ACTION ALERT
Voices needed on Oil & Gas legislation
Next week, oil and gas development will take a front seat both at the legislature and at the Board of Minerals and Environment. Your voice is needed on two separate actions:
1. Tuesday, January 15, at 7:45 AM CT, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will look at three of the bills recommended by the summer study on oil and gas:
- HB 1001 – Require mineral developers to give notice to surface owners before entering the land.
- HB 1003 – Provide for mediation between mineral developers and surface owners in certain disputes over surface depredation and to provide for mediation of mineral fee disputes.
- HB 1006 – Revise certain provisions relating to the termination of certain mineral interests.
Dakota Rural Action feels the passage of HB 1001 and HB 1003 in particular will add protections for landowners that are absolutely necessary as South Dakota develops its oil and gas potential.
Please write to the legislators on the House committee before Tuesday morning to let them know your thoughts on these bills, and that as a member of Dakota Rural Action you feel their votes are important. You can find the members of the committee HERE.
2. On Thursday, January 17, at 10:00 AM CT, the Board of Minerals and Environment will be holding a hearing on proposed rules relating to fracking disclosure on FracFocus, and interim well-site reclamation requirements for oil and gas companies. While DRA knows there are issues with FracFocus, we do feel that some disclosure is better than none and we support the rule change. Dakota Rural Action is also strongly supportive of the rule changes regarding interim reclamation requirements. These requirements will be highly beneficial to landowners dealing with oil and gas wells on their land. You can read the proposed rules HERE.
There are several ways to get your comments on the proposed rules to the Board before Thursday. You can email Tom Tollefsrud at DENRINTERNET@state.sd.us or you can call him at (605)773-3153.
You can also participate in the meeting in Pierre and in Rapid City. If you are interested in either of these options, please let us know and DRA can help arrange transportation and get you more information about where to go. You can also participate via conference call by calling the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at (605)773-3886 to obtain the phone number. Deadline to request the phone number is 3:00 PM CT on Wednesday, January 16.
We strongly urge you to make your voices heard as the state moves forward with establishing rules and guidelines for oil and gas development. Let us know when you send in your comments, and if you receive a response so we can track our success!