(March 26, 2024)—Our recent report on orphaned and abandoned wells in the US highlights the grave threat they pose to irreplaceable sacred and historic sites and to cultural landscapes across the West. The Tribal engagement work I’ve been fortunate to undertake over the last decade makes clear to me that our Tribal partners are on the front lines of this issue. Impacts associated with oil-gas development—as well as the lingering, abandoned infrastructure once the resources have been depleted—fall heavily on Tribal lands, resources, and communities.
Noting the 3.4 million (per a recent EPA estimate) orphaned or abandoned wells nationwide, my report focuses primarily on two regions in the Southwest—the Greater Chaco Landscape in northwest New Mexico and the lesser-known Lands Between in southeast Utah. Both regions have hundreds of orphaned or abandoned wells, many of which were developed prior to the current environmental and cultural protection laws. This means that the reclamation work that does occur at these locations can impact cultural resources that were not previously identified.
Our friends at the San Juan Citizens Alliance have focused on this issue for several years and have released a short film highlighting the situation on the ground in Horse Canyon, a problem area in New Mexico. As the report notes, last year’s infusion of federal funds and creation of a new, long-overdue Orphaned Wells Program Office will help address this problem. In addition, the state of New Mexico is currently pursing rehabilitation and reclamation of abandoned wells in multiple locations.
Archaeology Southwest’s New Mexico program will continue to focus on this massive environmental and cultural problem and push for additional funding. Thanks for your attention and support. Email me with any questions.