Concerns from local residents and some Erie leaders are mounting over a potential deal to lease or sell the town’s mineral rights at the site of the Draco Pad, as key discussions about the matter continue behind closed doors.
The issue stems from Civitas Resources — which recently merged with SM Energy Company — expressing interest in mineral rights owned by the town near the planned Draco well pad.
“The town was approached (by) several actors in the oil and gas field exploring potential lease of its mineral rights,” David Frank, Erie’s environmental services director, said at a December meeting of the Town Council…