Commissioners Take On Otero Mesa Drilling Debate

By ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Stephanie Valle

EL PASO, Texas – County Commissioners follow the lead of the city, as well as a few counties in New Mexico, in supporting an effort to draw up legislation that would stop oil drilling on the Otero Mesa. The mesa is in New Mexico, but lies 40 miles northeast of El Paso, beyond Fort Bliss.

The Southwest Environmental Center gave a presentation to the county court during the Monday morning meeting. While a slideshow of the mesa flashed on a screen, SEC representative Kevin Bixby told commissioners if the federal government approved an application to open about 1 million acres to drilling, it would destroy the plant and animal life, permanently scar the land, disturb ancient archaeological sites, and most importantly, possibly taint the Salt Basin Aquifer. Bixby said the aquifer, though not yet tapped, is a potential water source for El Paso and the surrounding areas.

“The water factor is reason alone to pass this resolution,” County Judge Anthony Cobos mused aloud.

Commissioner Dan Haggerty’s skepticism showed as he cited the nation’s growing gasoline crisis as reason to leave the option open to drill on the grassland.

“A study shows there is only two weeks of natural gas available from the Otero Mesa,” Bixby claimed.

Commissioner Veronica Escobar agreed, adding, “The government should be thinking of alternative methods instead.”

Commissioner Haggerty also questioned why the Southwest Environmental Center would not ask Otero County itself if it would support this resolution. Bixby confirmed his group has asked Dona Ana and Sierra Counties, but not Otero.

He mentioned New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has shown adamant support for the resolution. Only Commissioner Haggerty refused to sign it.