Wilderness or Mountains of Oil Rigs?
Within the BLM's White River Resource Area (WRRA) are seven areas proposed for protection as part of the Citizens' Wilderness Proposal (CWP), including Dragon Canyon, Skull Creek and the unique and scenic Oil Spring Mountain.
These areas offer some of the most extraordinary examples of geological, cultural, and scientific values of any roadless or wilderness area within Colorado. These unique treasures also provide unfragmented wildlife habitat in an area that has been heavily inundated by oil and gas development.
The WRRA has historically been blessed with one of the most abundant and diverse wildlife populations in North America, and provides wonderful opportunities for hunting and wildlife watching, primitive recreation, and contributes tens of millions of dollars to the local economy each year. However, the rampant increase in oil and gas development coupled with the push for commercial oil shale development has put this all at great risk.
In 1997, BLM estimated that there would be 1,100 oil and gas wells in the WRRA over the next 20 years. In 2006, based on industry estimates, BLM announced that there might be up to 15,000 wells drilled in the next 20 years. This kind of development would destroy the expansive and dynamic canyons, stunning and scenic vistas and the remaining healthy wildlife populations that are a part of the heritage we pass on to the next generation.
A Place with a Past
Located in the heart of WRRA, outdoor enthusiasts explore Colorado's ancient history in the Canyon Pintado (Spanish for "Painted Canyon") National Historic District - an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This area was occupied by prehistoric people as long ago as 11,000 years, and is now home to numerous examples of ancient Native American rock art. These priceless artifacts are now at risk from oil and gas development and motorized routes. This area should be a priority landscape for closure to oil and gas development, closure to motorized use, and rehabilitation of existing routes.
Remarkable Wildlife Habitat
Home to one of the greatest and most varied collection of western wildlife, the WRRA is currently one of our best examples of pristine backcountry landscapes.
A destination for hunters and anglers from across the nation, the WRRA is home to some of the largest and most sought after world-class elk, mule deer, and antelope herds in the country. This majestic setting also provides much needed migration corridors and undisturbed habitat, essential for big game survival.
Once abundant around the West, the greater sage grouse can still be found in the WRRA. This unique bird is known for its colorful mating displays in which the males of the species inflate large mustard-colored pouches on their necks while puffing their collar of bright white feathers and making cooing and popping noises to attract the females. The greater sage grouse depends on healthy sage grasslands for spring mating and winter feeding; unfortunately their numbers have been in great decline due to the abundance oil and gas development across the West.
The Colorado River cutthroat trout, once abundant in western Colorado now inhabits only a few upper reaches of the Colorado River system. One of its remaining strongholds is the rivers and streams found in the WRRA. However, oil and gas development and other land uses that release sediment or toxins into streams, remove trees and riparian vegetation, or pull water from streams all pose severe threats to native cutthroat.
Clear Case of Conflict of Interest
Faced with the oil and gas industry's intent to dramatically increase oil and gas development in the resource area, BLM entered into an agreement with the seven largest oil and gas companies operating in the area whereby the companies will hire a contractor to prepare an isolated "oil and gas amendment" for the White River Field Office rather then revising the entire RMP to account for and consider the effects this increased drilling would have on land-allocation decisions. By defining the planning process as only addressing oil and gas development, we fear that the process will be too narrow to examine the impacts on the resources in the area, such as wildlife and wilderness qualities, and instead simply favor oil & gas development.
