Representative Mark Udall (D-CO) re-introduced the Western Waters and Farm Lands Protection Act, H.R. 1180, on Feb. 16, 2007 to balance oil and gas development with protections for landowners and western water resources. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Senate version of the bill, S. 1931, the Surface Owners Protection Act, on August 1, 2007.
Key provisions H.R. 1180 were subsequently included in H.R. 3221, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection. This bill did not make it through the 110th Congress, but many of these provisions may be reintroduced in Congress in 2009.
H.R. 1180 and S. 1931 would
- Safeguard precious water resources during the course of oil and gas development
- Reduce potential conflicts between the development of federally-owned oil and gas and the interests of those who own the surface
- Provide for appropriate reclamation of affected lands
Read H.R. 1180 and S. 1931
Read WORC’s fact sheet
Three members testified before the House Joint Subcommittee oversight hearing on land-use issues associated with onshore oil and gas leasing development on April 26, 2007.
- Testimony by Peggy Utesch, Western Colorado Congress & WORC
- Testimony by Steve Adami, Powder River Basin Resource Council
- Testimony by Roger Muggli, Northern Plains Resource Council
Background
- WORC Fact Sheet: Coalbed Methane Development: Boon or Bane for Rural Residents?
- Energy Impacts to Landowners
- White paper by Jack Stanford, University of Montana: Coalbed Methane in Montana: Problems and Solutions
- Information on Hydraulic Fracturing
- Information on Bonding
- WORC’s 2005 Report, Filling The Gaps: How to Improve Oil and Gas Reclamation and Reduce Taxpayer Liability
- WORC supports the Western Energy Agenda to protect water, farmers and ranchers, wildlife, and special places from the impacts
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