LAND LEASE AUCTION 12/12/12 9:00a DMF
ALMOST 18,000 ACRES OF LAND IN MONTEREY, SAN BENITO AND FRESNO COUNTIES WILL BE OFFERED AT AN AUCTION TODAY FOR OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT. REQUESTS TO DRILL WELLS ON THE LEASE LANDS WILL BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. PENDING A COURT CASE, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE SEEKING A SUMMARY JUDGMENT ARGUING THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY REVIEWED. AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO INDICATION WELLS WILL BE DRILLED AT ALL; A JANUARY 15th HEARING IS SCHEDULED IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN SAN JOSE.
