Since the day they began their exploratory drilling in our beloved forest, El Capitan PMI has knowingly and willingly broke the law. In early 2007, one of our Friends of the Capitans contacted the National Forest Service after seeing drilling rigs in the forest behind their home. On March 20, 2007, when inspectors arrived on the drill site to determine what was going on, El Capitan PMI's own representative indicated they had not obtained any permits to drill. They had many illegal and unauthorized structures and equipment on the drill site, some of which remain today as a Cease and Desist Order is in place until permits are acquired. This company avoided paying approximately $500,000 in permit costs to State and Federal agencies in exchange for paying a measly $16,000 in fines for trespass and other charges. The end result of their illegal exploratory drilling is a decimated forest that will never be the same. See recent photos of unrepaired damage left by their roads and debris piles.

Please review all the information on our website, and visit us frequently as we update our progress in this fight.
We will be providing information on how you, as citizens, can support our efforts!