[ARCHIVED] Broomfield notifies Extraction of breached Operator Agreement by exceeding noise standards
Broomfield notifies Extraction Oil and Gas that it has breached its Operator Agreement by exceeding noise standards
The City and County of Broomfield is amplifying efforts to protect residents from impacts of oil and gas development that is harmful to their health, starting with pursuing enforcement actions, to the fullest extent possible, to require Extraction to reduce noise above the exceedance levels. See the Notice of Breach here and letter to residents here.
Broomfield continues to enforce the Operator Agreement, but citizens are still experiencing impacts from these operations. The Oil and Gas Division is working to enforce the current Operators Agreement while pursuing additional improvements to air and noise monitoring programs.
"We hear you, we acknowledge the impact and we are taking the steps to pursue all legal options to keep our community safe," said City and County Manager Jennifer Hoffman. "Our residents are enduring continuous impacts which now includes disturbing noise, sometimes in the middle of the night. Immediate action is necessary."
Over the past couple of weeks, the City and County of Broomfield has received over 35 noise complaints through Broomfield's complaint system from residents, providing detailed information that substantiates that noise levels are impacting the health and well being of area residents. Substantially more noise complaints have been reported verbally to Broomfield officials.
The City has verified there were over 80 readings that were above the established thresholds from November 30 to December 11. With the measured sound levels and high number of citizen complaints, the City and County of Broomfield is pursuing action to force Extraction to comply with the sound maximums set forth in the Operator Agreement. The notice demands that Extraction end the exceedances as soon as possible.
Mayor Pat Quinn said, "The City and County of Broomfield will devote all of the resources available to hold Extraction Oil and Gas accountable to their commitments which are included in the Operator Agreement."
Both the Governor's Office and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) have been notified.
As this is an on-going activity, we encourage residents to continue to report noise and odor events and health concerns to the City and County of Broomfield's Immediate Concern line at Broomfield.org/ImmediateConcern or 720.887.3130.