Rocky Mountain Hunting and Fishing at Risk

Over the past decade, the Rocky Mountains have experienced an unprecedented loss of fish and wildlife habitat due to irresponsible oil and gas drilling. The iconic landscapes and game species that have made this region a paradise for American sportsmen are being lost for short-term gains. There is no question that we need energy resources to survive, and sportsmen support responsible development on public lands. However, the current pace of energy development and the fact that it often is done without concern for wildlife is unacceptable.

With 26 million acres of big-game habitat, an area the size of Ohio, already leased by the Bureau of Land Management and 126,000 new gas wells proposed for production, oil and gas development will occur on our public lands for years to come. The question for American sportsmen is whether it will be done responsibly or whether our wildlife and hunting and fishing opportunities will be degraded for future generations.

Unfortunately, the natural gas resources in the Rocky Mountains are often found in the same places that contain world-class coldwater fisheries, critical winter range and migration corridors for all big-game species and struggling populations of sage grouse. Oil and gas development can be accomplished in ways that extract energy resources and conserve fish and wildlife habitat at the same time, but this can only be accomplished if we go slowly and take common-sense precautions that help preserve our fish and wildlife resources.

Clearly America’s current energy policy is out of touch with the needs of fish and wildlife and the rich tradition of hunting and fishing on Western public lands. We need to change oil and gas policy at the highest levels in our nation's capital, but we can't do it without your help.

New Mexico — Otero Mesa

Tucked away along the Texas and New Mexico border between the Hueco and Guadalupe Mountains, Otero Mesa is 1.2 million acres of unique Chihuahuan desert grassland. This expanse of New Mexico provides important habitat for wildlife as well as vital water resources in the Salt Basin aquifer located below the area. Otero Mesa is home New Mexico’s largest pronghorn antelope herd, which, unlike most herds in the state, has not needed reintroduction to thrive due to its rich habitat. This herd and the surrounding terrain provide some of the best pronghorn hunting in the state. Despite its natural beauty and unique hunting opportunities, Otero Mesa is in danger of becoming an industrial oil and gas field. The oil and gas industry has nominated 250,000 acres for lease sale and the BLM already has leased 51,000 acres. Oil and gas development just to the east of Otero Mesa has fragmented pronghorn habitat in Eddy County, and a herd that once numbered more than 300 is now down to 30.

Colorado — Vermillion Basin

Located the northwest corner of Colorado, the Vermillion Basin offers some of the most pristine and rugged landscapes in the Rocky Mountains. Its large populations of elk, mule deer and sage grouse make it an escape for hunters looking for a rustic experience in Colorado. But that experience is in danger, as the Vermillion Basin could soon become another industrial field for the oil and gas industry.

Montana — The Powder River Basin

The vast tracks of wildlife habitat in the Powder River Basin of Montana support large numbers of sage grouse, antelope, mule deer, elk and native fish. These prized species make the area a mecca for hunters and anglers. Recently, a moratorium on drilling new coal bed methane (CBM) wells in the Basin was lifted. The Tongue River, Montana's premier smallmouth bass fishing river, is in danger of being polluted with large volumes of CBM wastewater discharge from Wyoming and Montana. The discharge, which contains high levels of sodium bicarbonate, will change the quality of the water in the Tongue at the expense of bass and approximately 50 other species of native fish. Recent studies show that the increased industrial development in this area will likely lead to precipitous declines in sage grouse populations. In addition, agency officials anticipate 1.5 million acres of land disturbance in the Powder River Basin to accommodate proposed and existing pipelines, wastewater pits, roads and well pads.

Wyoming — The Hoback Basin

Plains Exploration is proposing 136 new natural gas wells on 17 pads that would be connected with 29 miles of new roads in the Hoback Basin, within the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Even under a much smaller proposal last year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department had serious concerns about the effect on fish and wildlife from the well pads and roads. Twenty-nine miles of new or upgraded roads will increase sediment in streams, putting at risk the native trout for which the Wyoming Range is famous. Roads and well pads decrease habitat and interfere with migration corridors, making it difficult for big game to move freely and securely. Loss of fish and big game means loss of hunting and fishing opportunities for sportsmen.