WYO Drilling “Hot Spot” Reviewed Today
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pinedale, WY – Many Wyomingites in the Upper Green River Valley are wary of the latest B.L.M. plan to ramp up gas drilling on the Pinedale Anticline, and they get their say today at a public hearing on the plan to add more than 4,000 wells. Linda Baker with the Upper Green River Valley Coalition says the B.L.M. needs to consider how adding all those wells affects tiny towns like Pinedale. She says it contributes not only to dust, but also stretches emergency services, increases traffic, and even causes problems at the post office.
"We do need a slower pace of development to allow our local governments to come up with some way to deal with all these additional impacts."
Baker says the plan talks about using more directional drilling to lower the impact on people and wildlife. She says that’s a good start, but they’re looking for promises.
"We’d like to see some guarantees in writing. We’d like to see accountability along the way to the public."
Baker says the other big concern is what the development does to wildlife, especially during the winter season. State studies already show that up to 90 percent of sage grouse have been displaced, and there’s been a 46 percent decline in mule deer in the area since current drilling projects got underway. The B.L.M. says it will consider local comments before issuing a final plan.
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