes, the DOJ chose not 18 leases, and to consider criminal

Assignation Ridge

71 4/10 GUNNISON Coal to pursue most of the bid- prosecution. Yes, the companies are CO. Basin ding violations alleged in innocent until proven guilty, but Huntsman Redstone Ridge the original whistleblower the evidence here is strong and the complaint. The settlement stakes are high. DELTA CO. McClure HUNTSMAN Pass concerns only four bids The letter also requests that the PROPOSAL that were made at two DOJ invalidate the leases in ques- 265 quarterly auctions in early tion, since the companies shouldn’t 3 Marble 2005; the whistleblower be allowed to enjoy their ill-gotten GUNNISON CO.

Chair alleged that the compa- gains and can’t be relied on “to 133 Mtn nies colluded in the same act as good stewards of the public way on another 18 bids in trust.” Muddy Creek 2005-06. Incidents like this raise serious Troublingly, six of these questions about the trustworthiness

Alison Galensky/Rocky Mountain Wild additional leases lie within of the companies that are being

4 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 allowed to develop our public of this estate on our behalf. It’s a contrast the DOJ’s handling of this lands. SG Interests, one of the two specialized field where industry has settlement with its much harsher firms implicated in this scandal, has a great deal more information – and prosecution of Tim DeChristopher. applied to the BLM to “unitize” 18 financial incentive – than the bu- Justice must be seen to be fair above leases in the heart of the Thompson reaucrats. The only thing that keeps all, yet these two cases clearly sug- Divide – a step that would result in the process honest and ensures a gest that the system is much more a long-term development plan for fair deal for taxpayers is competitive determined to deter individual civil 30,000 acres, and hold soon-to- bidding. If the bidding process is disobedience than corporate cor- expire leases well into the future. found to be tainted, government had ruption. That’s a doubly bad signal Shouldn’t SG’s record of illegal better take very determined action to send. conduct prompt more scrutiny of its to punish the guilty parties in order As of press time, the Department plans for such a critical and contro- to send a strong signal that gaming of Justice hadn’t responded to our versial parcel? the system doesn’t pay. protest. Should it decide to leave the Federal public lands and the Sadly, that doesn’t appear to be settlement unchanged, we’ll con- mineral estate under them belong what’s happening in this case. We sider intervening or seeking amicus to all of us, the American taxpayers. and our partners see this as a bad le- status from the court to air concerns The federal government leases the gal precedent and a moral outrage. that the settlement doesn’t protect right to explore and develop parts In our protest letter we pointedly the public interest. $2.5M TO SAVE THE THOMPSON DIVIDE A proposed lease buyout is a crucial step in removing the drilling threat.

hree months after sending letters of intent Tto six natural gas companies, the Thompson Divide Coalition’s proposed $2.5 million lease buyout is still on the table. The offer represents a crucial step in the three- year-long campaign to protect the 220,000-acre Thompson Divide. Several companies have re- sponded, and TDC continues to pursue proactive resolutions with industry. Since its launch in 2009, the coalition has pursued two interrelated strategies to permanently protect the Thompson Divide: securing an act of Congress “withdrawing” the area from availabil- ity for future leasing, and eliminating the threat

of development on existing leases. Given TDC’s Bruce Gordon/Ecoflight commitment to respecting valid existing rights, The Thompson Divide Coalition has made offers totaling $2.5 million to buy out 44 leases in the 220,000-acre backcountry area CONTINUED ON next page southwest of Carbondale.

JUNE 2012 | Wild Works 5 would be held in escrow until the pas- FROM previous page $2.5 MILLION sage of Congressional legislation to per- manently protect the Thompson Divide. achieving the second goal requires some tially coming out as heroes rather than While TDC pursues this lease buyout diplomacy. villains. and withdrawal legislation, we at the The letters sent in February are the “We believe this is a reasonable Wilderness Workshop are tasked with most recent attempt to resolve the devel- proposition,” said TDC president Chuck keeping the Thompson Divide from be- opment threat by outlining fair terms for Ogilby. “It acknowledges the investments ing drilled or further leased. Hence the reimbursement for undeveloped leases these companies have made, and gives many irons in the fire described in this in the area. To prepare the letters, WW’s them a way to support an initiative that newsletter. Peter Hart worked with TDC’s Judy Fox has broad community support.” Selling the leases lets the companies make a graceful HOW YOU CAN HELP exit, potentially coming out as heroes rather than villains. We urge everyone to write their Perry to research the amounts companies The reimbursement offers total about members of Congress to support the have paid to the federal government to $2.5 million. Public records indicate that Thompson Divide Coalition’s reim- purchase and hold the leases. Antero Resources spent the most buy- bursement offer and related with- The letters propose a solution intended ing and retaining leases in the Divide, drawal legislation. For a super-easy to work for all parties. Natural gas prices $817,000. SG Interests, which holds half online form, go to our action page: are in the tank, companies are reining of the leases and a third of the total acre- in operations and focusing on the most age, has spent less – $578,000 – due to productive areas, the Thompson Divide much lower per-acre bids on its leases. wildernessworkshop.org/action is a rugged area with high development The letters of intent contain two im- costs and unproven reserves, and public portant contingencies. First, since TDC opposition and possible lawsuits threaten doesn’t currently have the cash in hand to add to the costs (both financial and to buy the leases, it would be given 120 reputational). Selling the leases lets the days after the signing of any contract companies make a graceful exit, poten- to raise the money. Second, payments

Check out our new and improved website!

We’ve completely overhauled our website, featuring a more accessible lay- out, new features and updated content. At the new homepage you’ll also find a feed from our Facebook page, where we post frequent updates and where we encourage friends to post their own photos and comments. Check them both out at:

www.wildernessworkshop.org www.facebook.com/WildernessWorkshop

6 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 WRITING THEIR OWN RULES The BLM says to trust it on the Lake Ridge Unit, but its handling of another unit casts doubt on the process.

omewhere in a federal office in S metro , a Bureau of Land Management employee is deciding the fate of the Thompson Divide. The decision is whether to al- low Houston-based SG Interests to “unitize” 18 leases stretching from to Coal Basin. Ac- cording to the BLM, this is a routine exercise that requires no environ- mental review or public input, because it will only result in a more efficient plan for drilling the area. Plus (says the BLM), if the company fails to live up to the unit agreement then it can lose its leases. But another unit proposal elsewhere in the Thompson Divide Peter Hart illustrates how the BLM’s practice The BLM granted five consecutive extensions to the operator of the East Willow doesn’t jibe with its theory, and how Unit, yet now, two years after after its unit was supposed to have been terminat- easy it is for companies to exploit ed, the company is applying to drill. the unitization process. In 1996, Delta Petroleum leased to fulfill the terms of its unit agree- or the leases. And now, two years about 8,000 acres of National Forest ment. It later sold its leases to later, Willsource has several drilling land in the upper reaches of Divide Willsource Enterprises. The BLM permits pending with the BLM on Creek, on the western side of the granted five consecutive one-year land that it should no longer have Thompson Divide. In 2003, with extensions to the companies on the the right to drill on. the leases nearing expiration, Delta requirement to drill an “obligatory Welcome to the murky world of applied to merge them into what well.” The sixth time, in 2009, we federal mineral leasing, where in- would be known as the Willow objected, and the BLM denied the dustry accommodation is the name Creek Unit (see map on page 4). For extension. That should have been of the game, and public account- the company, unitization offered an the end of the matter. The unit and ability runs a distant second. easy way to extend the leases; for all of Willsource’s leases should “Industry basically wrote these the BLM, it enabled more coordi- have been terminated, except for a rules, which are hard to enforce and nated development of the area. The small parcel surrounding the origi- easy to manipulate,” notes WW staff agency approved the unit in 2004. nal test well. attorney Peter Hart. After examin- Delta drilled a test well in the Unfortunately, it appears that the ing the record of BLM actions on first year, but never brought it into BLM never filed the proper bureau- production, and did nothing further cratic death certificate for the unit CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

JUNE 2012 | Wild Works 7 Hike.

CENTRAL MOUNTAINS TIME Discover.Guided hikes into proposed wilderness The Hidden Gems Campaign is rallying around Senator Mark Udall’s wilderness proposal Learn. areas. Join us to ex- plore these special places! he Hidden Gems Campaign crossed seen in this region in three decades. with the Central Mountains but also with T an important and exciting threshold Sen. Udall’s proposal builds on the bill initiatives for the and HOW YOU CAN HELP on Feb. 26, when Sen. Mark Udall held a that Rep. Jared Polis introduced in the Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River. As press conference in Frisco to unveil what House last spring. It includes all the same he noted in his email, he’s been a back- Sen. Udall needs to hear from you F he’s calling the Central Mountains Outdoor areas and acreages in Polis’s district (Eagle country enthusiast all his life; what he now! Whether he decides to introduce RWilderness Workshop Heritage Proposal. and Summit counties), plus all Hidden didn’t mention was that he’s also the only legislation based on his Central Moun- The announcement was the culmination Gems proposal areas in Pitkin County member of our Colorado Congressional tains proposal will depend on the E of years of work by the campaign to refine – all together, 32 separate parcels total- delegation with actual experience get- feedback he gets from constituents. E Hike Series 2012 the Hidden Gems package and work with ing 235,000 acres. It’s a really substantial ting wilderness legislation passed (Rocky If you haven’t already, please show Sat, June 16 | the Senator to the point that he was willing public-lands proposal, solid and well-vet- Mountain National Park Wilderness, which your support at (follow the link to the Perham Creek, near Carbondale to embrace it and make it his own. In terms ted thanks to the extensive public outreach he sponsored when he was in the House). Central Mountains page): Sun, June 17 | Seven Castles Creek, near Basalt of both scope and political promise, the by the Hidden Gems campaign team and Meanwhile, there are tantalizing hints Sun, June 17 | Squaw Creek loop, south of Avon Central Mountains proposal is the strongest by Polis’s office. that our other Colorado Senator, Michael www.markudall.senate. Sun, June 24 | Dillon Pinnacles, east of Gunnison legislative vehicle for wilderness that we’ve Not all of it is slated for wilderness Bennet, is starting to work on a package Sat. July 7 | designation; 87,000 acres (37 percent) are of Gunnison County areas. We’ll keep you gov/outdoorheritage Carbon Trail (Whetstone), just outside billed as so-called “special management updated as this unfolds. Sat, July 7 | Hay Park birding hike, near Basalt and areas,” and 8,500 acres (4 percent) are VIP support for Sen. Udall’s proposal Carbondale “companion areas.” The special manage- got off to a great start in April when Vail Tues, July 10 | Hunter Creek wildflower hike, just ment areas are in essence wilderness Resorts announced its endorsement. Vail outside Aspen designations with the single exception of Resorts joins the Aspen Skiing Co. and Sun, July 15 | Spraddle Creek, north of Vail allowing military helicopter training flights more than 450 other local businesses that Sat. July 21 | Green Lake Trail (Whetstone), outside and landings by the High Altitude Avia- have endorsed either the Hidden Gems or of Crested Butte tion Training Site out of the Eagle County Central Mountains proposal, thanks to dili- Sat, July 21 | Treasure Mountain, outside of Marble Airport. The companion areas, added to gent work by field staff Will Roush in Pitkin Sun, July 22 | Seven Castles Creek, near Basalt the proposal at the request of mountain County and Susie Kincade in Eagle County. campaigns go through as their visions start Sat, July 28 | bikers in Summit County, are worded to It’s an impressive list that effectively makes to take legislative shape. The campaign will Lost Lake (Red Table Mountain), south of Eagle allow mountain biking while adopting the argument that preserving wilderness is keep advocating for all the Hidden Gems Wed, Aug 1 | wilderness-level protections in every other better for the local economy than selling Hay Park full-moon hike, near Basalt areas and trying to get more of them in- and Carbondale respect. off our heritage to extractive industries for a cluded in legislation, but from now on the Sat, Aug 4 | Hoosier Ridge, near Breckenridge Sen. Udall and his staff put a great short-term boom. emphasis will be on supporting the actual Sun, Aug 5 | Huntsman Ridge, near McClure Pass deal of thought and preparation into the That message was driven home in Janu- legislation. Expect to see and hear more announcement, simultaneously posting a ary, when more than a dozen business about the Central Mountains (a name that’s Sun, Aug 12 | Lower Piney, north of Avon comprehensive set of maps and informa- leaders from around the region met with got a nice ring, by the way), and less about Sat-Sun, Aug 18-19 | Red Table overnight backpack, tion online and publishing an op-ed in the Rep. Scott Tipton – at their request – to the Hidden Gems. north of Ruedi Reservoir

Mark Fox/Summit County Daily Denver Post. The Senator followed up a convey their support for the Hidden Gems. Exactly how this all plays out is impos- Sat, Aug 18 | Acorn Creek, north of Frisco Sen. Mark Udall announcing his Central few weeks later with an email to constitu- Rep. Tipton’s district includes the Pitkin sible to predict – all bets are off in an Sat, Aug 25 | Spraddle Creek, north of Vail Mountains proposal in February. ents, sharing his passion for wilderness and and Gunnison portions of the proposal. election year. We’re pacing ourselves for Sun, Aug 26 | Petroleum Lake, up Lincoln Creek near inviting feedback on the proposal. With the emergence of Sen. Udall’s the long haul, while continuing to get our Aspen It’s been wonderful to see Mr. Udall dive proposal, the Hidden Gems Campaign is Congressional ducks in a row to be ready Sat, Sept 15 | Bulldog Creek, near Carbondale back into public lands protection, not only making the transition that all wilderness for any short-term opportunity. Sat, Sept 22 | Perham Creek, near Carbondale WILDERNESS

Learn more & sign up: WildernessWorkshop.org/hikes 1 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 JUNE 2012 | Wild Works 1 Contact: [email protected] | 970-963-3977 their way. FROM PAGE 7 THEIR OWN RULES Of course, the rules are only as good as the regulators that enforce Willsource’s Willow Creek Unit, tion. It wants to extend its leases them. That’s why it’s so important to obtained through a Freedom of with a minimum of outlay and have organizations like the Wilder- Information Act request, Peter con- public involvement. And it has every ness Workshop watchdogging the cludes that “they just aren’t comply- reason to believe that, once it gets agencies to ensure they do their ing with their own regulations, from its unit, it can string the BLM along jobs. And if the rules are stacked in what I can tell.” until it’s ready to drill or until it can industry’s favor, we watchdogs have Meanwhile, a decision on the flip the leases to another company. to be that much more vigilant. much larger Lake Ridge Unit could The rules of the game matter. Rest assured, we’re making every come down any day. And despite They may seem arcane and techni- effort to ensure the Willow Creek the BLM’s assurances, why should cal, but that’s what’s necessary in Unit is terminated and the proposed we believe that this unit will be industries like energy (or finance), Lake Ridge Unit is denied. Please handled any better? where companies have multi- make sure you’re on our email list to SG Interests has the same motiva- billion-dollar incentives to try to get get alerts about how you can help. NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME

rops to all of you who attended The BLM is now shopping around sible to assess the potentially serious Pthe BLM’s oil shale open house a revised plan that resulted from a impacts on the environment, human in Silt in March – the only one held 2008 lawsuit brought by 16 conser- health and communities. in Colorado – and to the many more vation groups, including the Wilder- May 4 was the deadline for pub- who sent emails opposing oil shale ness Workshop. It’s a damn sight lic comments on the Programmatic development through our action better than the previous one, with Environmental Impact Statement page. the acreage available for oil shale that the BLM committed to doing to leasing in Colorado settle the lawsuit. reduced by 90 percent, WW was part of the team to 35,300 acres. coordinated by Western Resource But, frankly, we still Advocates that submitted com- don’t think any public ments on the draft PEIS on behalf of lands should be opened the conservation community; WW to commercial oil shale compiled the Colorado section. The development at this final EIS should be released this fall time. The companies or winter. that are working on test Colorado’s oil shale deposits are plots in the hill coun- concentrated in the area between try north of the Roan Parachute and Meeker. While this is Plateau are still a long somewhat outside of WW’s service way from figuring out area, the prospect of commercial- how to extract oil from scale oil shale development poses

Peter Hart the rock in commercial a threat to our region’s environment The area being considered for oil shale development quantities, and in the (and the global climate) that could is known as the “mule deer factory of Colorado.” meantime it’s impos- dwarf that of gas drilling.

10 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 THE ROAN’S DAY IN COURT A judge will rule on our lawsuit opposing drilling on top of the Roan Plateau.

he Roan Plateau is back in the news, with a judge those areas. T now weighing arguments in a lawsuit filed by a Our suit also coalition of environmental groups, including WW. claims that the BLM During oral arguments before U.S. District Judge did only a cursory Marcia Krieger in late May, our attorneys contended that job of analyzing air the BLM never seriously considered more ecologically quality impacts, as sensitive alternatives to drilling the top of the plateau, if the development and that it failed to follow its own rules on analyzing of the Roan were the impacts of drilling. happening in isola- The Roan Plateau became a conservation cause cé- tion and not adding lèbre in 2003, as the BLM considered plans for oil and to the pollution gas development in the 73,000-acre area north of Rifle. being created by

Despite 98 percent of public comments opposing drill- all the other energy Bruce Gordon/Ecoflight ing on the biologically diverse top of the plateau, the development in the The Roan Plateau towers above the plan approved by the agency in 2007 called for leasing region. I-70 corridor northwest of Rifle. every acre and the construction of up to 1,570 wells. (And that’s only (Leaseholders are now projecting more than 3,000 wells half the story, by the atop the plateau.) way. In a separate lawsuit, WW is charging that the BLM The conservation groups joined forces in 2008 to sue compounded the error by subsequently “cutting and the BLM and four oil and gas companies in an attempt pasting” its Roan air-quality analysis to justify approving to block the lease sale. The sale went ahead, but devel- another 1,400 wells in the Colorado River Valley.) opment of the leases was put on hold while the parties Finally, our suit argues that the BLM used a planning tried to negotiate a settlement. The settlement talks horizon of only 20 years, which is clearly inadequate broke down last year, sending the case back to court. for a development of this scale. The agency says it did Rising 3,000 feet above the Colorado River Valley, that because it has a “dismal record” of planning further the Roan Plateau is an island of relatively undisturbed than 20 years out. habitat surrounded by intense gas drilling activity. The Judge Krieger has indicated that she won’t rule on BLM itself identified four areas on the Roan, totaling whether the BLM’s plan is any good or not, but simply over 36,000 acres, as being eligible for protection as on whether the agency followed proper procedures. Of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. The alternative course, if it had followed proper procedures then maybe plan that the BLM failed to consider would have spared it wouldn’t have produced such a terrible plan.

Facing a tough crowd

WW executive director Sloan Shoemaker testified before a joint House field hearing in Montrose on May 10. As suggested by the hearing’s title – “Logs in the Road: Eliminating Federal Red Tape and Excessive Litigation to Create Healthy Forests, Jobs and Abundant Water and Power Supplies” – it was pretty clearly intended to reach a preordained conclusion. Sloan was there to counter the myth of environmental obstructionism by speaking about his collaborative work with the Colorado Bark Beetle Cooperative. Sloan Shoemaker

JUNE 2012 | Wild Works 11 ALL-NEW UPCOMING EVENTS

e have an action-packed summer ness program was established in 2008 in Win store for you this year, starting memory of WW co-founder Dottie Fox, with the opening reception of our Artist who combined her talent as a water- in Wilderness exhibit at Vectra Bank in colorist with her passion for preserving Aspen on Thursday, June 21, from 5:30 wilderness. On a related note, appli- cations are due July 13 for this fall’s Artist in Wilderness residency, which will be for a professional three-dimensional or land artist. For details, please see our website. The Wilderness Picnic is being reincarnated this year as Wildfest, and you are not going to want to miss it! We’re talking continuous music and “Up Hunter Creek,” by Richard White – entertainment with the incom- one of the works in our Artist in Wilderness parable Halden Woffard and show at Vectra Bank in Aspen, opening on Melanie Finan the Hi-Beams and a host of Thursday, June 21. WW volunteers helped the Forest Service plant local acts, all in the bohemian seedlings at one of our project days at Avalanche setting of the Flying Dog Ranch is near the end of the very rough road to Campground in April. in Woody Creek. Mark your cal- the ghost town of Ruby; because it’s so endar for Saturday, July 14 – see remote, we’re encouraging volunteers to to 7:30 p.m. (Additionally, there will be the back cover for details. go up early and camp out Friday night so an Artist in Wilderness fundraiser at a For those of you who like to get dirt that they’re already there the next morn- private home on Wednesday, July 25; under your fingernails, our next habitat ing. We’ll organize car pooling from please contact Dave Reed if you’re inter- restoration project will be at Anderson Aspen. ested in attending.) Lake on Saturday, Sept. 8. The mission Finally, we’re hoping to put together The show will feature works by the is to transform an old mining road into a public event with conservation elders seven artists who have participated in the a hiking trail as it traverses subalpine Dave Foreman and Michael Soulé on program to date. The Artist in Wilder- meadows and wetlands. Anderson Lake Friday, Sept. 28 – stay tuned for details.

Naturalist Nights online, anytime

If you missed any of this winter’s Natu- Aspen Skiing Company, Bristlecone ralist Nights presentations, fear not – we Mountain Sports, Carol Dopkin Realty, had them videoed by GrassRoots TV, Carbondale Days Inn, Finbarr’s Irish Pub, and you can view them anytime at our Gorsuch Ltd., Harry Teague Architects, website. Ken Ransford Law Office, Reese Henry We’re grateful to the business sponsors & Co., St. Moritz Lodge, Stirling Homes who made this possible: Alpine Bank, and the Ute Mountaineer.

12 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 HELP US GROW OUR MEMBERSHIP

e’re holding a new-mem- WW, you’ll both get two prize Wber drive this summer. Our drawing tickets. goal is to increase membership to Encourage friends and family 1,000 by the end of the year (it’s to join WW via your own page currently at about 700), and you on our website (we’ll set it up can help us by introducing your for you). At the end of the year, friends to the Wilderness Work- we’ll give special prizes to the shop. top three new-member recruit- Do it for the land, do it for the ers. critters, do it for your karma – but Also, we’re looking for one just in case that’s not enough, here or more individuals who would are a couple of incentives: Welcome to summer interns Samantha Pickard be willing to match donations (pictured), who’s double majoring in environmental Bring a friend to Wildfest on made by new members. For more studies and environmental education at Prescott July 14 (see the back page), information, to get your own WW College, and Steven DeWitt, who comes to us with a and we’ll enter both you and web page, or to suggest any other wealth of photography and social media experience. your friend in a prize drawing ideas, please contact development And a fond farewell to longtime board member for cool stuff donated by local director Dave Reed at 963-3977 or Steve Child, who is running for Pitkin County com- businesses. If your friend joins [email protected]. missioner.

DONOR HALL OF FAME

Lynn Nichols and Jim Gilchrist Marj Perry and Bill Fales Family Advised Fund of the The Wilderness Workshop wishes to thank the follow- Lucy Hahn Aspen Community Foundation ing generous people who have made donations since Joe Henry Garry and Sharon Snook Moore Huffman, Jr. the previous newsletter. New members are indicated Peter and Robin Van Domelen by an asterisk (*). Ellen Hunt $1,000-4,999 Marianne and Dick Kipper Anonymous Johno and Sunni McBride $25,000+ Wyss Peace Foundation Jim Aresty and Nancy Pickard Owen McHaney Aron and Jessica Ralston T.A. Barron Marcie and Robert Musser $5,000-9,999 Shelley Burke and Al Nemoff Advised Fund of the Aspen $10,000-25,000 Community Foundation Cherry Creek Schools David and Gay Campbell*, in Aspen Skiing Company Foundation, in honor of Aron memory of Harold Hahn David Newberger Environment Foundation Ralston John and Laurel Catto/Catto Marty Pickett and Edgell Pyles Jim Bonesteel and Caroline Marcia Corbin Charitable Foundation R.H. Crossland Foundation Cochener McBride Family/Aspen Business Chelsea Congdon and James Ford and Susan Schumann Peter Looram Center Foundation Brundige Jill Soffer Pamela Maguire Felicity Huffman Mary Dominick and Sven Kelly and Denis O’Donovan Ernst and Wilma Martens Coomer CONTINUED ON next page Pitkin County Foundation

JUNE 2012 | Wild Works 13 Lisa Cashdan and Peter Stein, John Fielder FROM PREVIOUS PAGE DONORS in honor of Beth Cashdan and Gina Berko and David Fleisher Paul D’Amato Dorothy Frommer Bill Stirling Christin Cooper and Mark Taché Lisa Wuerker Catherine Porter and James Fuller Jay Webster Elissa Topol and Lee Osterman Ryland Gardner $250-499 Andy Wiessner and Patsy Town of Carbondale Joyce and Bill Gruenberg Anonymous Batchelder Zac Weinberg Georgia and Andy Hanson Donna Fisher and Skip Behrhorst $100-249 Allyn Harvey $500-999 Beth Cashdan and Paul D’Amato Bob Adams Trautlinde Heater Alpine Bank Dan and Tita McCarty Advised Lu Krueger Andersen and Paul Sue Helm Fund at the Aspen Community Randy and Althy Brimm Andersen Foundation Ann Hodges Bristlecone Mountain Sports Paul and Carole Auvil* Carol Dopkin Janis and George Huggins Annie Cooke Dawn Barton Susan and George Fesus Judy Hutchins Gesine Crandall Richard Beresford Lynn and Judy Hancock David Hyman and Barbara Reid Days Inn Bruce Berger Ann Harvey and Mike Campbell Leslie and Patrick Johnson Finbarr’s Irish Pub Diana Beuttas Kristen and Casady Henry Sylvia Johnson* Julie Goldstein and Tony Dee Blakewell Valery and Kearns Kelly O’Rourke/Rose Community Gail and Phil Holstein Katie Brimm Foundation Sandy Jackson Albert Kern Gavin Brooke/Land + Shelter Jane and Dick Hart Ann and Sam Johnson Nancy Kimbrell and Mario Kay Brunnier Larouche Charles and Linda Ho Sheldon and Marianne Lubar Charlyn Canada Francine and Tag Liebel* Marcella Larsen Charitable Fund of the Lubar Family Foundation Chalet Lisl Lodge Bill and Carol Lightstone Judy Fox-Perry and Will Perry* Donna and Tim McFlynn Maggie Dewolf Patricia Maddalone Frank Peters and Marjory Al and Germaine Dietsch Musgrave Kent and Elizabeth Meager Joanie Matranga Phyllis and Frank Dobyn St. Moritz Lodge Mary Beth Minion* Martha and Mike McCoy Doris and Chuck Downey Karin and Harry Teague Pat Spitzmiller Matthew McKenna Paul David Ellis Dr. Rick Voorhees Deidre Stancioff Michael McVoy and Michal Brimm Maggie Pedersen and Bob Millette HIDDEN GEMS DONORS Dave and Stephanie Munk Kathy Farrell and Gordon Neal Following are donations made to the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign, for which WW is Kerry and Ricki Newman the fiscal agent. George Newman* Virginia and Rick Newton $500+ Debby Webster and Steve Up to $50 Laurie and Jim Noyes Blanchard Bruce Parlette Phil Brodsky Todd Bartlett, in honor of Roger Peggy Corcillo and Dave Pietsch Steve and Molly Child $50-99 Bartlett Irma Prodinger Crystal Valley Environmental George and Frances Alderson Norma Broten Bob Purvis Protection Association Anonymous Sarah Evans, in honor of Bill Pamela Kling and Michael Rose and George Gillett Betsy Bowie Evans Catherine Fahlgren Rausch $100-249 Alan and Silvia Danson Mark Chapin and Susie Kincade Lee Rimel Art On A Whim, LLC Debra Grove Tarren O’Brien, in honor of Kathy and Bill Rodman Art and Elaine Kelton Helen E. McBreen Roger Bartlett Greg Russi Axel’s David and Suzy Pines Maggie Rerucha, in memory of Kenny Ryan Gerry Roehm Brad and Laurel Larson Martha and Jim Fleming Leslie and Nancy Selzer Jennifer Rose, in honor of Laura Alex Marks Emilie Sommerville, in memory Diane and John Stine Yale John Swomley of Jeanne Francis Hal Sundin Terry Sano

14 Wild Works | JUNE 2012 Kerek Swanson John Isaacs Anne Austin-Clapper and Anna Naeser and Gerald Sarah Johnson Willard Clapper Terwilliger Stephen and C.P. Kanipe Kim Coates Tom and Roz Turnbull Steve Knous Barbara Collins Gayle and Richard Wells Pete Kolbenschlag Douglas and Lynne Denio Pierre and Beth Wille/Tyrolean Veronica Egan Laurel Loeb* P.O. Box 1442 Lodge Janice Estey Dr. Ann Mass Carbondale, CO 81623 Dexter Williams Sally and Chris Faison Nanna Schov and David Mork Offices in the Third Street Center, Hugh and Mary Wise Adrian Fielder* Barney and Dot Mulligan 520 S. 3rd St., Carbondale King Woodward Sara Garton Tel (970) 963-3977 Janean Nutter* Annie Worley Martin Gerra www.wildernessworkshop.org Tom Oken and Janie Lowe $50-99 Marty Ames and Steve Hach [email protected] Ginny Parker George and Frances Alderson Kay Hannah The Wilderness Workshop’s mis- Fred and Sandra Peirce Anonymous Lois Harlamert-Teegarden sion is to protect and conserve the Doc Philip wilderness and natural resources Karen Beard Mary and Nick Harris Pat and Michael Piburn* of the Roaring Fork Watershed, the Liz and John Bokram Kate and Peter Hart Elizabeth and Maris Platais White River National Forest, and Rob Burnett Amy Harvey* Bob and Gabriella Rafelson adjacent lands. Lee Cassin Adele Hause Glenn Randall Rory and Lucy Cerise Rick Heede* Board of Directors Ty and Terry Reed Trish Chew, in memory of Robin and Kendall Henry Steve Smith, President Carolyn Purvis Ruth Ross Ralph Jones Karin Teague, Ned and Jan Cochran Susan Rothchild Jillian and Chris Kops Vice President Laurence Cohen Jill Sabella Carlyle Kyzer* Peter Van Domelen, Janet Coursey Marius and Clare Sanger Jane Leddy Treasurer Jenifer Cramer Beth Schaefer Sandy, Mary Lynn and AJ Munro John Emerick, Secretary Lisa Dancing-Light Jill and Michael Scher Darrell Munsell* Beth Cashdan Mary Dominick Rachel Dayton Sarah Schmidt Gracie Oliphant Cici Fox Stephen and Jennifer Ellsperman Don Davidson and Sandy Carrie Podl*, in honor of Ginni Galicinao Simpson Jonathan Haberern Scott Ely* Charles Hopton Rosine Ribelin Mallory Family Sandy and Stephen Stay Peter Looram Kyle Ferrell Lelia Stege Rachel Richards John McBride, Jr. Anne and Phil Freedman Sylvia Wendrow and JD Sturgill Polly Ross Tim McFlynn Mark Fuller Garrett Sullivan and Stephanie Joanne and Richard Rubinoff Michael McVoy Elizabeth Fulton Soldner Sullivan Amy Stokka and Greg Sauer Aron Ralston Mike Stranahan Christy Garfield Mimi Teschner Cam Scott Andy Wiessner Jon Gibans Dr. Diana Tomback Randy Gold and Dawn Shepard Connie Overton and James Tom and Donna Ward Jean Smith Founders Gilliam Melissa Waters Tyler, Kim and Lori Spence Joy Caudill Leslie, James and Don Gorman John Werning Diane and John Stine Dottie Fox Connie Harvey Kristen and Wally Graham* Polly Whitcomb Chris Taché Les Gray Garret Zabel* Lynn Tanno Staff Doug and Peggy Graybeal Jan Oen and Don Thompson Up to $49 Sloan Shoemaker, Shelley Supplee and Hawk Robert and Phyllis Throm Executive Director Greenway Mary Ballou Marina Valenzuela Melanie Finan Mary Jo Kimbrough and Jim David and Janet Boyle Joan Eisner and William Vaughan Michael Gorman Harrison PJ Breslin* Carol Werner Grace* Peter Hart Casady Henry Helen and Roger Carlsen Marilyn Wilmerding* Dave Reed Richard and Sheryl Herrington Laura Kirk and Dave Carpenter Ted Zukoski* David Richie Katherine Hubbard Joy Caudill Will Roush

JUNE 2012 | Wild Works 15 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. Postage PAID PERMIT NUMBER 62 P.O. BOX 1442 CARBONDALE, CO CARBONDALE, CO 81623 81623 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please recycle this newsletter - pass it on to a friend!