HIA in the News: “Battlement Mesa Health Assessment Draft Expected September 15”
June 16, 2010
John Stroud, Post Independent
"A public health assessment meant to study and offer advance recommendations on potential impacts to Battlement Mesa residents from future natural gas drilling, is on track for a final report to be issued this fall.
"Rather than measuring past impacts on health, the goal with this project is to try to measure future impacts," Dr. Roxana Witter, a researcher with the Colorado School of Public Health (CSPH), explained during a meeting attended by about 65 Battlement Mesa residents and other concerned citizens Tuesday.
The CSPH was contracted by Garfield County earlier this year to conduct a health impact assessment (HIA) related to Antero Resources' plans to drill up to 200 natural gas wells within the boundaries of the Battlement Mesa Planned Unit Development.
The county agreed to pay an estimated $257,000 for the HIA, as well as a longer-term community health analysis that will look at health-related impacts over time.
Witter reported that a proposed grant from the Pew Charitable Trust for $150,000 was not obtained, since the county had agreed to fund the study. However, the organization is offering technical assistance and training in the effort, she said.
"Our work is not meant to derail a project or policy, but to offer recommendations and alternatives that include health concerns before final decisions are made," Witter said..."
Full Article
