Discussion & Consideration of the County Fee Schedule
The parties reviewed and discussed the County fee schedule. Commissioner Killian made a motion to accept the fee schedule as presented. Commissioner Chugg seconded the motion. Commissioner Killian voted aye, Commissioner Chugg voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Public Comment
Duchesne County Resident Shelby Thayne expressed his concerns. He lives on Ledge Lane, where a new oil well location is proposed. He said the well shouldn’t be drilled there, and if it is, then Ledge Lane should remain closed to commercial traffic. His family walks along the road every day. He is concerned about the amount of traffic the oil well will bring; his family won’t be able to walk along the road anymore. It will be hazardous with the trucks. He described how the well will affect the value of his home and his way of life. The safety of his children is his primary concern. He has had several conversations with SM Energy about his worries. He is asking the Commission to take action to prevent oil well drilling in residential areas. He said that he believes that the hydraulic fracturing sites cause neurological issues in unborn and young children.
Nelson Burton, who also lives on Ledge Lane, wonders why the setback in Duchesne County is 600 feet, while it is 1,000 feet in Uintah County. He suggested having a multiplier if multiple residents are affected by an oil location. The current traffic he is seeing goes into the Shiner pad.
Kevin Mitchell explained his 29 years of living there. When his daughter was learning to drive, she was run off the road several times by industrial trucks. He has had several trucks use his driveway to turn around. They shouldn’t be there since the road is closed to commercial traffic. He is concerned about the oil well location and a possible compressor being 300 feet from the homes. He said that the well is being drilled 4 miles straight west. There is nothing 4 miles straight west. Why can’t they drill it there? Why does it have to be drilled in a residential area?
Jenni Thompson of Roosevelt said she doesn’t live in the neighborhood, and she doesn’t represent SM Energy. She said that it is not known whether hydraulic fracturing causes intellectual issues in children. She spoke about where she grew up, and the road near her home was an oil well location road. She was taught not to play in the road; roads are for vehicles, not for children to play. She doesn’t believe everyone would have the same issues with an oil location near their home as she is hearing today.
Commissioner Miles spoke about the Ordinance and its passage. The well locations aren’t the same as they were then. Commissioner Killian spoke about Ledge Lane, the reason it is closed to commercial traffic, and the effects of industry traffic on the roads. The corners are too tight for the trucks to turn or pass. Commissioner Chugg stated for the record that they have discouraged the industry from using agricultural land, a limited asset.
Recess 10:16 a.m. to 10:34 a.m.
Commissioner Chugg made a motion to saunter. Commissioner Killian seconded the motion. Commissioner Chugg voted aye, Commissioner Killian voted aye, and Commissioner Miles voted aye. The motion passed.
Discussion & Consideration of the Letter of Support for the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act
Commissioner Miles explained the request from Congressman Kennedy’s office for support of the SPEED Act. The letter concludes with: We strongly urge the Committee on Natural Resources to advance the SPEED Act swiftly. This legislation offers a balance and effective solution that modernizes outdated environmental review laws, promotes responsible development, and ensures that Duchesne County and all of America can build the infrastructure necessary for a prosperous future. The parties discussed the letter that