Contacts:

Save Our Sugarite, info@saveoursugarite.org

SAVE OUR SUGARITE SETS STAGE FOR NEXT ROUND OF CITIZEN ACTION TO PROTECT WATERSHED

August 6, 2007

Raton, N.M. -- Save Our Sugarite has initiated contact with state officials and has scheduled another public forum to expand the campaign to protect Raton’s watershed from gas drilling, according to one leader of the citizens’ group.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Thursday Aug. 23 in the International Room of the International Bank.

SOS has also incorporated as a nonprofit organization, created a website saveoursugarite.org, and explored seeking special protective designation for the watershed, according to John Davidson who was recently elected president of the group.

During the first public forum sponsored by SOS on July 5, about 48 area residents attended to learn about the drilling proposal. TDC Engineering of Abilene, Texas plans to put five test wells for coalbed methane gas in the Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area in Colorado -- just across the state line from Sugarite Canyon State Park.

CBM drilling can allegedly affect water quality and quantity, impact fish and wildlife, cause erosion, spread noxious weeds, and create air, noise and light pollution.

The July 5 meeting participants filled out questionnaires about their concerns and their willingness to participate. SOS leaders have been working out possible strategies since the meeting, with the goal of involving citizens in the most effective manner, Davidson said.

“We are in an intensive information-gathering stage, including initiating conversations with several state officials,” said Davidson, a retired lawyer and director of the stress-management center HeartWorks in Raton.

He said the drilling issue is complicated and group leaders have been exploring a variety of options with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and staff for the Interstate Stream Commission.

Raton owns the surface rights of the town’s watershed, which straddles the Colorado-New Mexico state line. The Colorado land is managed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife as the Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area. The New Mexico side is managed by N.M. State Parks as Sugarite Canyon State Park. At the July 5 meeting, N.M. State Parks director Dave Simon has said drilling would threaten the “biological heart” of the wild area and said the effort should be “stopped cold.“

TDC wants to drive its vehicles through Sugarite to reach Colorado, then build a road about 4 miles long across the Lake Dorothey area to reach the drill site. Hikers have reported finding flagging along the length of the proposed road.

Raton Waterworks director Dan Campbell has said the city is unable to stop the drilling because Raton does not possess the mineral rights -- which are held by Denver-based Newmont Mining and partially leased by TDC.

Raton has hired lawyer Lance Astrella of Denver to represent the city in negotiations with TDC. Campbell said Raton is negotiating to “minimize impact” and “ensure that the action taken does not harm the water supply.”