Uneven changes to the surface can lead to damage to oil and gas wells and pipelines, causing leaks that contaminate water, air, and soil.
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Permian Basin oil and gas activity is increasing geological hazards
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Thursday, August 31, 2023
Oil and gas activity in the Permian Basin in New Mexico, EcoFlight via Flickr ([link removed])
A new report ([link removed]) has found that oil and gas activity in the Permian Basin is deforming the landscape ([link removed]) and increasing the risks to infrastructure. Using satellite data and remote sensing, the researchers found ground subsidence of an average of 3-4 centimeters per year across the Permian Basin, with some areas experiencing more dramatic subsidence and still other areas where the ground is uplifting, which the researchers compared to the way in which land rebounds when glaciers retreat from it.
The study points out that the area's geology is fairly stable, indicating that these changes to the landscape are not due to natural geological phenomena, but rather to oil and gas extraction. The study also found that some of the subsidence was due to potash mining, which caused subsidence of around 100 centimeters per year during a time period when potash was in high demand and there was an increase in potash mining in areas of New Mexico.
The study authors warn ([link removed]) that this landscape disturbance has "contributed to the alarming increase in geohazards, sometimes permanently altering the local ecosystem, and is a growing concern for communities and policymakers worldwide." Uneven changes to the surface can lead to damage to oil and gas wells and pipelines, causing leaks that contaminate water, air, and soil. Residential and commercial structures in communities across the Permian Basin have also been damaged ([link removed]) . New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard expressed alarm
([link removed]) at the findings, calling the impact of oil and gas activity on the land "kind of a scary thing to contemplate."
** Quick hits
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The long tail of toxic emissions on the Navajo Nation
High Country News ([link removed])
'War Against the Children': New research reveals more boarding schools that forced Indigenous children to assimilate
New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])
DIA caps all oil and gas wells on airport property
Denver Post ([link removed])
Fossil fuel advocates revive ballot measure to prohibit local gas bans in Colorado
CPR News ([link removed])
ExxonMobil report predicts continued reliance on oil and gas
Grist ([link removed])
Federal judge: Forest Service's Red Lodge logging project still doesn't pass muster
Daily Montanan ([link removed])
Federal appeals court blocks gold mining exploration in Inyo National Forest
Salon ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Rio Grande likely to run dry through Albuquerque
KOAT ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” We exist to make money for public schools. But if the activities that we’re doing on the lands are putting New Mexicans in harm’s way, then our work is meaningless.”
—Stephanie Garcia Richard, New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands, NM Political Report ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@yosemitenps ([link removed])
“Half Dome was perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of all the prominent points about Yosemite which has never been and will never be trodden by human foot.”- Josiah Whitney, California State Geologist, 1869.
Over 150 years after Whitney made this claim, we see Half Dome permits issued to about 300 people a day, who wish to trod this iconic peak, aided by cables first installed in 1919. Witnessing hikers on the cable section of Half Dome is a true testimony to the human spirit. Among tears, frustration, determination and joy, fears are faced head on and words of encouragement are exchanged: “You’re past the hardest part”, “Just put one foot in front of the other”, “Take a minute to just breathe”.
A bucket list activity for many, you must come prepared; a permit, grippy footwear and plenty of water are necessities. Many summiters also bring gloves, to protect their hands and better grip the cables. Rangers stationed at the Half Dome checkpoint ask visitors not to leave gloves at the base of the cables. While some leave theirs behind, thinking they’re helping other visitors, the mountain of gloves either rot, due to exposure to the elements, or get blown off of Subdome, becoming trash in the wilderness. After listening to rangers, recent visitor, A.J. Haeffner decided to pack out a full backpack of gloves from Half Dome and hiked them down to the valley. We commend A.J. not only for climbing Half Dome, but for recreating with a stewardship mindset that we hope to foster in all of our visitors.
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