Fall 2013
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Item Open Access The state of sustainability science: linking knowledge with action for sustainable development(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-10-16) Dickson, Nancy, speakerSustainability science is an emerging field that is attempting to address the need for effective research systems that address the duality of poverty alleviation and development while promoting environmental conservation. Our work focuses on regional initiatives in India, China and Brazil. In India our work is looking at how regulatory policies, specifically emissions trading systems for suspended particular matter, can promote sustainable development, with a special focus on how public-private partnerships can contribute to solving challenges of inefficiency and non-compliance. In China our work is investigating linkages between water and energy infrastructure and policies for mitigating carbon emissions and improving efficiency. In the Amazon, our work explores how changes in forest cover and agriculture are affecting the hydrological cycle and resulting decisions about hydropower development and irrigation for agriculture.Item Open Access Mountains to Plains energy by design: collaborative conservation to achieve wildlife and oil and gas development goals(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-09-24) Megan Kram, speakerMegan will present an example of collaborative planning for oil and gas development in CSU's backyard, the Mountains to Plains Energy by Design project. Based on The Nature Conservancy's Development by Design methodology, this project identifies priority biological, cultural, scenic, and recreational resource values within 60,000 acres in northeastern Colorado and recommends strategies to avoid, minimize, and offset the potential impacts of oil and gas development to these values. It provides an example of collaborative energy planning between federal, state, and local governments, a mineral owner (Colorado State Land Board, SLB), and nonprofit organizations.Item Open Access Democratic participation and inequitable outcomes: evaluating the social costs of hydraulic fracturing in Colorado(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-10-22) Collins, Ashley, speakerIn 2013, the topic of hydraulic fracturing is a highly contested debate in Colorado among community members, elected officials, and energy companies as considerations for energy independence, economic stimulation, and cleaner fuel alternatives are balanced against the need for public health and environmental protections. Natural gas development is rapidly expanding throughout a number of densely populated communities located along the Front Range. Ms. Collins has been conducting exploratory research examining the impacts of drilling since November 2011. This presentation will report on her ongoing ethnographic research that identifies how issues of environmental justice and different forms of activism are coalescing in response to unconventional oil and natural gas projects in Colorado.Item Open Access Where are we now? Socio-ecological risks and community responses to natural gas develpment in Colorado(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-10-08) Boone, Karie, speakerThe potential of multiple, unknown, or contested risks from oil and gas development in Colorado have led to increases in community activism. Daily news stories report on citizens organizing for moratoriums, bans, and ballot initiatives across Colorado's Front Range, protesting in the streets of Boulder, and city councils passing strict rules and prohibiting residential drilling in Longmont. Citizen groups in southern and western counties such as Delta, Huerfano, and Garfield have sued oil and gas companies, participated in public lands Resource Management Plans, and influenced state regulations since the late 1980's. This seminar will present peer-reviewed research on socio-ecological risks and give an overview of community responses related to oil and gas development in Colorado.Item Open Access Energy and private lands - models of cooperative conservation(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-12-03) Teeuwen, Randy, speakerThis seminar will discuss building collaborative relationships between landowners and communities surrounding energy development issues in the West. Working with landowners, residents, communities, local governments and regulatory entities builds and maintains long-term, mutually beneficial relationships and is key to understanding our complex energy world. Mr. Teeuwen will also discuss his involvement with the Cooperative Sagebrush Initiative and the Upper Green River Conservation Exchange.Item Open Access Restoring lands impacted by energy development in Colorado(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-11-05) Paschke, Mark, speakerRecent expansion of energy development in Colorado has led to dramatic changes to ecosystems. The extent to which these changes can be mitigated through ecological restoration is uncertain given the novelty of these disturbances. This seminar will explore energy industries operating in Colorado and the potential for ecological restoration to assist these industries in reducing their impacts.Item Open Access Creating a mule deer habitat mitigation tool for energy extraction activities(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-11-19) Boone, Randall B., speakerIn the last nine months, Randy has worked with a team of resource managers and scientists led by Ted Toombs of the Environmental Defense Fund to design an approach to quantify changes to mule deer habitat. The overall goal is to support a habitat exchange. Those who disturb habitat, such as those in the energy extraction industry, may trade habitat disturbance credits with others who are in a position to improve habitat for mule deer. Both the magnitude and type of disturbance to mule deer habitat must be considered, and the cost of assessment of habitat should be commensurate with the value of the original project. The group designed site measurements that depend upon local field-based measures of mule deer habitat and context measures of suitability that may be accessed through spatial analyses. Randy will review the components of the site and context measures. Each is documented, with a user's manual and field guide. Field testing and calibration of the method was conducted in July 2013, and refinement of the methods by the science team will occur soon.Item Open Access Hydraulic fracturing and water in Colorado: can they coexist?(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013-09-10) Carlson, Ken, authorColorado has a long history of water and energy development although these have largely happened independently. In the future, energy development will rely more on water and water development more on energy. Currently, the overlap between water and energy is manifested most prominently in the shale oil and gas industry and the use of hydraulic fracturing. Extraction of shale-derived oil and gas has increased significantly over the last five years due to advances in the drilling and stimulation processes including hydraulic fracturing. Unlike previous oil and gas booms in the state, water is a critical operating material for the extraction process and the industry is now in the position of competing for the scarce water resources with other water users. This presentation will discuss water usage for hydraulic fracturing, prospects for recycling the water and the issues that need additional research.