County staff consider commenting on Petroleum Resource Management oil‑and‑gas application filed with ECMC

Routt County staff briefed commissioners on an application from Petroleum Resource Management filed with the Energy and Climate Management Commission (ECMC) for activity near the county’s northwest corner. Staff said the company’s materials indicate that well pads and most on‑site activity would be located in neighboring Moffat County and that the applicant asserts proposed roads are Moffat County roads, not Routt County roads.

County staff asked whether the board wanted the county to submit comments on the application; staff noted an Aug. 5 deadline for the county to file comments with ECMC. The board’s legal staff said outside attorney Matt Surra had reviewed related materials and was willing to draft a comment letter; staff noted the county already has a prior letter regarding BLM lease sales that could be used as a starting point.

Commissioners expressed interest in reiterating county concerns about potential off‑site impacts such as road impacts and pollution costs, even if most drilling infrastructure is sited in Moffat County. Staff said Counsel Surra could prepare a draft if the board directed him to do so; the board indicated that would be a reasonable starting point and that staff would place the issue on an agenda so any formal comment could be adopted.

Why it matters: The county may be affected by road use, air quality or other off‑site impacts even when drilling occurs in neighboring jurisdictions; submitting a comment could preserve the county’s ability to request mitigation or conditions.

No vote was taken at the work session; staff said a deadline of Aug. 5 exists for filing comments and recommended retaining outside counsel to prepare materials if the board wants to proceed.