Charting a sound course
The release of BLM’s draft Pinedale Resource Management Plan offers a great opportunity to restore a true multiple-use approach to public lands in the Upper Green River Valley. Or it could cement a reckless course of excessive development that would overrun Sublette County communities, displace wildlife and foul the air. BLM’s “preferred” Alternative 4, which envisions almost 8,000 new wells over the next 15 years, would make larges swaths of scenic and sensitive wildlife habitat open for development and impose little on industry in the way of accountability. Gov. Dave Freudenthal and state wildlife officials insist BLM implement a balanced approach. "Given the intense level of (oil and gas development) in areas administered by the Pinedale Field Office, there needs to be a high level of assurance that the very limited remaining unleased portions of the management area remain unavailable to leasing in order to maintain a functional landscape for wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, grazing, cultural resources and open space,” the governor wrote in his RMP comments.

With some improvements—such as wildlife thresholds, mandates for using the cleanest technology and practices, and elimination of loopholes—the draft RMP’s Alternative 3, which enjoys the support of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, could ensure the valley is developed more responsibly. A sound RMP would not only ensure we “do it right” in the Upper Green, but also would serve as a model of a more balanced approach for the BLM’s other oil and gas hotspots around the West. Get involved today!