NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
SPORTS
CARING STUDENTS
VETERANS DAY SALUTE
SECOND HALF RALLY
Hotchkiss K8 adopts three brothers serving in Afghanistan, B1
Cedaredge dedicates bronze sculpture in town cemetery, C1
With win in Loveland, Bulldogs enter semifinal round of playoffs, B8
DELTA COUNTY
NOVEMBER 16, 2011 VOL. 128, NO. 46
75¢
INDEPENDENT
www.deltacountyindependent.com
Fracking risks aired at forum BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer
The controversial issue of hydraulic fracturing of natural gas wells, or fracking, was the topic of keen interest in Hotchkiss. An oil and gas public forum organized by the Delta Conservation District (DCD) board of supervisors brought together experts in the field on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Over 60 people came to learn and ask questions about the practice, which some people fear could pose a threat to the North Fork Gunnison River’s watershed. John Benton, vice president of Rex Energy and a current member of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), quoted a Department of Energy report on the subject. The report’s conclusion “shares the prevailing view that the risk of fracturing fluid leaking into drinking water sources through fractures made in deep shale reservoirs is remote.” Fracking, which is done to release natural gas from deep shale layers, occurs far below and in isolation from aquifers. Two deep shale gas wells in Delta County have been treated by hydro fracturing. Benton said that in areas where there are shallow subsurface coal beds there have been instances of naturally occurring gas in associated aquifers. There have also been cases of improperly sealed gas wells that leaked into shallow water aquifers. However, Benton’s presentation also quoted a state report saying that there is “No documented
case of frac treatment contaminating ground water in Colorado.” Panel member Tresi Houpt disagreed somewhat. Houpt, a former COGCC member and former Garfield County commissioner, said, “The operative word there is ‘documented.’ ” There needs to be more research done on the subject, she believes. A second issue that concerns fracking’s foes is public disclosure of the small component in fracking fluid referred to as “chemicals.” Some disclosure is required now, but Houpt said that full and complete public disclosure is needed. Benton agreed that “the disclosure of chemicals movement is happening.” It is not the exploration companies, but rather the fracking companies who want to protect the products and methods that they believe give them a competitive business advantage. Benton said that technical advances which enable operators to fully contain their fracking fluids for recycling treatment are also being employed. Benton’s presentation also gave details on the industry’s strict regulatory environment; on ways that oil and gas exploration contribute economically; and, on ways the industry deals with the physical impacts of drilling operations. For example, he said it is virtually impossible for exploration to take place near surface water bodies. Also participating in the panel were Bruce Bertram, Delta County local govern-
Stechert is running for county commissioner BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Looking ahead, Hotchkiss resident Bob Stechert announced his candidacy for Delta County Commissioner at the Delta County Republican Central Committee meeting on Nov. 15. A Republican, Stechert is seeking election in the Third District. Stechert said that growth is critical to Delta County’s future and he will work to encourage growth in the private sector in the form of new and expanded business and agricultural opportunities as well as residential expansion. Stechert said he wants to ensure that growth does not jeopardize the quality of life enjoyed by Delta County residents. “Maintaining Delta County’s rural and open character is crucial to the welfare of ranchers, farmers, fruit growers, outdoor lovers and visitors, who are the heart of our community,” Stechert said.
He said he believes in financial integrity, transparency, equal access and responsiveness in government and will work to achieve and maintain these objectives in Delta County. Stechert is a Colorado native and has been a Delta County resident since 2000. He lives on Rogers Mesa west of Hotchkiss, where he owns and operates an orchard. His wife Nancy owns a small business in Hotchkiss. They have two children, Jonathan, a Hotchkiss High graduate, now a college junior, and Annie, a Hotchkiss High student. Stechert is a lawyer, who worked for AT&T for 20+ years, representing business interests. In that position he worked successfully to eliminate burdensome government regulations. He is a past member of the Delta County School Board. Stechert served in the U.S. Army, Infantry, and is a Vietnam veteran.
ment designee, and Eric Sanford, land operations supervisor for SG Interests. Sanford gave a brief account of the “split estate” issue. Mineral rights are not included in title insurance policies. Land purchasers are advised to have minerals independently researched by a competent professional before buying, he said. Continuing a year-long
effort to bring factual, authoritative information on current topics to the public, the Delta Conservation District board of supervisors hosted the forum as an extension from one if its own board discussions. The DCD has hosted a series of forums this year on irrigation water issues, managing small acreages, and selenium loading in local streams. Ralph D’Alessandro, DCD
board vice president, served as emcee for the event. He explained the purpose was to disseminate information to the public, especially on how exploration and production operations are protecting the local North Fork watershed and the quality of water. Co-sponsor was the Paoniabased environmental group NWCC, formerly WSERC and NFRIA.
Photo courtesy of Bill Heddles Recreation Center
Chess masters in the making The amateur chess tournament held annually at Bill Heddles Recreation Center drew 35 participants, including these young men. Participants from Delta, Fruita, Norwood, Cedaredge, Grand Junction, Olathe, Montrose, Eckert, Hotchkiss, Austin, Paonia and Crawford were divided into two groups for tournament play. Winners of the A Bracket were Erik Barkmeyer of Norwood, first; Feagil Katana of Paonia, second; and Lawrence MacKendrick of Eckert, third. The B Bracket winners were Maxwell Solko of Grand Junction, first; Justin Hanning of Delta, second; and Joey Timbreza of Austin, third.
Neighbors call ‘foul’ on hen house construction BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer
The attorney for opponents of the West Slope Layers hen house on Powell Mesa has notified the county of an alleged violation of terms of the project’s Specific Development approval, the DCI has learned. In a Nov. 14 letter to the county, Grand Junction attorney Earl Rhodes states, “The applicants (Edwin and Eileen Hostetler) as of Wednesday, Nov. 9, have commenced construction of the hen laying structure.” The letter asserts that construction is not allowed under terms of the county’s conditional approval until other criteria are met. “The specific terms of these conditions, including the
completed final plans, have not been satisfied, nor have the final plans been made public.” County attorney Christine Knight replied to Rhodes Nov. 15, “If Edwin and Eileen Hostetler have commenced construction, it indeed would be a violation of the (county’s) conditional approval.” Edwin Hostetler says the dirt work he is doing in preparation of erecting the hen house is not a violation of the approval. He explained his position saying the commencement of construction and the commencement of operations are two different things. “I can build the building,” Hostetler told the DCI. “But I can’t bring in the chickens [without the county’s final approval].”
The BoCC’s resolution approving Hostetler’s Specific Development application states, “All conditions of this agreement must be completed and approved prior to the commencement of operations... defined as the construction of the chicken house.” In a separate matter, the county Planning Department reports that a deposit for purchase of 40 acres on Redlands Mesa for Rocky Mountain Layers has been returned to Greg and Carmen Hostetler by property owner Julia Stark. Neighbor Travis Jardon told the DCI, “Julia Stark’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss to remove Julia as a defendant (to the neighbors’ lawsuit), but the judge denied that motion.”
INDEX
Public meeting
Is it OK to burn?
Delta Chamber seats new board
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Agriculture .....................C8 Back Page ................... D8 Bruin Tracks ................C3-6 Church ........................... D6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Health & Fitness ........ A5-6 Legals ......................... D3-5 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries .................. A7-8 School Zone .................A10 Sports .............................B8 Surface Creek News ...C1-7 TV Listings ..................B3-4
The Board of Delta County Commissioners will host a public information meeting on the proposed Bear Ranch land exchange. The meeting will take place Monday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in Room #234 of the Delta County Courthouse. Bear Ranch representatives will outline the proposed land exchange. There will be an opportunity for public comments, with Robbie LeValley acting as facilitator.
During the wintertime inversion period, residents are asked to voluntarily not use their wood stoves and fireplaces on days when there is a temperature inversion which could trap woodsmoke. The program does not apply to residents who use gas logs, gas fireplace inserts, or EPA-certified woodstoves and pellet stoves (EPA-certified devices carry a label indicating certification). Find out if it’s OK to burn by calling 248-6990.
Following an annual election for the board of directors, the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce seated the following officers: Kristi Attarian, First Colorado National Bank, president; Gynee Thomassen, Classic Computers, vice president; Josh Applegate, Aflac, financial officer. Board members include Jennifer Balistreri, Lewis & Co, CPAs; Cathy Boyd, The Paper Works, Ink; Chad Cogdill, Twi-
light Multi Media; Bill James, Hometown Electric; Cherri Lilly, Alpine Fencing and Supplies; Michael Maigatter, Sherwin-Williams; Isaiah St. Peter, Edward Jones; Dawnette Simpson, Crossing Pathways; and Wendi Thompson, Adobe Marketing. Board members and executive director Linda Sanchez recognized outgoing board members Randy Sunderland and Tracy Wich for service to the Delta business community.