Oil and Gas in YOUR Neighborhood

• Download Landowner’s Information Packet [pdf]

If you are a landowner impacted by drilling, we have provided a copy of a Surface Use Agreement currently being given to land owners in La Plata County, Colorado, for your review.

An annotated version is also available containing commentary and perspectives offered by landowners with experience dealing with oil and gas companies coming onto their property.

Our campaign to reform oil and gas development in New Mexico has three primary components:

Ban unlined production waste pits in New Mexico

• Working in conjunction with the Oil and Gas Accountability Project, we will participate in the Oil Conservation Division’s stakeholder meetings to revamp production waste pits in New Mexico. Require closed loop systems in areas with groundwater close to the surface and require companies to test their pit wastes and dispose of these wastes in appropriate facilities. This should include public meetings and hearings in Fall, 2007.

Pressure BLM Farmington Field Office to improve enforcement

• Industry has run amuck throughout the public lands administered by the Farmington office of the BLM. Little or no enforcement exists for the minimal environmental requirements imposed on industry.
• We intend to create volunteer and staff enforcement campaign to evaluate compliance with stipulations for approved well pad sites. Document non-compliance of natural gas sites through photos, videos and written reports. Let us know if you can help!
• Force compliance with BLM noise standards for at least 30 well pad sites.
• Analyze BLM project files to evaluate whether pollution laws and sundry notices (where production equipment for well sites is required to be disclosed) are obeyed.

Secure stronger air pollution emission standards by BLM and Forest Service

• Apply public pressure to insist the Forest Service and BLM adopt enhanced air pollution emission standards for wellhead engines and compressors throughout the San Juan Basin. BLM has instituted interim measures to require cleaner burning wellhead engines and compressors that are 80-90 percent cleaner than standard equipment, but makes no effort to enforce these rules. Closely monitor implementation to ensure these standards are made real-world mitigation measures.
• Engage the Four Corners Air Quality Task Force to implement meaningful emission reduction measures and hold agencies accountable for enforceable air quality improvements.