In Support of Enforcing the PIT Rule by protecting our NM Environment

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens is this nation’s oldest and largest Latino organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 17, 1929; and

WHEREAS, LULAC throughout its history has committed itself to the principles that Latinos have equal access to opportunities in employment, education, housing and healthcare; and

WHEREAS, LULAC believes New Mexico took great steps toward the protection of its citizens, water, and land resources when the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) passed the Pit Rules in 2008; and

WHEREAS, LULAC knows that oil & gas operators before the Pit Rule passed dumped waste directly on the ground in makeshift pits leaving toxic pollutants to seep into our irreplaceable water supply. In 2008 more than 400 self-reported cases of water contamination were caused by these pits; and

WHEREAS, LULAC believes a good process was used by OCD to come up with the adopted Pit Rule after several months of input from the citizens. OCD held 19 days of hearings with industry experts, community members, environmental advocates, and stakeholder companies. The resulting rule addressed the concerns of all these groups; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Mexico LULAC urge all New Mexico state officials elected or appointed to protect all the citizens of New Mexico by maintaining a strong Pit Rule; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to all persons having the authority to keep or modify the Pit Rule.

Approved this 1st day of July 2011.

Margaret Moran
LULAC National President