HomeMy WebLinkAbout20132846.tiffSTATE OF COLORADO
Governor
John Hickenlooper
Department of Natural Resources
Mike King, Executive Director
Mr. William Garcia, Chair
Weld County Commissioners
1150 "O" Street
P.O. Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632
Managing
State Trust Lands
Since 1876
STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS
William E. Ryan, Division Director
1127 Sherman Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-3454
Fax: (303) 866-3152 RECEIVED
SEP302013
WELD COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Sept. 25, 2013
Dear Mr. Garcia,
This letter is to inform you that a new use is being proposed for the state trust land identified by the State
Land Board as "Chalk Bluffs" and specifically described as Twp 10 North, Range 60 West, section 16.
The proposed new use is leasing for oil and gas development.
The Chalk Bluffs parcel was designated into the Stewardship Trust established by the State Board of Land
Commissioners (hereinafter the State Land Board or SLB) pursuant to Article IX, Section 10(1)(b)(I) and
C.R.S. 36-1-107.5 in December 2000. In managing Stewardship Trust lands, the SLB Director shall
review and evaluate whether any new uses will adversely affect the natural values of the property.
Comments are invited from all current lessees and from appropriate local, state and federal agencies as
well as from the original nominator(s), if practicable, for a 30 -day comment period.
This letter is being sent to you as the local governing agency with jurisdiction pertaining to the Chalk
Bluffs parcel of state trust land. This letter is being sent via certified mail and shall serve as notice that
the new use is being proposed by staff and may be brought before the Board for approval at an upcoming
meeting.
Should this parcel eventually be leased for oil and gas development, the SLB would, at a minimum, likely
place a high level stipulation on the leasing agreement requiring Colorado Parks & Wildlife's (CPW)
review and comment for the siting of any oil and gas well pad. This stipulation currently reads:
"Lease is located in a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Sensitive Wildlife Habitat and/or Restricted
Surface Occupancy Area and/or contains Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) critical wildlife
habitat. Lessee must comply with Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) rules to
minimize adverse impacts to wildlife resources and address CPW and/or CNHP wildlife concerns. Prior to
surface occupancy and submittal of the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) to the COGCC, Lessee must
consult with the appropriate wildlife habitat expert and consult with and obtain approval from Lessor's
District Manager for siting of access, exploration operations, well locations, rig placement and all other
facilities. Without excluding other penalties or remedies available under this Lease or as provided by law,
Lessor shall impose a fine of up to $10,000 for any violation of this special stipulation in whole or in part
arising directly or indirectly from the use, occupation or control of the Leased Premises by Lessee, Lessee's
contractor or operator under this Lease."
CaU 0Y S /O/lb) et; PL. N 4
COMMISSIONERS: Buck Blessing, Michele A. Bloom, Thomas R. Gray, Robert Bledsoe, Gary Butterworth
2013-2846
If you wish to comment on these this proposed new use, please do so within 30 days, or no later than
October 28, 2013. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at (303) 866-3454 ext.
3318. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Mindy Gottsegen
Stewardship Trust/Conservation Services Manager
cc. Matt Pollart, Acting Field Operations Manager and North Central District Manager
Attachment
COMMISSIONERS: Buck Blessing, Michele A. Bloom, Thomas R. Gray, Robert Bledsoe, Gary Butterworth
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