Albuquerque Journal

June 18th, 2004

Governor Sticks Up for Otero Proposal

By Tania Soussan
Journal Staff Writer

Gov. Bill Richardson appealed the federal government's decision to reject his alternative plan for Otero Mesa oil and gas drilling on Thursday. Richardson argued that his plan provides a "reasonable balance" between state and federal interests and that the Bureau of Land Management is therefore obligated to accept it.

BLM officials said they could not comment Thursday. "The BLM has not officially received the appeal from the governor but we
intend to carefully review and study it," said spokesman Hans Stuart.

The BLM intends to allow expanded oil and gas development on Otero Mesa south of Alamogordo. The area holds potentially large natural gas reserves but also contains fragile and biologically rich Chihuahuan Desert grasslands.

Richardson and others have said the BLM's plan falls short of protecting the environment while industry leaders have said some of the restrictions border on excessive.

The governor said the BLM has not evaluated the cumulative impacts of drilling, is favoring oil and gas development over other uses, is ignoring the area's long-term economic well-being and is not doing enough to protect the environment and groundwater.

"The BLM director now has the opportunity to set things right," Richardson said in his appeal. "The BLM, to date, has virtually dismissed my recommended changes."