The NM Oil Conservation District has begun to strengthen rules that protect the environment across the state. OCD has been fighting litigation by the oil industry over rule changes in First Judicial Court and the New Mexico Supreme Court. A draft of the new Santa Fe County oil and gas ordinance was made public in
October 2008 (www.santafecounty.org/oilandgas). When the planning process is over, there will be no land in the county where oil and gas drilling will be an
automatic right. The NM Oil and Gas Association reportedly plans a court challenge against SF County over whether the local government has the authority to impose a moratorium on drilling. A Tecton spokesman has said that he expects the US Supreme Court to have to rule on the issue. After the County ordinance was made public, there were indications that Tecton is looking to sell its lease in the area.

In the wake of the proposed drilling in the Galisteo Basin, the Santa Fe City Council has directed the city attorney to write an ordinance to regulate oil and gas “exploration and exploitation” within the city boundaries in conjunction with rules being drafted by the county. The measure also calls for staff to determine the ownership of mineral rights beneath all city-owned property.