Rio Arriba Concerned Citizens is a grassroots organizations whose mission is to
“Support and focus concerns, actions and outreach related to the quality and use of land, air, and water resources in Rio Arriba County and the State of New Mexico while maintaining consideration and respect for the preservation of traditional cultural values and consistent with sustainable economic development.”
Rio Arriba is the name of our county and our group but more then that it means “Up River” and is a reminder that in New Mexico we are “up river” and what happens here will affect many downstream. Get involved today.
Not again!
We have some important work coming up in the next month!
The BLM Farmington district EA (Environmental Assessment) has nominated parcels for lease for Oil And Gas development for an October 2014 sale near the communities of Gallina, Regina, Cuba, and Counselor.
This is particularly important as some sites are east of the Continental Divide and drainage will be to local watersheds including potentially the Rio Gallina and the Chama River. In addition, sites cluster on Rio Arriba western borders and this may be an indication of “toe-hold” planning.
Click here to view the maps and timelines for this proposed sale
http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/energy/oil_and_gas/lease_sale_notices/2014_lease_sales/october_2014_lease.html
Click here for the link to the Environmental Assessment PDF file. If you do not have Adobe Reader on your device, please click here to download the software that will enable you to read the Environmental Assessment.
Comments are due to the BLM by May 30.
We have written a sample comment urging the BLM to defer the action of the sale. At the present time, deferral is the best option we have to stop a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). This comment can be copied directly or reframed using your own words and experiences. Factual comments are more effective than stories, but both show important levels of our interest and concern. Comments can be submitted to the BLM NM State Office at the following address: NMleasesalecomments@blm.gov
Download a sample letter as
Help spread the word! Let’s make sure BLM knows of our interest by providing lots of comments! Forward this newsletter or the attached links to your contact list and ask them to take action.
Please take a moment to read this synopsis of the expert witness testimony given recently at the Roundhouse by local engineer Mark Sardella detailing five arguments against hydraulic fracturing in our state. Simple writing, easy to understand, powerful stuff.
http://www.localenergynews.org/news/2013/3/10/ban-hydraulic-fracturing-in-new-mexico.html
For further discussion including a rebuttal by oil and gas lobbyists click here:
http://www.localenergynews.org/news/2013/4/3/kent-cravens-promotes-hydraulic-fracturing.html
Join us for a screening of Split Estate followed by speakers and community dialogue.
Rural Events Center, State 554, Abiquiu
NOTE DATE CHANGE
Saturday June 7, 2014 2:00 PM
“’Split Estate’ is an eye-opening examination of the consequences and conflicts that can arise between surface land owners in the western United States, and those who own and extract the energy and mineral rights below. This film is of value to anyone wrestling with rational, sustainable energy policy while preserving the priceless elements of cultural heritage, private enterprise above-ground, and the precious health not only of people but the land itself.”
—Bill Richardson, Former Governor of New Mexico