HOUSE CONSUMER AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE MEMORIAL 33

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, THE NEW MEXICO ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER AND THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AND STRENGTHENING REQUIREMENTS FOR CAPPING ABANDONED WELLS ON PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY.

     WHEREAS, many uncapped, abandoned wells are located throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, abandoned wells on private and public property create a potential safety risk; and

     WHEREAS, currently, there are insufficient laws requiring landowners to cap abandoned wells on private or public property; and

     WHEREAS, many abandoned water wells were constructed before water basins were declared and regulations were implemented to require registration of wells with the state; and

     WHEREAS, a tragic death occurred in Carlsbad when a child wandered onto private property, fell into an open, abandoned well and died; and

     WHEREAS, identification of abandoned well sites on private and public property and requirements for capping those wells are crucial to prevent similar tragedies in the future;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties, the office of the state engineer and the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to study the feasibility of establishing and strengthening requirements for capping abandoned wells, including both water wells and oil and gas wells, on private and public property; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties, the office of the state engineer and the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to make a presentation to the appropriate interim legislative committee regarding the findings from the study by November 1, 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties, the office of the state engineer and the energy, minerals and natural resources department.

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