HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES-CC-2008-36Resolution 36-2008
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MOAB TO SUBMIT A
LETTER OF PROTEST TO THE BLM REGARDING OIL AND GAS LEASING IN THE
CITY'S WATERSHED
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a Notice of Competitive Sale
for Oil and Gas Leasing for several split estate properties located in the Spanish Valley area as
well as properties adjacent to Arches National Park; and
WHEREAS, some of said properties in the Spanish Valley area are located in the City's
Drinking Water Source Protection Area and/ or the EPA designated Sole Source Aquifer; and
WHEREAS, oil and gas drilling constitutes a potential pollution and contamination source to the
City's Drinking Water Source Protection Area and the Sole Source Aquifer that poses a far
greater risk than common residential and commercial uses; and
WHEREAS, the "No Surface Occupation" stipulation on the lands in question is insufficient to
deter drilling on these sensitive lands because the stipulation still allows for directional drilling;
and
WHEREAS, directional drilling poses risks to the aquifer they may not be possible to mitigate;
and
WHEREAS, further investigation and site -specific Environmental Impact Statements are
necessary to fully evaluate the potential impacts of directional drilling on drinking water in the
Moab area; and
WHEREAS, Grand County zoning designations would be an ineffective safeguard against
drilling in these areas; and
WHEREAS, the BLM's definition of watershed is unclear and does not clearly include all areas
in the City's Drinking Water Source Protection Area and Sole Source Aquifer area; and
WHEREAS, the EPA may require review of the proposed leases pursuant to the Glen Canyon
Aquifer's designation as the Sole Source Aquifer fro the Moab Area; and
WHEREAS, the City requests that the BLM follow the Management Decisions in the BLM's
Resource Management Plan calling for the development of watershed management and
monitoring plans for municipal watersheds prior to any consideration of properties within the
City's Drinking Water Source Protection Area and Sole Source Aquifer Area being offered for
oil and gas leasing; and
WHEREAS, the impacts of oil and gas leasing on parcels surrounding Arches National Park
should be fully analyzed with respect to impacts on tourism, viewsheds, noise, water quality,
night skies and air quality, in conjunction with the Park Service.
Resolutson #36-2008 Page 1 of 2
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Governing Body of the City of Moab do hereby resolve to
authorize the Mayor of Moab to submit a Letter of Protest to the BLM requesting withdrawal of
parcels 224 and 225 from the BLM Oil and Gas Lease Sale and expressing the concerns outlined
in this Resolution.
Passed and adopted by action of the Governing Body of the City of Moab in open session
this 25th day of November, 2008.
CITY OF MOAB
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David L. Sakrison
Mayor
Attest:
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.
Rachel Ellison
City Recorder
Resolution 436-2008 Page 2 of 2