On December 15, the New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard "announced plans to halt the practice of commercial sale of fresh water from state trust lands for oil and gas development. This shift in policy will better ensure the long-term stewardship of state trust lands and natural resources."
Read Richard's letter here: https://www.nmstatelands.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12.15.2020-Grantee-Letter.pdf
and the accompanying Press Release here: https://www.nmstatelands.org/2020/12/15/state-land-office-halting-commercial-sale-of-fresh-water-for-oil-and-gas/
<o:p></o:p>
According to the release, "The Commissioner sent the letter to companies that hold easements that grant access to state trust land to pump fresh water for sale to the oil and gas industry. The letter articulates, 'No new easements will be issued for the sale of water for use in oil and gas, and existing easements will be not be renewed once they expire.'"
You may also read the Commissioner's policy guide effectuating this change, ENCOURAGING REUSE/RECYCLING OF WATER FOR OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT, also released on December 15, 2020, here: https://www.nmstatelands.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12.15.2020-Fresh-Water-Policy.pdf
Source: New Mexico State Land Office
https://www.nmstatelands.org/
December 15, 2020
------------------------------
Russell Cohen
AAPL Governmental Affairs
rcohen@landman.org------------------------------