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The Bureau of Land Management finalized a proposal to update land use plans for millions of acres of public land in Colorado to better balance oil and gas development with the protection of habitat corridors for big game species including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. The updates were added to comply with rules made by the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission for oil development in big game habitat, aligning federal land management with state standards.
BLM released the proposal with a final environmental impact statement that amends 13 resource management plans across Colorado, adding new oil and gas leasing restrictions across 8.3 million surface acres and 4.7 million acres of mineral estate. The new conservation measures require oil and gas drilling operators in high-priority habitats to develop and implement plans that minimize impacts on wildlife, and give BLM the ability to require an operator to change or add specific mitigation measures “when supported by scientific analysis and consistent with existing rights.”
“Providing safeguards for crucial big game habitat by creating continuity and clarity between how the state of Colorado and the BLM manage these areas makes sense on numerous levels,” said Aaron Kindle, director of sporting advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation. “It is a welcome outcome that took years of hard work by sporting conservation partners and the agencies. We look forward to seeing improved outcomes for big game herds in Colorado.”
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If we’re able to empower Indigenous people, we’re also going to empower the various communities that are directly impacted by fire and have limited access to traditional foods or cultural practices.”
