LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued a letter to the director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Neil Kornze voicing concerns over proposed rules for onshore oil and gas operations.
Rutledge’s letter states that the new BLM rules violate the state’s rights to control their own lands under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920. The letter also shows concern that state entities were not contacted to advise of potential impacts in the state when the policies were being considered.
“Federal law allows Arkansas to issue drilling permits on non-federal lands,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “The BLM is attempting to go beyond the intent of this law and overtake the state’s authority to control its own land without any appropriate consultation. I urge the BLM to revise this rule and work with the states to do so. If the BLM does not narrow the scope of the rule, I am prepared to take appropriate legal action.”