Bureau of Land Management Grant for Mule Deer Study in Atlantic Rim Coalbed Natural Gas Area

Increased levels of energy development across southwest Wyoming have created a variety of concerns for fish, wildlife and the habitats they occupy (BLM 1998). Impacts to wildlife may be direct or indirect. Direct impacts include habitat loss to roads, well pads, pipelines, and other project features. Indirect impacts include changes in distribution or activity due to increased levels of human disturbances (e.g., traffic, noise, pollution, human presence) associated with energy development. The environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project proposes the development of 2,000 natural gas wells, including 1,800 to coal beds and 200 to other formations, at a spacing of up to 80 acres per well. The potential impacts that CBM development may have on mule deer were disclosed as potentially significant within the Atlantic Rim Record of Decision. Mule deer herds in the Atlantic Rim region are among the largest in the Intermountain West and known to migrate up to 60 miles between seasonal ranges (Porter 1999). Maintaining healthy mule deer populations and functional migration routes is a top priority for agencies and the public. In response to proposed Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Development Project, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC), and Warren E & P, Inc. implemented a long-term cooperative study in February 2005 intended to mitigate potential impacts and help ensure that development plans are environmentally sensitive to mule deer.

The Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, intends to award a cooperative agreement with Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST). In Phase II, the study would analyze migration routes or habitat selection patterns of mule deer with regards to CBNG development as a basis for determining the degree to which adaptive management for mule deer would be recommended.

The anticipated length of the project is a 2 year period. The BLM will consider continued funding for the project upon (a) the recipient showing progress satisfactory to the BLM toward program goals and the determination by the BLM that continuation of the program would be in the best interest of the Government or (b) the availability of funds. The total project period for this award will not exceed 24 months.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

WEST’s primary involvement will be to gather data on the Baggs Mule Deer herd unit and how Coalbed Natural Gas POD development in the Atlantic Rim EIS area has impacted the herd. WEST is also providing in kind services for salary and monitoring of the project.

BLM INVOLVEMENT

Substantial involvement on the part for BLM is anticipated for the successful completion of the objectives to be funded by this award. In particular, BLM will be responsible for providing the public lands for these projects, developing work plans for the projects and providing funding, as available.