A WIN FOR IDAHO CITIZENS: On 4-23-19, the ID Oil & Gas Conservation Commission officially agreed to fed. Judge Winmill’s order to begin again with forced pooling (‘integration’) of Fruitland citizens in a 610-acre area (in Sections 9, 10, 15, & 16). This includes a requirement for landmen to garner new leases (or refusals) from all mineral rights holders in this segment… and for the IOGCC to settle on what criteria are to be used for determining whether the forced pooling is ‘just and reasonable’.
A NEW FORCED-POOLING APPLICATION EXPECTED: On 10/26/2020, a second ‘Barlow’ well was permitted for Sec. 14 in Fruitland. Now up for determination is whether a different company (SROG) can use another company’s ‘integration’ order for this same section – ! A hearing has been rescheduled for 3/9/2021 at 1:00pm to determine this issue. (Whenever an integration application itself is ‘heard’, it will be the first test of what usurpation of private rights the State calls ‘just and reasonable’.)
BE AWARE: ‘Snake River Oil & Gas’ (SROG) is the current entity figuring in the oil&gas news in Idaho. (‘High Mesa Resources’, ‘AM Idaho’, ‘Alta Mesa’, and ‘Bridge Energy’ have also been players – all sharing at least some personnel/investors.)
Citizens Allied for Integrity and Accountability is an all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 organization composed of interested people from all walks of life who are advocates for protecting public health and safety, property rights and natural resources for present and future generations of Idahoans.
STATE LEVEL:
> Educating public officials & the public about the threats to property and constitutional rights, public health and safety presented by SB 1339
> Participation in Idaho Dept. of Lands negotiated rulemaking sessions related to the State’s Oil & Gas Program
> Contesting of the State’s ‘integration’ (forced pooling) of homeowners in Fruitland
COUNTY LEVEL:
> Working to get truly protective oil & gas ordinance passed in affected Idaho counties
> Led the effort to establish baseline water testing in Gem County prior to drilling
> Hosting public educational forums about the community, administrative, and personal effects of gas & oil leasing and activities
CITY LEVEL:
> Encouraging Idaho cities likely to be affected by oil & gas development to enact protective ordinances – including successful efforts to pass trailblazing ordinances in the cities of Fruitland & Eagle
> Discussions with city officials about the civic impacts of the gas & oil industry
> Presentations to Eagle City Council on the advent of oil & gas development in Ada County and the rest of Idaho (see >video< of special 10/2015 meeting granted to CAIA)