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Council adopts wildland-urban interface map and approves two oil-and-gas CUPs
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Summary
Ballard’s City Council on April 7 adopted a revised Wildland-Urban Interface map and approved conditional-use permits for Uintah Wax’s Sage Pad and Crescent Energy’s Krause Pad after presentations from the fire district and company representatives.
Ballard — The City Council on April 7 adopted a revised Wildland-Urban Interface map and approved conditional-use permits (CUPs) for two proposed oil-and-gas well pads.
Jeremy Raymond, representing the fire district, presented the revised FFSL Wildland-Urban Interface map that had been discussed at a prior work session; Council Member Alfred Kettle moved to adopt the map and Council Member Steve Secrest seconded. The motion passed.
The council then considered a CUP for Uintah Wax’s Sage Pad. Andrea Gurr, representing Uintah Wax, told the council that Planning & Zoning had approved the proposal, described planned acceleration and deceleration lanes and referenced a UDOT study. Council Member Ben Allred moved to approve the CUP and Council Member Shaun Murray seconded; the motion passed. (The transcript records Council Member Alfred Kettle had earlier stated a conflict of interest regarding Uintah Wax.)
Council also approved a CUP for the Krause Pad proposed by Crescent Energy after a presentation by Jeff Crozier, representing Crescent Energy. Council Member Ben Allred moved to approve the Krause Pad CUP and Council Member Steve Secrest seconded; the motion passed. The permit presentations included timing notes that incompletions would not begin until the associated project work is complete.
Why this matters: Adopting the wildland-urban interface map adjusts where wildfire-risk policies apply and can affect permitting and mitigation requirements for new development and energy projects. Approval of the two CUPs clears the way for drilling activity subject to the conditions and permits described in the council discussion.
What’s next: The council’s approvals allow the applicants to proceed with required construction and permitting steps; the record shows Planning & Zoning sign-off for Uintah Wax and project permitting steps under way for public-works and state agencies.
Sources: Council meeting minutes and presentations, April 7, 2026 (Jeremy Raymond; Andrea Gurr; Jeff Crozier).