October 30th

Projecting Wildlife Impacts Before Oil and Gas Development

Janice Thomson — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:00:00 PDT

Planning and decision making for oil and gas development are typically done without a landscape level spatial assessment of wildlife impacts. Yet readily available GIS technology can simulate alternative infrastructure development scenarios prior to development on the ground. To illustrate its application in a decision making process, spatial build-out scenarios of roads and well pads were used during three phases of the Resource Management Plan revision for the Bureau of Land Management’s Little Snake Resource Area in northwest Colorado. The latest field literature on the impacts of development on Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), sagebrush-obligate bird species generally, pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), elk (Cervus elaphus), and mule deer (Odocoileous hemionus) were used to project impacts from different build-out scenarios. Sample results include projected risk of: 1) 19% decline in sagebrush-obligate bird species under an early cooperating agency development proposal due to proximity to oil and gas access roads, 2) habitat abandonment on 18% of pronghorn winter range under the preferred alternative in the BLM Draft Resource Management Plan due to reduced habitat patch size, and 3) double the rate of decline of activity of Greater Sage-grouse on 28 of 132 total leks under the near final management plan due to proximity to well pads. Quantitative data and illustrative maps were presented to agency planners and stakeholders throughout the process to focus discussions on science-based rationale for development configuration. Results contributed to final decisions on well pad densities and areas to avoid development.

Janice Thomson, Assistant Vice President for Landscape Analysis, The Wilderness Society, 720 3rd Ave., Suite 1800, Seattle, WA, 98104, janice_thomson@tws.org

Dr. Janice Thomson is the Director of the Center for Landscape Analysis at The Wilderness Society. With 19 years at the organization, she manages the work of the Center and strives to expand the application and effectiveness of GIS for conservation science. In her own research, Dr. Thomson evaluates the indirect and cumulative impacts human infrastructure on wildlife. She uses the spatial pattern analysis of oil and gas development and transportation plans to link academic wildlife research to practical land management considerations. She has conducted this work on BLM and Forest Service land management plans in the Rocky Mountain states. The work contributes to a variety of science and advocacy products to improve the use of wildlife research and spatial analysis in land management decision making on federal public lands.

Energy Development and Wilderness Preservation as Compatible Goals

Steve Bloch — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:30:00 PDT

Energy development and wilderness preservation are often thought of as competing and incompatible goals. Recent agreements in Utah between conservation groups, industry, and federal and state governments provide real world examples that this does not have to be the case. Mr. Bloch will discuss those agreements and the potential for similar win-win solutions.

Stephen Bloch, Energy Director, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, 425 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84111, steve@suwa.org

Stephen Bloch is an attorney and the energy program director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Steve represents SUWA and other national, regional and local conservation organizations in litigation and administrative appeals related to public land management in Utah. In the past two years he has also forged agreements with several companies – including the Bill Barrett Corporation and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation – and the Interior Department regarding energy development on public lands in Utah.

Changes in Pronghorn Use of a Natural Gas Field in Greater Yellowstone

Jon P. Beckmann — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:30:00 PDT

Among Earth’s most stunning, yet imperiled, biological phenomenon is Long Distance Migration. Of 17 terrestrial mammals in North America for which migration data exist, pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) of the Upper Green River Basin of western Wyoming have the most extreme movements between Argentina and central Canada and the second longest migration in the entire western hemisphere. This extensive migration approaches 400-500 km on an annual, round-trip basis, and necessitates crossing multiple jurisdictional/political boundaries and the use of four historically narrow bottlenecks (0.2 – 0.8 km) that have existed for almost 6000 years. The impressive movements by pronghorn from relatively xeric areas of the Upper Green River Basin to Grand Teton National Park are comparable with the well-known migratory treks of African wildebeest, zebras, and elephants. To manage America’s 991,479 km2 (245 million acres) of public BLM lands for such mixed uses as natural resource extraction, wildlife, and recreation requires knowledge about effects of habitat alterations. Two of North America’s largest natural gas fields occur in the southern region of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Wyoming), an area that contains >100,000 wintering ungulates, including crucial winter range for pronghorn of Grand Teton National Park. During a 5-year period (2005–2009), we concentrated on patterns of habitat selection of pronghorn to understand how winter weather and increasing habitat loss due to gas field development impact habitat selection. Since this population is held below a food ceiling (i.e., carrying capacity) by human harvest, we expected few habitat constraints on animal movements – hence we examined fine-scale habitat use in relationship to progressive energy footprints. We used mixed-effects resource selection function models on 125 GPS-collared female pronghorn, and analyzed a comprehensive set of factors that included habitat (e.g., slope, plant cover type) and variables examining the impact of gas field infrastructure and human activity (e.g., distance to nearest road and well pad, amount of habitat loss due to conversion to a road or well pad) inside gas fields. Our RSF models demonstrate: (1) a five-fold sequential decrease in habitat patches predicted to be of high use and (2) sequential fine-scale abandonment by pronghorn of areas with the greatest habitat loss and greatest industrial footprint. The ability to detect behavioral impacts may be a better sentinel and earlier warning for burgeoning impacts of resource extraction on wildlife populations than studies focused solely on demography. Nevertheless disentangling cause and effect through the use of behavior warrants further investigation.

Jon P. Beckmann, Wildlife Conservation Society, North America Program, 301 N Willson Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715, jbeckmann@wcs.org

As a Conservation Scientist at WCS, Jon is the Connectivity Initiative Coordinator for the North America Program. He is also Principle Investigator on several projects in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and in other regions of North America. Jon’s current research projects include: 1) examining the impacts of natural gas development on pronghorn of western Wyoming; 2) protecting ungulate migrations in the northern Rockies by understanding and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions; 3) an on-going 15-year study investigating and reducing human-bear conflicts along the wildland-urban interface in the Lake Tahoe Basin; 4) using detection dogs, resource selection and circuit theory modeling to examine connectivity for large carnivores in the GYE; 5) examining the impacts of the US-Mexico border fence on carnivore connectivity; and 6) understanding how human-altered environments impact mountain lion ecology in the Great Basin. Along with numerous publications, Dr. Beckmann is lead editor on a book titled Safe Passages: highways, wildlife and habitat connectivity.

Phased Energy Development and the Precautionary Principle: Good for Critters and Communities

Pete Morton — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:00:00 PDT

High quality outdoor recreation, open space and scenic vistas, clean air, clean water, abundant wildlife and biodiversity are representative of the “natural amenities” that have been major drivers of economic development in the Rockies over the last 30 years. While the economic role of natural amenities varies across the “new western” landscape, in many communities protecting the environment is a prerequisite for sustainable economic success. In Colorado and other western states, public concerns are increasing about oil and natural gas drilling generally and hydraulic fracturing specifically. While oil and natural gas development does generate economic benefits, as the pace and scale of drilling increases so do the cumulative risks. While Colorado has some of the strongest laws in the U.S. – many residents and local elected officials do not believe they go far enough – as evidenced by the intra-jurisdictional legal battles currently brewing. One strategy for moving forward is to implement phased energy development guided by the precautionary principle and backed by a suite of economic instruments.

Pete Morton, Environmental Consultant, Boulder, CO, 80301, peteinboulder@gmail.com, 303-993-3727

Pete Morton has a BA in Accounting and Business Administration, a Masters of Forestry with an emphasis on quantitative modeling, and a PhD in Natural Resource Economics. Pete has 20 years of professional work experience in the private, academic, and non-profit sectors, most recently as the Director of Economic Research at The Wilderness Society. In addition to publishing numerous academic and legal papers, Pete has testified before the United States Congress and in Federal Court on economic, energy and environmental issues. When he’s not skiing or hiking, Pete works as a consultant in Boulder, Colorado.

Research Provides Answers to Mitigate Impacts of Energy Development to Wildlife

Jeffrey L. Beck — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:30:00 PDT

Energy development and other anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in lost, degraded, and fragmented wildlife habitats in many portions of the western United States and Canada. These compromised habitats have in turn led to declines in some wildlife populations. Furthermore, conservation of wildlife populations in the West is very challenging given that populations of many species migrate across large landscapes to access seasonal resources. Research that seeks to identify the direct and indirect impacts of energy development to wildlife habitats and populations plays a critical role in identifying potential steps to mitigate these impacts. The purpose of my presentation is to showcase findings from studies that have yielded information that can be used to make energy development more harmonious with wildlife populations. The case studies I will present include examples from elk (Cervus elaphus), greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), and other focal taxa that inhabit the western North American landscape. Findings from research that can be applied to form beneficial mitigation steps are particularly important given the rapid pace of energy development across the West and the need to provide industry and natural resource managers with useful information to restore the quality and effectiveness of wildlife habitats in disturbed systems.

Jeffrey L. Beck, Rangeland Wildlife Habitat Restoration Ecologist, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3354, 1000 E. University Ave, Laramie, WY, 82071, jlbeck@ uwyo.edu

Jeffrey L. Beck is an assistant professor of wildlife habitat restoration ecology in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the University of Wyoming. His research interests focus on restoring the quality and effectiveness of wildlife habitats in disturbed systems, particularly sagebrush habitats. The research questions that Dr. Beck’s lab addresses are guided by ecological concepts that are used as a framework to evaluate conservation questions. Two general areas of emphasis that Dr. Beck’s lab is pursuing include: (1) evaluating the direct and indirect impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on vertebrates (greater sage-grouse and ungulates as model taxa), and (2) assessing the efficacy of mitigation techniques and conservation practices intended to enhance habitat conditions or mitigate effects of anthropogenic development in sagebrush habitats. Dr. Beck and his students seek to understand responses of habitat restoration efforts across a range of spatial and temporal scales to better inform conservation practices.

Overview of Best Management Practices used to Mitigate Environmental Impacts from Large- Scale Oil and Gas and Renewable Energy Development Projects on Public Lands Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

James Gazewood — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:30:00 PDT

Since 2009, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved 17,830 applications for permit to drill oil and gas wells and approximately 5,085 associated pipeline, power and production facility rights-of- way. During this same timeframe, BLM authorized 33 renewable energy projects capable of producing over 10,000 megawatts of power or enough energy to power 3.5 million homes. The approved renewable energy projects include 18 utility-scale solar facilities, seven wind farms and eight geothermal plants, with associated transmission corridors and infrastructure enabling these projects to provide power to nearby transmission grids. In Fiscal Year 2011, over 117 million barrels of oil were produced from public and Indian lands. In addition, the nearly 3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas produced from public lands made 2011 the second-most productive year for natural gas on record. Renewable energy production from wind, solar, geothermal and biomass that – together with conventional oil and gas energy resources – contribute to the Nation’s energy security and to the clean energy economy of the future. These resources are a significant source of economic development and employment. While the oil and gas industry and BLM are working together to address environmental impacts of development and to achieve higher standards, renewable energy developers are working to create a new energy industry, incorporating clean, safe standards from the outset. In delivering new energy to America, BLM is working with Federal partners, States, and local communities guided by the belief that energy development where promoted and sited in a thoughtful way, can fully contribute to conservation and protection of the environment. This presentation will briefly touch on best management practices (BMPs) that have been used to mitigate environmental impacts from large-scale oil and gas and renewable energy development projects on public lands administered by BLM. These BMP approaches are based upon comprehensive master project planning concepts which include: reduction in initial and interim surface disturbance areas; consolidation of linear infrastructure into well designed corridors; consolidation of development and operational infrastructure to a limited number of sites; elimination of hazards to wildlife, noise reduction, and use of remote operations and monitoring technology.

James Gazewood, Renewable Energy Program Coordinator, BLM Utah, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101, jim_gazewood@blm.gov

Jim Gazewood serves as BLM Utah’s Renewable Energy Program Coordinator overseeing wind, solar, geothermal and biomass energy development. Jim has B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Wyoming and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. During the past 29 years, Jim has held various petroleum engineering, project and program management positions with BLM. Among his accomplishments include serving as the Acting Oil and Gas Program Deputy Manager in Washington; as a project manager overseeing the development of a large bureau-wide automated oil and gas well permitting and field inspection and enforcement system; serving as a Co-chairman on the American Petroleum Institute’s - Petroleum Industry Data Interchange (API-PIDX) Regulatory User’s Group (REGS) to develop an electronic well permitting data exchange standard for use by industry with MMS Offshore, BLM Onshore, and state oil and gas commissions; as BLM Wyoming’s Powder River Basin Coal Bed Methane Program Coordinator working on BLM’s largest oil and gas project approval to date; and the completion of a Report to Congress for the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 365, Federal Oil and Gas Permit Streamlining Pilot Project that encompassed seven major oil and gas permitting offices located in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah. Prior to joining BLM, Jim worked seven years in natural gas well drilling and production operations throughout the Rockies with Santa Fe Energy and Mountain Fuel Supply Companies.

Speak to me Lichen, How Stable is the Soil? Tell me its Disturbance History

Roger Rosentreter — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:00:00 PDT

Strategies and Metrics for Mitigating Impacts of Energy Development on Biodiversity

Jonathan Haufler — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 09:20:00 PDT

Energy developments impact wildlife and biodiversity through their direct footprints including associated roads, powerlines, and other structures and through additional impacts to wildlife caused by behavioral avoidance of animals to structures or activities. Off-site mitigation offers a means of compensating for impacts, but will only be effective if benefits can be quantified and shown to be equivalent to the impacts. EMRI has been evaluating various programs and metrics for assessing off-site mitigation. NRCS ecological sites provide a classification tool that can be used to evaluate equivalency in ecosystem conditions, and can form the basis of measuring mitigation uplift through habitat improvements at off-site locations measured in comparison to site capabilities. Wildlife impacts and mitigation benefits can be evaluated through changes in habitat quality evaluated using habitat-based species viability assessments at appropriate landscape scales. A mitigation metric system using these methods was evaluated at 7 different locations throughout the sagebrush biome and shown to be an effective tool for quantifying impacts and benefits. These metrics can form an evaluation foundation for use in conservation banking, voluntary offset programs, or similar initiatives. Additional policy questions related to weighting of impacts and transferability of mitigation benefits must be considered before the metrics can be properly applied.

Jonathan Haufler, Ecosystem Management Research Institute, P.O. Box 717, Seeley Lake, MT 59868, Jon_Haufler@emri.org

Jonathan Haufler is the Executive Director of the Ecosystem Management Research Institute, an independent non-profit institute located in Montana. Previous positions have included Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Michigan State University and Manger of Wildlife and Ecology Programs for Boise Cascade Corporation. Jon earned a B.S. from the University of New Hampshire, M.S. from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. from Colorado State University, all in wildlife biology. He is a certified wildlife biologist and is President-Elect of The Wildlife Society.

Energy and Wildlife – Investments in Conservation

Scot Donato — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:30:00 PDT

The ‘easy’ oil & gas is gone and energy companies must seek their resources in harder to get to locations. This can cause conflicts with various other resources including wildlife. Energy companies want to be good neighbors and are motivated to peacefully coexist. Progressive companies are interested in working with real conservation groups and wildlife agencies to help conserve and propagate species of concern in operations areas. Intensive pre-project & operational planning is required more than ever. Companies should meet with the appropriate conservation stakeholders and agencies to identify resources and species of concern and the known threats to the same. Comprehensive science is typically lacking and thus adaptive management for wildlife issues is critical. This requires commitment and flexibility from both the energy companies and the wildlife agencies. Companies need to utilize, “low-impact” methods where appropriate and practicable - e.g. 3-D seismic, directional drilling (multi-well pads), low visibility equipment, remote telemetry, etc. Energy companies can bring financial and equipment resources to the table that may otherwise be unavailable or limited for helping with conservation efforts. We are ‘results-oriented’ companies made up of scientists, engineers and businessmen. Operators prefer to work with legitimate conservation groups and wildlife agencies for on-the- ground projects that increase, enhance, or conserve wildlife habitat. We also understand the need for both up front and after the fact science whether surveys, or monitoring, or audits of projects, it’s all important. Litigation doesn’t help enhance or create habitat or forage for wildlife. The West Tavaputs EIS-Record of Decision Wildlife Mitigation Plan and the Colorado Molina Habitat Restoration Project are two great examples of energy companies working with agencies and wildlife/sportsmen groups to get things done on the ground to improve habitat and forage as well as to educate the public.

Scot A. Donato, Manager, Governmental Affairs, Bill Barrett Corporation, 1099 18th Street, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202, sdonato@billbarretcorp.com

Scot Donato is the Manager of Governmental Affairs for Bill Barrett Corporation, a Colorado-based oil and natural gas producer with operations in the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Donato is responsible for environmental and governmental affairs matters in this multi-state area. Scot is responsible for developing mitigation plans in association with BBC’s energy development. He has worked with multiple state and federal agencies and sportsmen/conservation groups to accomplish the goal of conserving wildlife while responsibly developing energy resources. Scot has a Bachelors degree in Geology from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado and a Masters of Environmental Policy & Management from the University of Denver, and his professional experience includes over 30 years in the environmental, regulatory, and oil & gas industry working on a wide variety of challenges.

Wearing Four Hats – Finding Balance while being a Rancher, Mineral/Energy Developer, County Councilman, and Conservationist

Chris Robinson — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:40:00 PDT

Christopher Robinson, The Ensign Group, P.O. Box 540478, North Salt Lake, UT, 84054, crobinson@theensigngroup.com

Christopher F. Robinson, CEO and co-owner of The Ensign Group, L.C., which (through its affiliates) owns, operates, leases, and/or manages approximately 750,000 acres of private and public land located in Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and used for production agriculture, mineral and resource development, wildlife values, water resources, environmental values, real estate investment, and/or real estate development; currently (2012) candidate for Utah House of Representatives District 54 (Wasatch County and Park City); elected Member, Summit County Council (2009 through present); Trustee (1999 to 2002) of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and Vice-Chairman of Audit Committee; currently Vice-Chair and Trustee (1990 to present), The Nature Conservancy of Utah; married to Rochelle Allen Robinson, and they are the parents of four children; received Honors B.A. in Accountancy from the University of Utah (1986); resides in Park City, Utah.