The Cedar Mesa Ranches subdivision north of Mesa Verde National Park has a network of private roads residents fear could be utilized by oil and gas companies accessing federal minerals on adjacent BLM land.

The private, red-signed roads are maintained by the subdivision’s homeowners association. However, the subdivision plat, signed off on by Montezuma County long ago, states the private roads are also designated for public access.

Residents are concerned about the impacts of oil and gas development minerals under the subdivision, and on surrounding BLM land. The most convenient access to BLM lands is through the subdivision.

“Our roads are not designed to handle industrial truck traffic,” said Cedar Mesa resident Duncan Rose. “We’re not trying to stop oil and gas development, just regulate it. If there is an accident, who is liable?”

He asked the county commissioners for input on how to regulate oil and gas truck traffic in county subdivisions. The county responded that because the roads are private in the Cedar Mesa area, the issue is beyond the county control.

Green-signed roads are owned and maintained by the county. It was suggested that designating Road 35 through the Cedar Mesa subdivision as a green-signed road would give the county more regulatory control over its uses and maintenance in regards to industrial traffic. County road supervisor Rob Englehart stated that making it a county road would also require additional costs to maintain.

It was noted that through the lease-permit stipulation process, the BLM can place reasonable restrictions on lease-related truck traffic within the Cedar Mesa subdivision.

The subdivision is the largest in the county, with 139 lots and 93 homes. Its covenants ban oil and gas development within the neighborhood, and gives the county the authorization to enforce the ban. But it was questioned whether that would withstand a legal challenge from oil-and-gas companies seeking access to federally leased minerals.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com