A May 6 press release by the Utah Department of Natural Resources revealed that natural gas producers set a new all-time record in 2007, surpassing the previous record set in 2006 by 29 million cubic feet of natural gas. Oil producers are not far behind, setting a decade-high recovery of 20 million barrels.
Gil Hunt, executive director for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, put it in simple terms: "This was accomplished by drilling record numbers of wells in the state the last few years."
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Right now in Utah, six national forests and six Bureau of Land Management field offices are in the process of determining where and under what conditions oil and gas drilling will be allowed on more than 17 million acres of public land.
Many of these lands are renowned hunting and angling destinations: the Henry Mountains, Paunsaugunt Plateau, Strawberry Reservoir, Diamond Fork, Green River and Book Cliffs are all places that have either been leased, are being developed or could be made available for leasing in the future.
Oil and natural gas are valuable resources that contribute to Utah's economy and help to heat our houses and fuel our cars. But now is the time for Utah's sportsmen to ensure that, as this boom continues, the fish, wildlife and public lands we depend on get a fair shake in the planning and the drilling to come. In short, we need to make sure the needs of fish and wildlife are met as drilling continues in known oil patches and comes to places that have never seen the drill bit.
Sportsmen have been involved with local public lands oil and gas issues such as leasing at Strawberry Reservoir, but until there are national policies in place that call for balance and effectively meet the needs of fish and wildlife, we will continue to see our hunting and fishing heritage and fish and wildlife needlessly sacrificed.
A 2002 Utah Bureau of Land Management instruction memo clearly articulates the emphasis on drilling, stating that officials in the state need "to ensure that existing staff understand that when an oil and gas lease parcel or when an APD (Application Permit to Drill) comes in the door, that this work is their No. 1 priority."
To address the need for a change of policies at the national level, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, Mule DeerFoundation and the National Wildlife Federation are spearheading Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development, a campaign built on the support of local rod and gun clubs and businesses that depend on quality hunting and fishing, to push for balanced oil and gas management.
Together, we are working to change our federal agencies' focus so when an application to drill or lease comes in the door, the Forest Service and BLM know what the needs of fish and wildlife are and have comprehensive plans and policies in place to balance these needs with the push for more drilling.
Sportsmen have a long and proud heritage of conservation in Utah. With 17 million acres of public land at stake in Utah alone, now is the time to make sure we get this boom right and ensure the values above the ground are conserved as the values below the ground are developed.
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* WES JOHNSON is vice president of operations for the Utah Council of Trout Unlimited.
