Citizens to BLM: "No Exceptions" to Protecting Critical Wildlife Habitat from Drilling

Over 300 Demand Lasting Protections for Deer, Elk, and Pronghorn Winter Habitat from Oil and Gas Drilling in the Farmington Field Office

More than 300 individuals and groups today called on the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to adopt a “no exceptions” alternative to protect critical wildlife habitat from oil and gas drilling in the Farmington Field Office of northwestern New Mexico.

“Oil and gas drilling shouldn’t come at the expense of New Mexico’s treasured wildlife,” said Jeremy Nichols, Climate and Energy Program Director for WildEarth Guardians. “Deer, elk, and pronghorn need full protection of their most important habitat, no exceptions.”

Since 2003, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has granted over 400 requests by oil and gas companies for exceptions to drill in sensitive wildlife habitat during the wintertime and the breeding season. These exceptions have allowed rampant oil and gas drilling to occur in habitat that is key to protecting and increasing populations of deer, elk, and pronghorn. In a report prepared in 2006, WildEarth Guardians documented that exceptions to allow drilling in critical wildlife habitat were granted nearly 90% of the time in the Farmington Field Office. That report, entitled, “No Rest for the Weary,” is online at http://ga4.org/ct/17111111GmGh/.

In 2003, the BLM set aside 11 special areas in the Farmington Field Office to protect critical habitat for deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope. BLM adopted special timing restrictions that limited oil and gas drilling activities during key winter months and during the breeding season. By BLM’s own admission, these timing restrictions were adopted to safeguard wildlife and increase populations. These special areas collectively encompass 25% of the entire Farmington Field Office; yet these same areas contain a majority of the most important wildlife habitat.

In May of 2008, WildEarth Guardians filed suit against the BLM to halt the agency’s practice of giving the oil and gas industry exceptions to drill in critical wildlife habitat. In response, the BLM agreed to reconsider allowing exceptions in the Farmington Field Office, including considering a “no exceptions” alternative.

Air and water pollution, noise, and physical barriers like pits and trenches from oil and gas drilling and construction activities are a threat to wildlife like elk, pronghorn and deer during winter when wildlife are already facing challenges to survival. The BLM itself has admitted that fragmentation caused by roads and oil and gas well pads have fragmented wildlife habitat, to the detriment of deer, elk, and pronghorn populations.

Today, WildEarth Guardians, together with the San Juan Citizens Alliance and over 300 individuals, called on the BLM to fully protect critical wildlife habitat and stop giving the oil and gas industry exceptions to drill. Today is the last day the BLM is accepting public comments as the agency reconsiders allowing exceptions.


 

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