NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
August 29, 2006

Biodiversity, Bill Barrett Corp. Agree to Sage Grouse Protections for 3D Seismic Exploration in Bighorn Basin 

Settlement includes Habitat Protections, $25,000 for Grouse Projects

Contact Information

LARAMIE – Biodiversity Conservation Alliance today announced an agreement with Bill Barrett Corporation, a Denver-based independent oil and gas production company, that settles the conservation group's appeal of a Bureau of Land Management decision to allow seismic equipment in sage grouse breeding and nesting habitat east of the Bobcat Draw proposed wilderness in the Bighorn Basin. The seismic survey, called the Sellers Draw 3D Geophysical Project, is slated to take place this summer. 

In return for Biodiversity dropping its challenge to the project, the settlement will provide for the following protections for sage grouse: 

• A buffer area around sage grouse breeding grounds (called “leks”);
• Modification of seismic truck routes to avoid flattening sagebrush in sage grouse habitat;
• Remediation of seismic equipment tracks so they don't become new roads for off-road vehicles and predators of sage grouse;
• Implementation of Wyoming Game and Fish and BLM recommendations for mitigation and monitoring;
• A $25,000 fund to be used for sage grouse conservation projects.

 

“The sage grouse is facing ever-increasing pressures from growth in the general population, recreation and oil and gas development over much of Wyoming—the bird's last stronghold,”  said Suzanne Lewis, conservation advocate with Biodiversity Conservation Alliance. “We’re pleased that Bill Barrett Corporation has agreed to these stronger protective measures for sage grouse. Under the settlement, BCA will be able to direct how the funds are used to ensure the maximum effectiveness for sage grouse conservation.”
 
 “This 3D survey will allow us to focus subsequent exploratory activity,” noted Bill Barrett Corporation Vice-President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Duane Zavadil.  “Seismic surveys have direct environmental benefit by reducing the number of dry holes and other unnecessary impacts as industry looks to keep the U.S. essentially self-reliant for its natural gas needs.”
 
 Zavadil noted that the company had successfully worked with Biodiversity before on ferret re-introduction in Wyoming.  “We’ve seen several instances where wildlife and energy production co-exist and have found that consideration of site specific conditions such as habitat and species distribution, combined with a positive spirit of cooperation by the parties, are keys to reaching agreement,” he said.  “There is tremendous opportunity to offset the impacts on lands where oil and gas development might occur by improving conditions on adjacent areas.”