Morning Brief: TOP Operating to Begin Cleanup of Longmont Rider Well

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

TOP Operating Company is expected to begin clean-up procedures of the contaminated soil at the Rider #1 well site, located near St. Vrain Road and County Line Road.

Rider #1 was plugged and abandoned by TOP Operating in August 2016. The original 2012 plan to close the well included a plan to execute cleanup of the soil around it. However, the plan was delayed due to a suit, filed by the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), against Longmont. This suit came after Longmont residents voted to ban fracking within the city limits.

According to a press release by the City of Longmont, "The case ultimately was heard by the Colorado Supreme Court and, in May 2016, the court overturned Longmont’s fracking restrictions. Once there was legal clarity on Longmont’s oil and gas regulations, the two sides re-engaged discussions on the future of the well site."

"As a part of the City of Longmont’s ongoing investigations of oil and gas facility locations within the city, soil contamination was detected at this former well site. In cooperation with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE), TOP Operating is undertaking this cleanup under state orders," states the press release.

TOP Operating will remove the contaminated soil and dispose of it in "an appropriately licensed disposal location," states the city's press release. After the removal of the contaminated soil, clean dirt will be brought in to back-fill around the well site. Surface grading and reseeding with native grasses will complete the cleanup efforts.

For additional information on oil and gas well management and oversight across Colorado, please go to the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission’s webpage at cogcc.state.co.us. You can view an interactive map of wells and associated information at cogccmap.state.co.us/cogcc_gis_online. Longmont residents seeking further details can also visit bit.ly/longmont-oil-gas, email [email protected] or call 303-651-8416.

Salsa Night at The Wild Game

Join us to dance the night away!

The Longmont Observer, Kakes Studio and The Wild Game have teamed up to offer a night of Salsa dancing on Friday, August 24 from 6:30-9 p.m.

A $10 ticket buys you a professional instruction from Mamie Kakes of Kakes Studio and entry into the dance party immediately following the lesson.

If your Salsa skills need no further instruction, a $5 ticket buys your entry into the dance party.

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Professional instruction
• 7:30-9 p.m. - Salsa dance party

The event will take place at The Wild Game, located at 2251 Ken Pratt Blvd.

Tickets available on Facebook, on EventBrite or for purchase at the door.

Improvements to RR Crossings on Atwood Street Set to Begin Week of Aug.13

The City of Longmont and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) have identified the need to upgrade the timber railroad crossings located along Atwood St. from 4th Ave. to Longs Peak Ave. These crossings include 4th Ave., 5th Ave, 6th Ave. and Longs Peak Ave.

Construction is expected to occur during the weeks of August 13, 20 and 27, however, that schedule is subject to change if unforeseen conditions or weather delays occur.

According to a press release from the City of Longmont, "BNSF anticipates being able to complete one to two railroad crossing repairs per work week. The plan is to have one intersection closed at a time; however, work may require a temporary closure of two intersections to allow for contractors to finish the crossing within the work windows allowed by BNSF."

Residents should anticipate construction to take place Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

The press release also states that "access to residences as well as Columbine Elementary School will be maintained throughout the project. As construction occurs at each intersection, flaggers will be present to safely route residents to their homes and students to school."

For more information and updates throughout the project, visit bit.ly/rr-crossings or call 303-651-8416.