The community of Old La Sal is currently under the

very real threat of economic and environmental damage by the Bill

Barrett Corp.’s plan to explore for – and possibly develop – natural

gas resources between the southern slopes of the La Sal Mountains and

Pine Ridge (roughly along Route 46 within 10 miles west of the Colorado

line). My wife and I, along with numerous members of the Old La Sal

community, were caught short by a far-too-brief 15-day comment period

offered by the U.S. Forest Service on Barrett’s exploration proposal.

    To the point, gas wells and gas exploration are

completely unacceptable not only to those of us who have invested in

the positive development of Old La Sal, but to those who have lived

there for generations. A serene agricultural and ranching community,

the area has also become a retreat for tourists seeking quiet respite

in the mountains and retirees looking for a final home. All this could

be ruined by letting the Forest Service (as well as the BLM and private

concerns) play host to Barrett’s gas field.

    I currently live in Virginia, and have been coming

with my wife to Southeast Utah for rejuvenation since 1988. We are

Easterners, yes. Can’t be helped. But what we have found in your part

of the world are wonderful people, clean air, and beautiful

surroundings – all commodities in woefully short supply. It would be a

shame to sell those out for short-term profit.

    The water in Old La Sal is second to none in the

immediate region and this is probably the biggest concern anyone should

have over Barrett’s plans. The aquifer there is saturated with some of

the cleanest, sweetest water you can imagine. Go to Lisbon Valley and

the water has radiation problems. Go to Flat Iron Mesa and the water

barely makes it to the surface. Go to Moab and the water smells of

sewage. Go to Castle Valley and the water has the culinary qualities of

battery acid. Old La Sal may, indeed, have a water resource that could

help support the greater region.

    But the water is no good if gas development fouls the aquifer. Think about it.

    Right now I am asking you to contact the U.S. Forest

Service and ask for a realistic comment period of 30 days on Barrett’s

proposed gas exploration. Contact: Lee Johnson, Moab District Ranger,

Manti-La Sal National Forest, P.O. Box 386, Moab, Utah, 84532,

435-259-7155; or:Alice Carlton, Manti-La Sal National Forest

Supervisor, 599 W. Price River Road, Price, Utah, 84501, 435-637-2817.

    Tell them we want 30 days. Tell them we don’t want

gas fields in Old La Sal. Tell them good water is worth more than all

the methane in the world.