Colorado conservation organizations released the following statements today applauding the announcement of a settlement on the Roan Plateau. The settlement resolves litigation pursued by organizations quoted below and others to better protect the unique wildlife, recreational, and environmental values of the Roan Plateau. The groups were represented by Earthjustice and Western Resource Advocates.

Under terms of the settlement, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would cancel the majority of oil and gas leases on ecologically sensitive top of the Roan Plateau. In addition, the BLM will consider a management plan alternative that would allow for some limited development on remaining leases, precludes new leasing on top of plateau for the life of the plan, and conserves important big game habitat at the base of the Roan.