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  • THE ALLIANCE
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    • CONNECT
    • NEWSROOM
    • SOURCE ROCK BLOG
  • GET INVOLVED
    • NETWORKING EVENTS
    • MEMBER BENEFITS
    • MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
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  • ADVOCACY
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    • WILDLIFE
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WILDLIFE

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.
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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
- Western Governors' Association Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool (CHAT)

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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.
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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. ​
9/04/2020 - Comments on the Proposed Definition for Habitat for ESA Designations with AXPC
File Size: 190 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

7/20/2020 - Migratory Bird Treaty Act Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with PAW
File Size: 305 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

5/15/2020 - Comments on the Draft SEIS for Greater Sage-Grouse with API
File Size: 824 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

4/27/2020 - Critical Habitat Designation for the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
File Size: 326 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

4/13/2020 - Categorical Exclusion for Pinyon-Juniper Removal
File Size: 300 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

3/19/2020 - Regulations Governing Take of Migratory Birds with PAW and AXPC
File Size: 204 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

1/28/2019 - Migratory Bird Treaty Act Species List
File Size: 341 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Denver, CO 80203
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