FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  November 15, 2012  Contact: Barb Halpin, 303-441-1622

 County Commissioners provide direction to staff concerning draft Land Use Code regulations for oil and gas development

 Boulder County, Colo. – After receiving significant input and feedback from members of the public, state agencies, industry representatives, and county land use and public health staff on a revised set of proposed Land Use Code regulations for oil and gas development in unincorporated Boulder County, the Boulder County Commissioners gave direction to county staff today to begin refining specific elements of the proposed draft regulations.

 Two more public meetings have been scheduled (Dec. 4 and 13, both at 4 p.m.) to finalize the regulations. Additionally, a public meeting to address transportation and road impacts from oil and gas development has been scheduled for Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. All meetings will take place in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder.

 Acknowledging that this process is only one in a multi-pronged effort to establish safe, appropriately-managed oil and gas development on unincorporated county lands, the commissioners have asked staff to continue working on updating existing regulations in the county’s land use code that date back to 1993.

 “As my colleagues and I have stated, we believe we are on the right track in working towards regulations that are as protective of public health and air and water quality as is possible, given the legal authority the county has under Colorado law” said Cindy Domenico, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “We will continue working on finalizing regulations where we have local jurisdiction and to also work with our state agencies, legislators, and other governing bodies to continue to improve the safety of oil and gas drilling for all residents of Colorado.”

 In addition to updating the land use regulations, county staff will continue to work on implementing applicable oil and gas development policies in the recently updated Comprehensive Plan so that future actions better reflect today’s industry, its practices, and impacts on air and water quality, land use, transportation, public health, parks and open space, and other environmental and natural resources across Boulder County.

 Upcoming public meetings and hearings (to be held in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder):

• Tuesday Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.  – The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a second public hearing on the Draft Regulations. Staff will present any revisions that have been made to the Draft Regulations and the BOCC will take public comment and either take final action or give further direction to staff.
• Thursday Dec.6 at 4 p.m. – The Board of County Commissioners will consider staff recommendations concerning transportation and traffic impacts related to oil and gas development. No public testimony will be taken.
• Thursday Dec.  13, 2012 at 4 p.m. – Anticipated adoption of the proposed regulations by the BOCC. No public testimony will be taken.

All meetings are webstreamed and available for viewing in the taped archives at: www.bouldercounty.org/gov/meetings/pages/hearings.aspx.

 For more information about the county’s role in oil and gas development, upcoming meetings and public involvement opportunities, visit the county’s Oil and Gas Development webpage or contact Jim Webster at 720-564-2600 or jbwebster@nullbouldercounty.org.

 -BoulderCounty.org-