New Mexico’s state land office said last week it is expanding environmental enforcement efforts to help ensure that oilfield sites are cleaned and restored as leases expire. The agency said Nov. 19 its efforts have already resulted in completed environmental reclamation at sites totaling about 11 square miles and the plugging of 9 oil wells in Eddy, Lea and Chaves counties in Permian Basin.
Stephanie Garcia Richard, commissioner, said, “I have promised a culture shift in the land office to hold industry accountable for the clean-up of state trust land. This program represents just the tip of the iceberg in what will be a long process to do just that. The protection of our land, water, air and wildlife is the primary focus of these efforts. The level of activity in the Permian Basin results in far too much abandoned infrastructure, contamination and debris.” She said majority of operators “are acting responsibly.”