<textarea rows="25" style="font-size: 14px; width: 100%;"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Dear BLM State Director, <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->My name is ( ).<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->My interest in protesting is _________. I am a resident / I am a rancher / I am a frequent visitor...<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->(SPECIFICALLY STATE IF YOU RESIDE IN THE WATERSHED AND WHY YOUR INTERACTION WITH THE RIO CHAMA WATERSHED, AND THE GREATER CHACO LANDSCAPE, ARE SO IMPORTANT TO YOU.)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->I am writing to protest the inclusion of PARCEL # 71, which is on the western boundary of the Chama Watershed and northeast of the community of Lybrook, in the Week of December 3, 2018 Oil and Gas lease sale. I am also protesting the inclusion, in this lease sale, of other Greater Chaco parcels numbered 89,90,91,105,106,107,108,109,110,111, 112, and 113.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->I am (demanding/asking/requesting) that these parcels, one of which is near to the Continental Divide which marks the Western boundary of the Rio Chama Watershed (PARCEL #71), be dropped from the Week of December 3, 2018 Lease Sale, pending further study on groundwater flow and geology.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->(YOUR PROTEST LETTER MUST INCLUDE STATEMENT/S OF REASONS TO SUPPORT THE PROTEST. FIRST, TALK ABOUT THE 4 "POINTS OF PARTICULAR RELEVANCE" DESCRIBED BELOW.)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->A coalition of tribal, environmental and business groups recently urged the BLM to hold public hearings before offering more Greater Chaco parcels in the December lease sale. The coalition noted that Zinke deferred the March 8, 2018 lease sale “due to cultural resource concerns and public controversy and worries” over the impact of leasing. The same issues remain for the December lease sale of parcels in the Greater Chaco!<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->The BLM has not completed an independent, official study of the hydrology of the proposed oil and gas lease sale area in our watershed.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->The Navajo Nation All Pueblo Council of Governors, the New Mexico Congressional delegation, New Mexico State Legislature, and many others have called for a moratorium on all and any new leasing until the BLM has completed a comprehensive management plan that addresses the impacts of horizontal fracking. This management plan is not yet in place.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Any and all hydraulic fracturing in the Rio Chama Watershed begins to defeat the creation of the frontier district brought to life in Rio Arriba county's "2009 OIL & GAS ORDINANCE". This ordinance is in place to protect Rio Arriba county citizens and environment from oil and gas development. <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->(THEN CONTINUE WITH ANY OF THE SUGGESTED "TALKING POINTS" BELOW) <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->LACK OF A HYDROLOGIC STUDY BY THE BLM - the Bureau of Land Management has not completed an independent and official study of the underground water flow and the surface water pathways, into the Rio Chama Watershed, in the proposed lease sale area near the Continental Divide and the community of Lybrook (PARCEL #71).<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->There is a blatant failure by the BLM to delineate, or portray precisely, the Eastern San Juan Basin’s complex hydrology. This area is on the southeastern edge of the San Juan Basin and is adjacent to, or part of, a strong geological uplift area that is characterized by complex folded layers known as the Nacimiento Uplift.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->The BLM 2003 Plan and associated Reasonably Foreseeable Development Plan, DOES NOT ADDRESS FRACKING IN THE MANCOS SHALE, A LAYER FROM 0-5000 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE, SOME OF WHICH OVERLIES GROUNDWATER. THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A PREFERRED OR NECESSARILY SAFE GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE TYPE FOR FRACKING.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->The BLM has an internal administrative policy that allows this use of outdated documents until a new one is prepared. What about the option of a deferral of drilling until the 2003 Resource Management Plan is properly updated?<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->RIO ARRIBA COUNTY’S OIL AND GAS ORDINANCE PROTECTION – Further introduction of hydraulic fracturing (unconventional drilling, horizontal drilling, fracking), with all its contaminants, pollutants, carcinogens, and spillage to the Rio Chama Watershed, is not in the best interest of Rio Arriba County and the residents of the county.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Parcel # 71 in the Week of December 3, 2018 Farmington Field Office Oil and Gas Lease Sale is near to the Continental Divide which marks the Rio Chama Watershed's western boundary and poses a threat to the Watershed and Abiquiu Reservoir.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->It is too great a risk to bring hydraulic fracturing anywhere near the Rio Chama Watershed. Over 60% of the State of New Mexico gets water from the Rio Grande Watershed and the Rio Chama is its largest tributary.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->WATER – anything you’d like to say about water; quality, availability, importance of clean water, etc. Millions of gallons of water are required for each proposed well, and oil and gas companies will want to use our water.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->CHEMICALS – many chemicals are used in fracking, some known, some not – most are toxic or can be radioactive at low levels. The BLM states that the Radium found naturally in lower rock levels will be contained in rocks, even if brought to the surface. However, Radium turns in a radioactive gas called Radon, and that will be dispersed into the air. Talk about your concerns for clean air, especially for children and older people. Ingesting food from local farms in areas where air, water and soil can become contaminated is a real concern. Toxic wastewater will be produced by the millions of gallons and there is concern about the disposal methods and regulations for this wastewater.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->SEISMIC ACTIVITY – especially around Abiquiu Reservoir where there are several known fault lines near this water source. Injection wells are often used to dispose of wastewater and these are known to cause seismic activity. There is also increasing evidence in Texas and Oklahoma that fracking is associated with significantly more earthquakes.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE – flaring is a common practice used in fracking in which huge amounts of hydrocarbons are released directly into the atmosphere. A 3- 12 miles radius near flaring pits has been identified as dangerous to human and animal health. In 2014, scientists working on a NASA study discovered a 2,500-square-mile cloud of methane hovering over the Four Corners region. The BLM seems to dismiss this as being of unknown origin, although recent studies, (sited by the Environmental Defense Fund), clearly indicate that oil and gas development is the largest source of emissions contributing to this massive methane “hotspot”.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->SOIL RESOURCES – in this high desert climate, the soil can be fragile. Talk about your concerns for the soil in light of heavy traffic from big rigs used in fracking; erosion caused by roads and construction of drilling pads; toxic chemical spills and anything else you might have to say about the earth. The BLM states that in some areas, soils are fragile but this is of minor concern due to remoteness of parcels.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->WILDLIFE – talk about the endangerment of any particular species – disruption of migratory patterns, etc. Wastewater pits, with indeterminate lining, are another means of disposing of fracking’s toxic sludge. These are open pits. What are the provisions to keep birds and animals from drinking, or landing in, the open pit storage water?<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->DARK SKY – talk about your feelings for an uninterrupted night sky view, especially along NM Route 112 near PARCEL #71 and surrounding ranches and communities.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->CULTURAL RESOURCES AND LANDSCAPES – talk about what is dear to your heart in this area – what resources and landscapes do you want to remain intact? For instance, Gallina Canyon Ranch, San Pedro Wilderness, and hiking, camping and rafting in the Rio Chama River could be affected by traffic noise and pollution, and an interruption of the night sky view. How would cultural use of the Watershed change with active oil and gas leasing?<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - According to the BLM, “environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, and incomes, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, programs, and policies. It focuses on environmental hazards and human health to avoid disproportionately high and adverse human health of environmental effects on minority and low-income populations.”Talk about your feelings in light of this statement and what you understand about the effects hydrofracking would potentially have on the Rio Chama Watershed environment and culture.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->LOW SOCIO ECONOMIC POTENTIAL FROM OIL AND GAS – The BLM’s basic assumption is that the “No Action Alternative” (no lease option) in the environs of the Rio Chama Watershed would not affect current domestic production of oil and gas. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OIL AND GAS NEAR PARCEL #71, ON THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF OUR WATERSHED, TO BE OF ANY REAL COMMERCIAL VALUE. Even oil and gas exploration risks grave chemical and mechanical pollution.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->IN CLOSING – round out your letter with a reiteration of your demand/ request to defer PARCEL’S #71, 89, 90, 91,105,106,107,108,109,110,111,112,and 113 in the Week of December 3, 2018 Lease Sale. <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Use your own words.<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->The BLM Farmington Field Office has the authority, as the sale agent, to defer leasing these parcels!<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Sincerely,<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Your printed name (REQUIRED)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Your signature (REQUIRED)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Your mailing address (REQUIRED)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Your email address (optional)<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --></textarea>