HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/5/2023 - Response From Mayor Jeni Arndt To Natural Resources Advisory Board (Nrab) Re: August 16, 2023 Memorandum, “Recommendations Regarding Proposed Changes To Oil And Gas Policies”
Mayor
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2154
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
August 31, 2023
Natural Resources Advisory Board
c/o Honore Depew, Staff Liaison, Senior Manager, Environmental Sustainability
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Dear Chair Metcalf and Board Members:
On behalf of City Council, thank you for providing us with the August 16, 2023 memorandum
regarding the Board’s recommendations regarding “Proposed Changes to Oil and Gas
Policies.” Councilmember Julie Pignataro forwarded to me to ensure that all Council received
your memorandum.
We acknowledge that you supported some of the items, did not have enough information to
decide on other items, and did not support some of the items, as outlined in points 1-10.
Ultimately, the Board views the adoption of the proposed changes as an incremental step in
achieving “Our Climate Future” goals.
This topic is scheduled to come to City Council on Tuesday, September 5 and we encourage you
to view the proceedings that night at City Hall, online or on FCTV, if you wish.
Thank you for the expertise and perspectives that you bring to the Natural Resources
Advisory Board and sharing them with City Council.
Best Regards,
Jeni Arndt
Mayor
/sek
cc: City Council Members
Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
MEMORANDUM
NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD
DATE:August 16,2023
TO:Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Natural Resources Advisory Board
SUBJECT:Recommendations Regarding Proposed Changes to Oil and Gas Policies
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
On July 19,2023,Kristie Raymond (Environmental Planner)and Cassie Archuleta (Air Quality
Program Manager)presented to the Natural Resources Advisory Board on updates regarding
potential recommendations to oil and gas reverse setbacks as it pertains to new development
within the city limits.During the presentation,Kristie Raymond shared a summary of proposed
changes.The Natural Resources Advisory Board has reviewed these proposed changes and have
made the below recommendations.
Proposed changes with Board recommendations:
*The Board’s recommendations are italicized.
1.Apply oil and gas reverse setbacks to all occupiable buildings,not just residential uses.
a.NRAB is in support and encourages the Council to adopt.
2.Eliminate the buffer exemption for crossings of arterial roadways.
a.NRAB did not receive adequate information to take a position.
3.Increase buffer for developments near existing oil and gas operations from 500’to 2000’
to match ECMC and Fort Collins new code setbacks.
a.NRAB is in support and encourages the Council to adopt.
4.Allow modification of standards for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)injection well buffers,
no less than 500’.
a.NRAB does not support and encourages for the buffer zone to remain at 2000’for
new development.
5.Decrease soil-gas and ground water monitoring requirements for plugged and
abandoned wells from once every 5 years to once prior to permits and once again at the
end of a five-year construction guarantee.
a.NRAB would support an initial early monitoring within the first year following
being plugged followed by periodic monitoring indefinitely.
b.NRAB also suggests rephrasing this statement for clarity (e.g.replace “decrease”
with “modify ”).
6.No change to buffer for developments near existing abandoned wells (not fully
reclaimed)at 500’.
a.NRAB is in support.
7.No change to buffer near plugged and abandoned wells (fully reclaimed)at 150’.
a.NRAB is in support.
8.No change to disclosure requirements for future property owners via a property
covenant.
a.NRAB is in support.
9.Add requirements for point-of-sale disclosure notice for new developments and existing
homes within a 2,000’buffer.
a.NRAB is in support and encourages the Council to adopt.
10.Add prohibition on detached occupiable buildings from existing buildings located within
the oil and gas buffer.
a.NRAB does not support and recommends placing the onus of this decision on the
property owner and requiring the disclosure to renters/point-of-sale.
The Board views the adoption of the proposed changes as an incremental step in achieving Our
Climate Future goals,particularly as it pertains to the “Big Move 3:Climate Resilient
Community,”“Big Move 11:Healthy Natural Spaces,”and additional environmental health goals
outlined in the City ’s strategic plan.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this issue and its future implications for the
community.
Very Respectfully,
Dawson Metcalf,MS
Chair,Natural Resources Advisory Board