HISTORY

SDSBT, why we exist… the problem….the impacts

THE PROBLEM: THE DRILLING PROPOSALS

68,800 acres not now in gas production in the upper-Bridger-Teton National Forest are proposed for drilling forming a first-time-ever industrial corridor nearly 60 miles long in the recreational National Forest. And it is only 32 miles from the Grand Teton National Park in the Greater Yellowstone area.

The proposed Hoback wells in the Forest near Bondurant, Wyoming have expanded from, a 19,400 acre proposal in 2005 consisting of 1 well pad and 3 test wells known as the South Rim Unit, to the “Eagle Prospect and Noble Basin Master Development Plan” in 2008 consisting of 17 well pads and 136 wells over a 22 square mile area near the Hoback River. The river is the spawning ground for native trout; what is planned for the next expansion or “infill” is unknown. Also, 29 miles of road construction in the Forest are proposed including in a designated “Roadless Area.” Who’s proposing?--Plains Exploration and Production Company. Who’s in charge? The Bridger-Teton National Forest and the US Bureau of Land Management.

44,720 acres more in 35 leases just to the south of the Hoback wells were also auctioned by the Bureau of Land Management linking the upper Bridger-Teton National Forest to the gas fields to the south. They are pushing to develop despite a “legal stay.” Who’s proposing? Stanley Energy. Who’s in charge? The same federal agencies.

4,000 more wells are proposed to expand the existing fields to the south in the Pinedale Anticline, and many of these wells push the boundaries further out of the core producing areas.  SDSBT supports drilling containment, not spreading the development further into the Forest. Who wants the expansion? The oil and gas companies producing in the Pinedale Anticline. Who’s in charge? The US Bureau of Land Management.

SOME PLACES ARE TOO SPECIAL TO DRILL!

IMPACTS

Air pollution
In February, 2008 the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality issued a first-time-ever ozone alert near the Pinedale Anticline gas fields. Until now air pollution and the human health consequences of natural gas field generated pollution have been largely ignored except by citizens!  Class 1 Air Sheds are being polluted. Smog days are already forecast for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Water
The volume of water required for the proposed gas fields in the Hoback Basin is undocumented. The condition of the aquifers that support ground water and surface water resources is unknown. The Forest, ranches and communities all rely on these waters.  Water is key to the sustainability of the natural and human environment. Unstudied and unquantified Hoback River Basin water resources and unlimited taking of water for gas development in combination is a disaster waiting to happen.

Water Pollution
Waters produced from drilling have chemical and salt content. When released these waters would contaminate land and water including streams and the Hoback River affecting agriculture, wildlife, native trout and humans. Benzene and chemical contaminated water near the existing producing gas fields is already documented. Water contamination is a direct result of drilling.

Wildlife
The proposed well pads and road networks would affect summer habitat, including calving grounds. The wells and roads would fragment a critical wildlife migratory corridor for moose, elk, mule deer, lynx and other species that link the GrosVentre Wilderness to the Forest’s Wyoming Range.

Mule deer summer and birth in this Hoback/Forest area and migrate south through the gas fields in winter. Wildlife studies show a 46% decline in the mule deer population since south area drilling began. To develop both in the north and the south means possible mule deer extinction.

Recreation
Both local citizens and visitors come to the Forest to hike, see wildlife, experience nature, camp, horseback ride, hunt and fish and enjoy seasonal recreation. This recreation is linked to tourism that is the lynchpin for the sustainable economy in western Wyoming. Drilling threatens the tourist economy and we can’t ignore the importance of the 3.1 million people that visited in the summer of 2008.

Roadless Areas
 “Roadless areas,” despite what the name would imply, now apparently need protection.