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After repeated requests from tribal governments and New Mexico's congressional delegation, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt finally agreed to extend the comment period on a land management plan that could allow more drilling surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Northwestern New Mexico, where the management plan under consideration is located, has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Navajo Nation having the highest per capita rate of COVID-19 in the U.S. The region also has low rates of broadband internet access, making it even more challenging for people to participate in the virtual public hearing process.
While Bernhardt finally listened to their repeated requests, tribal and state leaders have been asking since March for a comment period extension. “After spending the pandemic pushing through environmental rollbacks and slashing royalties for oil and gas companies, Secretary Bernhardt is trying to repair his image,” said Jesse Prentice-Dunn, policy director with the Center for Western Priorities. “It shouldn’t take weeks of outrage from tribal nations and members of Congress for Bernhardt to do the right thing at the eleventh hour.”
BLM bypassed normal processes to help oil and gas companies
Emails obtained by High Country News show that the BLM instructed state offices to encourage drilling on public land despite the global oil glut, and to allow companies to apply for lease suspension and royalty reductions. “The guidance was written at the highest levels of the BLM Washington Office (or DOI) without consultation from the usual BLM experts,” a BLM employee wrote to High Country News. “The guidance was not reviewed internally by BLM personnel who would be implementing it and was definitely not checked to make sure it conforms to regulation.” The national BLM also directed state offices to let oil and gas operators set their own royalty rates, suggesting 0.5% rather than the standard rate of 12.5%, drastically cutting much-needed revenue for states.
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People all across the nation are eager to get back outdoors to experience nature, and in this uncertain time, it is the reprieve and little bit of normalcy that many of us need. When each person acts in a responsible way, it helps ensure we are able to promote safety and are able to continue welcoming people to our public lands.”
