A New Mexico-based oil company has shortchanged the
government a possible $22 million a year in lost taxes and
royalties. Meridian Oil Inc., the country's largest independent oil
company with 1,073 public-land leases in the San Juan Basin, has
consistently under-reported production amounts since 1989,
according to a Bureau of Land Management investigation. Two years
ago, federal inspectors noted "continued submission of false and
inaccurate production reports," and forwarded the evidence to the
U.S. Attorney's office in Albuquerque, N.M. The office declined to
pursue the case, claiming it could not prove criminal intent. But
it recommended that the Bureau of Land Management refer the case to
the courts for civil or administrative action. The BLM, however,
failed to take action and removed the $22 million annual loss
figure from its final investigative report in June 1993, according
to a Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group, Public Employees for
Environmental Responsibility. Peer and other critics say the case
points up the need for agency monitoring of oil production. Now,
lease-holders do their own reporting. The agency occasionally
checks the figures, but "the BLM is unable to verify what the
companies are producing," says Reed Smith, a former BLM deputy
state director for New Mexico. The BLM says it isn't ignoring the
Meridian Oil case and Inspector General David Williams, of the
Interior Department, says his office is still investigating. "We're
expecting developments in the relatively near future."
SPRING MOUNTAINS SOLAR OFF GRID MOUNTAIN HOME
Located 50 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada in the pine forest of Lee Canyon at 8000 feet elevation. One of a kind property surrounded...
WATER PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Based in home office within Arizona, with travel to Phoenix 2-3 times/month (TNC office space may be available if located in Phoenix or Tucson area)....
FOREST PROGRAM DIRECTOR, 51721
The Forest Program Director oversees aspects of protection, science, stewardship and community relations for the Arizona business unit. Provides scientific leadership and support for TNC's...
SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION ADVOCATE
WildEarth Guardians is seeking a full-time advocate in our Wild Places Program to advance a new paradigm of forest management and protection based on the...
WYOMING CONSERVATION COORDINATOR
The Wyoming Conservation Coordinator (WCC) is a senior-level position that provides strategic leadership for GYC's efforts to protect lands, waters, and wildlife within the Wyoming...
NEW AGRARIAN PROGRAM SOUTHWEST COORDINATOR
The New Agrarian Program Southwest Coordinator is responsible, in partnership with the NAP Director and Colorado Manager, for implementation of Quivira's apprenticeship program in New...
NEW AGRARIAN PROGRAM ALUMNI AND OUTREACH MANAGER
The New Agrarian Alumni & Outreach Manager is a passionate community builder who enjoys identifying opportunities to develop new programming, supporting beginning agrarians and land...
ANIMAS RIVERKEEPER
San Juan Citizens Alliance seeks a passionate, experienced, and motivated Animas Riverkeeper to lead campaigns to protect water quality and flows in the Animas River...
PATAGONIA SONOITA-CREEK PRESERVE MANAGER
The Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve Manager performs and participates in preserve operations including the maintenance, management, development and coordination of conservation programs. On-site housing provided...
VERDE RIVER PROJECTS TECHNICIAN
The Verde River Projects Technician (VRPT) provides technical assistance to Verde River Program staff in implementation of the Verde River Streamflow Monitoring Protocol. This consists...
HEALTHY CITIES PROGRAM MANAGER
The Healthy Cities Program Manager works directly with the business unit's Healthy Cities Program Director to advance the Healthy Cities Program's long-term vision and innovative,...
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote stewardship of our public lands by engaging our community in education,...
NATURE'S BEST IN ARAVAIPA CANYON
10 acre private oasis in one of Arizona's beautiful canyons. Fully furnished, 2123 sq ft architectural custom-built contemporary home with spectacular views and many extras....