Farmers Forge Seismic Agreement
On Jan. 29, a group of Glasscock County farmers and their attorneys met with attorneys representing Enron Oil and Gas, Western Geophysical and representatives of Eco-Drip Irrigation Systems, at the Howard County Courthouse in Big Spring. The purpose of the meeting was to settle a dispute regarding potential damage to irrigation systems caused by seismic activity. Wayne Halfmann, Leon Halfmann, Joe D. Schwartz, Doug Schaefer, and Robert Peiper had been subpoenaed to appear at a hearing before District Judge Robert Moore after they refused to allow Western Geophysical, working for EOG, to cross their land.
Approximately 75 people, showing support for the five, waited in the district courtroom while negotiations were conducted elsewhere in the courthouse. Ultimately, an agreement was reached, which was later refined and a formal document prepared. Other farmers in the path of Enron’s seismic sweep were expected to sign the same agreement.
Key to the agreement is that beyond the usual damages covered by monies paid the landowners previously, EOG will pay for any damages to irrigation systems that are caused by its seismic activities.
At a meeting in St. Lawrence Feb. 6, attorney Rick Davis said the final agreement is not perfect, will not answer every problem, and will require cooperation from all concerned. But he said it provides considerable protection for the landowner’s irrigation systems, which had not been available previously.