In response to the state’s action earlier in June, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has sent Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead a letter of commendation for the state’s efforts to conserve sage grouse throughout the state under a protection plan ordered by the governor (see Daily GPI, June 6).
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Arkansas High Court Upholds Dismissal of Gas Lease Lawsuit
The Supreme Court of Arkansas on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling dismissing a lawsuit against the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) for leasing thousands of state-protected wildlife acres in the Fayetteville Shale for gas exploration.
Mackenzie Gas Project Supporters: Fish or Cut Bait
The 67-month regulatory trial of Canada’s Arctic natural gas development plan has ended in calls by its northern supporters for the industrial sponsors to fish or cut bait by making a decision on whether to build the production and pipeline system within three years.
Northern Mackenzie Gas Project Supporters: Fish or Cut Bait
The 67-month regulatory trial of Canada’s Arctic natural gas development plan has ended in calls by its northern supporters for the industrial sponsors to fish or cut bait by making a decision on whether to build the production and pipeline system within three years.
Northern Mackenzie Gas Project Supporters: Fish or Cut Bait
The 67-month regulatory trial of Canada’s Arctic natural gas development plan has ended in calls by its northern supporters for the industrial sponsors to fish or cut bait by making a decision on whether to build the production and pipeline system within three years.
Lawmakers Tell Interior: Polar Bears, Oil and Gas Can Coexist
A coalition of 13 House lawmakers led by Rep. Don Young of Alaska has called on the Interior Department’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to rely on sound science when designating critical habitat for polar bear populations in Alaska.
Marcellus Drillers Scrutinized by Pennsylvania Commission
Law enforcement officers and biologists with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) said this week they will begin conducting field inspections of active drilling sites for Marcellus Shale gas wells beginning in December.
Interior, Commerce Restore Rule Requiring ESA Consultations
The Obama administration Tuesday restored a rule that requires federal agencies to once again consult with federal wildlife experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — the two agencies that administer the Endangered Species Act (ESA) — before taking any action that may affect threatened or endangered species.
Industry Briefs
In a bit of encouraging news for Rocky Mountain oil and natural gas producers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) plans to remove the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse from the federal threatened species list in Wyoming. However, the mouse for now will remain listed as threatened in Colorado. The FWS said the mouse may be delisted in Wyoming because testing has confirmed that the habitat is no longer at risk from over development. Many of the mice found through testing were located on farmland and ranchland that is not considered at risk for development. However, in Colorado, the FWS noted that development continues to threaten the mouse habitat. “Much of Preble’s riparian habitat in Colorado has been severely altered or destroyed by human activities,” said Steve Guertin, director of the FWS Mountain-Prairie Region. “Continued rapid development is expected along Colorado’s Front Range as the population continues to grow. Without the protection of the federal Endangered Species Act, much of Preble’s habitat would be lost.” The nocturnal mammal, which has a tail twice the length of its three-inch body, mostly lives in streamside habitats near thick vegetation in the foothills of southeastern Wyoming and along the Front Range in Colorado, according to FWS. The mouse is able to jump up to three feet to escape predators. The mouse has been listed as a threatened species since 1998. In Colorado the FWS is expected to use a team made up of state and federal wildlife officials, agricultural and business interests to work on a recovery plan for the Preble’s mouse.
Judge To Feds: Reconsider Sage Grouse Listing
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) ignored the best available science and has to reconsider its decision not to list the greater sage grouse under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), an Idaho district judge ruled last week. If ultimately listed under the ESA, the bird’s status could slow development, impact grazing rules and curb oil and natural gas drilling in parts of the U.S. West.