News about issues affecting the wild lands managed (and sometimes mis-managed) by the Bureau of Land Management -- coming to you from The Wilderness Society’s BLM Action Center
In This Issue:
Wyoming Outfitters, Guides, Wildlife Groups Protest Wyoming Range Lease Sale
The Wyoming Range is one of that state's true gems, providing exceptional wildlife and trout populations, unsurpassed outdoor opportunities, pure waters and clear vistas. But today the Bridger-Teton National Forest is offering thousands of acres of new oil and gas leases. Increasingly, a number of local Wyoming businesses and outdoor wildlife groups are concerned that the proposed lease sales, made without the benefit of public input, will threaten the natural assets that support western Wyoming's diversifying economy and quality of life. Just to the east of the Wyoming Range, for example, the Upper Green River Valley is booming with gas development that will keep industry operators busy for decades. Earlier this week a number of outfitters, guides and wildlife groups - including Trout Unlimited and the National Outdoor Leadership School - protested the proposed oil and gas lease sales in the Wyoming Range. The lease sale, set for April 4, is for 11 separate parcels that total nearly 20,000 acres in the Wyoming Range.
For More Information:
[Contact: Chris Mehl, The Wilderness Society, , 406-586-1600, or Tom Reed, Trout Unlimited, 406-586-2057]
From Bad to Worse - Colorado BLM to Hold the Largest Lease Sale in State History
BLM recently announced that on Tuesday, May 11 th the state office will hold the largest oil & gas lease sale in Colorado history, exceeding last quarter's record-setting sale by over 27,000 acres or approximately 43 square miles. Up for grabs is 196,735 acres of national public land in 172 parcels (the February 2006 sale included 169,602 acres in 157 parcels). Northwest Colorado will be hardest hit by the sale, in which 118,000 acres are slated for sale in Moffat County alone.
Also impacted by the sale are the White River (Meeker) and Little Snake (Craig) resource areas that are at the beginning stages of Resource Management Plan (RMP) revisions (the management guidelines for land use), and yet BLM's May lease sale commits large tracks of these lands to oil & gas development (a single use) prior to the federally required land analysis and public comment period, essentially shortcutting the RMP process that requires the BLM to consider and manage for multiple uses.
But it doesn't stop there: Twenty of the proposed lease tracts include key habitat critical to and managed for the recovery of the nearly extinct black footed ferret, and also include portions of two citizens-proposed wilderness areas--the sweeping scenic hills of Pinyon Ridge, a popular hunting area above the White River, and Demaree Canyon, the rugged, brightly colored haunt of mountain lions northwest of Grand Junction.
[Contact: Steve Smith, The Wilderness Society, 303-650-581, ext. 106]
Wildfire Budget Cut on the Precipice of a "Hot" Fire Season
Recent analysis of the Administration's budget proposal shows dramatic cuts to essential wildfire programs that put scarce resources where they are most urgently needed - in and around communities. These cuts come despite predictions that this year could be a very active fire season. While the current Administration has focused much of its rhetoric on protecting communities, they continue to make dramatic cuts to State and Local Assistance programs. In total, the FY 2007 budget proposes a 25 percent reduction from last year's levels in community fire assistance funding aimed at assisting state, volunteer and rural firefighting efforts. The BLM's Rural Fire Assistance budget is slated to be zeroed out in the President's budget request.
For More Information
[Contact: Tom Fry, The Wilderness Society, 303-650-5818, ext. 110]
Follow the Money (If You Can): BLM's Murky Budget May Put Finest Western Lands at Risk
Even more disturbing than the President's proposal to slash a bare-bones operating budget for the BLM's National Landscape Conservation System -- by another 12% -- may be the murky structure of the agency's budget, which makes it impossible for the public, Congress, and even agency officials to tell if funding for natural and cultural resource protection actually gets used for that purpose.
In February, the Washington Post reported on BLM's history of reallocating money appropriated by Congress for wildlife conservation to spending on energy development on BLM lands.
Is the same kind of reshuffling going on with money for BLM's National Monuments and conservation areas, places which are already hobbled by a severe lack of funding and staff? BLM's confused budget structure for the Conservation System, with funding coming from numerous budget categories and subcategories, means that few people, if any, know the answer. Rough analysis shows that the Administration's proposed level of funding this year would be the lowest since the System's inception, but fuzzy accounting makes it difficult to track even this basic statistic.
[Contact: Wendy VanAsselt, The Wilderness Society, 202-429-7431]
BLM Ignores Congressional Mandate for Alaska's North Slope
Despite federal requirements to appoint a balanced committee, BLM recently appointed several (at least three) oil and gas industry representatives to the North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI) Science Technical Panel, a multi-agency effort to increase collaboration at the local, state, and federal levels to address the research, inventory, and monitoring needs for Alaska's North Slope. Conservation minded agencies and organizations such as the Fish and Wildlife Service - the agency responsible for managing the area's migratory bird and marine mammal populations, including a number of Endangered Species Act listings - did not get a seat at the table.
Alaska's North Slope is a national battleground for habitat protection versus oil and gas development - juxtaposing 89,000 square miles of important and unique plant and wildlife habitat with one of the nation's largest oil fields. In the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Congress required that the Interior Department establish the NSSI to coordinate the collection of scientific data that will provide a better understanding of the terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems of the North Slope of Alaska. Furthermore, Congress mandated that the Interior Department and BLM, the lead agency, appoint conservation nominees in order to ensure the proper inventory and management of the area. Based on the current panel appointments and the Administration's aggressive leasing agenda, conservation groups are concerned that the North Slope's fragile tundra will soon be a sprawling oil and gas industrial development.
For More Information
[Contact: Eleanor Huffines, The Wilderness Society, 907-272-9453]
About the BLM Action Center
The BLM Action Center was established by The Wilderness Society in response to the relentless assault on America’s public lands. The Action Center operates out of Denver with a mission to protect America’s wild lands and open spaces by helping people participate in decisions that will shape the management of millions of acres of BLM lands throughout the Intermountain West. We also serve as a resource for journalists and a link to the vast expertise of The Wilderness Society’s national staff.
BLM Action Center Staff
- Communications Manager Melissa Kolwaite, a great resource, can direct you to our many experts and spokespeople. 303-650-5818, ext. 118
- Attorney Nada Culver, a great source for interpreting legal aspects of the BLM planning processes. 303-650-5818, ext. 117
- Coordinator Heath Nero is an expert in grassroots organization and governmental processes. 303-650-5818, ext. 116
Additional TWS Communications Contacts
>> Visit the BLM Action Center
