GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is upholding its decision to extend gas leases in the disputed Thompson Divide area for another two years while it studies the environmental impacts of drilling.
The state BLM office issued its decision last week, backing a ruling from the field office in March.
Pitkin County commissioners, the Carbondale town board and the Glenwood Springs City Council opposed the original decision and will likely appeal to the U.S. Interior Board of Land Appeals in Washington.
Assistant Pitkin County attorney Chris Selden told the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent (https://bit.ly/1mhqDcM ) that he thinks opponents will have a greater chance of convincing the board that the leases should have been allowed to expire. Pitkin County, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs leaders must vote on whether to pursue an appeal.
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Information from: Post Independent, https://www.postindependent.com/
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