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Proposed BLM Amendment for Otero Mesa Causes Controversy
Melissa Aguilera
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The Otero Mesa has been the cause of heated debate the passed six years. The 1.2 million acres of land is considered a great asset to the state and oil reserves, but has great importance to the environmental groups.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees what is best for the state, wild-life and people. The BLM uses scientific analysis to decide where to drill while maintaining the delicate environment. The reason the BLM got involved in the Otero Mesa dispute was because so many people were requesting leasing for oil and gas drilling.
As of March 2004, Governor Bill Richardson reviewed the amendment sent to him by the BLM. The Purposed Resource Management Plan Amendment was issued January of 2004. Governor Richardson sent his consistency review of the plan to Washington D.C. to be reviewed. Still no word has come back from Washington.
This Amendment has the most restrictions the BLM has ever put on an issue. It proposes to put 140 wells in the Sierra and Otero Counties, covering about two million acres, with 84 wells resulting in retrieving resources of value. According to Na’ama Tubman, Public Relations for BLM, 1,600 acres would have short-term environmental disturbance and 860 acres of long-term environmental disturbance from the wells.
Though this sounds like a lot of acres, the BLM has put several stipulations on the plan. There is to be no leasing or development allowed in areas of critical environmental concern. There will also be no leasing or developing in four wilderness study areas and the Aplomado falcon land is not to be leased for at least five years until the effects of the wells on surrounding areas are understood. There is also not to be surface occupancy on cultural resource sites and recreation areas, including wetlands and riparian areas. Finally, there can be only five percent surface disturbance limit on 105,000 acres of the Otero Mesa grasslands.
Some groups may call the BLM’s amendment unfair. The Coalition for Otero Mesa is unhappy with the fact that the BLM is still allowing the drilling of the lands. They don’t believe resources should be depleted just because the land is available. They feel the drilling would disturb the natural habitat of too many wild-life creatures. They believe in the potential area for the Aplomado falcon to be reintroduced and fear the drilling and oil will pollute this area.
The public has had a lot of time to say their piece on the subject. Several online petitions have been initiated. Emails have been sent to Governor Richardson to suggest whether the drilling should occur or not. Some support the choice or drilling and some completely disagree.
The company who wants to drill is Harvey E. Yates Company (HEYCO). They will develop most of the area with wells. Yates says directly drilling is not an option because of the high cost, geology and the difficulty of finding specific targets due to the surface regulations.
When this amendment will be decided is not certain.
“I am sure it will be decided some day,” Tubman said.
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