What:
”BY THE CADDO PARISH COMMISSION: A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CADDO PARISH ADMINISTRATOR TO REQUEST AND AUTHORIZE THE LOUISIANA STATE MINERAL AND ENERGY BOARD AND THE OFFICE OF MINERAL RESOURCES TO ACCEPT NOMINATIONS AND ADVERTISE FOR OIL, GAS AND MINERAL LEASES, ACCEPT BIDS, AND AWARD AND EXECUTE OIL, GAS AND MINERAL LEASES ON CERTAIN MINERAL INTERESTS OWNED BY THE PARISH OF CADDO, AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.”
Commonly Asked Questions
“Can the Parish and/or City prohibit drilling at these sites?”
The exclusive authority to grant any and all oil and gas drilling permits is the State of Louisiana’s Department of Natural Resources. Through this agency, the State issues drilling permits that control the surface location, where drilling will take place underground, technical drilling requirements and other specifications related to drilling. The Parish does not have the authority to regulate these drilling activities.
The Parish’s authority regarding oil or gas wells outside of the City limits only relates to impacts of oil or gas well operations on adjacent property such as fencing, screening, noise, dust, lighting, etc.
“Will Resolution 51 create a drill site on Parish property?”
No. The Parish property that is being leased in this resolution has a “no drill clause” that prevents any surface drilling from occurring.
“If the Commission does not pass Resolution 51, will this stop the well from being drilled?”
No. Since the Parish has not authority to prohibit drilling, the drilling would proceed if a permit was granted by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
The Parish only owns 43.7 acres of the total 3,840 acres that is available to be leased. If the well is drilled and the Parish does not enter into a lease agreement, the Parish would not receive any payments for leasing or any royalty payments should the well produce.
“Is drilling through potable water sources, like Cross Lake and others safe?”
Many precautions are taken when drilling through a potable water source.
Unfortunately, the Parish does not have the authority to determine the safety standards or precautions for drilling, as it is it exclusively controlled by the State’s Department of Natural Resources.
The main potable water source in Caddo Parish is the Carrizo Wilcox aquifer, which is located over 200 feet below the surface.
“How can the public become involved in voicing their concerns about drilling permits?”
Per the Louisiana Administrative Code, the Department of Natural Resources notifies municipal and parish governments, the local district Office of Conservation, property owners, mineral owners, and other parties within the drilling unit and within a mile radius surrounding the drilling unit by mail.
While the general public may not be specifically notified, the public is not prohibited from attending and providing public comments at the Department of Natural Resources hearings. Any advertisements in the State’s official journal will also be advertised in the local official journal.
Helpful Resources: To contact the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources…
Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 94396
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Access Resolution 51 in its entirety here: