***** AMERICA. THIS COUNTRY REALLY NEEDS A CIVIL WAR. I HATE AMERICA AND
I HOPE ONE DAY THIS LEADS TO STATE SWAT TEAMS AND FEDERAL FORCES
CPNFRONTING EACH OTHER. ***** AMERICA. ***** YOU.
___
/
___/
\ \ /
\ \/
STATE RIGHTS MOTHERFUCKERS!
===================================================================
"It's been one year, and the Split Estates Act has not slowed down
drilling. It has not caused a huge cost burden on the producers at all.
I'm going to ask the BLM, 'Why can't you simply recognize the state's
statutes?"' Goodman said.
The federal government enjoys the right to access federally owned
minerals, and that right to access is conveyed to oil and gas companies
that lease the federal minerals.
Wyoming's Split Estates Act was intended to give surface owners more
legal powers when it comes to negotiating working agreements and
compensation with mineral developers. Colorado, New Mexico and several
other Western states have considered similar legislation.
When the BLM took the position that Wyoming's Split Estates Act did not
have authority over federal minerals, Wyoming Attorney General Patrick
Crank made it clear the state intends to defend its position that it
does.
Goodman said with the scale of future federal mineral development --
tens of thousands of wells on split-estate lands in Wyoming -- it's
essential that the BLM recognize Wyoming's Split Estates Act, which
attempts to go further in protecting the rights of surface owners.
===================================================================
State, feds differ on split estate
By DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER
Star-Tribune energy reporter Thursday, March 23, 2006
GILLETTE -- It has been nearly nine months since Wyoming's Split
Estates Act became law, yet little has happened regarding a showdown
with the Bureau of Land Management, which claims the law cannot be
applied to millions of acres of federally managed lands in Wyoming.
BLM managers will be in Casper Friday to listen to concerns regarding
split-estate issues.
Laurie Goodman, president of the Landowners Association of Wyoming,
said it's important for all citizens to attend the BLM's "listening"
sessions, because there's much at stake -- not only for surface owners,
but also for those who enjoy all the opportunities federal lands offer.
"It's been one year, and the Split Estates Act has not slowed down
drilling. It has not caused a huge cost burden on the producers at all.
I'm going to ask the BLM, 'Why can't you simply recognize the state's
statutes?"' Goodman said.
The federal government enjoys the right to access federally owned
minerals, and that right to access is conveyed to oil and gas companies
that lease the federal minerals.
That access is implicit despite the fact that somebody else might own
the surface. It is called split estate, and it's a situation that
forces landowners and mineral developers to collaborate on many
sensitive issues.
When there isn't good cooperation, or a well-defined set of laws
regarding competing interests, both public and private resources can be
lost, Goodman said.
Wyoming's Split Estates Act was intended to give surface owners more
legal powers when it comes to negotiating working agreements and
compensation with mineral developers. Colorado, New Mexico and several
other Western states have considered similar legislation.
In response, Congress directed the BLM to study the split-estate issue.
Split-estate measures under consideration by the states tend to go
further than the federal minimum standards regarding mineral
development on split estates.
When the BLM took the position that Wyoming's Split Estates Act did not
have authority over federal minerals, Wyoming Attorney General Patrick
Crank made it clear the state intends to defend its position that it
does.
But so far, there have been no legal challenge launched from either
side.
Wyoming BLM spokesman Steven Hall said he could not comment on the
BLM's position regarding Wyoming's split-estate law. However, he said
BLM representatives will try to answer any questions citizens might
have at the listening sessions.
"What we don't want to do is turn the forum into a debate," Hall said.
Hall said BLM officials will give some background about the
split-estate issue and explain the BLM's role in managing multiple
interests on federal lands.
"We're hoping we will have people come out and share their views on how
BLM and state statutes should interact and what their concerns are,"
Hall said.
Goodman said with the scale of future federal mineral development --
tens of thousands of wells on split-estate lands in Wyoming -- it's
essential that the BLM recognize Wyoming's Split Estates Act, which
attempts to go further in protecting the rights of surface owners.
.
|
