06.08.07
Feds Approve Drilling On Colorado’s Roan Plateau
Federal land managers approved up to 1,570 natural gas wells on the Roan Plateau, over the next 20 years. The Roan plateau is highly valued for its abundant wildlife, and breathtaking backcountry.
Allowing the drilling has been a very heated debate for years. Critics are concerned that the drilling will harm the environment and wildlife.
The plan attempts to minimize the environmental impact by not allowing that any more than 1 percent of the land be disturbed at any one time.
The plateau could possibly provide 4 million homes with natural gas for the next 20 years. However, there is concern that the plan will impact the estimated $5 million dollars that the fishing, hunting, and nature activity generates for the local economies.