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Paonia conservation group concerned about proposed Thompson Divide swap

EcoFlight

A conservation group aired concerns with Washington lawmakers this month over a deal that would remove oil and gas leases from the Thompson Divide near Carbondale. The Paonia-based Citizens for a Healthy Community fears the proposal will move energy development to their backyard. 

Paonia’s mayor, a Hotchkiss farmer and the local chamber of commerce president joined Jim Ramey in Washington. Ramey’s the director of Citizens for a Healthy Community.

"The main reason we were back there was to make sure that the community’s voice was being heard in the context of this lease exchange discussion."

Two energy companies with undeveloped leases in the Thompson Divide want to exchange them for leases in Delta, Mesa and Gunnison counties. Ramey says such a swap would hurt prime elk habitat, recreation lands and agriculture in the North Fork Valley.

"For us, there really isn’t a conversation to be had about this lease exchange unless a component of it is talking about permanent protection for the North Fork Valley’s public lands."

The counties involved have expressed support for the concept with caveats. Pitkin County officials say they don’t want to send unwanted oil and gas development to another community. The conversation about the exchange is just beginning. Ultimately it needs an act of congress and the president’s signature.