Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Judge Tosses Bid for Water Rights: Ruling Could Strengthen Rights of Landowners Over Gas Companies

Joe Hanel
May 31, 2011

 A Durango judge tossed out several gas companies’ applications for water rights Friday in a ruling that could strengthen the hands of landowners in negotiations with drillers.

Judge Gregory Lyman’s ruling is the latest development in a long struggle concerning water rights and gas drilling that began in his Durango courtroom in 2007.

In that case, Lyman ruled for Southwest Colorado ranchers who sued to get the state to regulate water use by natural-gas drillers. The state Supreme Court upheld Lyman’s 2007 ruling and required gas companies to get water well permits and water rights....continued....