AZL General Discussion, page-11042

The amount of anger exhibited here is understandable, given that the Hualapai and their 21 tribal allies have been winning for the last 13 months. While you’re attacking the messenger, save a few words for the hydrologist report that is attached to the tribe’s comments:

“The pattern of drillholes for the proposed Phase 3 exploration program straddles the fault in the area immediately to the north and south of Cofer Hot Spring (Figure 2). Drillholes that intersect this fault, or ancillary geologic structures related to this fault, may create new conduits for artesian flow from the confined aquifer, which may result in artesian flow from drillholes. In particular, the collar elevations for proposed drillholes to the south of Cofer Hot Spring in the Bitter Creek area will be 30 to 50 feet lower than the outlet of Cofer Hot Spring. This could result in impacts to flow at Cofer Hot Spring should uncontrolled artesian flow occur from drillholes. From review of the EA, it does not appear that the BLM/Big Sandy Inc. project team has considered these potential hydrogeologic impacts.”

It’s true that Phase 1 and 2 drilling was nearly as close to the springs as some of the holes in the current proposal, but AZL was sneaky enough to use the exception for small projects that did not require notice to the neighbors. It is not the job of BLM to hire its own hydrologist to analyze the report submitted by the Hualapai. Management has not publicly denied that it has been asked to provide its own hydrologist report. If BLM approval comes after the November election, the lawsuit that follows will come down to expert witnesses on both sides, postulating on what may or may not happen to the Hualapai-owned springs if drilling occurs. That issue won’t be nearly as complicated as the litigation in Nevada.

It may be the law in Australia that you can drill wells next to your neighbor that cuts off his water supply, and the law has no remedy. Doesn’t work that way in the Land of the Free and Home of the Braves.