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Santa Fe County’s proposed new oil and gas drilling ordinance will prohibit any drilling and exploratory activities that have the potential to disturb or destroy historic artifacts.  The ordinance will require extensive archaeological surveys be submitted to both the Federal and State government as part of any permit application.  In a letter to Santa Fe County Commissioners, Sen. Jeff Bingaman and Rep. Tom Udall ask the Commission to “delay issuing leases for any activities, such as exploration or drilling, that have the clear potential to permanently disturb or destroy irreplaceable artifacts.”   The revised ordinance is being reviewed to ensure compliance with the Congressional request.

“The new ordinance will provide the maximum safeguards permitted by State law” said County Commissioner Chairman Jack Sullivan, “No permit will be granted without the collaboration of both State and Federal regulatory agencies ensuring that no culturally or archaeologically significant areas will be disturbed.”  County officials are forwarding the letter from the Congressional Delegation to the local State Legislative Delegation and the State’s oil and gas drilling regulatory agency, the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) for appropriate action at the State level.