Associated Press/May 30 2010MORA — The state Land Office wants to sell oil and gas leases in Mora and Colfax counties in Northern New Mexico.
The agency is offering two dozen parcels in Mora County and 29 tracts in Colfax County for leasing June 15.
Assistant Land Commissioner John Bemis said Mora County didn't have oil and gas leases eight years ago, but the industry is looking at state land for possible oil and gas activity.
He noted money from such leases funds education in New Mexico.
But Kathleen Dudley of the group Drilling Mora County opposes the activity.
"They say in order to fund our children's education, they must destroy our state land," she said. .....continued.....
