In September 2008, the Bureau of Land Management released its plan for drilling 4,400 more wells in the Pinedale Anticline Resource Area, a 1.2 million acre area of western Wyoming rich in natural gas, wildlife and scenery.

Bounded by the Wind River, Gros Ventre, and Wyoming ranges, the Pinedale Resource Area contains crucial big-game winter habitat, the longest migration corridor for pronghorn ever documented, and contains some of the best “stronghold” habitat nationwide for sage-grouse.

While this proposal contains some good measures to limit industry’s footprint, including phased leasing, it allows year-round drilling which removes seasonal protections of big game and sage grouse during critical winter months and breeding times.

In addition to concerns over the health of wildlife populations is a concern over the health of local residents. Last winter, the Pinedale area saw a number of ground-level ozone pollution warnings which pose a threat to young people, elderly and those with respiratory conditions. These ozone warnings, which are typically associated with big cities in the summer, were linked to the emissions from the Pinedale Anticline and nearby Jonah field combined with unique meterological conditions. In order to avoid federal regulations, the industry must work towards reducing their emissions.

BACKGROUND:

The Pinedale Anticline Project Area (PAPA) is one of the newest and most productive gas fields in the continental United States with estimates of 20-25 Trillion Cubic Feet of Natural Gas that could be recovered. In July 2000, the BLM signed the record of decision (ROD) for the area. The ROD authorized development of 700 producing well pads over a 10-15 year period. In 2005, at the industry's request, the BLM began the revision of the 2000 ROD for the PAPA. In December 2006, the BLM released the draft supplemental impact statement, which outlined the expansion proposed by industry and planned by BLM. However, in response to widespread opposition and critiques it was sent back to the drawing board. In the winter of 2007, the BLM released a revised supplementary environmental impact statement that outlined two additional alternatives and a preferred alternative.

Additional Resources:

Bureau of Land Management's webpage on the Pinedale RMP

Read scientific studies on the effects of oil and gas development on wildlife

Read the Upper Green River Valley Coalition Position Paper on Proposed Drilling Escalation in the Pinedale Anticline Gas Field

News Articles:

Gov calls for revision of federal law

Congress probes BLM on drilling

'Your voice is really not heard'

BLM releases final western Wyo drilling plan

News Videos about Pinedale Anticline

A flight over Pinedale (CNN)

Energy, wealth, and wildlife: Wyoming looks for harmony (CNN)

Coping with the boom in Pinedale (Rocky Mountain News)

Cowboys and economics in Wyoming (Rocky Mountain News)

Natural gas boom impacts rural Wyoming Town (PBS)

Wyoming wealth vs. wildlife (CNN)

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