Yesterday,
the Bureau of Land Management announced a compensatory royalty agreement with the El Paso Exploration and Production Company of Houston, Texas for the gas under
New Mexico's Valle Vidal.
From our perspective, this is a dangerous development. Even if these agreements are legal, they are highly unethical given the overwhelming public concern for the Valle Vidal. We are deeply troubled that the public's resources were sold to El Paso without public notice or public input. These agreements are consistent with the 'behind closed doors' nature of this entire process. Further, this brings development right to the door of the Valle Vidal. The Valle Vidal is public land, not the Administration's little fiefdom.
The barbarians are at the gate.
TAKE ACTION
Please use this opportunity to again press Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) to support and co-sponsor Rep. Tom Udall's Valle Vidal Protection Act.
TALKING POINTS
- El Paso's agreement with BLM sets the stage for extending its ever-spreading network of roads, pipelines, and well sites into the heart of the Valle Vidal. El Paso is playing coy by suggesting that it might not bid on a lease for the Valle Vidal.
- The fact that these agreements were made without public notice and without public input is further evidence that the deck is stacked against the people of northern New Mexico and against protection for the Valle Vidal. The bureaucratic process is corrupt and not to be trusted. The only way to assure that the public is heard is by passing the Valle Vidal Protection Act.
- In the last year, over 60,000 people have voiced their desire to see the Valle Vidal permanently protected from oil and gas development by Congressional legislation. Six municipalities, three Chambers of Commerce and two County Commissions have passed resolutions opposing drilling. More resolutions are on the way. These are the public's lands, not the Administration's private fiefdom.
- New Mexicans and Americans of all stripes have spoken and our Congressional representatives need to listen to us: No amount of oil or gas development is acceptable in the Valle Vidal. This treasured hunting, fishing recreational and agricultural area is too unique to simply minimize the damage that gas development entails. Pass the Valle Vidal Protection Act now!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Fax your letters to:
Representative Heather Wilson
505-346-6723 fax
or mail them to:
Rep. Heather Wilson
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Also, send copies of your letters to:
Senator Pete Domenici
328 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-6621, 202-228-0900 fax
Representative Steve Pearce
Republican / 2nd District
1408 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-2365
Senator Jeff Bingaman
703 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5521, 202-224-2852 fax
Representative Tom Udall
Democrat / 3rd District
1414 Longworth Bldg
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6190, 202-226-1331 fax
Thank you for your help Kossians!
