Oil and gas development is on the rise in Indian Country. Source: OIL AND GAS OUTLOOK IN INDIAN COUNTRY / Bureau of Indian Affairs

The Bureau of Land Management is failing to inspect high-risk oil and gas wells on federal and Indian lands in the West, according to an Associated Press investigation.

Oil and gas development on federal and Indian lands has increased dramatically since 2007. But roughly half or more of the high-priority wells in Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming weren't checked between 2009 and 2012, the AP said.

“We’re trying to do the best we can with limited resources,” BLM deputy director Linda Lance told the AP.

According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, energy and mineral development generated over $701 million in royalty revenues for tribes and individual Indians in 2012.

Get the Story:
Feds aren’t inspecting 4 in 10 higher-risk wells (AP 6/16)
Feds behind on oil well inspections in Dakotas (AP 6/16)