BLM Calls for More Oil & Gas Drilling in Heart of Red Desert

by Mac Blewer

The BLM recently released its supplemental draft environmental impact statement for the 620,000-acre Jack Morrow Hills Study Area of the Red Desert. Unfortunately, the latest version is even more flawed than the agency's first draft, released during the Clinton Administration.

The plan calls for increased oil and gas development in and around the 88,000-acre core of the Steamboat Mountain area, critical habitat for the largest desert elk herd in the world, and opens a large part of the planning area to mineral leasing and oil and gas development. The study ignores nearly 13,000 public comments calling for the protection of the area, fails to address the potential for trading or buying out mineral leases to resolve resource management conflicts and only peripherally considers expanding one of the area's seven wilderness study areas, the Pinnacles.

The BLM's preferred action calls for developing 205 oil and gas wells in the study area over a 20-year period using "phased development" and "adaptive management." However, it is unlikely that the agency will adhere to this number, given the Bush Administration's push for energy development at the expense of the West's treasured wildlands and wildlife.

As we went to press, it was unclear exactly where 205 oil and gas wells will be drilled within the study area. However, at least 50 "pilot" coalbed methane wells are sanctioned in the plan. And it's important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2000 review of the first Jack Morrow Hills plan predicted that at least 800 coalbed methane wells would be approved by the BLM in the study area. Even the agency's so-called "preservation management action alternative" allows the development of 163 oil and gas wells, while the "industrial alternative" permits 264 such wells.

However, the news is not all bad. The BLM's preferred action emphasizes "adaptive management" guidelines for all human activities within the study area, and recommends "staged" oil and gas development, a concept that WOC has advocated in areas of Wyoming that are currently besieged by industrial development, including the Powder River Basin and the Upper Green River Valley. The plan also allows some flexibility regarding fire management guidelines and emphasizes non-lethal predator-control methods when possible.

Given that the BLM has ignored the outpouring of public comments calling for the protection of the Red Desert, disregarded the sound advice of former Interior Secretary Babbitt to draft a plan with conservation as a priority and failed to consider a wide range of resource alternatives, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, our only recourse is to craft a plan that will protect the natural, historic and cultural values of the area.

WOC, working in coalition with tribal groups, other conservation organizations and businesses, is currently drafting the "Citizens' Wildlife and Wildlands Alternative" that will again call for the trade or buyout of mineral leases in the study area, expand Wilderness Study Area boundaries, protect historically and culturally significant sites such as Steamboat Mountain and White Mountain and bar further large-scale mineral leasing and development while allowing small-scale hard rock mining (primarily gold), responsible recreation, ORV use, hunting and grazing.

Pump jack on south side of Steamboat Mountain Photo by John Wiltse

"My grandfather used to say there was nothing but miles and miles of miles and miles in the Red Desert," said Lander resident, hunter and self-proclaimed desert rat, Marian Doane.

I hope we can keep it that way. Sadly, if this national treasure within the eight-million-acre greater Red Desert is roaded and rigged, then other Red Desert jewels like Cyclone Rim, Atlantic Rim and Adobe Town can expect similar treatment. Now is the time for Red Desert rats and wilderness advocates to speak up for the Wild Heart of the West!

The deadline for public comments on the BLM's supplemental draft environmental impact statement for the Jack Morrow Hills area of the Red Desert is May 23.

Watch for WOC alerts and please respond, urging the BLM to support the Citizens' Wildlife and Wildlands Alternative as the best plan for protecting the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Red Desert.