Letter: Thompson Divide impacts us all

I attended the public scoping meetings that were held by the Bureau of Land Management in Glenwood Springs and Carbondale on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is difficult to find words to express how inspired I was by my fellow residents passion for our wild places and for our home. More than anything, I am writing to thank everyone who cares enough about this place, about Thompson Divide and about each other, to keep showing up and speaking up and writing letters and doing everything they can to protect and preserve our shared way of life. Thank you, from the depths of my heart, to every person who spoke at those meetings.

I also want to thank the BLM for hosting the events and following through with the National Environmental Policy Act, and Sen. Mark Udall for showing his support, in person, in Carbondale on Wednesday.

I was overwhelmed with joy by the countless voices who unanimously and respectfully asked the BLM to void the drilling leases in Thompson Divide. Every single local resident spoke in favor of voiding the leases. Every. Single. One.

Thank you, Carbondale. Thank you, Glenwood Springs. Thank you, Pitkin County. And thank you to the Rifle sixth-grade science teacher who came to testify about the way that gas drilling has impacted his students and to so many other individuals — all ages, all walks of life, ranchers, hunters, fisherman, hikers, bikers, architects, geologists, artists, musicians, professors, gardeners, children, parents, grandparents — everyone. Thank you for sharing your love of this place. Thank you all for your commitment and perseverance. I was so moved by your presence and your words. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and I know that, together, we can and will protect our air, our water, our home.

If you are someone who wanted to be at one of those meetings but couldn’t because of work or some other obligation, you can still submit a written comment to the BLM. Scoping comments need to be received by May 16 and may be emailed to WRNFleases@blm.gov; faxed to 970-876-9090; or mailed to Bureau of Land Management, Colorado River Valley Field Office, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652

Finally, I want to thank the Thompson Divide Coalition and Wilderness Workshop for your tireless work helping us all be not only united for Thompson Divide, but informed about what is happening and how we can make an impact. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you

Dawn Dexter

Carbondale