Fellow Activists,

A tangled web of corporate interests, leading back to JP Morgan Chase, are set to begin mining brine water near Rio Rancho despite inadequate environmental study and a host of legal troubles. The brine, which could be used to fuel the fracking boom in our state, is laden with heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and radioactive salts. The well site plans include two large evaporation ponds, raising concerns about air-borne pollution for nearby residents. Even more troubling - industrial-scale brine pumping on aquifers will impair our water supply.

The business seeking the permit, JP Morgan Chase subsidiary IMH Financial Corporation, is a hedge-fund investment and liquidation company. IMH was slammed with an order to halt operations in New Mexico by 13th District Court Judge John F. Davis. They are also embroiled in multiple ongoing legal disputes over ownership of the wells. That's too many red flags!

We urge you to help by telling the New Mexico Environment Department: No More Corporate Water Grabs!

Your letter will be sent by email to Secretary James Kenney and Ms. Avery Young at the New Mexico Environment Department, Ground Water Quality Bureau.

Thank you,

The Pause on Fracking Team

Please fill out the form below -or- you can go directly to the letter campaign at Action Network HERE

Below is the text of the email letter you are sending:

Dear Secretary Kenney and Ms. Young,

I urge you to hold a public hearing on Discharge Permit 1682, and ultimately deny the application. DP-1682 raises serious concerns, including:

1.) This is the only permit that IMH and JP Morgan Chase need to start to mining brine water. The original intent of the permit and end uses for this water are changed, and unmitigated pumping could impair the Rio Grande and the City of Rio Rancho Water supply;

2.) NMED is ignoring criminal activity in regards to these wells, in which IMH misrepresented their ownership and violated a standing injunction by NM 13th District Judge Davis by requesting from the OSE additional pumping permits on the wells. The Securities Exchange Commission also issued a Cease and Desist order against IMH/JP Morgan Chase after finding they defrauded investors in several states, including NM, of millions of dollars.

3.) NMED did not make proper notification to corporate partners or stakeholders, including nearby residents.

4.) Arizona corporation IMH is defying injunctions in AZ and NM to halt operations and is currently under investigation by the state.
 
Thank you for hearing my concerns.
Sincerely,