United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
New Mexico State Office
1474 Rodeo Road
P.O. Box 27115
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502-0115
www.nm.blm.gov
In Reply Refer To:

9213 (93000) N
4000
3160
July 25, 2003
EMS Transmission - 7/25/03
Instruction Memorandum NM-2003-056
Expires: 09/30/2004
To:

FM’s

From:

Deputy State Director, Resource Planning, Use, and Protection

Subject: Oil and Gas Activity Coordination with Grazing Permittee/Lessees
Program Areas
Oil and Gas Program and Range Management Program.
Purpose
The BLM New Mexico has committed to improve our communication with grazing
permittees/lessees regarding oil and gas development on public lands. The IM establishes
procedures for Field Offices to follow to ensure alignment among offices regarding notification
and participation of livestock grazing permittees/lessees about oil and gas activities on public
lands. This effort is part of our overall commitment to employ the Secretary’s Four C’s
(communication, consultation, and cooperation to accomplish conservation) with the various
public land users, while seeking a balance in multiple resource use, development, and
conservation.
Background
In the past, Field Offices routinely provided surface owners overlying Federal mineral leases the
opportunity to participate in the predrill visit to an oil and gas well location. We have not always
offered the same opportunity to the grazing permittees/lessees.

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Improved coordination and integration of the grazing permittee/lessee operations with oil and gas
activity would follow the public land management prescriptions outlined by the Secretary’s Four
C’s. The Secretary of the Interior has established the Four C’s as the central core of the
Department’s mission. Our mission in the BLM is to sustain the health, diversity, and
productivity of the public lands (productive harmony) for the use and enjoyment of present and
future generations. As we manage the public lands, we should look for opportunities to build
new partnerships between our agency and public land users.
The workload faced by the Field Offices has grown in complexity as greater demands are placed
on the public lands. We have to be particularly sensitive to the impacts of our decisions on local
communities and the people who make a living on the land as we develop policy. We would like
to enhance the relationships already built with the local public land users, especially as we
balance the development of widespread oil and gas resources in regard to the existing grazing
permittee/lessee operations.
Policy/Actions
We are establishing the following as beginning steps in meeting the Department’s objectives. Oil
and gas Applications for Permit to Drill (APD), Plans of Development, unitization, and field
development proposals signal the oil and gas lessee’s intention to develop their resource. Once
notified of an operator’s intent to develop based on geological reservoir characteristics, well
spacing and setbacks, including operational needs, the BLM’s responsibility is to ensure timely
analysis and authorization using the best available data.
During the BLM review of these applications and proposals, the BLM conducts its analysis to
determine whether the proposed location is sound both from a technical and environmental
standpoint. It is important that the BLM utilize the most recent data regarding impacts to public
land resources, including notification and coordination with existing grazing operations that
depend on public lands. Onsite schedules and authorizations of permits must remain on schedule
as prescribed by the Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number One.
1. During the APD permitting process, prior to the onsite predrill meeting, it is the
responsibility of the Field Office Manager to ensure timely notification by telephone, if possible,
to the affected grazing permittee/lessee. If it is not possible to reach the permittee/lessee by
telephone, a notice should be mailed by the most rapid means possible.
The intent is to inform the permittee/lessee of the proposed well location; extent of surface
disturbance; the duration of the drilling operation in a sufficient manner to receive meaningful
input; and especially if they are unable to participate at the onsite, alerts the permittee/lessee of
the availability of the analysis if they choose to comment. The permittee should be notified to
improve cooperation between competing surface uses in oil and gas areas. The BLM encourages
participation in face-to-face dialog at the onsite for better communication of ideas and overall
understanding.

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2. Final reclamation approval and inspection of oil and gas drill pads and facility sites will not be
made without at least notifying the specific grazing permittee/lessee. The Field Office will
enforce the prescribed Conditions of Approval for the well site; and the Authorized Officer,
determines when final reclamation has been satisfied.
Budget Implications
Budget impacts should not be significant, but the Field Office staff should realize a heightened
awareness of providing customer service to our grazing permittee/lessee stakeholders.
Coordination
If you have any questions regarding implementation of this IM, please contact Carsten Goff,
Deputy State Director, at (505) 438-7488, or Bob Alexander at (505) 438-7428, or Steve Wells at
(505) 438-7438 from the Resource staff.

Signed by:
Carsten F. Goff

Distribution
WO (220), LS, Rm. 314 - 1
WO (310), LS, Rm. 501 - 1
NM (930, R. Alexander) - 1
NM (930, S. Wells) - 1

Authenticated by:
Marcy Romero
Staff Assistant