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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.