Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) this week outlined a series of
concerns about Devon Energy's plans to drill two exploratory wells in
the southern part of the state, saying he had "significant concerns"
about the potential effects on recreation, critical wildlife habitat,
sensitive species, existing land management plans, and air and water
quality.
Environmental groups applauded Freudenthal's efforts to weigh in on the
debate. Erik Molvar, a wildlife biologist with the Biodiversity
Conservation Alliance, noted, "There is already an enormous amount of
drilling all over Wyoming and this is one of the few places not getting
drilled."
The comments came as the Bureau of Land Management wrapped up its
30-day scoping period for its environmental analysis of Devon Energy
Production Co.'s plans to drill two exploratory gas wells in the
southwestern part of the state, about 40 miles from Rock Springs. The
exploratory drilling aims to evaluate the oil and gas resource
potential underlying leases the company has in the area.
Though
the proposal involves two exploratory wells, Freudenthal noted in his
Feb. 11 letter to BLM, "the pressure to expand from two wells seems
inevitable, especially since Devon owns the bulk of the leases in the
general area." His letter continues, "I do not want the [project] to
trigger the full industrialization of an irreplaceable recreational
area and fragile ecosystem."
Bruce Pendery of the Wyoming
Outdoor Council said, "We share the concerns expressed by the governor.
This could be just the tip of the iceberg with much more extensive
drilling to follow."
"The biggest concern is that oil and
gas drilling is moving into an area of high recreation value and
ecological value and that the entire greater Red Desert could become
overrun by oil and gas drilling," added Molvar.
In terms
of recreation importance, the wells are proposed for areas considered
prime territory for big-game hunting. According to the Wyoming Game and
Fish Department, one of the proposed drilling wells is within
delineated crucial winter range for a mule deer herd and the other
proposed well abuts crucial range for mule deer and an elk herd.
The
governor also expressed concern about the potential effects to 37
species in the area. Specifically, Freudenthal pointed to the potential
impact on two species often implicated in oil and gas exploration in
Western states -- the sage grouse and the pygmy rabbit, both of which
are being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
"Our
statewide efforts to preclude listing of the sage grouse include
substantial financial investments and a groundbreaking cooperative
agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Every action that
could potentially affect sage grouse in this state, including [this
proposal], is going to be viewed under the microscope of the Endangered
Species Act. I want to be sure that we do not put our future ability to
make land-use decisions at risk," Freudenthal said.
As for
the pygmy rabbit, the Fish and Wildlife Service in January announced
that it would review the status of the species to determine if
Endangered Species Act protections are warranted. The Center for Native
Ecosystems claims, "High density oil and gas development results in
long-term sagebrush habitat destruction and constant disturbance to
remaining pygmy rabbit habitat."
Molvar also noted that
streams in the area where the wells have been proposed are considered
prime habitat for the Colorado River cutthroat trout, a species
petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
Also,
Freudenthal brought up concerns about wildfire prevention and
management. "Since wildfires have burned approximately 80,000 acres in
the Little Mountain ecosystem within the last seven years, we are still
at a critical moment in terms of preventing invasive plant species such
as cheat grass from taking hold and spreading," he said.
Pendery
said BLM's handling of the drilling proposal mirrors its approach to
other oil and gas developments in Wyoming. "This is just one of at
least a half dozen activities in Wyoming that the BLM is pushing
intensely forward," he said, pointing to in other developments in the
Wyoming range and Pinedale Anticline. "It's disturbing that the BLM
isn't taking a more thoughtful approach," he added.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed