http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/three-million-lawsuits-oughta-do-it By Ben Joravsky August 7, 2008 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/three-million-lawsuits-oughta-do-it Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:30:28 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gas-price-puts-otero-mesa-back-in-play http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gas-price-puts-otero-mesa-back-in-play Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:52:28 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/southern-nm-developer-stands-to-make-millions-from-controversial-lease http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/southern-nm-developer-stands-to-make-millions-from-controversial-lease Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:57:00 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/oil-leaders-turn-to-courts-on-drilling http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/oil-leaders-turn-to-courts-on-drilling Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:46:03 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-bill-richardson-extends-moratorium-on-new-oil-and-gas-drilling-in-santa-fe-county-and-the-galisteo-basin Governor Richardson has issued an Executive http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-bill-richardson-extends-moratorium-on-new-oil-and-gas-drilling-in-santa-fe-county-and-the-galisteo-basin Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:09:09 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-richardson-renews-call-for-protection-of-otero-mesa Supports Effort to Designate New Area of Critical http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-richardson-renews-call-for-protection-of-otero-mesa Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:07:59 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gila-river-southwest-new-mexico-stakeholder-group At the http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gila-river-southwest-new-mexico-stakeholder-group Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:15:23 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governors-richardson-kulongoski-gregoire-call-for-reform-of-1872-mining-law Today Governor Richardson along with http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governors-richardson-kulongoski-gregoire-call-for-reform-of-1872-mining-law Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:23:02 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/survey-many-want-wolves-to-thrive http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/survey-many-want-wolves-to-thrive Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:20:52 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-pledges-to-fight-gila-river-diversion By Levi Hill/Sun-News Bureau Chief SILVER CITY — Gov. Bill Richardson said Thursday that he http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-pledges-to-fight-gila-river-diversion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:37:36 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/richardson-to-fight-gila-river-diversion Barry Massey | The Associated http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/richardson-to-fight-gila-river-diversion Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:35:08 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-richardson-announces-efforts-to-protect-the-endangered-gila-river Governor Bill http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governor-richardson-announces-efforts-to-protect-the-endangered-gila-river Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:28:39 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gila-river-makes-countrys-endangered-list N.M. water use could drain desert oasis, group says http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gila-river-makes-countrys-endangered-list Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:00:21 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/oil-gas-officials-voice-concern-on-possible-drilling-halt By Cornelia de Bruin The Daily Times http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/oil-gas-officials-voice-concern-on-possible-drilling-halt Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:28:56 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/its-time-to-dig-in-and-reform-mining By Randall Coleman Environment New Mexico The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., is working on the hardrock mining reform bill. Reform is long overdue— the current federal hardrock mining act was signed into law by former president Ulysses S. Grant. Known as the 1872 Mining Act, the law represents one of the last remaining public land giveaways, enacted in another era to lure settlers to the West. The law contains no environmental provisions and allows mining companies to conduct their business with little regard for wildlife habitats, water supplies or treasured lands. In November, the House passed the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007, which includes a number of important environmental and economic provisions. Among the provisions, the bill would end the practice of patenting of public lands by which a mining company can buy mineral bearing public land for less than $5 per acre. The bill would also institute an 8 percent royalty for new mines and 4 percent royalty for existing mines, with the majority of revenues going into a fund to clean up abandoned mines. Currently, the mining industry pays no royalty for hardrock minerals despite the fact that other extractive industries like the coal, oil and natural gas industries pay between 8 percent and 12.5 percent. The Bureau of Land Management estimates that $982 million in hardrock minerals were taken from public lands in 2000— all extracted without compensating the American taxpayer. The funds from a royalty on hardrock mines could be used to begin to pay for the estimated $50 billion it would cost to reclaim the thousands of abandoned mines that litter the West. Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid opposes many of the House-proposed environmental safeguards, including a provision for local government to petition for putting sensitive lands off limit to mining and surface and groundwater protection. So does Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., the ranking member of Bingaman's committee. Sadly, mining is even subject to preferential treatment under the federal Clean Water Act and does not include protections for groundwater from mining operations. The need for reform has become more pressing as record high prices for gold and uranium have led to a dramatic increase in new claims across the West. In New Mexico, the BLM estimates that hardrock mining claims have increased 50 percent over the past four years. It is critical that new environmental controls on hardrock mining be established if we are to protect our public lands and water. The Senate needs to bring the mining act into the 21st century, and New Mexico has a big part to play in the outcome. New Mexicans need to let Bingaman and Domenici know that we want comprehensive hardrock mining reform that will protect our land and water for future generations and clean up the pollution left over from decades of irresponsible mining. http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/its-time-to-dig-in-and-reform-mining Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:03:23 -0500 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/county-suspends-galisteo-basin-drilling-for-one-year The Santa Fe County Commission on Tuesday banned oil and gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin area for at least a year. The move was greeted with thunderous applause by most of the 100 or so people in attendance. County officials say the ban is intended to give county staff more time to study environmental, geographical and archeological issues in the basin before completing the final draft of new oil and gas regulations. "This is a beginning," Commissioner Paul Campos said. "It's going to be a tough job for the commission, staff and the community to evaluate, plan and create infrastructure. It's all going to be very expensive. We aren't always going to agree, but we will all do our best to come up with a model plan." Gov. Bill Richardson ordered a similar six-month ban in January that directed state agencies to study the basin area, which has been singled out by federal legislation as rich in archaeological sites. County staff began writing new oil and gas regulations last fall after Houston-based Tecton Energy announced plans to drill for oil in the Galisteo Basin. Most of the faces in the commission chambers Tuesday were familiar ones, faithful Galisteo-area residents who have written letters, distributed literature and attended meetings for the past six months opposing the prospect of oil and gas development. About 15 people spoke in favor of the ordinance that created the ban. Most commended the commissioners for taking a strong stance against encroaching oil and gas development. But Anne Russ, a Kansas City, Mo., resident who said her family owns the mineral rights under the 57,000-acre Ortiz Land Grant, also attended the meeting. She didn't address the commission but said after the meeting that she appreciates the concerns raised by residents who fear oil and gas development and wants her family's resources developed responsibly. "We are about balance (between economics and the environment)," Russ said. "We aren't about scaring anybody off the field." Russ, whose maiden name is Potter, said most of her family's mineral rights have been leased to Tecton. She said she was surprised by the length of the moratorium — which can be extended an additional six months — but she understands the need for it. "If it's going to be a thorough and transparent process, we can support it," Russ said. Karin Foster, an attorney for the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico, reminded the commissioners that the oil and gas thought to be trapped under the basin area is "a resource you have that needs to be developed and protected as well." Foster, who confirmed Tecton Energy is one of the members of the Independent Petroleum Association, criticized County Attorney Steve Ross for making "inflammatory" statements about the industry by referring in his opening remarks to the "host of ills" that follow oil and gas development. Foster asked the commission to consider the expense and staff time that would be wasted if the county tries to "reinvent the wheel" by doing studies that industry and environmental groups have already done. "Please make it balanced," Foster said. "Base it on science ... not public outrage." Pressed by Commissioner Harry Montoya, Foster admitted most existing studies have concentrated on northwestern and southeastern New Mexico. "Because not much drilling has been done in Santa Fe, none applies directly to the basin area," she said. Santa Fe County recently hired Bob Freilich, a land-use attorney, to assist county staff in writing new oil and gas regulations. Freilich will be paid $500 per hour to assist in writing several development plans for the county. Montoya said the county has allocated $600,000 to fund the writing of the new rules that will govern oil and gas extraction. Freilich said several weeks ago that he expects to have a first draft of the new rules completed by November. http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/county-suspends-galisteo-basin-drilling-for-one-year Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:33:00 -0600 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/rio-grande-trail-letter-to-the-editor FORMER SECRETARY http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/rio-grande-trail-letter-to-the-editor Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:13:09 -0600 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/advocates-hope-for-bucket-of-money-for-rio-grande-trail Continued funding for the ambitious Rio Grande Trail is one of the http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/advocates-hope-for-bucket-of-money-for-rio-grande-trail Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:47:43 -0600 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gila-river-needs-water-to-run-wild This month marks http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/gila-river-needs-water-to-run-wild Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:30:28 -0600 http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governors-office-reacts-to-sen_-domenicis-comments-on-oil-and-gas-pit-rules Governor Bill Richardson’s Office released the following statement regarding U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s opposition to proposed new rules governing oil field waste disposal pits. “The Governor understands Senator Domenici’s concerns, but respectfully disagrees with his recommendation to keep the status quo,” said Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for Governor Richardson. “The oil and gas industry, which continues to enjoy historic profits, should not be allowed to drill New Mexico land with little regard for protecting the environment. “Governor Richardson will continue to meet his obligation to protect the environment through responsible regulation of an industry that is understandably important to New Mexico’s economy,” Gallegos said. The state Oil Conservation Commission has conducted 17 days of hearings on proposed new pit rules, and is expected to begin deliberations on the final rule on March 12. http://www.environmentnewmexico.org/in-the-news/preservation/preservation/governors-office-reacts-to-sen_-domenicis-comments-on-oil-and-gas-pit-rules Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:01:54 -0600