Roan Plateau: Colorado’s newest battleground over gas production

By Clare Bastable

In the last few months, eyes from all around the country have begun to turn to the public lands of western Colorado, specifically to the Roan Plateau, a 73,000-acre biologically unique mesa situated immediately west of Rifle. The oil and gas industry is petitioning to explore this area, and—with memories of the oil shale boom still raw—the western slope may yet again find itself embroiled in a major controversy.

This year, the Bureau of Land Management is due to draw up a new management plan for the Roan Plateau, which will identify what uses will be permitted, and to what degree. Because of the oil and gas potential of the Roan Plateau, the Bush administration has labeled completion of the management plan as a “top priority.” Whereas most management processes can drag on for years (take White River National Forest for example), the president has agreed to fund the planning process fully in order to ensure its quick completion. Throughout this planning process, however, organizations such as the Colorado Mountain Club are standing up to remind the BLM that oil and gas potential is not the only feature of the Roan Plateau. It also happens to be the home to a citizen proposed wilderness area, as well as numerous endangered and threatened plant and animal species.

In 1999, teams of citizen volunteers inventoried the Roan Plateau and found 40,424 acres worthy of wilderness designation. Interestingly, in addition to possessing valuable wilderness characteristics, the Roan Plateau has been identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program to be one of the four most biologically diverse areas in Colorado. Unfortunately, however, it is the only one of these four that has not been afforded any substantial protection.

So what makes the Roan Plateau biologically important? It has been identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program to be one of the four most biologically diverse areas in Colorado. Unfortunately, however, it is the only one of these four that has not been afforded any substantial protection.

The Roan Plateau is also home to seventeen rare vertebrate species, as well as the endangered Peregrine falcon, the bald eagle, and the threatened Colorado Cutthroat Trout.

In addition, it is one of two places in the world where you can still find the imperiled Parachute Penstemen, as well as eight other globally imperiled plant species. Out of all of the areas defined in the Citizen’s Wilderness Proposal, the Roan Plateau contains the highest number of imperiled communities. By allowing hasty and intense oil and gas development on the Plateau, we will imperil one of the most important ecosystems in Colorado.

It is for these reasons that that Roan Plateau should be considered a top priority for protection. Colorado Mountain Club members can help do this. As the Bureau of Land Management begins to draft the new plan for the Roan Plateau, we can send letters reminding them of its outstanding wilderness qualities and unmatched biological diversity. Without a great deal of public input requesting protection for this amazing area, the very face of the Roan Plateau may drastically change from an essential center of biodiversity to an expansive field of drilling rigs. For more information about the Roan Plateau and how you can help to protect this proposed wilderness areas, contact Clare Bastable at (970) 618-1341 or bastac@cmc.org.