ES-CA hosted a forum to discuss three of the major issues facing residents in Placitas and Sandoval County on Saturday, January 9th. Those issues are gravel mining, pipeline safety and proposed oil and gas well drilling. The event, held at the Placitas Presbyterian Church, drew over 90 people, including a number of government representatives. State Senator John Sapien, State Representative Jim Smith, Sandoval County Commissioner James Dominguez, Sandoval County Clerk Eileen Garbagni and Arcy Baca, representing NM Public Regulation Commissioner Valerie Espinoza, were all in attendance.
Dick Ulmer gave a brief overview and update on the pending lawsuit with Lafarge. It was noted that, had there been a gravel mining ordinance in place at the time Lafarge began operations, we probably would not be in the legal situation that now exists. He also provided current status on the BLM activities and the potential for additional mining associated with their action that we are trying to prevent.
Ed Majka spoke about ES-CA’s work in developing relationships with the three pipeline companies that operate pipelines that run through Placitas. Ed noted that all of the pipelines are interstate pipelines which means they are regulated by the Federal Department of Transportation. Ed noted that the ES-CA Board has met with PRC Commissioner Valerie Espinoza on this issue and she has offered to assist in obtaining information from the Federal government on risk and safety tests and analysis about the pipelines in Placitas. Unfortunately, without enabling legislation, the NM PRC has no jurisdiction over these pipelines.
Bob Gorrell then gave a presentation on the oil and gas drilling in NM and noted that State revenues rely heavily upon this industry. He noted the May 2015 draft study conducted by the US EPA states that incidences of drinking water contaminated by fracking are very small. Breaches can lead to groundwater contamination and great harm that can occur, but very well defined processes and qualified oversight are necessary to minimize risk. Sandoval County lacks an ordinance to minimize risk. He stated that Sandoval County could borrow from the Department of the Interior, who recognizing the evolving science fracking safety, implemented new rules in March of 2015. On all BLM land for example, detailed information including geology of existing wells to lower risk of cross-contamination is now required, and for future accountability, disclosure of chemicals into FracFocus. Bob stated that the Albuquerque Basin, in which the proposed exploratory well would be drilled, is a rift valley with extensive rock fracturing reaching 25,000 feet that would make containment of contaminants difficult.
The meeting was opened up to discussion from all attendees. A consensus emerged that Sandoval County should adopt an ordinance to regulate oil and gas drilling and that the County should adopt a moratorium on any new drilling until the ordinance is in place. Commissioner Dominguez stated that he had met with the County Manager to begin drafting such an ordinance.
Further discussion ensued about the extent of the moratorium and it was decided that the geographic area would be limited to all lands within a 10 miles of the Santa Fe Aquifer. A letter request is being prepared by the ES-CA Board and will be sent to Sandoval County. A copy of that request will be posted in the ES-CA Forum.