Petition to Protect the Red River from Mining and Drilling

To:
The Honorable Governor of Oklahoma,
The Oklahoma State Legislature,
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality,
The Oklahoma Department of Mines,
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board,
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation,
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
And other relevant State and Federal agencies and representatives,
We, the undersigned, express our deep concern regarding the proposed and ongoing mining and drilling activities along the Red River. The Red River is not just a waterway; it is an ecological treasure, a historical landmark, and a vital resource for countless Oklahomans.

We hereby protest the non-coal surface mining permit application for Nelson Brothers, LLC for the Fish Creek site in Love County, Oklahoma, and ask you to deny the non-coal surface mining permit application number L.E.-2823 (Fish Creek Mine) in its entirety submitted by Nelson Brothers, LLC for the Fish Creek site in Love County, Oklahoma. Furthermore, we urge you to deny any future mining permit applications for mining near or in the Red River.

Reasons for Our Concern:

1. Ecological Impact: The Red River supports a diverse range of flora and fauna. Mining and drilling threaten this biodiversity and the overall health of the river's ecosystem.

2. Water Quality: The potential release of pollutants from mining and drilling activities can compromise the water quality, affecting both aquatic life and the communities that rely on the river. In addition, these mining operations increase the sedimentation and decrease the water quality downstream for Lake Texoma.

3. Fish and Wildlife: The Red River and Lake Texoma are home to a diverse range of fish and wildlife. The acids, petroleum and other chemicals used in the process of mining sand and gravel are potentially devastating to the fish and other aquatic ecosystems and can also be harmful and toxic to other birds and animals that use the river for their water source. In addition, there are federally protected and endangered bald eagles that nest in Love County, Oklahoma at or near the proposed Nelson Brothers, LLC (Fish Creek) mining site. These bald eagles, fish and wildlife habitats should be protected and prioritized.

4. Cultural and Historical Significance: The Red River holds immense cultural and historical importance. We must ensure that these sites and histories are preserved for future generations.

5. Minimum Economic Gain for the State of Oklahoma: Nelson Brothers, LLC is a Texas based company that plans to sell the sand and gravel mined in Love County, Oklahoma in Texas which will provide little to no revenue to the State of Oklahoma. The State of Texas stands to gain more in tax revenue than the State of Oklahoma which should be called into questioned by Oklahoma citizens, lawmakers and regulators.

6. Economic Repercussions: A healthy Red River and Lake Texoma supports local economies through tourism, fishing, and other activities. Its degradation could have severe economic consequences for local communities and damage the aesthetic value of the Red River and Lake Texoma. This will negatively impact the recreation and the businesses surrounding the Red River and Lake Texoma area, ultimately decreasing property values.

7. Public Health: The health of our communities is intrinsically linked to the health of our environment. Polluted water sources can lead to a myriad of health issues for the municipalities that rely on Lake Texoma for their water supply. The city of Thackerville, Oklahoma and many of the residents of Love County, Oklahoma rely on water wells for their water source and there are concerns that mining and drilling can cause hydraulic pressure issues with the underground water source that these residents rely on for farming, ranching and personal drinking water.

8. Public Safety: The roads in and out of the proposed mining permit application from Nelson Brothers in Love County, Oklahoma are inadequate for the amount of trucking activity that is planned in and around the proposed non-coal mining operation and would create significant safety risk. The planned mining operation applied for by Nelson Brothers, LLC is on Exit #3 on US Interstate 35 which also serves as the primary access for ingress and egress for Winstar Casino, the largest casino in the world. The significant increase in traffic from semitrucks hauling sand and gravel will create additional safety hazards and risks to the citizens of Oklahoma, tourism in the area and commuters traveling on US Interstate 35. It will also create additional stress and deterioration to the local, state and federal roadway infrastructure.

Our Request:

We urge you and the State of Oklahoma to not allow new mining operations along and in the Red River. As such, we ask you:

1. Deny the non-coal surface mining permit application number L.E.-2823 (Fish Creek Mine) in its entirety submitted by Nelson Brothers, LLC for the Fish Creek site in Love County, Oklahoma.

2. Deny any future mining permit applications for mining near or in the Red River waterway.

3. Conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of all proposed mining and drilling activities along the Red River, especially those upstream of Lake Texoma.

4. Implement stricter regulations on any such activities to ensure the protection of the Red River's and Lake Texoma’s ecosystem and the communities that depend on them.

5. Engage with local communities, indigenous groups, and experts to make informed decisions about the future of the Red River and Lake Texoma.

6. Prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to mining and drilling in the region.

The Red River and Lake Texoma are a legacy we hold in trust for future generations. We have a moral, ethical, and practical responsibility to protect it. We call on our representatives and agencies to act in the best interests of the people and the environment.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]