Colorado Water June 2005

• Year: 2005
• Title: Colorado Water
• Author: Water Center of Colorado State University
• Description: JUNE 2005 Issue
• Publications - Doc Type: Newsletter

concentrations vary according to region
and basin and are often not suitable for
land application (i.e., irrigation, dust sup-
pression). The most significant concern
related to the potential poor water quality of
co- produced water is the contamination of
ground water used for drinking water wells.
Another significant potential impact of coal
bed methane development involves land
surface disturbance from the construction of
well pads, roads, pipelines, and power lines.
Additional potential impacts include noise
pollution from compressor stations and
drilling rigs, aesthetic impacts and resulting
property value decline, and wildlife habitat
disturbance.
Recently, the Cooperative Extension Water Qual-
ity team in the Northern Plains and Mountains
Region (EPA Region 8) has prepared a publica-
tion entitled, "Land and Water Inventory Guide for
Landowners in Areas of Coal Bed Methane Devel-
opment" (See Figure 2). Overall, the purpose of
this manual is to empower landowners and tribal
members in CBM development areas by provid-
ing them with instruction and examples of how to
document and monitor changes in their land and
water resources. The manual is designed to assist
landowners in developing a planning process and
strategy for the management of their natural re-
sources in order to help them maximize the benefits
and minimize impacts of CBM development.
Figure 2. Land and Water Inventory Guided for Land-
owners in Areas of Coal Bed Methane Development
This resource guide outlines the processes involved
in the development of coal bed methane, including
a section describing the rights and responsibili-
ties of landowners and CBM developers. Included
in the manual is a section demonstrating how to
inventory current conditions of land and water
resources, as well as how use this inventory for ne-
gotiation purposes prior to and during CBM devel-
opment. This resource tool also discusses various
best management practices designed to protect land
and water resources, along with instructions on how
to perform more detailed monitoring if a land-
owner decides that is appropriate. Furthermore,
the manual has a glossary of terms related to coal
bed methane development and a list of additional
resources so that landowners can access more in
depth information.
The Land and Water Inventory Guide for Land-
owners in Areas of Coal Bed Methane Develop-
ment was produced by a partnership of Cooperative
Extension personnel and university faculty from the
states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah.
Authors of this document include Kristen Keith
(MSU), Quentin Skinner (UW), James Bauder
(MSU), Holly Sessoms (MSU), Matt Neibauer
(CSU), Reagan Waskom (CSU), and Nancy Mesner
(USU). Additional funding for this project came
from the U.S. EPA Region 8 Geographic Initiative
Program, the Montana DNRC, and the USDA -
CSREES. Ten people from various organizations
including consulting firms, Bureau of Land Man-
agement, non -profit organizations, universities,
and Departments of Agriculture reviewed this
manual. In addition, this resource guide was pilot
tested with 12 landowners in Montana, Wyoming,
Colorado, and New Mexico. It is scheduled to be
published and available to the public in June of
2005. For more information on coal bed methane