More than a year later, on September 27, 2006, the US District Court for the State of New Mexico recognized the importance of protecting Otero Mesa. The court’s decision validated arguments made by the State of New Mexico and conservation groups that the BLM must thoroughly analyze the impacts of oil and gas development prior to leasing. However, the Coalition for Otero Mesa will appeal the court’s decision because its requirement for thorough environmental analysis is piecemeal—applying to individual parcels up for lease—rather than landscape-wide. Furthermore, the court’s decision relies heavily on the hope that the BLM will do the right thing and protect Otero Mesa. But as shown in a recent report issued by the Coalition for Otero Mesa Coalition, Hollow Promises in Our Land of Enchantment: Why the Bureau of Land Management Can't Be Trusted to Protect Otero Mesa, the BLM’s track record suggests otherwise. You can read the full report at www.oteromesa.org.

In a statement, Governor. Bill Richardson, said: “Make no mistake; we will continue to fight to protect Otero Mesa.” Before proceeding, though, he said he would confer with Attorney General Patricia Madrid on whether to continue to challenge the BLM in court or “to fight to protect Otero Mesa through other avenues.”

Since the filing of the State’s lawsuit, former Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton received in excess of 50,000 letters, facsimiles, and/or emails from people throughout the United States, regarding the protection of Otero Mesa from oil and gas development. These letters of support back the State of New Mexico and Governor Richardson’s position that the most fragile and sensitive areas of Otero Mesa be protected for present and future generations to enjoy.

It is a well-known fact that America heavily relies on oil and gas resources to heat our homes, drive our cars, and even make products like plastic milk cartons. However, it is not widely known that the United States possesses only 3% of the world’s total oil reserves (reserves meaning a resource still under ground that has yet to be produced), as stated by the governmental agency Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA also attests that approximately 60% of America’s oil is imported from foreign countries, including many Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia (www.eia.gov). With this equation in mind, it soon becomes apparent that the United States can never drill its way to energy independence, no matter how many holes we drive into the ground. Yet, the Bush administration has made domestic oil and gas production one of its top priorities during the past six years, including targeting National Monuments, National Forests and other public lands, mainly in the West, for oil and gas development.

The debate over whether to drill in New Mexico’s Otero Mesa has reached a point where local authorities, and the citizens of the State have made clear that they want to see this natural treasure protected. Yet, the powers in Washington, D.C. have consistently ignored these wishes, and continued to move ahead with an unbalanced plan that could irrevocably decimate this wild desert grassland and its fresh water resource. After a thorough analysis and understanding of the agencies plan, the Bureau of Land Management’s proposal for drilling in Otero Mesa is absolutely erroneous, consequently shortsighted, and heavily influenced by the Bush Administration’s perpetual lust for oil and gas resources. This type of reckless policy is completely out-of-touch with New Mexico’s quality of life and extreme measures must be taken to stop it.

One major problem with the BLM’s proposed plan for Otero Mesa, is their claim that the area can be drilled in an environmentally sound manner, and that restoration practices can and will ensure that the area’s wildlife continues to thrive. The large array of wildlife that Otero Mesa is able to nourish is due in large part to the expansive black grama grasslands. Grassland expert, Professor Walter G. Whitford notes that the soils, which support the black grama grasses, are remarkably shallow and as a result are particularly sensitive to any type of activity that would alter its composition. Whitford also points out that introducing oil and gas development in Otero Mesa would require hundreds of miles of new roads, pipelines, well pads, and waste pits, all of which would act as extremely large fetches for wind and water erosion. In addition, the cumulative impacts of development would cause “a greater risk of degradation and fragmentation of Otero Mesa.” Yet, with these facts affirmed, the BLM, led by State Director Linda Rundell, still continues to claim that oil and gas development in Otero Mesa can occur in an environmentally sound manner. This statement is utterly baseless, and over the course of five years, the BLM is still of yet to offer any proof to back up their claims. Professor Whitford confirms, “cleared well pads should be considered as irreparable clearings within the grasslands.” Furthermore, because of the unique species of grasses in Otero Mesa it is nearly impossible for the BLM to find “commercially available seed” to restore the disturbed areas. Even if BLM used a more common grass seed, such as tussock, this type of seed is almost entirely absent from Otero Mesa and thus should be considered an exotic species. Therefore, the BLM’s reasoning that oil and gas development will not harm the fragile black grama grasslands and that restoration of this unique ecosystem can in fact be accomplished is utterly flawed. Furthermore, neither the draft plan nor final proposal, by the BLM explained how they would “restore” the disturbed areas. Apparently, the public and Otero Mesa are supposed to rely on the BLM’s word and the track record of the oil and gas industry.

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