Presentation for 2013 EORI CO2 Conference in Casper, WY July 9, 2013. Jana White, Ph.D. Ecologist for Trihydro, has nearly 15 years of experience working on diverse environmental projects. Her expertise includes biogeochemistry, botany, fate and transport modeling, and systems hydrology.

1. SURFACE DISTURBANCES AND
ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSOCIATED
WITH OIL & GAS DEVELOPMENT
Jana White, PhD
Ecologist
July 9, 2013

2. Presentation Outline:
1. Current status and future
challenges
a. Key regulations
b. Case studies
2. Future industry directions
and potential hurdles
‐ Using ecosystem services
metrics for development
prioritization

3. Ecological Resources
 Vegetation
 Wetlands
 Sensitive habitats
 T&E Species
 Raptors
 Sage Grouse
What do operators encounter when an area
is proposed for development?

4. Regulations – The Big Ones
 NEPA (1969)
 Endangered Species Act (1973)
 Clean Water Act (1977)
 State of Wyoming Executive Order 2011‐5
 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918)
 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1940)
 WY Environmental Quality Act
 BLM, Forest Service, State, Local Statutes

5. Vegetation Management and Revegetation
 Agency‐specific
 Based on mineral
rights ownership
 State and private
mineral rights –
WOGCC, WDEQ
 Federal mineral rights –
BLM
Reclamation plan required as part of POD, APD, or
master development plan

6. Vegetation Management and Revegetation
Sustainable Development
Interim reclamation
minimize impacts of
development on other
resources and uses
Final reclamation
character and productivity
of the land and water are
restored
Wyoming BLM photo, BMP Guide

7. Vegetation Management and Revegetation
Pre‐development
Planning
 Data for cover and
species prior to
development
 Assist in setting
reclamation goals

8. Wildlife Regulations – T&E Species
Wyoming: 18 listings
Colorado: 35 listings
Wyoming Toad Photo: US FWS

9. Wildlife Regulations – T&E Species
 1973 Endangered Species Act
 Affects all sites – public and private
 Initial T&E Species Evaluation Required on
Proposed Oil and Gas Permits
Wyoming: 20 listings
Black‐footed ferret, FWS photo
Blowout penstemon, FWS photo

10. Wildlife Regulations
 State‐listed species, species of concern
Hierarchy of Evaluation
Federally listed T&E Species
BLM Sensitive Species
State‐listed
Mountain Plover, FWS photo/Fritz
Knopf
Wyoming Pocket Gopher,
FWS photo
Pygmy Rabbit

11. Wildlife Regulations – Raptors
 Migratory Bird Treaty Act
 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
Protects birds, eggs, and nests

12. Wildlife Regulations – Raptors (WY)
Raptors of Conservation Concern
Common Name
Spatial buffer
(miles) Seasonal buffer
Golden Eagle 0.5 January 15 ‐ July 31
Ferruginous Hawk 1 March 15 ‐ July 31
Swainson's Hawk 0.25 April 1 ‐ August 31
Bald Eagle see our Bald Eagle information web page
Prairie Falcon 0.5 March 1 ‐ August 15
Peregrine Falcon 0.5 March 1 ‐ August 15
Short‐eared Owl 0.25 March15‐ August 1
Burrowing Owl 0.25 April 1 – September 15
Northern Goshawk 0.5 April 1 ‐ August 15
Seasonal noise limitations, buffers, and timing restrictions to reduce the
impacts of construction, operations, and noise.

13. Raptor Case Study
 What do we do if a raptor nest is present?

14. Wildlife Regulations – Sage Grouse
State of Wyoming Executive Order (EO) 2011‐5.
Management and regulations focused on Core Population Areas and
identified leks.
 Maximum permissible disturbance
 Density of O&G development
FWS photo

15. Wildlife Regulations – Sage Grouse
Source: WY Game and Fish Department

16. Wildlife Regulations – Sage Grouse
Source: WY Game and Fish Department

17. Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.
The Challenge: What is a wetland? Is it jurisdictional?

18. Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.
The Challenge: What is a wetland? Is it jurisdictional?
Intermittent & Ephemeral Wetlands and Streams

19. Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.
Regulatory Jurisdiction:
 Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
 Section 404 Clean Water Act of 1977

20. Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.
Types of Permits:
1) Individual Permits
‐ wetland removal
2) General/Nationwide Permits
‐ minor road projects, utility
line installation, dam
reconstruction activities

21. Wetland Case Study

22. Future Industry Directions
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES)
Guidance document
drafted by 2 global
industry groups which
formed the Biodiversity
Working Group
Fundamental Question:
What is the business case
for protecting and
enhancing biodiversity and
ecosystem services?

23. Future Industry Directions
BES Categories:
Source: www.ipieca.org

24. Future Industry Directions
Future development prioritization based on ecological
resource and ecosystem services assessments
Example – Pipeline Construction
• Proper pipeline location can significantly reduce or
eliminate impacts to cultural, scenic, biological, and
other environmental factors
• Right of Way should be selected by considering 4
BES categories (Regulating, Provisioning, Cultural,
and Supporting)

25. Contact Information:
Jana White
jwhite@trihydro.com
307/745‐7474