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How We Lost The West (And How To Win It Back)
Who you gonna believe? Me or your lying eyes?
I couldn’t help think of that old sarcasm when I read the reaction by federal agencies and the energy industry to a report last week on the impact of the Bush Administrations drill-fast-ask-questions-later policy in the Rocky Mountains.
The title of the report by the Environmental Working Group best sums up the growing anger among sportsmen toward Dubya’s regard for public lands: “Who Owns the West? How Reckless Oil & Gas Drilling on Public Lands Threatens Wildlife Habitat – and Hunting.”
Its main point is that drilling in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming has doubled since Bush-Cheney took office, going from 1,036 new wells per year during the Clinton Administration (1993-2000) to 2,053 per year under the Bushies.
That rush to drill was enabled by removing many long-standing regulations that reduced the impacts of private profit seeking on public fish and wildlife habitat. Those rules were in place because it seemed only reasonable that if most of the owners of this land use it for recreation, then those who want it to enrich themselves should have to follow rules.
Using state fish and game agency maps, the EWG report shows the feds have leased 23 million acres of mule deer habitat, 18 million acres of antelope habitat, 17 million acres of sage grouse habitat and 13 million acres of elk habitat. It cites reports from both wildlife agencies and hunters that the drilling has disrupted access as well as results to public hunting lands.
No one should be surprised by those figures. The issue has been raised for six years by groups like The Wilderness Society; Trout Unlimited; the National Wildlife Federation, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, to name a few.
But Bushies and their oil pals insist sportsmen and other greenies have it all wrong. A BLM official told the Associate Press that the increase in drilling had nothing to do with Bush energy policies but was a reflection of market forces. An oil industry rep piped in with the same line, then dismissed the concern of hunters and other green folks with "It's very narrow-minded to believe oil and gas development is not going to occur."
That kind of arrogance has ruled the debate for six years, allowing incalculable damage to take place on our lands. The EWG highlights the impacts to real sportsmen using maps of specific prized public hunting areas to show the increase in leasing.
It’s the kind of information every sportsman should memorize--and have read during the coming election cycle. When the next candidate heavily subsidized by the energy industry tells you everything is fine out west--tell him you prefer to believe your lying eyes.
I don't think that you can completely blame this on Bush and Cheney, there are two other branches of government and a entire nation sucking the oil down as fast as they can drill it. The effects of drilling are negative, but instead of trying to stop drilling, why don't these clubs concentrate on developing alternative fuels and other technologies that would stop or lighten the dependence on fossil fuels?
Posted by: Jeremy S | May 14, 2007 at 10:52 PM
We need to stop the drilling now, before the west is ruined and irreversible damage is done
Posted by: Matt | May 15, 2007 at 03:35 PM
This falls solely in the admin's lap since they set the rules and appoint the BLM, Interior, and Ag officials in charge of oversight.
Fighting the drilling is the right thing for hunting clubs to do. Facing down the drillers and driving them off of good hunting land is the job of sportsmen.
Posted by: Mike Diehl | May 15, 2007 at 05:49 PM
I don't think you guys see the big picture, although we are a large group, sportsmen don't have the influence to stop drilling in the west. I not saying we shouldn't stop trying to get them off of hunting land, we need to shift the focus of the administration to another source of energy.
Posted by: Jeremy S | May 19, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Jeremy,
Please don't take this the wrong way because you seem concerned about the problem. But, what planet are you from?? It is this and every administration's RESPONSIBILITY to make certain our public wilderness lands are managed for fish and wildlife. As Mike D. wrote, it falls squarely on this administration shoulders, they set the policy and appointments, simple as that! Those lands were purchased with PUBLIC FUNDS to preserve our natural resources for future generations and the "greater good". Not so a select population in corporate America can get rich quick, from OUR natural resources. The reality check here is that the conservation organizations listed above don't have the resources or the clout to develop alternative fuels for our entire nation, much less "shift the focus" of this administration. An analogy would be like throwing a fox in a hen house and getting it to focus on TOFU.
The conservation groups are doing their best, and have their hand's full trying to protect what we have left!
Posted by: Paul | May 19, 2007 at 10:57 PM
I'm sorry but "PUBLIC" lands mean Everyone's best interest, not just those of us who Hunt and Fish. It seems to me that the roads built to get to the O&G would open the lands up to those of us who don't own horses. You can still limit it to walk in basis but have more points to walk in from. The only way to get off of the forien oil tit is to develope our own resources and to go as green as possible.
Posted by: FH | May 22, 2007 at 10:42 AM
We need to stop trying to get of foreign oil and instead should focus on getting of oil period. All of you driving hummers and riding lawn mowers need to understand the damage you are doing to the planet. We as a nation need to get rid of lawn mowers and gas powered leaf blowers and start conserving energy.
Posted by: Matt | May 22, 2007 at 06:15 PM
FH,
Don't be sorry. Couldn't agree more on your use of the synonym "Public" and "Everyone". That would include birdwatchers,wildlife watchers,photographers,hikers,canoeist/kayakers,horticulturist,wilderness campers,mushroom pickers,PETA members,and general hippie types. How do you like my list so far? Does any of it kind of sticks in your craw?
Posted by: Paul | May 24, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Paul, you make a good point. However, my main point is that the Bush administration is mearly serving our citizens needs by going after the O&G. If we don't have the clout to shift focus from energy sources, why don't we try to shift O&G focus to ANWAR? Despite what most sierra clubbers think that drilling won't hurt anything.
Posted by: Jeremy | June 14, 2007 at 12:16 PM
If I didn't know better i would think I was reading something from the Sierra Club. As sportsman, ala hunters and fisherman. It seems to me as if, we can walk or ride a bike to our favorate honey hole or tree stand. But folks it takes my Chevy Silverado, to pull my boat or 4-wheeler any place I want to go.With gas at $3.50 plus a gallon. We need to do both. Explore for gas and oil, and protect the envionment. We are not a 3rd world country, we can do both. Whether we like it or not this country runs on oil. And will for the foreseeable future.You can do all the things that you can to reduce consumption, but India and China will take up the slack. As long as we depend on oil from the mideast, we are screwed. How is it that Mexico and other South America countrie are drilling but we don't are they smarter than us? I don't think so. If you don't get it yet. you need to get your head out of the sand. The Liberals in this country wants you and me to stay at homer. Thus the 50 mile per gallon cars that are like sardine can. Can they pull your boat or trailer? Of course not. Folks you better wake up, its later than you think.
Posted by: Paul | March 23, 2008 at 11:17 AM
I have been all over Alaska and I see very little damage from oil wells or the pipeline. To think that lawnmomers, do permanent damage to the environment is idiotic. If the average person would just stop to think what would be the consequences if we stopped using oil today, would mean. Most if not all activity would cease. It doesn't stop the lawn mowers and boats, it stops everything.
Posted by: Paul | March 26, 2008 at 09:43 AM