Coalition Applauds Ruling on BLM Mineral Leases
Press Room
Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 14, 2006
For more information contact:
Steve Belinda, (307) 537-3135
Coalition Applauds Ruling on BLM Mineral Leases
Court finds that agency cleared way for drilling without proper environmental review
PINEDALE, WYO. - A coalition of leading national hunting, fishing and conservation organizations today hailed the recent ruling by the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued mineral leases in the Wyoming Range of the Bridger-Teton National Forest in western Wyoming without the environmental studies required by law.
“In its ruling, the IBLA affirmed our belief that the level of analysis done at the leasing stage by the BLM is not adequate to ensure that energy development is carried out in a manner to adequately address impacts to fish and wildlife,” said Steve Belinda, who is the Initiative Manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership’s Fish, Wildlife and Energy Working Group (FWEWG). The FWEWG promotes responsible energy development that is sensitive to fish and wildlife resources. “The BLM believes that leasing is not a federal action that requires comprehensive National Environmental Policy Act review, so the proper place to address development of the lease is at the well-permitting stage. We believe otherwise and are pleased that the IBLA agrees. The leasing stage is where we can do the most to limit the long-term damage to fish and wildlife populations that can follow energy development when it’s not done the right way.”
Daniel, Wyoming resident Rollin Sparrowe, a FWEWG co-chair, echoed this sentiment: “Our group is not against energy development on public lands such as the parcels in question in the Wyoming Range, but we fear that the recent push by the BLM and Congress to expedite and streamline the permitting process for wells lacks safeguards for maintaining sustainable fish and wildlife populations.”
Jim Mosher, Executive Director of the North American Grouse Partnership and FWEWG co-chair, commented: “We hope this decision on the Wyoming Range encourages a careful review of the leasing process to assure an appropriate balance between our nation’s need to produce domestic energy supplies and essential protections for our fish and wildlife resources.”
Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal also expressed his concern over leasing in the Wyoming Range and called for more discussion to find workable solutions to leasing in sensitive areas. We, along with the governor and other concerned groups and citizens, hope the BLM listens.
To learn more about the Fish, Wildlife and Energy Working Group please visit: http://www.trcp.org/ch_energydevelopment.aspx
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The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is a coalition of leading hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, labor unions and individual partners working together to guarantee access to places to hunt and fish, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, and increase funding for conservation.
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