(National Park Service photo by Patrick Myers of an autumn view of the dunes and Sangre de Cristo Mountains from Zapata Falls Recreation Area)Did you catch this story in The Gazette over the weekend by R. Scott Rappold? It's got our commenters hopping.
In a nutshell:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to let a Canadian energy company drill for natural gas in the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, which is in the San Luis Valley, within 2 miles of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Environmental groups are worried about the impact on wildlife, air and water quality, and the nearby national park, but federal officials say their hands are tied.
Toronto-based Lexam Energy Exploration owns mineral rights and wants to drill 2 test wells, which would involve bulldozing and clearing 14.5 acres.
Again, you can read Scott's story here.
He'll update the story in this Sunday's Gazette.
You can read the environmental assessment here.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting comments through March 2, which may be submitted to baca_ea@fws.gov or to San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 9383 El Rancho Lane, Alamosa, CO 81101.
