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In response to the April 15 Open Forum letter in the Camera, the writer argued that, in her opinion, monitoring fracking and oil and gas production is outside the purview of the District Attorney’s office. That's simply not accurate.
I have been a practicing attorney in Boulder County for 38 years specializing in local government law, and fracking and oil and gas production have been outside the purview and focus of previous District Attorneys not because the D.A. is powerless when it comes to these issues, but because prior D.A.’s have chosen not to act.
Certainly, a District Attorney can't ban fracking. But working with local jurisdictions, a D.A. could decide, as Mike Foote will, to actually enforce our existing environmental laws and regulatory limitations and commit to investigate oil and gas operators for any violations. He'd be well within his authority as Boulder County's chief law enforcement officer to do so.
Oil and gas companies are anxious to put hundreds of wells across eastern Boulder County. Our District Attorney should stand ready to ensure their compliance with all rules, regs, and statutes, to protect the environment, and to protect our health (and especially that of our children in schools near new and existing wells). Mike Foote is the only candidate in this race who has made this important commitment to do so.
Our next D.A. will prioritize this issue only if he truly cares about this issue. Mike is that person. That’s why they call his efforts at the Capitol “Foote's War on Fracking"!
Mike has devoted his service as a state legislator protecting us from the environmental and health hazards of unchecked oil and gas operations. He stands ready and willing to continue that fight as our D.A.
Richard Lyons
Longmont, CO 80503
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