** Based on Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Recommendations for Development of Oil and Gas Resources within Crucial and Important Wildlife Habitats **

1. Wildlife relocate to other areas outside of development so there really is no impact.

   This presumption contradicts the fundamental principles of population ecology and wildlife management.

   Populations of animals increase to fill vacant, suitable habitats up until the point where there is not enough of a particular resource (e.g. food, water, habitat) to maintain a larger population. For big game populations in mountain environments, amounts and quality of crucial winter ranges at lower elevations typically determine how many animals can survive. For sage grouse, the number of suitable breeding and brood-rearing habitats are thought to limit population size. In other words, there are only a certain number of animals that a particular area can support without significant negative impacts to the population and its environment.

   If unaffected areas surrounding oil and gas fields already support their maximum number of animals, no more animals can move into that area without negative impacts to the population. These impacts include competition, lower reproductive success, and ultimately reduced population sizes. Animals in affected areas can choose to move to habitats of lesser value, however doing so also decreases their survival and reproduction.

2. Deer and pronghorn are frequently seen foraging near oil and gas facilities, and even use habitats in the middle of oil fields. This indicates that they become accustomed to, and are not affected by such activities.

   Individual animals within a population display different responses to disturbance, such as oil and gas development. Some animals, especially those that do not migrate, can become very acclimated to repetitious activities such as traffic. However, other individuals remain very sensitive to the disturbance.

   Many populations of big game species migrate between high-elevation summer habitats where there is desirable forage and cover to lower-elevation winter ranges where there is typically a milder climate, less snow accumulation and available browse. Typically, summer habitats are remote and so the animals are not exposed to repetitive disturbance. When they arrive on their winter ranges, therefore, they are more likely to react stressfully to oil and gas development by moving to other areas. Some animals may tolerate the stress of drilling better than others and may remain near the development. However, the presence of animals on sites with oil and gas development does not mean they are not being negatively affected. Studies have documented increased physiological stress in animals near human activity. Responses to activity may also be less apparent as the animal reaches a state of diminished health.

3. Existing regulations that restrict development during certain times of the year and reclamation practices are adequate consideration for wildlife resources affected by oil and gas development.

   In many cases, seasonal restrictions are in place in oil and gas development areas to protect important habitats, such as winter and breeding habitats, at critical times of the year. For example, a government lease to an oil company may stipulate a timing limitation from November through March on big game winter range in which no construction or drilling operations are allowed. The problem with this is that oil and gas operations also disturb and displace wildlife through the production phase (after construction and drilling is complete). Sometimes the production phase can last for decades, significantly impacting populations.

   Reclamation occurs after a site been completely drilled and involves restoring an area to its previous state. In almost all cases, the Bureau of Land Management requires companies to complete reclamation by means of revegetation. However, in many parts of the west where development is occurring, the landscape is arid and plant communities such as shrubs may not return for decades, if ever.