WildEarth Guardians

Wednesday, July 13, 2005
BLM's Green Rhetoric Meaningless in Otero Mesa Leasing - Agency Disregards New Mexicans' Call to Halt Oil and Gas Development

The New Mexico Bureau of Land Management's drilling plan for Otero Mesa inadequately addresses potential environmental impacts and pending litigation, ignores public input, and directly contradicts BLM's commitment to best practices
Contact: New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

Albuquerque, NM - July 13. The New Mexico Bureau of Land Management's drilling plan for Otero Mesa inadequately addresses potential environmental impacts and pending litigation, ignores public input, and directly contradicts BLM's commitment to evaluate and implement the best management practices for Otero Mesa, according to a coalition of conservation groups. The groups are calling on BLM State Director Linda Rundell and the Bush Administration to halt their headlong rush to drill Otero Mesa.

The request comes as BLM plans to lease a parcel on Otero Mesa at a July 20 lease sale and to revoke suspensions on existing leases despite prior assurances to the contrary.

“BLM is exploiting every opportunity to push ahead with drilling while cutting out the public out of the process,” said Nada Culver of The Wilderness Society. BLM has ignored public requests for updates on the development of the lease strategy, Culver said.

BLM’s behavior contrasts with its stated commitment to evaluate and implement the best management practices for Otero Mesa. According to BLM’s January 24, 2005 Record of Decision (ROD), "BLM will develop a lease strategy that will take into account such factors as industry interest, natural resource concerns, and ongoing exploration and/or development. BLM will offer leases in blocks over time, monitor exploration and production activity and determine the conditions under which additional lease parcels will be offered."

“Unfortunately, it looks like BLM is allowing oil and gas companies to ‘get in while the getting is good’ at the expense of wildlife, and the interests of sportsmen and the public,” said Oscar Simpson of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.

In despite receiving hundreds upon hundreds of public comments supporting conservation of this area, in the six months following the ROD issuance the BLM has proceeded to lease a parcel in the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands despite pending litigation, permitted flare tests of the existing wells, announced plans to release suspended leases without public notification, and permitted expansion of the gathering system (the oil and gas transportation system that includes significant amounts of equipment) for existing wells without any additional environmental analysis. Furthermore, Kathleen Clarke, BLM Director, has declared that state/local regulations are not binding on the agency, calling into question BLM’s commitment to comply with the protections that the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division has imposed in an effort to protect the groundwater under Otero Mesa.

“Otero Mesa shouldn’t be on the chopping block,” said Nathan Newcomer of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. “The drilling industry shouldn’t dictate the fate of this natural treasure.”

The one million acres of wild lands within Sierra and Otero counties that comprise Otero Mesa provide residents with endless recreational opportunities and the area’s largest and most important aquifer. Additionally, it is home to many of southern New Mexico’s natural and cultural treasures.

“BLM talks about the importance of local input, but this is Big Brother at its worst,” said Newcomer. “It claims to have the public’s interest at heart while it ignores the public and listens only to the drillers.”

Contacts:

Nathan Newcomer, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance: 505-843-8696, x107

Oscar Simpson, New Mexico Wildlife Federation: 505-345-0117

Nada Culver, The Wilderness Society: 303-650-5818, x117