GarCo leans toward mineral rights swap

Garfield County commissioners have decided not to endorse a U.S. Department of Energy proposal for management of future natural gas development near the Project Rulison nuclear blast site.

Commissioners on Monday instead reiterated their long-standing opposition to any drilling closer than a half-mile from the site. They also expressed support for the concept of the federal government subsequently compensating affected mineral rights owners by providing comparable rights in a trade.

“The mineral rights owners would receive almost immediate payment, and then the surface owners would be safe,” Commission John Martin said.

“It’s the best way to go,” Commissioner Mike Samson agreed.

Project Rulison involved the 1969 detonation of a nuclear device underground south of Rulison in a federal experiment aimed at freeing up commercial quantities of natural gas.

In recent years, natural gas companies have begun drilling around the site. No such drilling has occurred within a half-mile of the site, and it could take place only after a hearing and an approval by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Earlier this year, the Department of Energy released a proposal recommending that the state allow drilling to proceed gradually closer to the blast site, with continued testing to ensure no releases of radioactive contaminants.

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