Want to talk about Galisteo Basin drilling? Santa Fe County is listening.

The New Mexico Independent:

Galisteo Basin (© 2008 Photo by Denise Tessier)

By Denise Tessier 07/10/2008

"GALISTEO -- Santa Fe County, making use of the governor's six-month moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin to come up with a management plan and ordinances for possible drilling, is holding a series of "listening sessions" to hear public concerns early next week.

Meanwhile, a number of state agencies have recommended that Gov. Bill Richardson extend by at least another six months the moratorium that ends July 24, saying more information is needed to fully assess the impact oil and gas drilling will have on "the unique cultural, archaeological and environmental assets in the region."

Santa Fe County has been working since early this year to come up with county oil and gas ordinances and a management plan, and in the process has brought in both legal and planning experts from out of state to help.

The county says four workshop sessions next week each can accommodate 100 people, so registration is advised by calling the county at 505-986-6279.

The sessions will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on both Monday, July 14, and Tuesday, July 15, at the Santa Fe Hilton Ortiz Room, 100 Sandoval St.

Those same two days, the county also will host free informative Brown Bag Lunch Seminars from noon to 1 p.m., also at the Santa Fe Hilton Ortiz Room.

On Monday, Jack Kolkmeyer, director of the Santa Fe County Land Use Department, will talk about "Growth Management Planning in Santa Fe County."

On Tuesday, Robert Freilich, the land-use attorney hired by the county to help it come up with oil and gas rules, will discuss "Impacts of Growth: Tools and Techniques." Freilich, also known as "Dr. Bob," was described in a Santa Fe New Mexican editorial as "one of America's most effective and feared advocates of local control over development." He is a partner in the Los Angeles-based Miller Barondess firm." More>>>>

IF YOU WANT TO RESERVE A PLACE, please read carefully:

The number to call is 986-6279, the County Attorney's Office.

With luck, you will speak to Anna there, and she will confirm the reservation(s) you make.

IF YOU GET A RECORDING, leave your name, day and time you want to reserve, and phone number; Anna will call you back to confirm.

Please be prepared to tell the planners what, IN SPECIFIC, you think should be done in the regulations.