Forest Service Moves to Protect 370,000 Acres From Oil & Gas
From Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance
December 11, 2000
JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING - Nearly 370,000 acres of valuable wildlife habitat, spectacular mountain views, pristine rivers and unparalleled recreational opportunities will be protected from oil and gas drilling according to a U.S. Forest Service document released today.
According to a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), Bridger-Teton National Forest officials have chosen a preferred alternative of "no leasing" for 369,900 acres south and east of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in the Hoback Basin, Moccasin Basin, Union Pass and Upper Green River areas of Wyoming.
Praise for the decision came immediately from several environmental groups, including the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Wyoming Outdoor Council, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Wyoming Wildlife Federation and the Wyoming Chapter of the Sierra Club.
"This ranks up there as one of the single most significant oil and gas decisions the Forest Service has made across the United States in recent years," said Pam Lichtman, program director of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance. "Basically, they have studied 370,000 acres of beautiful vistas, abundant wildlife habitat and wild forest and decided that it is more valuable to the nation for those qualities than for a potential of only a few days worth of fuel."
"We are very thankful that the Forest Service direction follows the will of the people. More than 98 percent of citizens who commented said that oil and gas leasing is not appropriate," said Meredith Taylor, Wyoming field representative for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. "The decision is based in science, but it is reinforced by public opinion."
The Forest Service DEIS analyzes the effects of five alternatives for four specific management areas in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. In deciding the preferred alternative, officials took a number of factors into account, such as wildlife habitat and vegetative diversity, soils and geology, roadless areas, recreation, air quality, water quality and fisheries.
"With 89 percent of the state already available to industry, the protection of these undeveloped lands is crucial to keep the southern part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem connected," said Lloyd Dorsey, field office representative of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation.
Dan Heilig, executive director of the Wyoming Outdoor Council, regards the agency's no-leasing proposal as absolutely critical to maintaining the essential biological integrity of the Yellowstone Ecosystem.
"Escalating oil and gas development is chewing up the state's wildlife habitat at an alarming rate. With 45,000 coal bed methane wells likely in the Powder River Basin in the next 10 -15 years, and an additional 10,000 - 15,000 traditional deep wells in western Wyoming to be developed during the same period, the state's wildlife is facing enormous pressures," Heilig said. "Thus key wildlife areas, such as those under consideration here, must be protected to ensure the long term sustainability of the state's wildlife."
A 60-day public comment period on the draft EIS is scheduled to close on Feb. 28. A final EIS and "record of decision" will follow.
The environmental groups stressed that it will still be important for citizens to show an outpouring of support for the Forest Service decision.
"The Forest Service should be commended not only for listening to overwhelming public sentiment not to lease the lands, but for listening to their own analysis, which showed that the highest and best use for this land would be to make it unavailable for oil and gas development," said Franz Camenzind, executive director of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance.
The Forest Service will hold three hearings around the state in January to explain the alternatives and solicit comment. The hearings will be as follows:
ÿ Jackson: 7-9 p.m., Jan. 23, Teton County Commission Chambers. ÿ Pinedale: 7-9 p.m., Jan. 24, Pinedale Library. ÿ Rock Springs: 7-9 p.m., Jan. 25, White Mountain Library.
More information on the Forest Service DEIS is available on the web at www.fs.fed.us/btnf/.
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For more information, contact:
Cynthia Harger
Communications Director
Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance (307) 733-9417
[5]cynthia@jhalliance.com
Web site: [6]http://www.jhalliance.com