Nada Wolff Culver Principal Deputy Director | Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced proposed changes to existing resource management plans aimed at conserving wildlife corridors and priority big game habitats on public lands in Colorado. The plan includes the management of oil and gas activities, incorporating the best available science.
The BLM coordinated with the State of Colorado, Tribes, local governments, and citizens to evaluate alternative management approaches for oil and gas development. These efforts aim to minimize negative impacts on high-priority habitats for species such as elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. The review covered approximately 6.17 million surface acres managed by the BLM and about 16 million acres of split-estate where only sub-surface federal minerals are managed by the agency.
“'The BLM is at the forefront of big game habitat conservation efforts for public lands in Colorado,' said BLM Colorado State Director Doug Vilsack. 'We will partner with stakeholders to achieve thriving big game populations while maintaining multiple uses of the public's lands.'"
Migratory patterns necessitate minimal disturbance to migration corridors to allow big game species access to wintering habitats. Consistent with valid existing rights, the plan requires oil and gas operators to develop mitigation plans to minimize adverse impacts.
Under the preferred alternative, measures consistent with Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Regulation would be prescribed where lands are open to oil and gas leasing under existing Resource Management Plans. This aims to conserve seasonal habitats within high-priority areas in support of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s objectives. New facility locations within these areas will be avoided if density exceeds one active location per square mile or contributes to an increased density beyond this threshold.
While focused on oil and gas management decisions related to big game, BLM also analyzed disturbances from other land uses considering cumulative impacts. This analysis will aid future efforts in balancing conservation with new outdoor recreation and energy development opportunities.
The process began in July 2022 with public scoping followed by a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released in November 2023 for a 90-day comment period. A Notice of Availability for the Final EIS will publish tomorrow, initiating a 60-day Governor’s consistency review and a 30-day protest period ending August 19, 2024.
For more information on filing a protest or accessing associated documents, visit the BLM National NEPA Register.
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The BLM manages over 245 million acres of public land primarily in western states including Alaska. It also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate nationwide. The mission is sustaining America's public lands' health, diversity, and productivity for present and future generations.
