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Sierra Club Joins With New Mexico Ranchers to Fight Oil and Gas Pollution
Case Updates:
October 21, 2004
Joining with several ranching families, the Sierra Club announced today that it plans to take legal action against several oil companies for causing pollution and endangering wildlife on public lands in northern New Mexico. The Club served notices of suit on three large corporations: Houston-based Burlington Resources and Peoples Energy, and BP America, asserting that the companies have violated federal environmental laws with a pattern of unlawful waste handling and disposal practices. These practices include such problems as: the chronic and widespread spillage of waste materials; failing to secure waste materials and leaving them accessible to humans, livestock and wildlife; and disposing of waste in a manner that destroys vegetation and renders the soil sterile. The Sierra Club was compelled to bring this action because the Bush administration is not enforcing the law, and has instead turned a blind eye to rampant noncompliance by the industry. Strict enforcement of the law is paramount in light of the aggressive expansion of new gas drilling operations in the San Juan Basin.
Details and Documents:
Ranchers, Sierra Club Put Oil and Gas Polluters on Notice (23k PDF)
October 21, 2004 Sierra Club Press Relase
Notices of Intent to Sue
To People's Energy Corporation (152k PDF)
To BP America (155k PDF)
To Burlington Resources (163k PDF)
More Info:
See other "Promoting Resilient Habitats" cases.