| Contacts: | Adam Fetcher (DOI) | , 202-208-6416 | ||
| Donna Hummel (BLM) | , 505-954-2019 |
Secretary Salazar, BLM Director Abbey Applaud Efforts of Potash Industry Working Group During New Mexico Visit
CARLSBAD, N.M.—Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, and Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey today toured a potash mine near Carlsbad, New Mexico and met with members of the Potash/Oil and Gas Industry Working Group during a visit to learn more about the ongoing dialogue between the oil and gas industry, potash industry and the BLM to promote concurrent, orderly, and safe mineral development within the Secretary’s Potash Area (SPA). Rich in both potash and oil and gas minerals, the Secretary’s Potash Area has been at the center of a long standing dispute between the oil and gas industry and the potash industry.
The Working Group, co-chaired by a Vice President from Intrepid Potash and a Vice President from BOPCO Oil Company, is part of a comprehensive strategy to overcome decades of disagreements and ligation between the two industries. The goal of the group is to improve the relationship between the industries, to promote a healthy discussion of the issues, and provide direction towards co-development of the SPA.
“I appreciate the efforts the Working Group is making to tackle the complex issues in the SPA so that we can continue to support our nation’s agriculture and energy needs,” said Secretary Salazar. “With the two industries jointly studying the issues together, I am confident that they can reach mutually-agreeable, commonsense solutions.”
“Over the past few years, the oil and gas and potash industries have been working together to identify mutually agreeable areas for development,” said Senator Bingaman. “I look forward to continuing to work with both industries to preserve potash reserves while promoting the development of oil and gas resources in the region.”
During the meeting, the Working Group discussed issues associated with concurrent development within the SPA, including safety issues and special drilling techniques. Salazar, Bingaman, and Abbey also heard about a proposal to extract potash remaining in inactive underground mine workings through the use of solution mining methods.
“Collaboration between the BLM and leading stakeholders is the key to resolving potash-related issues,” said BLM Director Abbey. “I commend the Working Group for doing its utmost to find common ground for the common good.”
The SPA currently produces 75% of the nation’s potash and is home to almost 800 federal oil and gas leases. Potash is a trade name for potassium bearing minerals used for fertilizer.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.