Orion Energy Partners, which is drilling in the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area south of New Castle, approached Garfield county commissioners on Monday for permission to build a four-person man camp at their drilling rig. An Orion official said it would reduce traffic to the site and resolve their employee housing problem, according to Tuesday's Post Independent. http://www.postindependent.com/article/20080812/VALLEYNEWS/359092623/1083&ParentProfile=1074

One little hiccup in the plan is that Orion had already put up their man camp before asking for the commissioners' OK. But no worry, new county regulations go into effect in September that will allow man camps to house up to eight roustabouts without special permitting, thanks to Republican Commissioners Larry McGown and John Martin. Under these new regs, oil-and-gas man camps can even be erected on private property without the owner's permission. Other individuals and industries, like ranchers and tourism/ski companies, were not given the same privileges -- even on their own land. http://coloradoconfidential.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3547

Martin faces a re-election challenge and no doubt private property rights and his special treatment to oil and gas companies are sure to be subjects of conversation during his campaign.