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Oil and Gas Leases Threaten Big Game Migration Routes, Lawsuit Claims
The groups say the sales violated environmental laws and threatened migration corridors used by big game herds.
- On Tuesday, The Wilderness Society and Wilderness Workshop sued Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Wyoming Director Kris Kirby, alleging June oil and gas lease sales in Wyoming and Colorado threaten critical big game migration corridors.
- Conducted under last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the contested sales covered 3,906 square miles in Wyoming and 430 square miles in Colorado, with The BLM collecting revenue through a 12.5% royalty rate.
- Pronghorn herds in the leased areas range from about 37% to 66% below objectives, while mule deer herds are 25% to 62% below; a 14-year study indicates energy development in migration corridors curtails habitat use by about 39%.
- The lawsuit asks the District Court to set aside the sales and return the issue to The BLM, which declined comment due to current litigation, after conservationists argued leases constitute an 'irreversible commitment.'
- Disputing the lawsuit's central claims, Ryan McConnaughey, interim president of the Petroleum Association, stated the legal action 'mischaracterizes the federal oil and natural gas leasing process,' noting actual development requires additional BLM approvals.
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Oil and gas leases threaten big game migration routes, lawsuit claims – WTOP News
The federal government broke environmental laws when it leased 179 square miles in Wyoming for oil and gas drilling, threatening already-diminished migrating big game herds, two conservation groups assert in a lawsuit filed this week. The Wilderness Society and Wilderness Workshop sued Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the BLM’s acting Wyoming Director Kris Kirby and others...
·Chevy Chase, United States
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The Toronto Star+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Oil and gas leases threaten big game migration routes, lawsuit claims
The federal government broke environmental laws when it leased 179 square miles in Wyoming for oil and gas drilling, threatening already-diminished migrating big game herds, two conservation groups assert in a lawsuit filed this week.
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 40%
C 60%
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