County Drilling Rules Won't Protect Tierra Amarilla

Albuquerque Journal North
By Raam Wong
Journal Staff Writer

"TIERRA AMARILLA— The dusty badlands of western Rio Arriba County are no stranger to energy development, with some 11,500 wells pumping oil out of the ground and revenue into state and county coffers.

But when a Texas company announced that it had received state permits to drill here in the lush, pristine mountains around Tierra Amarilla, county officials were caught off guard.

Fort Worth-based Approach Resources is proposing to drill between eight and ten exploratory wells on this land, hunting for oil within 90,000 acres of mineral rights where little if any has previously been found.

The county soon realized that its drilling rules were inadequate to protect the region's mountains, valleys and watersheds, where the waters run cool, clear and everywhere.

One site in particular— an alpine meadow along the scenic byway connecting T.A. and Tres Piedras— has the potential to not only pollute the headwaters of Rito de Tierra Amarilla, county officials maintain, but also scar a landscape that rivals the Valle Vidal for its jaw-dropping beauty.

"The sites they selected were just the worst sites possible," said county planning and zoning director Gabe Boyle.

In April, the County Commission scrambled to adopt a moratorium on new drilling, buying the county time to draft an oil and gas ordinance. The county is also appealing the Oil Conservation Division's decision to grant the company four drilling permits. A hearing is scheduled for Friday.

The controversy echoes a similar battle over the Galisteo Basin in southeastern Santa Fe County. There, another Texas-based company's exploration plans were greeted by mobs of opponents and a drilling moratorium announced by Gov. Bill Richardson at a news conference." more>>>>

Oil drilling plans in Tierra Amarilla worry landowners near water

"Staci Matlock | The New Mexican

6/13/2008 - 6/14/08

Some landowners and Rio Arriba County officials are worried about a Texas company's plans to drill exploratory oil wells in the water-rich mountains east of Tierra Amarilla. Approach Resources Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, has state permits to drill four wells in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains off N.M. 64 and has submitted applications for six more wells in the same area.

John Sena, an Albuquerque resident who owns a ranch near Tierra Amarilla, said one of the two wells the company plans on putting in at his property is within a couple of hundred yards of three natural springs. One planned on a neighboring ranch is within 12 yards of an irrigation ditch, and another is 35 yards from Tierra Amarilla Creek, he said.

"They have a right to drill, but they sure have totally disregarded the landowner," Sena said. "Their sites are poorly planned and very inconsiderate of the water and the water flow."

People downstream of Tierra Amarilla should be concerned with the drilling as well, Sena said. Tierra Amarilla Creek flows into the Rio Chama, which joins the Rio Grande." more>>>>

Action Alert from Viva Rio Arriba

Oil and Water Don’t Mix

Rio Arriba County is one of many New Mexico counties fallen victim to the relentless oil and gas industry. Four oil and gas drilling permits have been issued to drill in the historic Tierra Amarilla land grant area east of Chama, NM and another six permits are pending as part of an oil and gas development scheme of a Texas-based oil company, Approach Operating, LLC. Those ten permits are just the start of the development that encompasses over 90,000 acres of the pristine and sensitive Chama watershed. One of the four permits already issued is above 9,900' elevation, very near the absolute top of this beautiful, classic watershed and adjacent to the State designated Scenic Byway on highway 64 between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras. Sadly, Approach has already bulldozed out a drilling site in the mouth of a once beautiful box canyon without the permission of the landowners just five miles south of Tierra Amarilla.

In answer to an outcry from landowners, acequia associations, concerned citizens, and the Rio Arriba County Commission, the State will hold an adjudicatory hearing on all ten drilling permits, (the four issued and the six pending) on Friday, June 20, 2008 at the Oil Conservation Division offices, 1220 S. St. Francis Drive in Santa Fe at 9 am in Porter Hall on the first floor. The offices are in the Wendell Chino Building.

All the abundant natural resources of this remaining sub-alpine landscape are threatened by the massive and unavoidable impacts of oil and gas drilling. Environmental degradation begins with the dirty work of building a drilling site, and continue to mount with related road building and pipeline creation, and carry on for another 30 years, the estimated life of the wells, putting all the innerconnected resources at risk. Heavy traffic, frequent trips, day and night operation, water pollution, air pollution, engine and equipment noise all contribute to a continuing disruption of the natural wonderland that now exists in our special places. Oil and gas drilling immediately endangers the eagles and elk, the deer and bear, the Rio Grande Cutthroat trout, and countless other native New Mexican wildlife that reside in these high elevation habitats. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish assert that native cutthroat trout have disappeared in all but seven percent (7%) of the streams above 5,500'. Adding insult to injury, all the streams in the area that Approach intends to drill are above 5,500'.

It is for the land, water, wildlife, and way-of-life that we ask you to join your fellow community members and speak up in the face of special interests that threaten all that makes New Mexico Enchanted. Stand with your fellow landowners and concerned citizens who would question the State as to why, with only cursory paperwork, it would allow the entire region to be immediately at risk, sacrificing our natural wonders for generations to come. As in the Galisteo Basin and in Mora County New Mexicans are starting to come together and resist by telling our politicians that the risks of oil and gas development are too devastating to compromise our water, our agricultural heritage, our wilderness and wildlife. By coming together as caring New Mexicans, we prove that we will not sit quietly as Mother Nature’s gifts are sacrificed to the rapacious oil and gas industry.

Please Join us on Friday, June 20, 2008 at the Oil Conservation Division offices, 1220 S. St. Francis Drive in Santa Fe at 9:00 am and protect our future from the threats of oil and gas.

June 20, next Friday, 9:00 am 1st floor, Porter Hall, Wendell Chino Building, 1220 S. St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM.

Please attend the meeting to support Rio Arriba County and email your support of Rio Arriba County to emnrd.nmocd@state.nm.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For pdf version of the special hearing docket, click here.

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Action Alert From Common Ground United:

Déjà vu all over again!

On March 27^th, Rio Arriba Board of County Commissioners enacted a 120 day moratorium on private lands within the County. Subsequently, Texas based Approach Resources, Inc. and Approach Resources, LLC filed suit claiming the companies’ civil rights were violated. Approach alleges it has leased over 90,000 acres of the historic Tierra Amarilla Land Grant, the vast majority of which lies in the Chama Watershed, and along the Scenic Byway of highway 64 between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras.

Rio Arriba County also has filed an application with the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) to challenge the drilling permits of Approach. An OCD hearing in Santa Fe is scheduled for June 20^th 9:00AM. Please attend the meeting to support Rio Arriba County and email your support of Rio Arriba County to emnrd.nmocd@state.nm.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The County enacted the moratorium out of environmental concerns raised by landowners to draft an oil and gas ordinance as part of the the existing County land use plan that designated the entire county as a Rural Agricultural Distict in 1996. Although Rio Arriba County has more than 11,000 wells in the western portion of the county in the San Juan Basin, Approach wants to drill into the Mancos Shale formation east of Tierra Amarilla.

As with Santa Fe County, Rio Arriba County needs local regulations based on local geological, environmental, and social conditions to prevent expanded oil and gas production from causing extreme threats to public health, safety, and welfare. Approach Resources, Inc. , according to their website, “We focus on natural gas reserves in tight gas sands and shale gas areas.” Tecton Energy, LLC , a company that specializes in unconventional tight gas basins (unconventional recovery “UCR”) has its sights set on the Galisteo Basin.

Unconventional operations can entail up to four times as many wells per section (one well per 10 acres, versus one per 40), as much as three times as much soil and vegetation removal for access and pads (29% of the total land surface versus 7%), and many more instances of fracing per well, with a resultant increase in heavy vehicle traffic to each site. Regulations that may have been acceptably effective for the conventional geology of the San Juan Basin are far more destructive when applied without modification to unconventional operations. Local regulation based on local conditions is essential.

For pdf version of the special hearing docket, click here.

Oil Conservation Division
1220 South St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
P: (505) 476-3440

Common Ground United

To donate to Common Ground United, click here

Action Alert from Drilling Mora County

From Drilling Mora County :

White Peak Under Attack!

Attend the State Land Trust Adisory Board meeting this Tuesday, June 17th at 11:00AM.

Tell Pat Lyons you do not want the State Trust land in Mora and Colfax Counties leased for oil and gas development -- that you do care!

New Mexico State Land Trust Advisory Board

Morgan Hall

310 Old Santa Fe Trail -- Santa Fe, Mexico

Basin Consultant Get Salmonella

According to the Albuquerque Journal North:
"Basin Consultant Gets Salmonella

A California land-use attorney hired by Santa Fe County to consult on the Galisteo Basin oil-and-gas project had to leave Santa Fe this week after being diagnosed with salmonella, according to county public information officer Stephen Ulibarri.

Robert Freilich had to have his stomach pumped at Christus St. Vincent Medical Center earlier this week and was diagnosed with salmonella, Ulibarri said.

"We don't know where he ate," Ulibarri said, adding that Freilich was in Santa Fe with his wife and had to be flown home because he was so sick.

Ulibarri canceled meetings with various community groups this week when Freilich became ill.
Arturo Delgado, spokesman for the hospital, said the hospital had had only one case of salmonella, on May 31.

The state Department of Health said Wednesday it was investigating 68 cases of Salmonella Saintpaul in 17 counties of New Mexico. New Mexico health officials said 75 percent of those stricken in the outbreak by May 24 reported having eaten fresh tomatoes.

The FDA warned people in New Mexico and Texas not to eat raw red plum, Roma or round red tomatoes and to limit consumption to cherry or grape tomatoes, tomatoes with the vine still attached or those grown at home.

Victims so far have ranged in age from 3 months to 82 years. Ulibarri said Freilich is in his 60s."

Gas Up

From the Santa Fe Reporter by Dave Mass:

"Perhaps most of all, politicians use “energy independence” because it sounds

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, controls 35.6 percent of the world’s oil production. The 12 member nations are Algeria, Angola, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Gov. Bill Richardson, in his various roles as Department of Energy secretary, UN ambassador, governor of New Mexico and freelance peacemaker and hostage-negotiator, has met with almost all of them.

a whole heck of a lot better than what it actually means: “Much, much, much more drilling at home.”

The US can’t wean itself off foreign oil without surrogating it with domestic oil. And domestic oil can’t be drilled without domestic risk, whether it’s the Arctic Wildlife Refuge in Alaska’s Anwar Province or the Galisteo Basin here in Santa Fe County.

The question, then, is what’s in it for New Mexico, a state that already produces more oil than it consumes? Some might suggest that the rules of economics that state where there is increased supply, lower prices follow, might bode well for local drivers.

But really, Baca says, any effect of an increase in local production would be slight and indiscernible.

“The problem with oil is that it’s traded on the commodities market,” Baca says. “I don’t care if you drill it in New Mexico and produce it in New Mexico and you sell it to a refinery here in New Mexico, it’s still the same price as if you would sell it in Houston or you were to ship it up to Utah.”

When Houston-based Tecton Energy held its public meetings about drilling in the Galisteo Basin last fall, Managing Partner Bill Dirks promised that whatever sweet crude it sucked from the ground would be refined locally into gasoline. That would potentially create jobs and help the economy, but Dirks stopped short of what could have been the deal-clincher for many skeptics. Had he promised relief at the gas pump, perhaps that would have won over at least a handful of converts. It also would have been a lie.

Instead, the anti-drilling community successfully lobbied Gov. Bill Richardson and the Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners to pass temporary moratoriums on drilling in the Galisteo Basin. Tecton announced it would hold no more public meetings and all press inquiries would be handled by a local public relations agency.

In his first public communication since January, Dirks confirms via
e-mail that Tecton has indeed signed an oil contract with the Western Refining (formerly Giant) refinery in Farmington. Tecton, Dirks says, will have no control over gasoline sales. Furthermore, he adds, it doesn’t matter whether Tecton finds 100 barrels or 100 million barrels beneath the Galisteo Basin—New Mexico’s refineries have a fixed production capacity. This means there wouldn’t actually be an increase in local supply.

“No amount of locally refined Galisteo Basin crude would be able to dramatically lower prices at the pump in Santa Fe,” Dirks writes. “The price will just keep going up with rising global demand unless the US adds major new domestic supply.”

Dirks says there’s another awful truth. Although allowing Tecton to drill won’t reduce gas prices, denying the company the opportunity to drill does have the potential of raising gas prices. Perception is the driving force on the futures market and not-in-my-backyard activists fuel the “scarcity mentality,” he says.

“I do believe Santa Fe and other counties to some extent influence the commodity traders when imposing drilling moratoria,” Dirks says. “But you have to put that into context against other fear factors like Nigeria losing 2 million barrels a day capacity because of tribal conflicts, etc., which are much bigger news.”

And that doesn’t even touch on the obvious: The longer Santa Fe County postpones Tecton’s drilling, the more the company’s potential profit margin grows. Oil prices maybe rising, but the cost of drilling remains unchanged. " full article>>>>

Reality check: Peak oil and rising consumption means spiraling up of fossil fuel costs. We can not drill our way out of this situation. We need bold leadership to take us down the path of alternative energy sources instead of supporting the irresponsible "drill at any cost" policy.

Public asked to weigh in on oil and gas drilling

From the New Mexican:

" Planners hired to draft Santa Fe County policies for oil and gas production say the process will be an open and inclusive one.

Bruce Peshoff, one of a group of experts the county has hired, said his firm, Planning Works, will conduct four public workshops and two multiday design sessions designed to encourage public involvement. "It shows (the public) it's not just as simple as saying I don't want this here," Peshoff said to the County Commission on Tuesday.

Residents will be able to track the planning process, read documents, look at maps and make comments on a Web site that will be devoted to the project, he said.

Peshoff said the group will focus on general planning decisions, such as what types of growth should be allowed where, in addition to issues specific to hydrocarbon extraction — such as setbacks, noise and dust pollution.

Peshoff said the planners will develop a "pay as you grow" funding mechanism to ensure new infrastructure is paid for by new developments and not existing taxpayers." more>>>>

Planning Meeting Update

KSFR Local

SF County ramps up oil-gas planning SANTA FE (2008-06-10) -- About a half year remains in the period of a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in Santa Fe County, and a new consultant is on board to help county officials create an ordinance to regulate drilling. Bruce Peshoff of the Kansas-based firm Planning Works joins planning lawyer Robert Freilich in creating a series of public meetings to arrive at a plan the county commission might adopt. They say there will surely be a lawsuit if the county decides to restrict drilling, but that a transparent planning process would likely prevail in court. If it turns out drilling is allowed, they say the developers should be required for any extra services, such as fire and law enforcement, as well as roads and water. © Copyright 2008, KSFR

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To listen to the KSFR podcast, click here.
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According to Planning Works, Bruce Peshoff, the next meeting will be in about a month. There will be multi-hour workshops for the public to participate in the planning process for the County General Plan, the Galisteo Basin Area Plan, and amendments to the Land Use Code regarding oil and gas activities. There will be a website put up that will have a comment center, feature map, reference center, and a download center. Robert Freilich posited that there will be multi alternative analyses presented to the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners to select from and then to adopt one. It will be our purpose to have at least one alternative that is acceptable to the citizens of Santa Fe County. This will require due diligence. The role of Robert Freilich is to give legal advice. The role of Planning Works is to work with the County and the public to arrive at a community plan that the community wants. The citizens are the final deciders, not the out-of-state planners or lawyer.

Another concern of the planning process would be the intended and unintended consequences of a "creation of a special improvement district for the Galisteo Basin."

County approves resolution opposing potential oil drilling in Otero, N.M.

From the El Paso Times ,

"By Gustavo Reveles Acosta / El Paso Times

Article Launched: 06/09/2008 10:09:50 AM MDT

The El Paso Commissioner Court today voted 4 to 1 to approve a resolution opposing the potential drilling for oil and natural gas in the Otero Mesa of New Mexico.

Commissioners said they supported a movement to seek federal protection of the mesa by the U.S. Congress.

Commissioner Dan Haggerty voted against the motion, saying the country is currently in a gas crisis.

Environmentalists told commissioners the mesa is a potential water source for the county."

State Project Works to Shore Up Ruins Against Further Erosison

From the Albuquerque Journal,

"Population center

Sheltered between the Sangre de Cristo and Sandia mountains, the Galisteo Basin became a population center for pueblo communities in the 15th century. The weather was good, and conditions at the time allowed them to dry-farm corn.

Archaeological evidence shows Pueblo Blanco was one of the region's big, densely populated sites, with about 1,450 rooms, a few plazas and kivas and about 1,500 people at its peak.

After a couple hundred years, archaeologists believe the region experienced changing weather patterns that caused both drought and flooding.

The community struggled to cope by constructing earthen dams that formed two or three reservoirs capable of holding several acre feet of water. But perhaps fed-up with erosion and with parts of their community washing away, the residents picked up and moved.

The traces of what they and other pueblos left behind, like rock art and potsherds, are frequently cited by opponents of a Texas-based company's plans to drill for oil and gas on the basin.

Congressional legislation in 2004 protected 24 of the archaeological sites, but money for a complete federal study of the basin's historic areas still hasn't been allocated." more>>>>

Oil companies' civil rights vs. community self-determination

From Goat, A High Country News Blog, "During the past several months, northern New Mexico communities have been embroiled in intense standoffs with oil and gas companies. As we’ve reported, a coalition of ranchers, blue collar workers and professionals succeeded in pressuring the Santa Fe County Commission to enact a year-long moratorium on drilling in the Galisteo Basin in February, coming right on the heels of Gov. Bill Richardson’s six-month ban. And in April, Rio Arriba County Commissioners passed a four month drilling moratorium, halting Texas-based Approach Resources’ plans to “explore” more than 90,000 acres east of Tierra Amarilla.

According to The Santa Fe New Mexican, rural Mora County passed an indefinite ban on oil and gas drilling last month. In each of these cases, government officials cited the needs for impact assessments and revised regulatory plans as justification for the bans." more>>>>

Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners Vote on the Emergency Interim Develpment Oridnance (Oil & Gas Moratiorium)

A SocioEconomic Profile, Santa Fe County, New Mexico

Headwaters Economics SocioEconomic Profile Santa Fe County, New Mexico. Produced by the Economic Profile System (EPS), November 30, 2007. click here>>>>

County Commission: Holian, Stefanics maintain leads

From the Santa Fe New Mexican, "Phaedra Haywood | The New Mexican, 6/3/2008

Santa Fe County is about to make history.

With 85 of 86 precincts reporting Tuesday night, Santa Fe County Democrats were on the verge of electing a first-ever female majority on the Board of County Commissioners.

If women are elected in commission Districts 4 and 5, as it appears they will be, the five-member policymaking body will be made up of three women and two men.

In District 4, retired physicist Kathy Holian had about 41 percent of the votes. Opponents Mark Marquez and Elizabeth "Dolly" Lujan had about 31 percent and 27 percent respectively.

In the crowded District 5 race, former state Sen. Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics was clearly ahead of her nearest opponent, Ralph Jaramillo, with about 52 percent of the vote to his 31 percent." more>>>>

Energy and Self-Determination

A year ago this past Spring, residents of Santa Fe County first learned of oil and gas exploration by Tecton Energy, LLC in the Galisteo Basin. Quickly, citizens began organizing to protect this fragile ecosystem. The Galisteo Basin is one of the greatest archaeology treasures in the United States and is a wildlife corridor. Its hydrology is very connected and highly permeable. Citizens knew that the Galisteo Basin must be protected from the adverse impacts of oil and gas exploration and development.

So, by late June 2007, Drilling Santa Fe was formed. There was a sense that the “drill at any cost” policy had gone too far. A line had been crossed. The backdrop was a national and international scene that had put many in near despair. It was the “perfect storm.”

Over the past year, many organizations formed, not only in Santa Fe County, but also in neighboring counties. Drilling Santa Fe took the stance of pro protections. It joined others in a coalition and as the website of Common Ground United states, “We are committed to the idea that local citizens must have a meaningful role in developing extractive resource development policies and the determining voice in their communities. We are committed to an honest, open, public, and transparent debate and decision-making process that holds public officials accountable for their actions.” Furthermore, we are committed to the idea that any development, whether it be real estate or oil and gas, be consistent and compatible with the community plans. If such developments are inconsistent or incompatible with community plans, then those developments are not to be permitted.

Now a new group is forming, the Citizens Energy Board. To read about them go to Local Energy News or to go to the video at Bioneers Community Website.

Links: Local Energy News and Bioneers Community Webiste.

'Hippie' defense red herring for gas derived profits

From "My View," Ellen Cavalli, Santa Fe New Mexican, "It's a sign of our surreal times when the people trying to protect Santa Fe County from the horrors of drilling are blamed for record-high fuel costs. Never mind that the soaring prices are the fault of the international commodities market and multibillion-dollar energy corporations, industry will have you believe it's all because of those damn hippies.

As if there's even enough oil in the Galisteo Basin to make a dent in the national supply. The one well that Tecton Energy operated there, before temporarily abandoning, early this year, produced fewer than 50 total barrels of oil in nine months.

The company probably used more oil to fuel its semi-trucks, generators and drilling rig than it extracted from that dismal failure of a well.

What the company is really after — and is hoping you won't notice — is natural gas. No offense to those of you who know this, but I've heard and read enough bizarre comments to necessitate adding these lines: Gasoline is a nasty distillate refined from oil. There is very little oil left to extract in New Mexico. What I'm talking about is the "unconventional recovery" of natural gas and probably coal-bed methane. By "gas" I do not mean "gasoline."

As with oil, there's no guarantee that whatever gas is trapped deep beneath the surface can be released and recovered. The geologic formations in the Galisteo Basin and surrounding areas are so tight, they make any oil and gas operation risky and costly. It's a gamble, but played with human lives, not poker chips." more>>>>

County expects new drilling rules by Februrary

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican,

"As state's six-month ban nears expiration, officials turn to professionals for help drafting new regulations

Phaedra Haywood | The New Mexican

5/31/2008 - 5/31/08

The unexpected arrival of oil and gas developers in Santa Fe County last summer sparked a spasm of activity. Worried citizens flocked to anti-drilling meetings and formed activist groups. Santa Fe County government officials and staff hurried to evaluate existing mining regulations and consider new ones.

In January, Gov. Bill Richardson issued a six-month ban on drilling in the Galisteo Basin area. Santa Fe County followed with a yearlong moratorium aimed at giving the county time to prepare for the unfamiliar type of development.

Both actions gave the community time to regroup.

Now, as Richardson's six-month ban nears its end, Santa Fe County is beginning a more methodical approach to preparing for hydrocarbon extraction. It has hired a team of land-use attorneys and planners to help write new oil and gas regulations as well as a plan for the Galisteo area, which has been targeted for oil development by the Houston-based drilling company Tecton Energy." more>>>>

Developer, oil and gas company back legislative incumbents

"By Barbara Armijo 05/29/2008 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –

With the primary election Tuesday, many political races have the potential to impact economic development on Albuquerque’s West Side, specifically land that was part of the historic 300-year-old Atrisco Land Grant.

Atrisco Oil and Gas, LLC – the for-profit company created from the sale of the Westland Development Corporation to the SunCal Companies in 2006 -- will host a political rally Sunday, from noon to 3 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in support of state Rep. Dan Silva and state senators James Taylor and Linda Lopez, all Democrats. All three are fending off challenges from primary opponents and Atrisco and SunCal want to help the lawmakers survive Tuesday's primary.

Peter Sanchez, CEO of Atrisco Oil and Gas, said he believes all three incumbents understand the development needs of the West Side while the challengers have shown themselves to be anti-development. SunCal also is sponsoring the event and is backing the same candidates as well." more>>>>

"For over 400 years, the Atrisqueños (Atrisco land grantees) have witnessed a number of economic and political changes, from the Pueblo Revolt to New Mexico's independence from Spain, and New Mexico's inclusion as a territory of the United States in 1846. Today, Atrisco remains one of the oldest existing land grants in the United States and one of very few Spanish Colonial grants still presently owned by the heirs of the original Spanish settlers. The Atrisco Land Grant continues to be a proud part of Spanish heritage in New Mexico." Atrisco Land Grant

Atrisco Flyer

West Siders beware

“We're concerned about the pollution. Until you hear the compressors, smell the air, and see the contamination, it's hard to believe…"

"That’s Tweeti Blancett, a northern New Mexico rancher, talking about the impacts of oil and gas drilling on her land. Tweeti has been seeing her water supplies fouled and cattle dying since oil companies started drilling wells on her ranch a few years ago.

Could we in Albuquerque be living next to and exposed to these same pollution and contamination?

The answer is yes. And it could be soon." more>>>>

Farmaggedon: Small Farms Saving the World

"Local, organic agriculture can cut 30% of greenhouse gas emissions

According to a recent report, organic, sustainable agriculture that localizes food systems has the potential to mitigate nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and save one-sixth of global energy use. To read the full report, click here to visit the Institute of Science in Society's website."

Farmaggedon is a new local blog.

Planning Meeting

On June 9th and 10th, Santa Fe County will be hosting meetings between the public and Planning Works of Leawood, Kansas. Planning Works was hired by Santa Fe County "to help develop an oil-and-gas-extraction ordinance, write an area plan for the Galisteo Basin and finish writing growth-management amendments to the county general plan," Santa Fe New Mexican. Dr. Robert Freilich recommended Planning Works.

From a Drilling Santa Fe email, "Bruce Peshoff of Planning Works in Kansas City (Leawood) will be in Santa Fe June 9th and 10th."He'd like to have discussions with stakeholders to get a personal flavor for the issues and concerns." As you all may know, Drilling Santa Fe has been calling for the County process to be transparent. There are invitations to meet with Bruce Peshoff going out to other organizations and individuals. Many voices in the community should be heard. There are some ways Drilling Santa Fe can help facilitate this and to begin the process in the right way. One way is to send in emails to drillingsantafe@earthlink.net to voice your concerns. I will take those hardcopy emails with me. Another way is that some concerned citizens could attend the meeting with me, but please let me know a head of time.

After the meeting an update will be posted at http://www.drillingsantafe.org or http://drillingsantafe.blogspot.com/ ."

The meeting will be held on June 9th at 4pm at the County building. A useful resource is, "From Sprawl to Smart Growth," by Robert H. Freilich.

Some previous related posts:
Emergency Interim Development Ordinance
County Brings in outside firm for drilling ordinance

Mining industry financed film, "Mine Your Own Business"

New Mexico energy industry front groups CARE and the Rio Grande Foundation sponsored an unveiling of a mining industry financed film, "Mine Your Own Business," in Farmington this past Thursday. According to the Daily Times, "comments - intended to localize the film's message - angered Mike Eisenfeld of San Juan Citizens Alliance and Dailan Long of Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment

"Don't come here and accuse us of the things you do," Eisenfeld said, adding that Driessen had no idea about the dynamics of the Navajo Nation-Desert Rock Power Plant issue.

San Juan Citizens Alliance's 500 members work locally — and independently, Eisenfeld said.

"We don't pretend to have (all) the answers," he said. "To say I'm an obstructionist is laughable; I'm just a little guy trying to create some balance."'

YouTube Videos

The first link was sent by Drilling Mora County: Fracing
Also, there are many other video links, such as Spectacular Gaswell Blowout

Oil Company Sues Rio Arriba Over Drilling Ban

From The New Mexico Independent , "It hasn't been a good year for energy companies looking to develop new oil and gas fields in northern New Mexico. Three months ago, the Santa Fe County Commission voted unanimously to prohibit drilling in the Galisteo Basin for at least a year. And the Rio Arriba County Commission did the same thing last month -- unanimously approving a four-month ban on new oil and gas drilling in the county."

Exploring health effects of drilling in Santa Fe County

"SANTA FE (2008-05-21) -- Will there be oil and gas drilling in Santa Fe County. That's the question that's on hold for a bit longer as the clock continues ticking on an end-of-year moratorium. In the meantime, the question is should there be drilling?

A hundred of so people turned out Tuesday night for a forum on that very topic, organized by the opposition groups Drilling Santa Fe and Common Ground United.

Wyoming has had a huge economic boom from the energy industry - perhaps the biggest of any other part of the west. But it's also gone through the biggest downturns when the industry went bust.

In addition to the legal and economic issues embedded in the question, there are the health risks. A researcher who's been studying the health effects of gas drilling in Colorado and other parts of the West says the risks appear to be huge.

Dr. Theo Kolborn is an endocrinologist who lives in Colorado. She's gotten a number of awards for her research, and she was named one of one of Time Magazine's Environmental Heroes.

She told us in an interview that oil and gas drillers have always claimed that they use absolutely no chemicals when they drill. But she's identified hundreds. © Copyright 2008, KSFR"

Link