December 13 , 2007
Deep Gas Drilling is Spreading into Flaming Gorge Country
Email a Brief Comment to jeromy_caldwell@blm.gov by This Saturday, December 15th!
Devon Energy has proposed a two-well exploratory deep gas project in the Little Mountain area just east of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. The wells have been named the Rubicon wells, and are planned for crucial big game winter ranges in an area which currently has no oil and gas development. There is a strong possibility that if gas is found, high-density drilling activity will follow.
The wells are likely to impact elk and mule deer herds, nesting birds of prey including the rare ferruginous hawk, and trout habitat in Trout and Sage Creeks, which are a high priority for reintroduction of pure-strain Colorado River cutthroat trout. Like many small oil and gas drilling projects, the BLM is hiding this proposal in its drilling permit log book and has no plans to circulate an Environmental Assessment for public review and comment.
Please write a brief note to the BLM by Saturday, December 15th and ask that:
- Impacts of soil erosion on native fishes, as well as impacts of drilling and production disturbance on elk, mule deer, and ferruginous hawks be thoroughly studied in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement, and that these impacts need to be minimized.
- This is an important project that should not be decided behind closed doors. The public deserves a chance to see what the impacts will be and to comment on that information.
- At the very least, the comment period should be extended so the public has a real chance to comment on the project.
Send your emails to jeromy_caldwell@blm.gov
Thanks for Doing Your Part to Speak Out for Our Native Wildlife!
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