2010 05 13

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Sopris Sun THE

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 12 • MAY 13, 2010

A group of hikers take a break on Red Hill's popular Mushroom Rock formation above Carbondale. The Thompson Divide Coalition is attempting to stave off gas drilling in portions of the landscape in the background. Courtesy photo

Thompson Divide Coalition hits a turning point Director W resigns from cash-strapped organization By David Frey Special to The Sopris Sun

ith no executive director and almost no money in the bank, the Thompson Divide Coalition is facing tough times in its efforts to protect lands west of Carbondale from natural gas drilling.

Board members say they’re becoming more active as a result and are hoping to see an infusion of funds soon. Some say they’re still optimistic they can get legislation this year to protect the land from future gas leases. But it will mean a far less ambitious effort than the one sketched out by outgoing executive director Lisa Moreno, who drafted a budget for more than $400,000 that would include media campaigns and Washington lobbying. As of last week, the group had about $59 in the bank, said board member

Dorothea Farris, a former Pitkin County commissioner who lives on Prince Creek Road, just outside of Carbondale. Is the coalition in crisis? “We could be,” Farris said. “At the end of the next couple weeks, we will have a better idea of where we want to be able to go.” The Thompson Divide Coalition formed in the fall of 2008 to find a way to protect a vast landscape west of Carbondale from oil and gas drilling. The group, comprised of ranchers, landowners, environmentalists and others, is seeking federal legislation to bar future gas leases from about 100,000 acres, and a method for energy companies with existing leases to sell or give away their leases. Some 81 active leases are currently on the ground. The area has seen little energy activity, but neighboring areas, including western

Garfield County and northern Delta County, have seen a lot of activity, raising fears that drilling may come to the area and threaten watersheds and the landscape. The group wants to see protections for the region included in a federal law by fall. Moreno, who drew a $79,000 salary, left the coalition May 3. Since then, board members have been meeting regularly, trying to scope out its future and determine how to staff the organization. That could mean eventually hiring a new executive director or hiring one part-time. The board had also hired a Washington lobbyist, and recently switched from paying him monthly to hourly. As the possibility of legislation nears, board members are asking themselves whether to bring the lobbyist back on or to press legislators on the THOMPSON COALITION page 12

Teacher takes national honor

C’dale may shell out for energy grant

Dandy Day by photo

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