Key western U.S. Forest Service lands have high development potential
The U.S. Forest Service has released a plan to make it easier for companies to drill for oil and gas on U.S. Forest Service lands.
The proposed rule would cut the public out of the process used to decide whether and which lands will be opened to oil and gas drilling. It would also give excessive leeway to companies that don’t follow US Forest Service (USFS) laws and weaken that agency’s ability to protect public land from development and degradation.
By adopting this dramatic departure from its long-standing role, Forest Service would give away its right to serve as a check on leasing in those places that need protections.
Maps
Tools & Resources
Map: Oil and gas resources on U.S. Forest Service lands (national)
Map: Oil and gas potential on U.S. Forest Service lands (western states)
Map: Oil and gas potential on U.S. Forest Service lands (Colorado)
Map: Oil and gas potential on U.S. Forest Service lands (Montana)
Map: Oil and gas potential on U.S. Forest Service lands (New Mexico)
Map: Oil and gas potential on U.S. Forest Service lands (Nevada)
OTHER RESOURCES
Dan Keck, Flickr
Mason Cummings, TWS
