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To the editor:

I have read a couple of letters to the editor from the Friends of Northwest Colorado, and I am sure they are not speaking for all of us. They are making too big of a deal about oil and gas drilling in Northwest Colorado.

We need to produce our natural resources so we will not have to depend on foreign countries for our energy.

I have lived in Northwest Colorado for 79 years, and I have been around a lot of oil and gas locations. I did not see evidence that they scare wildlife away. I have seen sage grouse on oil well locations, as well as deer, elk and antelope.

I have counted as many as 30 head of antelope bedded down in one location. People in Craig can tell you that wildlife does not scare away that easily. Deer and other animals have been seen in the middle of town and some people can’t keep them out of their yards.

There are groups of people who will go to any length to stop projects such as a road, factory, mine or other project that could provide jobs and help our economy, not to mention Moffat County, which probably could use the tax revenue. They will use any excuse, such as the endangerment of Spotted Owls, lizards and so forth.

They would rather depend on foreign countries for our needs. When energy projects dry up, such as oil and gas, so do other businesses.

Trucking companies slow down, along with welding shops, tire shops, part houses, iron and steel shops, and a lot of other local businesses. I have to buy oil and fuel to farm, and it is already too high.

The people in Northwest Colorado are willing to work, and they need the jobs.

I like to fish and hunt as much as anyone else, though the oil and gas companies cannot be blamed for ruining the excellent pike fishing we had in the Yampa River. I do think oil and gas companies should be responsible for keeping their locations and water clean.

But for me, I will take “big oil” over big government any day. If big businesses can’t make it in this country, little businesses don’t have a chance.

Gene Counts