The greater sage-grouse and the Wyoming pocket gopher made “the list” of wildlife most at-risk in the country because of oil and gas development, but that’s not the end of the story for the critters – or industry. Duane Short at the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance says the listing should help provide focus.
Short says sage-grouse behavior and range has long been studied, and the pocket gopher habitat has been documented. He makes the case that the oil and gas industry can use technology to minimize its footprint on those habitats with methods such as directional drilling. Several companies already do it – those reluctant cite costs or possible loss of production volume.
Short says oil and gas production is important to Wyoming, which is why making sure species don’t end up on the endangered species list is in everyone’s best interest.
The B-L-M has already taken note of the sage-grouse issue, and public meetings are scheduled in Wyoming starting January 30th to discuss conservation measures.
Short says sage-grouse behavior and range has long been studied, and the pocket gopher habitat has been documented. He makes the case that the oil and gas industry can use technology to minimize its footprint on those habitats with methods such as directional drilling. Several companies already do it – those reluctant cite costs or possible loss of production volume.
Short says oil and gas production is important to Wyoming, which is why making sure species don’t end up on the endangered species list is in everyone’s best interest.
The B-L-M has already taken note of the sage-grouse issue, and public meetings are scheduled in Wyoming starting January 30th to discuss conservation measures.
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