State of New Mexico Hosts Open House Meeting

The State of New Mexico through the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department will host an Open House allowing the public to ask questions and make comments to representatives of various state agencies regarding proposed oil and gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin area of Santa Fe County.

Governor Richardson’s Executive Order created a 6-month moratorium on activities related to new oil and gas drilling in Galisteo Basin. An important part of the work state agencies will be doing during the moratorium is gathering and evaluating public input,” said Joanna Prukop, Cabinet Secretary for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. “This is an opportunity for citizens to provide meaningful comments in their areas of interest and concern.”

The meeting will use a “come and go” format and will be held in various rooms at Santa Fe Community College. Representatives of the following state agencies will be available in various classrooms to learn and discuss the public’s concerns and questions regarding the proposed drilling with individuals and small groups: Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department; Office of the State Engineer; Department of Game and Fish; Environment Department; Indian Affairs Department; Department of Cultural Affairs; Tourism Department, Department of Agriculture, and possibly other state agencies. Maps to the various meeting rooms will be available at the door. The written comments and concerns, along with any notes from the agency representatives, will then be compiled and become part of the information gathered to comply with the executive order.

 The  meeting is being held pursuant to Governor Bill Richardson’s Executive Order  and is not a part of the Oil Conservation Division drilling permit review process. Consideration of drilling permit applications for Galisteo Basin will not commence until after the expiration of the moratorium. Citizens may provide written comments through the internet or at the Open House.

An official comment form will be available beginning mid-day on March 10, 2008, at the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department web site: www.emnrd.state.nm.us. On the home page, click on “Santa Fe Drilling Public Comments Form.” Instructions will also be published at this link. The comment period will close on April 15, 2008.

If citizens cannot provide comments prior to the meeting, forms will be available at the door and will be collected by the relevant agencies at the Open House. It is requested that a separate form be used for each agency, but multiple comments or questions for each agency may be submitted on the same form.  The electronic form will be available at the agencies’ websites until April 15, 2008 when the public comment period for this effort will close.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Florene Davidson at 505-476-3458 or through the New Mexico Relay Network, 1-800-659-1779 by March 19, 2008.