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2009-7-11: BLM’S Roan Plan Violates Federal Law  Denver, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management ignored federal law and failed to properly consider development alternatives in promoting industrial gas drilling on western Colorado’s wildlife-rich Roan Plateau, according to a lawsuit filed by conservation and wildlife groups in Denver District Court today. On August 14, the BLM intends to lease all 55,000 acres of public land around the rugged, undeveloped plateau west of Rifle, ignoring the wishes of Gov. Bill Ritter, Colorado congressional leaders, local elected officials and tens of thousands of ordinary Coloradans who have called for balanced management of the Roan’s public lands. The planned auction of leases would commit future federal administrations to let industry drill much of the Roan’s unspoiled backcountry, which includes some of Colorado’s most important wildlife habitat.

BLM ignoring solutions that better protect the Roan Plateau and American taxpayers This week, a coalition of groups announced its intention to file a lawsuit to prevent the federal government from leasing the Roan Plateau under a plan that will needlessly damage important wildlife habitat, traditional uses and cherished public lands, for the benefit of the richest industry in the world. More>