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State Conservation and Texas Commission agree in MOU pact

The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) have put pen to paper, crossed the “T”s, dotted the “I”s and signed a pact that serves to protect its resources against at least one type of environmental hazard.

In Louisiana, it is the DNR Office of Conservation that protects underground sources of drinking water from endangerment by subsurface injection and disposal operations as it relates to oil and gas activities. The RRC serves as the agency with similar duties and authority within the state of Texas. By working together as good neighbors and by notifying one another of proposed projects or subsurface injection operations within at least a one mile distance from the common border, the potential for problems affecting the land and water supplies would be diminished.

DNR Commissioner of Conservation Jim Welsh said today that both agencies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to provide written notice to each other when certain oil and gas activities will occur near each side of the state line. Both states also agreed that a 15-day prior notice of approved projects would be helpful in case the activity could have an adverse impact on the other side of the boundary line. In addition, each state would have time to make necessary assessments and/or objections before the start of a project.

DNR Secretary Scott Angelle said the path to signing the pact was guided by La. State Senator Max Malone of Shreveport, who serves as chairman of the Natural Resources committee of the legislature. With Malone’s leadership the idea was introduced last session and consequently a concurrent resolution passed requesting the Conservation office to establish an agreement. Sen. Malone also requested that the bordering states of Mississippi and Arkansas be considered in a MOU with Louisiana. Commissioner Welsh said he is working with those states at the present time to pursue a “timely notice” agreement like the Texas MOU.