[Denveraudubon] Fw: New Protections for Colorado's Wildlife: Public Hearing Monday

[Polly P. Reetz]

A special appeal from Gary Graham - with talking points.  Please consider attending if you can.
Polly Reetz
Conservation Chairman

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A Special Message from Gary Graham, Executive Director of Audubon Colorado
Support Common-sense Protections for Colorado's Water, Wildlife, and Communities 

Dear John,

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has proposed rules that will minimize the adverse impacts of oil and gas developments on the wildlife and environmental health of Colorado. The Commission will be holding a public hearing on these rules next Monday, June 23rd. It is critically important that people who care about Colorado's environment to attend the hearing and offer brief comments in support of these rules. 

Hearing DetailsDate:Monday, June 23Time:8:00 am - noon (arrive early to register to speak)Location:Paramount Theater, 1621 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80202
The oil and gas industry is pulling out all stops to oppose these common-sense protections for Colorado's water, wildlife, and communities. The environmental community needs to be equally well-represented in the audience and attendees should show up early to register. Please consider offering brief testimony—each speaker will be given three minutes. I've provided talking points below, customized just for Audubon supporters. 

We have an opportunity here to really make a conservation difference and demonstrate compatibility with energy development, but it will be a tough battle with the very well financed oil and gas industry who are hammering the Commission and legislatures with all kinds of scare tactics—especially on the wildlife rules. 

If you attend, look for other members of the environmental community near the entrance beginning at 7:00 am. Thanks in advance for helping promote a good turnout by conservationists!

Please feel free to contact me directly if you need help preparing your testimony or have any other questions. 

Sincerely yours,
Gary Graham
Executive Director, Audubon Colorado
Phone: (303) 415-0130
Email: ggraham at audubon.org 

Talking Points Protections for critical seasonal habitats shouldn't be limited to only three months out of each year, but to the time period backed up by the best science;
Stronger rules are needed to make sure soil and vegetation are properly reclaimed immediately after construction;
Require verifiable interim reclamation as soon as drilling is complete;
The interagency consultation process ought to be expanded to cover the most vital and imperiled habitats, such as Colorado's best remaining concentrations of grouse.
Increase requirements for comprehensive development plans to minimize surface disturbance and protect wildlife habitat;
Support rule 513 that encourages large scale planning and management of oil and gas activities through the use of Geographic Area Plans;
Require mandatory consultation with the CO Division of Wildlife when drilling occurs in core wildlife habitat, such as grouse mating and elk calving grounds; 
Drill rigs should be set at least 1000 ft. away from homes.
Please forward this message to others who might be interested in attending Monday's hearing!

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