At its meeting Thursday, before a group of more than 40 people, the commissioners learned that entities ranging from the San Juan Citizens Alliance to the gas and oil industry are concerned about definitions, conflicting regulations between jurisdictions and rights of individual landowners.

"We concur with continuing this recommendation," County Manager Shawn Nau said. "We as staff are not happy with this draft. It raised some questions in our minds."

One of the definitions people debated was "major facility," which, after hearing from industry members that a previous definition would be easy to get around, staff had redefined as containing engines or motors with a cumulative horsepower of 200.

"When the Bayfield compressor facility went in, it didn't qualify as a major facility," said resident Patrick Cummins, who lives across from it on County Road 523. "And it's a major facility. What we're seeing today is one thing; what we're going to see in the future is another. We need as strong a protection as you can give us."

Environmental protection from chemicals and pit liners were another main topic, with the public and commissioners wondering if the state's regulations, which are scheduled to go into effect July 2, are high enough to protect residents.

"The public is mightily interested in having their water wells tested," Commissioner Vernon Greif said. "We don't need to duplicate state regulations, but that's what landowners are concerned about."

Commissioners and community members discussed getting lists of the chemicals gas and oil companies are using in this area, so that wells can be tested for them. Christy Zeller, the executive director of the La Plata County Energy Council, said that since 2000, thousands of wells have been tested, so they have data and maps of well-water quality as a reference.

"This is a controversial, time-consuming and emotional project," she said. "I hope you don't vote on this until the COGCC is done in July. There are more pre-emptive issues in this draft, more unenforceable issues, and it's more open to litigation."

Commissioners agreed to wait a month, until the scheduled meeting June 12, so they can review a thick packet of material before making their recommendation to county commissioners.

"I encourage the board to get some traction and keep things going forward," county attorney Jeff Robbins said. "Focus on what's good for our community. I'll tell you what you have an ability to regulate."

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