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Healthy wildlife populations are a major part of the culture and economy of the West, and oil and natural gas employees take their responsibility to protect these populations seriously. Western Energy Alliance supports a regulatory framework that promotes species conservation and collaboration with stakeholders to sustain viable habitat. Companies ensure impacts to wildlife and habitat are avoided or minimized by reducing surface disturbance and employing advanced reclamation measures, surveys, best management practices (BMP), and monitoring programs.
The oil and natural gas industry has undergone significant technological transformation in the last decade, and these advancements have directly benefited wildlife. For example, the increased use of horizontal and directional drilling has lowered surface disturbance by as much as 70%. One horizontal well reduces habitat fragmentation by taking the place of 8-16 vertical wells. The graphic below demonstrates how modern development reduces the footprint on the land. |
Related Content- Western Governors' Association Species Conservation and ESA Initiative
- Technical Advances in Oil and Natural Gas Development Reduce Landscape Disturbance - Gaining Ground: Industry Innovation Reduces Impacts on Sage Grouse and Big Game - Western Governors' Association Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool (CHAT) |
Figure 1. Typical surface footprint comparison between types of drilling operations. The well pads shown in yellow represent surface impact, while the well bores in black indicate the reach underground.
The industry also takes seriously its obligations to conserve species protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and state wildlife laws. Development on public lands is conducted under rigorous restrictions for ESA-listed and at-risk species.
The oil and natural gas industry frequently takes the lead on voluntary conservation efforts to protect wildlife and habitats. Representatives of the industry work with partners from federal, state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and other land users to protect at-risk species and ensure responsible energy development coexists with flourishing wildlife populations. Examples of these partnerships include the Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative, the Intermountain West Joint Venture, and the Sage Grouse Initiative.
The industry also takes seriously its obligations to conserve species protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and state wildlife laws. Development on public lands is conducted under rigorous restrictions for ESA-listed and at-risk species.
The oil and natural gas industry frequently takes the lead on voluntary conservation efforts to protect wildlife and habitats. Representatives of the industry work with partners from federal, state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and other land users to protect at-risk species and ensure responsible energy development coexists with flourishing wildlife populations. Examples of these partnerships include the Pecos Watershed Conservation Initiative, the Intermountain West Joint Venture, and the Sage Grouse Initiative.
Comments
Below are comments submitted by the Alliance on species listings, habitat designations, and wildlife rules.
Below are comments submitted by the Alliance on species listings, habitat designations, and wildlife rules.
| 6/13/24 Comments on Greater Sage-grouse RMPA/EIS |
| 5/14/24 Comments on Greater Sage-Grouse ACECs |
| 3/28/24 Greater Sage-Grouse RMPA, EIS, and ACECs Extension Request Letter |
| 2/6/24 Joint Trade Comments on BLM Big Game RMPA DEIS |
| 2/6/24 Comments on Gunnison Sage-Grouse RMPA and DEIS |
| 10/2/23 - Comments on Dunes Sagebrush Lizard |
| 8/21/2023 Comments on Fish and Wildlife Service Regulations Pertaining to Wildlife and Plants |
| 8/21/2023 Comments on Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Revisions to Section 7 |
| 8/21/2023 Comments on Fish and Wildlife Service on ESA Listings and Critical Habitat |
| 4/10/23 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ESA Section 10 Revision Comments with PBPA, PAO and PAW |
| 11/14/22 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tricolored Bat Listing Comments with API and AXPC |
| 9/26/22 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Compensatory Mitigation Comments with API. AOGA, PAO |
| 9/2/22 - BLM Big Game Habitat and Corridor RMP Amendment Scoping Comments with WSCOGA and API-CO |
| 8/22/22 - Gunnison Sage Grouse RMPA Scoping Comments |
| 8/8/22 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ESA Experimental Population Rulemaking with PAO |
| 2/8/22 - Scoping Comments on the Greater Sage-Grouse Plan Amendments |
| 12/13/21 - Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Rule with AXPC |
| 12/13/21 - Endangered Species Act Habitat Rule with AXPC |
| 12/3/2021 - Migratory Bird Treaty Act Permits with AXPC, PAW, and PAO |
| 9/04/2020 - Proposed Definition for Habitat for ESA Designations with AXPC |
| 7/20/2020 - Migratory Bird Treaty Act Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with PAW |
| 5/15/2020 - Draft SEIS for Greater Sage-Grouse with API |
| 4/27/2020 - Critical Habitat Designation for the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo |
| 4/13/2020 - Categorical Exclusion for Pinyon-Juniper Removal |
| 3/19/2020 - Regulations Governing Take of Migratory Birds with PAW and AXPC |
| 1/28/2019 - Migratory Bird Treaty Act Species List |
