Commissioners: I ask that you extend the current moratorium on oil and gas exploration, drilling, and extraction within San Miguel County until the fall of 2014.
We need to wait until the EPA study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") on drinking water resources has been completed, is publicly available, and can be reviewed.
Why is this important?
The current moratorium on oil and gas exploration, drilling and extraction within San Miguel County will expire on February 13, 2013 (UPDATE: The vote was pushed to March 12). The moratorium must be extended until the fall of 2014.
In 2011 Congress has tasked the EPA to conduct a study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") on drinking water resources. This study is scheduled to be completed and available during the first half of 2014.
Given the drought conditions in San Miguel County and New Mexico in general and the potential risks from fracking to our limited sources of fresh water that are vital for residential and agricultural use, the current moratorium on oil and gas exploration, drilling and extraction within San Miguel County must be extended until the fall of 2014.
