Union Reservoir news, Weld County

[Tom Wilberding]

Does fracking threaten some birds in Colorado, specifically at Longmont’s Union Reservoir? Politics and COBirds don’t often mix—like hunting, cats, (and birdseed)—too hot. But many birders often visit Union Reservoir. And many of us have seen the documentary Gasland which shows barnyard animals dropping dead in the Rifle area from fracking well fumes. So here is little Longmont voting recently 60% to 40% to take on the state of Colorado and the energy industry to save their town and Union Reservoir. “There’s a swim beach, there’s sailing, and there will be eight well pads,” said Kaye Fissinger, a supporter of the ban, pointing out potential drilling sites in the distance. “You come out here to relax. You don’t come out here to have your air polluted.” I don’t know how this will end, but I can’t help thinking that the birds of Union Reservoir would say, “Thank you for trying!”
Here is the New York Times article: http://tiny.cc/2wufow

Tom Wilberding
Boulder, CO

[The "Nunn Guy"]

Weld County is Little Texas ... I can go to WCR 124 and count ~40 well heads using my binos and scanning 360 degrees.  The boom is "on" in Weld County ... :-(

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn
http://coloradobirder.ning.com/
Mobile:  http://coloradobirder.ning.com/m

[Martin Wolf]

Thanks Tom,

I would agree it's a concern, even without the uncertainties of fracking's impact... See this summary of a study by CU doctoral student Clint Francis, along with Dr. Alex Cruz and Catherine Ortega of Ft Lewis http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2009/07/23/noise-pollution-negatively-affects-woodland-bird-communities-according-cu, which looks simply at the impact of gas-drilling rigs' noise on bird diversity... 

If only CO Springs would step up like Longmont... Fracking is likely to soon be coming to town, even within city limits & with city council's blessings, in the huge Banning-Lewis Ranch, east/northeast of the Springs, originally annexed as a residential development (and spurring the Southern Delivery water project from Pueblo Reservoir), but then gone bankrupt and bought up by gas/oil companies, who have a better use for that precious water... in some diverse (if private) habitat. 

Stay tuned...

Marty Wolf,

in NW CO Spgs

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