Wildlife Concerns Trigger Oil and Gas Lease Sales Deferral
MWF is deeply concerned that the rapid pace of energy development is hamstringing BLM from managing wildlife and fisheries resources and public recreation opportunities for the future and in the public interest. MWF is especially concerned, in the case of oil and gas leasing of our public lands, with the fate of mule deer, elk, antelope, Greater sage grouse, and desirable fish species and the recreational opportunities they provide tens of thousands of sportsmen and sportswomen annually in Montana. The worth of our public lands, our public estate inheritance extends far beyond mineral extraction. MWF and most hunters and anglers are not demanding an end to drilling, development or leasing – we understand the need to find new energy resources – we are after all, energy consumers. Instead, hunters and anglers are asking for the use of the best scientific information and balanced approaches for sensitive wildlife areas. We are asking for development that minimizes habitat fragmentation and water quality degradation. Without comprehensive habitat management planning that is coordinated with FWP, the leasing and development of critical big game winter ranges and migration corridors, of crucial upland game bird habitats, and valuable fish habitats will have long-term, devastating impacts on the people’s wildlife, fishing and hunting opportunities. In turn, the long-term impacts will jeopardize the more than $1 billion in sustainable economic benefits that are realized from fishing and hunting based recreation in Montana.
On July 16, MWF submitted comments protesting a BLM oil and gas lease sale of 127 parcels near the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Peck Reservoir due to the potential adverse impacts to elk, pronghorn, mule deer, big game hunting opportunities and active and sensitive sage grouse leks and winter range. MWF believes BLM should consider the cumulative impacts of intense, full field development of oil and/or gas rather than the lesser impacts of a smaller number of exploratory wells BLM predicted in the RMP. Experience and recent studies in Wyoming by the University of Wyoming and University of Montana indicate that the impacts of full field development have led to declines in sage grouse and mule deer.
Other similar protests were filed by the MWF affiliate Hellgate Hunters and Anglers, Trout Unlimited and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
Discussions between FWP and BLM prior to the leasing sale public comment deadline, the recent Wyoming & Montana wildlife research on impacts to wildlife, and vocal opposition from hunting and fishing groups has led BLM to a decision to defer oil and gas leasing on about 73,600 acres in 96 parcels offered within the July lease sale. The BLM pledged to reconsider whether other industry restrictions are also needed in light of the new Wyoming/Montana research. In most cases, specific areas within the parcels were deferred or development restricted due to concerns with sage grouse winter range and sage grouse leks according to BLM; two parcels were deferred in their entirety. The indefinite lease sale withdrawal is a very good first step that promotes greater coordination and consideration for wildlife, hunting and fishing in this region. BLM should be complimented but in other areas leases are being sold with little to no analysis on either the short or long-term impacts.
The BLM oversees, on our behalf, the finest open range, grasslands, prairies, canyons and sub-alpine valleys in the world – on behalf of the public interest. Sportsmen, sportswomen, state fish and wildlife agencies and outdoor enthusiasts must be a component of leasing decisions of our public lands to ensure our living wildlife legacy and public hunting and fishing opportunities.
