OPINION: Balancing accountability and opportunity in the San Juan Basin

As a Navajo allottee whose land includes active oil and gas production, I view the challenges of abandoned wells, lack of oversight and environmental risks with both concern and resolve. These issues are real — but so is the opportunity to honor our lands and improve the quality of life for landowners through stronger accountability from regulators.

I read the recent article “On the Navajo Nation, the list of mystery wells continues to grow” with a mix of concern and resolve. The issues raised — about abandoned wells, lack of oversight and environmental risks — can be real. But honoring our lands and ensuring a quality of life for owners is achievable with increased accountability from regulators.

For decades, my family has lived on and cared for land in the San Juan Basin. This land is more than a resource — it’s our heritage, our home and our future. When oil and gas companies operate responsibly, the royalties we receive help us pay for basic needs and future opportunities: housing repairs, medical bills, school supplies for our grandchildren, maybe even college and savings. These are not luxuries — these are the means to comfort, stability and security.

The article paints a picture of neglect, and in many cases, that’s unfortunately accurate. Wells that were drilled and then forgotten pose serious risks to our water, our air and our health. But the solution isn’t to shut down all development. It’s to demand better from the federal government, operators and regulators. We need stronger enforcement, faster cleanup of orphaned wells, and real transparency about who is responsible for what.

What’s often missing from these conversations is the voice of the allottee. We are not passive victims — we are landowners, decision-makers and stewards. Many of us chose to lease our land for development because it offered a path out of poverty. That choice should be respected, not erased by blanket policies that ignore our ownership.

I support responsible oil and gas development because I’ve seen what it can do when done right. I’ve also seen what happens when oversight fails. We need both accountability and opportunity. We need tribal consultation that is meaningful, not symbolic. And we need to ensure that the benefits of development — jobs, income, infrastructure — are shared fairly with the communities most affected.

The federal government has a trust responsibility to Navajo allottees. That means cleaning up abandoned wells, enforcing lease terms and protecting our land — not just from pollution, but from economic abandonment. We deserve better than mystery wells, broken promises and articles that do not tell the whole story.

As we move forward, I call on policymakers, tribal leaders and industry partners to work with us — not around us. Companies are investing in and using new, cleaner technologies, better data tracking and often plugging their own wells. Let’s continue to make sure that development is not only profitable, but sustainable and just.

Oil and gas are part of our story. With the continued partnership and safeguards, they can continue to be part of our future.

Delora Hesuse is a member of the Navajo Nation and a Navajo allotment owner.