WOC Challenges Destructive Oil & Gas Leasing,
Timber Sales
by Kelly Matheson
To protect Wyoming's wild places, WOC closely monitors lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and, when necessary, challenges inappropriate oil and gas development and timber sales on these public lands.
Shoshone National Forest
In November, WOC and a coalition of other environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas leases in prime wildlife habitat near Yellowstone National Park. Tim Preso, an attorney with the Bozeman office of Earthjustice, is representing the groups.
The disputed leases are in the Brent Creek area on the Shoshone National Forest and adjacent BLM lands. Brent Creek provides crucial habitat for elk, grizzly bears and other sensitive species.
Our lawsuit details numerous violations of the Endangered Species Act by the USFS and the BLM. Most importantly, the agencies issued oil and gas leases in occupied grizzly bear habitat without taking steps required by law to analyze and avoid the adverse impacts of oil and gas drilling on the threatened bears.
Bighorn National Forest
On October 31, Federal District Court Judge John L. Kane denied the USFS's request to dismiss our lawsuit challenging the legality of the Sourdough Timber Sale on the Bighorn National Forest. WOC and other conservation groups argued that the sale was illegal because the USFS had not performed adequate wildlife monitoring and had not established a valid timber-harvest level for the forest. In response, the USFS withdrew the sale and asked the court to dismiss the case as "moot."
In denying the USFS's motion to dismiss, the court noted that it could, and should, rule on the merits of the case, since any future timber sales offered by the Bighorn National Forest may be illegal for the reasons alleged in the lawsuit.
Bridger-Teton National Forest
More than a year ago, the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) proposing to protect nearly 370,000 acres of the forest from oil and gas drilling. The area sits cradled between the Bridger, Teton, Gros Ventre and Fitzpatrick Wilderness Areas in the heart of Greater Yellowstone. WOC fully supports the EIS's "No Lease Alternative."
Forest officials initially said they expected to render a final decision last April, but the deadline has been extended numerous times. According to BTNF officials, the USFS has delayed its decision because it is evaluating an additional alternative. The final EIS is now expected sometime this spring. |
Privacy Policy