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April 14, 2010

Wyoming pocket gopher is denied protection from intense oil and gas development by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Laramie—Odds of survival for the rare and unique Wyoming pocket gopher decreased dramatically today when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied protection under the Endangered Species Act for this furry, palm-sized mammal. 

Biodiversity Conservation Alliance petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider Endangered Species Act protection for the Wyoming pocket gopher in 2007. Denver-based Center for Native Ecosystems joined as co-petitioner. Conservation groups are deeply disturbed by today’s announcement.
 
Josh Pollock, conservation director with Center for Native Ecosystems said, “The pocket gopher's plight is another signal that wildlife in Wyoming is struggling to cope with the pace of oil and gas drilling.  Drilling needs to be done responsibly so we don't end up driving animals extinct.”

The Service’s 12-Month Finding states, “Preliminary conclusions from the Assessment of Wildlife Vulnerability to Energy Development analysis indicate that the Wyoming pocket gopher is Wyoming's species with the highest potential risk for energy-related effects based on its proximity to existing wells, the proportion of lands leased for oil and gas within its range, and the density of wells within that range.”

Duane Short, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance's wild species program director and author of the listing petition explained, “Four thousand wells already occupy and over 11,000 more oil and gas wells are slated to occupy much of the Wyoming pocket gopher’s documented range. As many as 8 wells per square mile have been permitted directly atop the gopher’s extremely limited habitat. This would mean destruction and constant disturbance of the pocket gopher’s habitat over a 15-year construction period and an estimated 30 to 40-year project life. Given the relatively short lifespan of Wyoming pocket gophers, 30 to 40 years of habitat destruction could seriously jeopardize the tiny mammal’s survival.”

Short added, “New roads, gas and water collection pipelines, compressor stations, water disposal systems, and an electrical distribution system have already destroyed much of the Wyoming pocket gopher's habitat located within Wyoming’s irreplaceable Red Desert. In our view, the Service has thrown caution to the wind and the gopher under the bus or in this case, the oilfield trucks.”

Wyoming is home to four species of pocket gophers but only the Wyoming pocket gopher (Thomomys clusius) is exceedingly rare.  Genetic testing commissioned by Gov. Dave Freudenthal’s office has confirmed that the Wyoming pocket gopher is a distinct species.

Sophie Osborn, wildlife biologist with the Wyoming Outdoor Council, said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision highlights the critical need for more research to determine the impact of development on the species.

"We do not want to see the Wyoming pocket gopher go extinct because of a lack of knowledge," Osborn said. "The Wyoming pocket gopher is the only mammal found exclusively in Wyoming. Its entire known range, which falls within only two counties, is slated for intensive energy development. The Bureau of Land Management will need to ensure that specific conservation measures are instituted to protect this rare and important species in the face of such development."

Shorted concluded, “The Service’s Not Warranted 12-Month Finding clearly protects the oil and gas industry, but certainly not the gopher. The Service is legally tasked with making scientific inquiries and decisions but, in my view, they have failed. The Service appears to have given anecdotal evidence priority over the use of best available science. It also appears the Service has used their failure to collect and objectively analyze scientific data as an excuse to deny the Wyoming pocket gopher much needed protection. A lawsuit is likely to be filed.”

See the 12-Month Finding online at: http://www.voiceforthewild.org/PDFs/Wyoming_Pocket_Gopher_12_Month_Finding_Apr_2010.pdf

For more information and a photograph of the Wyoming pocket gopher, visit Biodiversity Conservation Alliance website at http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/newsletter.html  See: Summer 2007 Newsletter - The Wyoming Pocket Gopher: Out of Sight, but not Out of Mind