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April 7, 2008

Judge Reverses BLM Oil/Gas Leases in Big Game Crucial Winter Ranges

LARAMIE – Responding to a legal appeal filed against oil and gas leases sold in 2006, a judge with the Interior Board of Land Appeals Friday threw out 11 of 12 leases inside big game crucial winter ranges. The leases that have been overturned are in the northern Red Desert, Casper Field Office, Kemmerer Field Office, and Bighorn Basin; one lease in the Pinedale Field Office was not overturned in the ruling.

“There is an agreement between the BLM and the State of Wyoming stating that the BLM must consult with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department before offering leases in crucial big game winter ranges, and the BLM went ahead with the lease sale in this case without getting input from Game and Fish biologists,” said Erik Molvar, Wildlife Biologist with Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, which represented several groups in the case.

Big game crucial habitats are identified by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department as those that are necessary to maintain healthy population numbers, and the loss of which is likely to lead to population declines, particularly during periodic harsh winters.

"Too many provisions that would protect wildlife from oil and gas impacts are neglected and ignored by this Administration, and Wyoming's world class wildlife are suffering from Washington's order to expedite leasing,” remarked Liz Howell of the Wyoming Wilderness Association.

In addition, the two leases in the Rawlins Field Office were also revoked because the State Director did not examine the alternatives in the revision of the Great Divide land-use plan, which is actively underway, to make sure that the lease terms would comply with big game habitat requirements under the proposed new plan.

“This ruling shows that the Game and Fish Department could exercise a great deal of influence on which parcels get leased in Wyoming, and in setting the terms and conditions,” added Molvar. “It opens the door to further scrutiny over whether the BLM has adequately consulted with Game and Fish biologists on other lease offerings in key wildlife habitats throughout the state.”

Joining Biodiversity Conservation Alliance in the appeal were the Wyoming Wilderness Association and Center for Native Ecosystems.