For Immediate Release

November 6, 2007 

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Conservation Groups Protest Leasing in Encampment Valley, Sensitive Wildlife Habitats 

 
LARAMIE – Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and several other conservation groups today lodged a protest against oil and gas leasing in the Encampment Valley and in sensitive wildlife habitats throughout the state of Wyoming. The protests focused on potential impacts of oil and gas development on sage grouse breeding and nesting habitat, big game migration corridors and crucial winter ranges, and impacts to the aquatic health of the North Platte and Encampment Rivers, both considered blue-ribbon trout streams. 

“The BLM has never considered the impact of oil and gas development on the lands of the Encampment Valley because the oil and gas potential in this area has historically been perceived as negligible,” said Suzanne Lewis of Biodiversity Conservation Alliance. “The token seasonal measures that BLM proposed to protect wildlife are known to be inadequate, yet the agency is still refusing to take stronger action to protect sage grouse habitats and big game winter ranges and migration corridors.” 

Joining BCA on the lease protest are the Center for Native Ecosystems, Clark Resource Council, Wyoming Wilderness Association, Powder River Basin Resource Council, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and Wyoming AFL-CIO. Additional protests from other conservation groups and local organizations are expected up to the protest deadline of November 19th.