The Daily Sentinel’s March 21 article, “Frozen mound of drilling mud thawing out, worrying Parachute,” erroneously stated that the Colorado Division of Wildlife wasn’t allowed to sample waters of the stream that sits below the “drilling-mud pile.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. Early on, without having received a request to do so, Chevron initiated contact with the DOW, inviting them to visit the property to conduct water sampling to learn if there was any potential impact from the releases at the Berry and Marathon sites that occurred on Chevron property. This action was not required on private property, but as a responsible landowner, was clearly in the best interest of all concerned. These contacts have continued and evolved over the past few weeks. In fact, DOW personnel have received a site-specific safety orientation in anticipation of a scheduled visit by DOW and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which they later cancelled.

We have now reached an agreement with DOW to allow water and fish population studies in the affected area and are working to finalize an access agreement that will allow for the studies. Chevron expects DOW to be conducting studies on Chevron owned lands within the next few days.

As a landowner, Chevron has been fully and proactively engaged with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission on the response to these events, and is supportive and aligned with the COGCC follow-up and forward plans. We look forward to working in partnership and transparency with the COGCC and its departments. We have a common goal in the development of the state’s abundant natural resources in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

MICHAEL K. DEBERRY
Manager, Piceance Operations
Chevron
Grand Junction

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