Jun 29, 2007 3:59 pm US/Mountain
Salazar Blocks Bush BLM Roan Drilling Nominee
Prepared for cbs4denver.com by Matthew J. Buettner, Web Producer.
DENVER (AP) ―
Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar said he'll block the confirmation of President Bush's nominee to head the Bureau of Land Management until Colorado gets more time to review a plan to gas drilling on the Roan Plateau.
Salazar's move is the latest attempt by Colorado Democrats to put on hold a plan approved earlier this month that authorized up to 1,570 new natural gas wells on the Roan Plateau. The western Colorado landmark is valued for its gas and oil shale reserves and its pockets of pristine backcountry and abundant wildlife.
Reps. Mark Udall and John Salazar Wednesday withdrew an amendment that would have yanked federal funds for any new energy leases on the Roan.
The Bureau Land Management says its plan for the federal land on the plateau went through more than six years of study and public hearings. But Colorado Gov. Ritter wants more time to review the plan because he's been in office only since January.
And Salazar said the plan didn't a full public airing because the BLM modified it after a preliminary version was made public.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
