John Suthers
DENVER (Legal Newsline)-Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has dropped a lawsuit against four oil companies for failing to control construction run-off near Parachute, Colo., a spokesman said.
Suthers' action allows the natural gas pipeline project on the scenic Roan Plateau, in Central Colorado, to continue, the Glenwood Springs (Colo.) Post Independent reported Sunday.
However, the state did not drop a claim over penalties the companies will have to pay, which could be about $10,000 per day, Suthers spokesman Nate Strauch told the newspaper.
The Roan Plateau is home to one of the richest natural gas reserves in the Centennial State.
Those companies named in the lawsuit were Enterprise Products Company, Enterprise Transportation Company, Berry Petroleum Company, and Marathon Oil Company.
Suthers claimed that because the companies have not minimized runoff, loose soil is washing from the road and trench areas into Corral Gulch, and afterward over a cliff into Garden Gulch.
In the complaint filed in Garfield County District Court, Suthers said the sediment-laden water is washing into Parachute Creek, a fishery which serves as a habitat for trout and other cold-water aquatic species.
From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo by e-mail at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.