The latest version was approved last month by the county's planning commission and requires, among other things, that companies disclose the chemicals they use to the county and emergency medical personnel.
The update - the county's first in about a decade - comes as the state is also in the final stages of a major overhaul of its rules to give greater weight to public health and the environment. The two entities' rules could overlap in areas.
The disclosure of chemicals became a prominent local issue after it was revealed this spring that a Mercy Regional Medical Center nurse had become seriously ill after treating a patient exposed to a proprietary hydraulic fracturing chemical.
The new rules would require operators to keep an updated inventory of chemicals and disclose this to the county or emergency medical personnel when requested.
Another major change is the right for neighboring landowners to appeal proposed wells. Previously, only surface owners had that right.
The recommended draft also changes the definition of a major facility to cover internal-combustion engines with a cumulative horsepower of 200. Before, generators were considered individually, rather than cumulatively, meaning a company could have various types of them on a well pad without being considered a major facility.
"That's a major change in thinking," County Manager Shawn Nau said.
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Josh Joswick, who follows gas and oil issues for the San Juan Citizens Alliance, said the environmental group sees the planning commission's version as a step in the right direction. But he would like to see other issues addressed, such as drilling near the Fruitland Outcrop, where dangerous methane seeps are a concern.
Christi Zeller, executive director of the pro-industry La Plata County Energy Council, said that it was a mistake for the county to push forward before the state has finished its process because of potential conflicts.
"We have one week to respond. Even the deadlines have been really cramped," she said.
The county is accepting comments through Monday.
Nau said the deadline could be extended if the Sept. 23 public hearing is changed because a state oil and gas hearing in Denver is on the same day.
