Complete Letter to the Editor - Fort Morgan Times

Dear Editor:

In regard to the article printed in the Fort Morgan Times pertaining to the proposed Sandy Hill water treatment facility, I have several questions and concerns and I ask that Morgan County residents examine these as well.  

I don’t consider myself either pro- or anti- gas and oil industry.  I do consider the options – safe, sound, and scientific energy.  I had the opportunity to send the specs for this project to a ground water engineer from a large, prestigious engineering firm in Centennial, CO.  Her assessment of the proposed project was, as she stated, “a typical injection well used frequently in the oil and gas industry” -  typical construction, monitoring, etc.  That being said, the next sentence in her assessment stated that if this project was being built near her home she would be, again in her words, “less than thrilled”.   Several key experts have gone on record to acknowledge that the idea that injection is safe rests on science that has not kept pace with reality, and that oversight is overwhelmed and inefficient. Historically, scientists and environmental officials have assumed that deep layers of rock beneath the earth would safely entomb toxins and waste for millennium.  However, there are now growing signs that they were mistaken.

The largest and most pressing issue is that of safety.  Contamination of groundwater aquifers is a concern in several states, including Colorado.  Colorado State University started a monitoring program with real time data reported on their website (http://waterwatch.colostate.edu)  If anything is detected, the company injecting waste water is required to report it.  There is no such mention of utilizing this tool, or any tool in real time, for this project.   The company is only required to test water samples every 5 years.  Documented leaking of previously sound wells has occurred in many states, most notably Oklahoma, Louisiana and Florida.  Don't be fooled by project engineers calling the waste saltwater or brine; it has also been shown to contain cancer causing ingredients such as benzene in similar projects.

Concerns also include seismic activity.   This injection well does document the fact that there are no known faults near the site and that seismic activity is very low.  Similar documentation was also noted prior to permits for projects near injection wells in Oklahoma and our neighboring Weld County - both of these areas documented large amounts of seismic activity or earthquakes strong enough to be felt by people in nearby towns and cities after injection wells or a series of wells were drilled.  One hydrogeologist who spoke in 2012 stated, “There is no certainty in all of this, and whoever tells you the opposite is not telling the truth.  The oil and gas industry is changing the underground system with pressure and water and fracturing and we have no idea how it will behave”.  

Additionally, we only have to look at the effects of the changes on Weld County Road 49 between Greeley and Kersey to see a profound traffic pattern changes.   What was once a primarily county ag road has turned into a major truck corridor.  Keensburg officials have encouraged local school districts to eliminate bus routes along this road turned interstate, as fast moving waste water trucks have little time to react to people, wildlife or vehicles pulling out from adjacent county roads.  There is absolutely no room to walk, run or bike on this road at this time, and no proposal to improve all but 850 feet of the truck route near the site. In the recent Fort Morgan times a figure of 200 trucks daily was quoted.  If you look at the report submitted with this project, in exhibit T on page 8 there is information that states at its peak, this project can have up to 400 trucks daily toting waste water to and from the facility.   Do the math:  400 daily one way trips equals 16 trucks an hour, or one truck rambling by every 4 minutes.  There is no mention in the report of any consideration given to multiple train delays and/or slow moving ag related traffic along the route.  There is no mention given to rural post office delivery or school bus routes.  There is no mention of what route these trucks will take if the road is closed related to flooding or inclement weather.  Exhibit T briefly mentions the “short jog on Highway 34 to get to Highway 71”.   That intersection can be precarious with traffic coming from 4 different directions and with delays related to already existing truck traffic coming from Interstate 76 attempting to turn on to Highway 71 Not one but two railroad crossings and frequent lengthy coal train traffic only add to the problem at that intersection.

Lastly, I want to ask the question:  how is this going to benefit Morgan County?  The report states that the site itself can employee six to possibly 20 employees.  If they live in Morgan County possibly a small kick back.   So in short, Weld County and Logan County are harvesting natural gas and oil - and the residents of those counties are reaping the rewards with school improvements, safer roads, stronger law enforcement, new emergency management systems and increased government staffing.  Both counties have run out of room to store waste water but that doesn't stop them from continuing to harvest the gas and oil, because it creates a great deal of revenue.  This is not that kind of project.  Truckers won’t be stopping for lunch or banking at the local branch.  They won’t be filling up their tanks or moving their families to Morgan County.  In the meantime, I see countless articles about budget cuts for local schools and recreational activities, and businesses that are forced to close in Morgan County.  Are we really going to allow this project to move forward in the words of Tetratech  company vice president Lee Robinson “with the hopes that someday somewhere several people will move to Morgan County if the county has a water source they can use for industrial purposes”?  When I ask this question I think there must be something I am missing or misunderstanding.  Why is this even an option? I contacted the project engineer from Tetra Tech, who stated  “”There will be financial incentives for the county."  That doesn't sound like a sound business plan for Morgan County.

John Croswait and the Morgan County Planning and Zoning Department -take pause.  Let’s get all the facts.  Let’s notify those who own homes, land and businesses along the truck route, because it’s the right thing to do.  Lets see the contingency plan when the truck route is closed.  Instead of issuing a permit and a go-ahead for this project as a matter of routine, let’s utilize some forward thinking and ask the pertinent questions from the information above.  I understand that most of the permits for this project have already been obtained and it is now county planning and zoning who will decide on this proposal – unbelievably, a project of this magnitude doesn't require a public vote.  If you think it’s not in your backyard because you don't live in or around Brush think again.  My fear, and I hope I am mistaken, is that Morgan County could become the dumping ground for trucks and toxic waste with injection wells dotted all over our beautiful, quiet, and serene county.  All it takes is a few landowners who are willing to sell to anyone for any reason if the price is right.  If the board approves this injection  well there is no reason to believe there won’t be many more that spring up sooner than later- possibly in your backyard.

If you would like a forum for information sharing, important community and project contact information or pertinent research articles please go to brushtroubledwaters,blogspot.com

Sincerely, 

Roxanne Cook