Although the Forest Service originally denied the request by El Paso Corp. two years ago, the agency made an about-face earlier this month and laid the groundwork for a future approval of the company's request to drill in the Carson National Forest, a section of New Mexico's Valle Vidal adjacent to the nation's largest Boy Scout camp.
According to the Times exposé, the Forest Service was prompted to change its position by Robert Middleton, director of a White House energy task force, after Middleton had met with representatives of El Paso Corp.
The Forest Service had previously rejected efforts to drill in the land because of concerns about water pollution and consequences for wildlife in the forest.
Now, according to the Times, the Forest Service has issued a report recognizing the probability of finding gas in the forest and envisioning 500 possible wells. This report is a precursor to eventually granting the request from El Paso Corp.
The move is now angering not only Forest Service staffers but also New Mexico officials and Boy Scout campers and staff members.