Pinedale
Anticline
Bounded by the Wind River, Gros Ventre, and Wyoming ranges, the Pinedale Resource Area contains crucial big-game winter habitat, the longest migration corridor for pronghorn ever documented, and contains some of the best "stronghold" habitat nationwide for sage-grouse.
While this proposal contains some good measures to limit industry's footprint, including phased leasing, it allows year-round drilling which removes seasonal protections of big game and sage grouse during critical winter months and breeding times.
In additions to concerns over the health of wildlife populations is a concern over the health of local residents. Last winter, the Pinedale area saw a number of ground-level ozone pollution warnings which pose a threat to young people, elderly and those with respiratory conditions. These ozone warnings, which are typically associated with big cities in the summer, were linked to the emissions from the Pinedale Anticline and nearby Jonah field combined with unique meteorological conditions. In order to avoid federal regulations, the industry must work towards reducing their emissions.
More About Pinedale Anticline
Background on Pinedale Anticline
General News Articles:
Gov calls for revision of federal law
Congress probes BLM on drilling
'Your voice is really not heard'
BLM releases final western Wyo drilling plan
Drilling crossroads - CST (2/23/10)
News Videos:
A flight over Pinedale (CNN)
Energy, wealth, and wildlife: Wyoming looks for harmony (CNN)
Coping with the boom in Pinedale (Rocky Mountain News)
Cowboys and economics in Wyoming (Rocky Mountain News)
Natural gas boom impacts rural Wyoming town (PBS)
Wyoming wealth vs. wildlife (CNN)
Read scientific studies on the effects of oil and gas development on wildlife
Read the Upper Green River Valley Coalition Position Paper on Proposed Drilling Escalation in the Pinedale Anticline Gas Field