The Tres Rios master leasing plan is being undertaken at the discretion of the BLM state director. This MLP is not required by any substantive or mandatory categories contemplated under BLM instructional memorandum 2010-117. In other words, there is no discernible need for this MLP. The opposition industry has pressured the BLM to undertake this MLP merely months after the record of decision on the Tres Rios resource management plan. Why? Because, for the opposition industry, enough is never enough. The goal of the opposition industry is not responsible development, but rather to stop all oil and gas development on federal lands. The MLP is merely a shiny new tool the opposition industry can employ to this end.
Assuming the Tres Rios RMP relied on adequate science and was complete in scope and process, the initiation of an MLP on top of a fresh RMP should be seen as nothing but redundant and superfluous federal government waste.
The reality of an MLP is that it will only result in additional restrictions on oil and gas. There is no scenario under which an MLP will result in additional acreage being made available for leasing and development, or where restrictions on oil and gas operations will be lessened. This one way street is not conducive to balanced public input. The opposition industry understands it is playing with house money once forcing the initiation of an MLP; at worst the status quo is maintained, and at best, additional restrictions will be put in place to restrict federal mineral development.
If local control is to be respected as a concept in the relationship between federal and local governments, then the BLM should respect the position taken by the elected Montezuma County commissioners. But, of course, the opposition industry and most federal agencies only respect the idea of local control when the locals agree with them. Go ahead and conduct an unnecessary and redundant MLP in La Plata County, but allow federal mineral resources in Montezuma County to be developed in accordance with the existing and comprehensive Tres Rios RMP.
Eric Sanford
Durango