Jonah mancamp proposed

by Cat Urbigkit

Paul Ulrich and Chris House of EnCana Oil and Gas (USA) met with Sublette County Commissioners Tuesday to talk about a conditional-use permit to place a mancamp on perimeter of Jonah Field.

“We see a pretty significant need at this time,” Ulrich said.

There is a need for an additional workforce, Ulrich said, in addition to the current 800-person workforce in the Jonah Field.

“Safety is one of our single biggest reasons,” Ulrich said, and cutting the amount of time on the drive to and from work would be a big benefit. Currently, workers drive from Sand Draw, Big Piney, Rock Springs and Pinedale. During the winter, it can be a hazardous drive.

EnCana would like to build a great camp that will draw a better quality of workers for the company, Ulrich said.

House said the camp proposed is a high-quality facility. It would be modular built, on skids.

The camp would be a 300-bed facility, with single-person units with phone service to each room. Plans call for a small theater, entertainment room, commons area and a weight room, along with providing fully catered meals. The camp would have a fully closed sewage treatment system, with water to be reused in the field and solids transported to the county landfill for disposal, House said.

The proposed location for the mancamp is on Bureau of Land Management land near the existing EnCana office in the Jonah Field.

Ulrich said EnCana is shooting for mid-fall to open the facility.

House said that with industry taking motel rooms for extended stays lasting more than 30 days, less lodging tax money is raised for the towns. House said that state statute provides for a lodging tax exemption for extended stays, which are those lasting more than 30 days.

House reported that the BLM wants the county’s blessing for locating the mancamp before the BLM would approve the facility.

The commission explained that the conditional-use application needs to be heard by the county planning and zoning commission before the commission can officially consider it.

“The public should have an opportunity for a hearing ... and have an opportunity for comment,” Commissioner Bill Cramer said, adding that he personally doesn’t have a problem with the proposal.

Commissioner Betty Fear commended EnCana for attempting to do something to address the housing issue caused by an influx of industrial workers.