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GRAND JUNCTION — Ivan James is a bow hunter who happens to own stock in Exxon-Mobil Corporation.
Exxon-Mobil’s profit was $40.6 billion last year, so James in not concerned if he makes a few cents less on his stock this year, he said. He’s more concerned that the oil and gas industry invest in measures to preserve wildlife habitat.
“I’d like to see where we recreate, hunt and fish, our beautiful scenery, preserved,” said James, who lives in Genesee, Colo.
That’s why the Colorado Bowhunters Association, Colorado Trout Umlimited and the Colorado Wildlife Federation placed a billboard on Highway 6 & 50, east of 25 Road, asking the oil and gas industry to “protect our fish and wildlife.”
“The idea behind the billboard is to let people know the sportsmen of Colorado are interested in what comes out of the rule-making process,” James said. The billboard was paid for with a grant from Western Conservation Foundation of Denver.
The Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is holding a public hearing today on a set of new draft rules it prepared in response to state legislation approved last year. The new laws call for oil and gas operations to consider public health, wildlife impacts and the environment.
Retired Department of Wildlife biologist Gene Byrne of Grand Junction said while oil and gas are nonrenewable resources, wildlife is a renewable resource, as long as its habitat is cared for.
“Oil and gas diminishes the quality of habitat quite a bit,” Byrne said. “Gas wells fragment that habitat.”
Sportsmen want to see interim reclamation of oil and gas sites required at appropiate times. The current draft rules do not include that requirement.
“If (a company) develops for 20 years on a well, it allows a lot of time for invasive species to come in,” James said. “Interim reclamation could do a lot toward preventing invasion of noxious weeds and allow the restoration of habitat.”
Some oil and gas companies, like Williams Production, have already begun interim restoration.
“We stabalize the site after a rig is gone and plant whatever (seed) mix is required,” said Williams spokesperson Susan Alvillar.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
Exxon-Mobil’s profit was $40.6 billion last year, so James in not concerned if he makes a few cents less on his stock this year, he said. He’s more concerned that the oil and gas industry invest in measures to preserve wildlife habitat.
“I’d like to see where we recreate, hunt and fish, our beautiful scenery, preserved,” said James, who lives in Genesee, Colo.
That’s why the Colorado Bowhunters Association, Colorado Trout Umlimited and the Colorado Wildlife Federation placed a billboard on Highway 6 & 50, east of 25 Road, asking the oil and gas industry to “protect our fish and wildlife.”
“The idea behind the billboard is to let people know the sportsmen of Colorado are interested in what comes out of the rule-making process,” James said. The billboard was paid for with a grant from Western Conservation Foundation of Denver.
The Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is holding a public hearing today on a set of new draft rules it prepared in response to state legislation approved last year. The new laws call for oil and gas operations to consider public health, wildlife impacts and the environment.
Retired Department of Wildlife biologist Gene Byrne of Grand Junction said while oil and gas are nonrenewable resources, wildlife is a renewable resource, as long as its habitat is cared for.
“Oil and gas diminishes the quality of habitat quite a bit,” Byrne said. “Gas wells fragment that habitat.”
Sportsmen want to see interim reclamation of oil and gas sites required at appropiate times. The current draft rules do not include that requirement.
“If (a company) develops for 20 years on a well, it allows a lot of time for invasive species to come in,” James said. “Interim reclamation could do a lot toward preventing invasion of noxious weeds and allow the restoration of habitat.”
Some oil and gas companies, like Williams Production, have already begun interim restoration.
“We stabalize the site after a rig is gone and plant whatever (seed) mix is required,” said Williams spokesperson Susan Alvillar.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
