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Wildlife

Wildlife Basics

In many ways, wildlife management is primarily a state function. That said, the protection of wildlife – game, non-game and sensitive species – and the protection and restoration of wildlife habitat in the Intermountain West is a complex endeavor. The development of oil and gas resources on federal, state and private lands requires adherence to both federal and state law and requires the cooperation of federal, state, and local governments as well as industry, conservation groups, landowners and many interested citizens. The resources on this web page link to agencies and organizations working to protect wildlife in the Intermountain West and highlight some of the most controversial issues related to development in the region.

Species of Special Concern

Sage Grouse

For an in-depth look at sage grouse species, habitat requirements, and landscape management for sage grouse see the plans of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, individual state agencies, and collaborative working groups. Resources on these links discuss effects of oil and gas development on grouse, strategies and practices for habitat management within oil and gas fields, and monitoring practices.

Western Association of Fish and Wildlife

Greater Sage-Grouse Comprehensive Conservation Strategy

Colorado

Greater and Gunnison Sage Grouse Conservation Plans

Wyoming

Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Greater Sage Grouse Management Plan

Keeping Birds in the Sagebrush Sea

Wyoming Sage-Grouse Research Reports

Petroleum Association of Wyoming - Sage Grouse Management

Greater sage-grouse population response to natural gas field development in western Wyoming

Sage Grouse Winter Habitat Selection and Energy Development in the Powder River Basin: Completion Report

Sage-grouse Population Response to Coal-bed Natural Gas Development in the Powder River Basin: Interim Progress Report on Region-wide Lek-count Analyses

Biodiversity Conservation Alliance - Additional Sage Grouse Studies

Western North America

Adaptive management of prairie grouse: How do we get there?

Development in Western North America: Effects on Sagebrush Steppe Avifauna with Particular Emphasis on Sage-grouse

How Many is Too Many: A Review of Road Density Thresholds for Wildlife

Threatened and Endangered Species

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a powerful federal law that regulates management of threatened and endangered wildlife species through critical habitat designations and strict controls on activities that could cause harm to protected species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the ESA as it applies to both private and public entities, but state wildlife agencies play a cooperative role in the listing and management of threatened and endangered species. For background information on the ESA, see the Red Lodge Clearinghouse Website: LAWS: Endangered Species Act.

State Species of Concern

States also designate species of state concern and develop management strategies for those species to prevent a need for federal listing as threatened or endangered. See the following links for information on state species of concern.

Colorado

Colorado Division of Wildlife, Species of Concern

Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks - Species of Concern

Montana Natural Heritage Program

New Mexico

New Mexico Wildlife Conservation - Species of Concern (BISON-M)

Oil and Gas Development Guidelines, Conserving New Mexico’s Wildlife Habitats and Wildlife

Natural Heritage New Mexico

Utah

Utah Conservation Data Center

Wyoming

Wyoming Game and Fish - Nongame Species of Special Concern

Wyoming Natural Diversity Database

The Landscape Approach

Understanding and protecting resources on a landscape scale is also important to maintaining the biodiversity and unique character of the Intermountain West. What does it mean to work at a landscape scale and why is it important? What is habitat fragmentation and how can it be minimized in responsible oil and gas development? See the following resources to help answer these questions:

Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI)

The WLCI is a multi-partner, long-term, science-based program to assess, monitor, and enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitats at a landscape scale in southwest Wyoming, while facilitating responsible development through local collaboration and partnerships.

The Nature Conservancy - Continental Divide-Creston Project

BP is consulting with The Nature Conservancy to manage impacts of the Continental Divide-Crestone Project near Wamsutter Wyoming.

Western Governor’s Association - Wildlife Corridors Initiative

The Wildlife Corridors Initiative is a multi-state and collaborative effort to improve knowledge of and management for migratory corridors and crucial habitat.

What Do We Know?

State wildlife agencies, academics, industry and conservation groups all want to understand the impact of development – including oil and gas development – on wildlife populations. Many entities are sponsoring and participating in research projects and wildlife monitoring efforts throughout the Intermountain West. The following are links to agency web sites and to a small sampling of that research. Please help us bring more of this research to our web site community. Click the ABOUT US button to contribute information for this section.

New Mexico

New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department – Land Conservation, Habitat Corridors and Wildlife Adaptations

New Mexico Game and Fish

Conservation webpage - includes reports on various issues

Habitat Fragmentation and the Effects of Roads on Wildlife and Habitats

Utah

Great Basin Research Center

Wyoming

Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Wyoming Game and Fish Department Homepage

Recommendations for Development of Oil and Gas Resources within Crucial and Important Wildlife Habitats

Wyoming Big Game Habitat Reports

Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative

Wyoming Wildlife Federation: Oil and Gas Development Research and Publications.

Western Ecosystems Technology Incorporated (WEST Inc). is a private environmental consulting company that performs development impact studies, primarily in Wyoming, for both the federal government and private industry.

Mule deer and pronghorn migration in western Wyoming

Sublette Mule Deer Study (Phase II) Final Report

Final Report for the Atlantic Rim Mule Deer Study

Seasonal distribution and habitat use patterns of elk in the Jack Morrow Hills Planning Area

Winter habitat selection of mule deer before and during development of a natural gas field